Kelly Jefferson

Biography

Multiple Juno award–winning saxophonist, composer and educator Kelly Jefferson has been a leading figure in the Canadian jazz community and beyond for over twenty-five years.

He has performed with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Maria Schneider, Christian McBride, Kenny Werner, Phil Woods, Clark Terry, Al Jarreau, Michel LeGrand, Nicholas Payton, Brian Blade, as well as Ray Brown, Sonny Fortune, Randy Brecker, Renee Rosnes, Johnny Mathis, Russell Malone, Joey DeFrancesco, and Dee Dee Bridgewater, among others.

Kelly holds a Bachelor of Music degree from McGill University in Montreal and a master’s degree from Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Kelly has performed extensively in Canada, the United States, Japan, Thailand, Europe, South Korea and China, including a nine-month tour with legendary trumpeter Maynard Ferguson.

The Kelly Jefferson Quartet release Next Exit, was nominated for a 2011 Juno Award. Kelly is also a member of the collective trio TuneTown, along with bassist Artie Roth and drummer Ernesto Cervini.

Mr. Jefferson is currently a faculty member at both the University of Toronto and York University and has adjudicated at music festivals and has given numerous clinics and workshops throughout North America. Kelly is also a faculty member at the IMC Jazz Camp as well as the Stratford Summer Music Festival’s Jazz Academy.

An active freelance musician and guest artist, Kelly performs regularly with groups that include the Carn-Davidson 9, Emilie-Claire Barlow and The Shuffle Demons.