Home » Jazz Musicians » Audrey Ochoa

Audrey Ochoa

The transformation of nostalgia is both innovative and intricate, a delicate balance of appealing to the old while tiptoeing at the forefront of the entirely cutting edge. Unbound by any predisposed ideals around genre or delivery, trombonist Audrey Ochoa has achieved the ideal: presenting meticulously influential compositions with a playful and liberated approach. Classically trained but with a voracious appetite for honing her craft in any genre, Ochoa has shared stages with Hilario Duran, PJ Perry, and Tommy Banks; and with international greats Lew Tebackin, Marcus Miller, Chris Potter and the UNT One O’Clock Lab Band. A rising star in her own right and a fixture of the Canadian music scene, she is decidedly captivating and original, and her compositional skill and talent on her instrument is spectacular. “…here shows a musician with endless confidence and skill, with varying moods and tempi within a trio that is always in sync.” – (Keith Black, Winnipeg Free Press)

Her debut album, “Trombone and Other Delights” (2013) , was widely acclaimed and spent 3 consecutive weeks as the number one Jazz album on the Earshot charts. Ochoa’s sophomore release, “Afterthought” (2017), is an extension of her consummate understanding of arrangement and dedication to her craft – leading to a No. 1 position on the Canadian jazz charts and breaking top 20 in the U.S. She is a decorated award nominee, having earned recognition at the Western Canadian Music Awards, the Global Music Awards and a recent recipient of the Edmonton Music Prize, noting an outstanding musical contribution to the local arts scene.

With significant education, performances and momentum amassed, Ochoa’s next recorded efforts were originally intended to feature duets with pianist Chris Andrew – which would be remixed by electronica DJ, Battery Poacher. As pre-production progressed, she found herself utilizing skills from other projects and arranging strings with horns and a rhythm section. The result is an ambitious project that introduces strings into her previous configuration of trombone, piano, bass and drums, a mix of chamber music with contemporary and Latin jazz. Focused on unique arrangements and undisputed inspirations, the album features electronic remixes alongside this harmonious combination of genres and ideals.

Exhilarating and exuberant, Audrey Ochoa exemplifies an artist who has dedicated herself to expertise while remaining relevant and light-hearted. With a magnificent and fresh-faced approach, she defies categorization and plants her flag firmly as a centrepiece of the Canadian music arena.

Awards

Edmonton Music Prize (2018) Western Canadian Music Award - Nominee (2019)


Tags

2
Radio & Podcasts

Les McCann, Phil Markowitz, Melba Liston & Audrey Ochoa

Read "Les McCann, Phil Markowitz, Melba Liston & Audrey Ochoa" reviewed by Joe Dimino


We begin the 822nd episode of Neon Jazz with Canadian trombonist Audrey Ochoa and music from her 2023 album The Head of a Mouse. From there, we hear from the legendary Melba Liston. As the hour continues, we dig into new music from Joe Alterman, Chris Lee, Andrew Rathbun and Kelly Jefferson. In between, we drop Mose Allison, Phil Markowitz, Les McCann and Dexter Gordon. It all comes to a close with the late Joey DeFrancesco. Dig the jazz, my ...

3
Album Review

Audrey Ochoa: Frankenhorn

Read "Frankenhorn" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Trombonist Audrey Ochoa's Frankenhorn has a big, bold sound. The set was originally planned as a feature for duets with pianist Chris Andrew, with remixes by electronica DJ Battery Poacher. But things got out of hand, in the best sense of things. A rhythm section and strings and keyboard seasonings were brought into the mix, resulting in a sound that almost certainly tops a duet approach. Battery Poacher remixes show up on two of the tunes, “The Huggy ...

Read more articles
1

Award / Grant

Trombonist Audrey Ochoa Wins Edmonton Music Prize

Trombonist Audrey Ochoa Wins Edmonton Music Prize

Source: Chronograph Records

Chronograph Records is pleased to announce that trombonist, composer, arranger, educator and band leader Audrey Ochoa has won the 2018 Edmonton Music Prize! A collaboration between the Edmonton Arts Council and Alberta Music, the Edmonton Music Prize celebrates the achievements of Edmonton’s artistic community. After a stellar year of performing her compositions with GRAMMY winners and rising the US jazz charts, Audrey’s compositional and performance skills won over the jury. She beat out artists in the country, pop, urban, indie ...

"The music here shows a musician with endless confidence and skill, with varying moods and tempi within a trio that is always in sync. The humour and sense of mischief is never far from the surface. Although this is clearly Ochoa’s album, each member gets airtime with ample evidence that the Edmonton jazz scene is growing nicely. I believe that the name Audrey Ochoa is going to become much better known in the Canadian jazz world. ★★★★" - Winnipeg Free Press

"One of the freshest creative statements from a major jazz force in Canada for a long time." - Hugh Fraser

"Eclectic Audrey Ochoa defies jazz horn stereotype with grace and humour." - Edmonton Journal

Read more

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Introducing Aretha...

Bent River Records
2023

buy

Frankenhorn

Chronograph Records
2020

buy

Afterthought

Chronograph Records
2017

buy

Trombone & Other...

Chronograph Records
2013

buy

Backwards Crossovers

From: Introducing Aretha Tillotson
By Audrey Ochoa

Bunganga

From: Frankenhorn
By Audrey Ochoa

Videos

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.