Trinidadian-born saxophonist and composer Jesse Ryan has been praised as a fresh new voice, with a unique perspective on the music of today. His Bridges project is an emerging, eclectic quintet that bridges both the jazz and Afro-Caribbean traditions – A true celebration of the cultural, rhythmic, and expressive connections between North America and the islands.
Currently living in Toronto, Canada, he’s the 2020 recipient of the Toronto Arts Foundation’s Emerging Jazz Artist Award – an award that puts a spotlight on emerging jazz musicians with a keen sense of the grand tradition behind jazz music, while putting their own stamp on the genre and the Toronto music scene with their unique style and approach.
His compositions are ambitious and his enchanting sound telling, that he is set to take Caribbean Jazz out of its niche of ethnic fusion, and into the mainstream. He has worked with some of Canada’s finest musicians including, Roberto Occhipinti, Daniel Barnes, Rachel Therrien, Amhed Mitchel, and Larnell Lewis. Jesse says, “I feel blessed to have the opportunity to make music in such a great city, and contribute my voice and unique Caribbean perspective to the vast multicultural landscape that is Canadian music.”