{"id":1305,"date":"2018-10-23T23:31:49","date_gmt":"2018-10-24T05:31:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bentriverrecords.macewan.ca\/?page_id=1305"},"modified":"2026-02-11T21:42:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T04:42:35","slug":"events","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bentriverrecords.macewan.ca\/index.php\/events\/","title":{"rendered":"Events"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mike Bruzzese \u2013 Another Space<\/em> Album Release | Bent River Records at the Yardbird Suite<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An integral voice in Montreal\u2019s vibrant jazz scene, guitarist Mike Bruzzese has shared the stage with acclaimed artists including Louis Hayes, Ben Solomon, Miki Yamanaka, Andr\u00e9 White, and Kevin Dean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He returns now with Another Space<\/em>, his second release on Bent River Records. The official album launch will feature an evening of brand-new compositions, dynamic interplay, and the celebration of a bold new chapter in his music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday, February 12, 2026
<\/strong>The Yardbird Suite | 11 Tommy Banks Way
Doors open at 7:00 P.M. | Show starts at 8:00 P.M.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FREE TICKETS available for students.<\/a><\/strong> Limited availability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

General admission tickets available here<\/a> $31<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Bruzzese, guitar
Chris Andrew, fender rhodes and piano
Paul Johnston, bass
Dave Laing, drums<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening act: Alex McDonald\u00a0&\u00a0Jonah Manson
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PAST EVENTS<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Montuno West @ The Yardbird Suite<\/a><\/strong>
Friday, November 29, 2024
Doors open at 7:00 PM
Show starts at 8:00 PM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Montuno West featuring Israel \u201cToto\u201d Berriel releases their new Bent River Records album, Ra\u00edces<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Montuno West boasts an exciting and infectious sound strongly influenced by jazz, Afro-Cuban folklore and other Latin styles. A true blend of tradition and modern approaches keeps the band\u2019s sound fresh, evocative, and, most importantly, uplifting. In 2019, the group won the Calgary Music Award for World Recording of the Year. It was also nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award in the World category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Montuno West is excited to be joined by special guest Israel \u201cToto\u201d Berriel (Vancouver\/Cuba). Berriel is a traditional Afro-Cuban percussionist, vocalist, and educator. He played with the world\u2019s best-known Rumba group, Los Mu\u00f1equitos de Matanzas, for twelve years, where he mastered the Afro-Cuban repertoire. Toto is an exceptional performer and a naturally gifted vocalist with a distinctive sound. Although deeply rooted in Afro-Cuban traditions, he is also comfortable with jazz, soul, and funk. Originally from Matanzas, Cuba, Toto has toured worldwide and has made Canada his home since 2001.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Band members<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Israel “Toto” Berriel, vocals and percussion
Chris Andrew, piano
Rubim de Toledo, bass
Raul Tabera, percussion
Luis Tovar, drums<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tickets will also be available at the door if not previously sold out online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bent River Records presents Brianna Lizotte @ The Aviary!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday, November 21
The Aviary | 9313 111 Ave
Show starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets $12 at the door | FREE for students<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brianna Lizotte celebrates the release of her Bent River Records album, Winston & I.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This album is all about the ups and downs of the transition between her teenage years to adulthood: lively jigs written for family, spiralling mental breakdowns and accepting that not having the answer to everything is okay. This showcase will include all tunes from her two albums along with many tunes that she grew up hearing at family kitchen parties. Lizotte takes inspiration from her love for marching and concert band and fiddle music to create something new. The sound of the sax, trombone, electric guitar, and traditional folk fiddling will fill listeners with feelings of nostalgia, excitement, and the need to dance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brianna Lizotte is a fiddler currently living in Edmonton Alberta. She grew up in a household where music was played, whether it was from home videos or kitchen parties. At the age of 10, most of the musicians in her family passed away, so she took it upon herself to keep the music alive. This has led her to many opportunities, such as competing twice in the Canadian Grand Masters, music festivals across Alberta, and travelling to Rome to support the M\u00e9tis delegates during their meetings with the Pope in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from performing, Brianna can be found teaching fiddle lessons and M\u00e9tis history through music and dance workshops and in studios recording for documentaries, EPs, singles, etc. Graduating from MacEwan University\u2019s Bachelor of Music program in 2023, she looks forward to developing her voice within the Canadian music scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All ticket proceeds to MacEwan scholarships, awards and bursaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bent River Records Artist Spotlight \u2013 November 2023<\/h2>\n\n\n
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The Fall 2023 Bent River Records Artist Spotlight is back and takes place on the 30th of November, 2023 at the Yardbird Suite, 11 Tommy Banks Way NW, Edmonton, AB. Doors open at 7:00pm, and showtime is at 7:30pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The evening\u2019s lineup features two Montr\u00e9al-based artists: trumpeter and organist, Kevin Dean, and jazz pianist, Jean-Michel Pilc, who are releasing a new album of duets with Bent River Records. Bent River Records merchandise and other previously released works from Bent River Records will also be available for purchase. Entry to this event is by donation to MacEwan\u2019s Students First Campaign. A QR code with the link to donate will be available at the event. No RSVP or ticket purchase is necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bent River Records is an innovative and artist-focused record label based out of MacEwan University in Edmonton that inspires community and student engagement. It was conceived and designed with the dual purpose of providing a support network for recording artists while providing an important and rare educational and research platform for students to obtain hands-on experience in the music industry.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here for the Yardbird Suite event page.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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2021 Bent River Records Artist Spotlight Series on CJSR 88.5<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Did you miss our 2021 Artist Spotlight Series on CJSR 88.5? Fret not! You can now listen to the episodes on Soundcloud. Thank you to Mark Rodgers, host of Soul of the City, and to the Bent River Records interns who co-hosted the shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen Now: <\/p>\n\n\n\n