Amanda Tosoff

Toronto-based jazz pianist and composer Amanda Tosoff has emerged as one of the top new talents on the Canadian jazz scene. Tosoff has released 2 CDs on Vancouver’s Cellar Live label: “Still Life” (2006), and “Wait and See” (2008) featuring Juno award-winning trumpeter Brad Turner. In 2010, Tosoff released her 3rd CD “Looking North”, the first release on her own record label Oceans Beyond Records. In addition to her long-time quartet, this album features NY-based trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, Toronto’s Kelly Jefferson on tenor saxophone, and William Carn on trombone.

Tosoff has performed with a long list of internationally recognized talent, including such luminaries as Ingrid Jensen, Phil Dwyer, Christine Jensen, Joel Miller, Brad Turner, Jodi Proznick among others. She has opened for jazz legends Bobby Hutcherson, Renee Rosnes, Oliver Jones, and Luciana Souza. She has also recorded for CBC Radio programs “Hot Air”, “Tonic”, “Jazz Beat” and “Canada Live”. In 2008, Tosoff's group was included on Espace Musique’s live concert series “Portraits Jazz”, alongside 7 other Canadian bands.

Tosoff has received several prestigious awards, including the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award (2007) at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, and the General Motors Grand Prix de Jazz at the Montréal Jazz Festival (2009). In 2010, her quartet was awarded a full scholarship to attend the Banff Centre Winter Workshop. Most recently, Tosoff received a Canada Council grant to study with pianist Phil Markowitz in New York City for three months.

Tags

Album Review

Wait and See by Raul d'Gama Rose

July 13, 2009

Amanda Tosoff Quartet Wins the 2009 General Motors Grand Jazz Award

PRESS QUOTES

“... a gifted musician with refined compositional skills.” - Marke Andrews, (Vancouver Sun Review)

“They prove that jazz is in very good hands indeed!” - Paul Grant (CBC Radio's “Hot Air”)

“Tosoff shows a remarkable grasp of the art of the song.” - Raul d'Gama Rose, (Allaboutjazz.com)

“Two things that make Tosoff's jazz fun are the generosity she gives to her backing quartet that leaves it lots of room, and her piano playing, which has a playful curiosity” - Tom Harrison (The Province)

“This group exemplifies so many of the great and positive things that young jazz musicians have going for them; compositional talent, instrumental talent, and devotion to the music and one another.” - Katie Malloch (CBC Radio)

“...Tosoff shows great promise: as a composer, leader, and performer..

PRESS QUOTES

“... a gifted musician with refined compositional skills.” - Marke Andrews, (Vancouver Sun Review)

“They prove that jazz is in very good hands indeed!” - Paul Grant (CBC Radio's “Hot Air”)

“Tosoff shows a remarkable grasp of the art of the song.” - Raul d'Gama Rose, (Allaboutjazz.com)

“...Tosoff shows great promise: as a composer, leader, and performer... Her quartet swings with a genuine spirit, and she interprets clearly with a crisp motion. .. she brings the piano into full view through her calm demeanor and complete confidence.” - Jim Santella (Cadence Magazine)

“Amanda performed with her quartet at the Jazz Festival and they were absolutely stunning. Everyone was coming up and asking, 'Who is this band?' ... the quality of her composing is extremely high, and she swings, yet she can be introspective. Definitely an artist and a band to watch.” - John Orysik (Coastal Jazz and Blues Society)

There is an obvious cohesiveness and comfort level amongst these musicians. Grooves hang in a common pocket, and the young players show a mature level of sensitivity to each other’s nuances. Perhaps even more impressive is the harmonic sophistication of Tosoff’s writing. These are tunes that flow logically, and form the bed for her lyrical melodies, but the harmonies are interesting and provide a lot of meat for these players to dig into. - Lyle Rebbeck (Medicine Hat Jazz Society)

“...an assured, forward-thinking voice on the city's mainstream scene.” - Greg Buium (Vancouver Sun)

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Primary Instrument

Piano

Location

Toronto

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Amanda currently teaches private jazz lessons and group classes in Toronto as well as over the internet. Contact her through www.amandatosoff.com for more information. She has also taught workshops on composition, jazz history and improvisation at schools such as Lethbridge University, Red Deer College, Capilano College and more.