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Friday, October 16th
Doors @ 11:00 PM
Music @ 11:30 PM
Jam Session @ Midnight until 1:00 AM

Performers
Jihye Im, piano
André White, drums
Paul Johnston, bass

Jihye Im is a jazz pianist from South Korea, who is actively performing on the Regina jazz scene as a pianist in the Regina Jazz Orchestra and in several small groups.

She is a member of faculty of the University of Regina and its conservatory of performing arts.

She graduated at McGill in the Jazz performance master’s program and she identifies strongly with the rich and varied jazz tradition. In addition to performing, she is active in composing and arranging compositions both for solo piano and larger ensembles. Her most recent project was commissioned by the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra and Saskatoon Youth Jazz Orchestra to write arrangements of Billy Strayhorn compositions.

Echoing the legendary 1950s and ’60s sessions that kept Strathcona swinging into the early morning hours, this new monthly series re-establishes a vital night-owl haven for our music community as we celebrate our 70th season.

Whether you’re bringing your horn to sit in or settling in as a patron to witness spontaneous late-night improvisation, After Hours is where the real musical conversations happen. All Jam Participants are FREE to attend and must register at the door upon entry to the event. General admission $10.

Full event details and tickets available here: https://yardbirdsuite.com/shows/yardbird-suite-after-hours-jam-hosted-by-jihye-im-trio/

Taylor Davies is a student associate for Bent River Records. She is an artist and designer from Beaumont. Taylor began creating as a young child with her grandmother, Marj Davies, before learning about design techniques and creative digital software. Taylor has been known to push the limits of design through her use of exploratory type methods and textures. Through her position with Bent River Records, Taylor aims to explore new design techniques and gain experience designing beyond the classroom. Outside of design, Taylor enjoys making memories with friends and family, drawing, and spending time by the river.

Elie Bistretzan is a student intern with Bent River Records. He is an engineer, producer, and bassist from Edmonton. A fourth year recording major at MacEwan, Elie hopes to have his own studio someday. His love for music is matched only by his love for working out. When he isn’t mixing, reading about production techniques, or listening to music way too loudly, he spends his time lifting, running, and climbing. Through his internship at Bent River, Elie wants to help plan special events and deepen his understanding of the music industry.

Come check out live performances from Bent River Records competition winners and the exclusive premiere of songs that will be used for the next season of Crip Trip, with the show creators attending as special guests!

Towers Pub
MacEwan University
Friday, March 20, 2026
5:00 – 7:30 pm

Featuring live performances by:
Sydney Amber
Tom Shenher & Patrick Macintyre

And the premiere of songs by:
Kye Howrish
George Kingdon

MacEwan students attending have the chance to win a CD by signing up for a free ticket to an upcoming show!

Thursday, April 9, 2026
Doors open at 7:00 P.M.
Show starts at 8:00 P.M.

The Yardbird Suite
11 Tommy Banks Way, Edmonton, AB

FREE TICKETS available for MacEwan students. Limited availability.

General admission available through the Yardbird Suite. $31

John Sweenie, saxophone
Brett Hansen, guitar
Chris Andrew, piano
Aretha Tillotson, bass
Mark Segger, drums

Two-song performance by MacEwan students: Sydney Amber and Talon Bassani

Sweenie and company leave no harmonic or melodic stone unturned in realizing compositions intended to frame both individual and collective improvisation. Spanning the spectrum between academic exercise and intuitive statement, Mysticism for Intellectuals reflects an ongoing attempt to reconcile method with instinct. The culmination of a nearly year-long working relationship, the band plays with risk, trust, and immediacy, producing a spontaneously energetic yet structurally cohesive recording that will reward active listeners.

Mixed by Paul Johnston (Christine Jensen) and mastered by Joao Carvalho (BADBADNOTGOOD, City and Colour), the production balances modern-jazz and indie-rock aesthetics. Mysticism for Intellectuals will be released on Bent River Records on April 9th.

Already known for high-energy and risk-embracing performances, Canadian tenor saxophonist and composer John Sweenie builds his music from that same forward motion—using the urgency of the bandstand as the engine for a language rooted in the bebop lineage while drawing from modern jazz and indie-rock aesthetics. In his work, strong melodic design and elastic rhythm become the means through which he pushes harmonic language to its edge, not as effect, but as a natural extension of that drive. From the bandstand to the page, that same approach shapes Sweenie’s work: he writes music that frames both individual and collective improvisation, allowing spontaneity to unfold within a clear structural arc. His projects have received support from major arts organizations, and he is the recipient of national awards recognizing his artistic excellence.

Together, these elements define an artist committed to momentum, clarity, and a distinctly personal voice within contemporary jazz.

The winner will receive a $750 honorarium.

By entering this competition, you are agreeing to the following TERMS & CONDITIONS:

Bent River Records (BRR) also reserves the right to publish, produce, re-produce, and distribute the finished audio in perpetuity, throughout the world, for promotional purposes. The media made available for this competition remains property of Bent River Records and may not be used for any other purposes or distributed in any way. This competition is open only to currently enrolled MacEwan students.

Adjudication will be done by a panel of jurors selected by BRR. The anonymity of entrants will be maintained; judges will not know the identity of the participants they are evaluating until after adjudication is complete.

Bent River Records values, promotes and prioritizes diversity, equity and inclusion in all of its work. We recognize the systemic barriers that have led to many artists being underrepresented and will continue to do work to amplify and uplift voices that reflect Edmonton’s diverse communities. We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that represents diverse backgrounds.

• Upon Entry, MacEwan students will download the link Pro Tools Session of “Strangers,” the song recorded with the Bros. Landreth during their MacEwan workshop, and will be asked to create a mix of the piece.
• Students will work independently on this, outside of their coursework (one submission per person), you may edit, mix, augment, and produce the track to your taste. 

Mixing Submissions Should Be:

• wav files at 48kHz and 24 bit
• Naming Convention: 2026 BRR Mixing Competition_Participant Name (names will be removed for anonymity before the panel receives them)
• All submissions must be uploaded using the form linked here: https://forms.gle/n6saJqEWNnBbK1y89

Any questions regarding these competitions may be directed to Paul Johnston at johnstonp24@macewan.ca

Adjudication Rubric

• Quality of Mix (Balance, Sense of Venue, Etc.)
• Does the track Sound Properly Mastered?
• Originality
• Do the Deliverables adhere to the Submission Requirements
• Overall Impressions

The deadline for all submissions is 11:59 PM MDT on Thursday, April 2nd, 2026