Jesse Ryan & Kaiso Street Collective

Kaiso Street Collective is a new ensemble composed of some of Toronto’s most exciting improvisers and composers who share deep musical and cultural connections to jazz and Afro-Caribbean musical traditions.

Led by Juno-nominated, Trinidadian-born saxophonist Jesse Ryan, the grandson of the late calypso veteran Clifton Ryan ‘The Mighty Bomber”; the ensemble is dedicated to presenting fresh arrangements of music from the golden age of calypso to new audiences, re-imagined through the lens of modern jazz.

Each season the ensemble will feature the music of a calypso master to preserve and honor their legacy while celebrating calypso’s global impact as music for social change and its connections to the jazz tradition. Currently, in its first season, the ensemble is premiering the music of Clifton Ryan, The Mighty Bomber, and one of his mentors and biggest influences, Theophilus Philip, The Mighty Spoiler.

The Collective’s lineup for this season features award-winning guitarist Andrew Marzotto, Juno-nominated pianist Ewen Farncombe, vibraphonist Michael Davidson, Juno award-winning bassist Roberto Ochipinti, drummer Anthony Daniel, Cuban-Canadian trumpeter Alexander Brown, trombonist Kelsey Grant, tenor saxophonist, and clarinetist Jeff La Rochelle. Ryan functions as music director and plays alto & soprano saxophones.