Vocal Jazz Ensemble

Christine Duncan, director

Special guest: Alex Samaras

PROGRAM

Pent Up House

W. Rollins

Esperanto

V. Mendoza/K. Elling
arr. K. Marsh

Once More

A. Giammaria 
(guest conductor)

Ninguém Me Ama

Se Eu Morresse Amanhã

Canção Da Volta

excerpts of pieces by 
G. Gil and A. Maria
arr. Quarteto Em Cy
adapted by E. Langhans

Devil May Care

T.P. Kirk/R. Dorough
arr. K. Marsh

Temporary

R. Marina
(guest conductor)

Joy

G. Niewood
arr. Rare Silk
adapted by P. Read

Intermission

Ever New

B.G. Copeland

Braid Song

M. Monk

Now I Walk In Beauty 

trad. Navajo Prayer/G. Smith

Cesca's View

R. Eckert

Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie 

trad. American Folk Song

I Will Guide Thee

hymn, arr. P. Amidon

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO VOCAL JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Christine Duncanm, director

Vocalists:
Gracie Singh-Yuz
Mina Iamonaco
Norah Borges
Gabrielle Amon
Alexandria Forsyth
Else Langhans
Diya Tirone
Magda Baraczka
Esra Gurcay
Asal Naimi
Alia Dunn
Taisiya Sarkisova
Elizabeth White
Kira Pawluk
Alyssa Rosolowski
Len Dale
Daniel Kim
Ian Kurpinski
Jordan Cheng

Piano:
Jonathan Guan

Guitar:
Simon Dawes

Bass:
Gabriella Garvin

Drums:
Anna Janzen

BIOGRAPHY

Alex Samaras is a singing artist. He is a regular collaborator with Tafelmusik, Jeremy Dutcher and is a founding member of the Queer Songbook Orchestra. His most recent and exciting collaborations have been with composers Cecilia Livingston, Madeleine Ertel and Allison Au who have all worked closely with Alex on large scale works written specifically for his voice and unique performance style. His latest record “Alex Samaras Meets Judy Garland” was nominated for a 2026 Juno Award for Best Vocal Jazz Album of the year. Alex is currently music director for Beverly Glenn Copeland's world tours and recently produced and arranged Glenn’s 2026 critically acclaimed record “Laughter in Summer."

Alex writes his own music under the name Tryal and has released 3 records of original music since 2017. His vocal group Grex, inspired by his work in NYC with Meredith Monk, explores the extremes of the human voice and the body/voice connection.