TORONTO SAX QUARTET
Featuring arrangements for soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, the Toronto Sax Quartet has developed a diverse repertoire of standards, world, classical and original selections. Featuring Colleen Allen, Andy Ballantyne, Jeff King and Pol Coussée, the music of the TSQ is a delight to hear. For bookings please contact colleen@colleenallen.ca - CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR PRESS KIT
All Videos
COLLEEN ALLEN
Alberta born Colleen Allen plays all saxes, flute, and clarinet. She is a top call in Toronto for live shows, festivals, and recording projects.
Recent performances include sessionsx recordings with Gospel legend Carvin Winans, featuring Michael MacDonald, Take 6 and Martha Reeves.
She has performed extensively with Molly Johnson, David Clayton Thomas, Holly Cole, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Marc Jordan, Heather Bambrick, Shakura S'Aida, Jackie Richardson, Cirque Du Soleil, SoulPepper Theatre, Brian Barlow’s Big Band and is a proud member of the Women's Blues Review Band.
Colleen is a member of Manteca, one of Canada's premier fusion jazz big bands, and has recently been in the studio with them to record a new album, her second with the group.
In the fall of 2017 she was chosen as the Artist in Residence for the Steel City Jazz Festival in Hamilton.
Colleen’s first self-titled CD is a beautiful collection of nine tracks displaying her many talents as instrumentalist, arranger, band leader and producer. Her sophomore release “flashlight” features bassist George Koller, guitarist Rob Piltch and Snarky Puppy drummer, Larnell Lewis.
Whether touring with the celebrated Molly Johnson, or teaching in Humber College’s esteemed Jazz Studies Program, Colleen is considered one of the most cherished musicians on the Canadian music scene. A dynamic solo performer and flawless ensemble musician, Colleen is known for her gorgeous warm tone, soulful style, and brilliant soloing. Colleen is a world-class musician whose musical talents have touched many audiences around the globe.
ANDY BALLANTYNE
Canadian saxophonist, composer, and arranger Andy Ballantyne is a graduate of the Humber College music programme, and holds a degree in jazz performance from the University of Toronto. He is a regular member of several prominent Canadian jazz groups including two Juno award-winning ensembles: the Rex Hotel Orchestra, and the Neufeld/Ochippinti Jazz Orchestra (NOJO).
Jazz musicians Andy has performed with include Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass, Dave Holland, Maria Schneider, Vince Mendoza, Carla Bley and he backed numerous popular entertainers including Hugh Jackman, Paul Anka, Gladys Knight, The Temptations, Natalie Cole, and Johnny Mathis.
Andy has performed with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and in many theatre productions including The Producers, Sister Act, Mary Poppins, and Aladdin. Andy has also been a member of the Shaw Festival Orchestra for 5 seasons.
As a composer and arranger, Andy’s works are featured on jazz vocal legend Ranee Lee’s 2014 release “What’s Going On” on Justin Time records. In 2011 Andy was commissioned to write a major piece for the Humber Studio Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Denny Christianson, and has also provided large ensemble arrangements for visiting artists Danilo Perez and Jack Dejohnette.
Andy leads the 11 piece Andy Ballantyne Large Ensemble, which recorded and released their debut recording, The Sum of the Parts, in 2007 (available at www.cdbaby.com and on iTunes). The band features many of Canada’s finest jazz musicians, including Kevin Turcotte, Kelly Jefferson and David Braid. Other projects include The Sidewinders; a sextet exploring the Soul Jazz genre of the 1960’s; and The Giuffre Project, a trio performing the unjustly neglected music of the great Jimmy Giuffre.
Andy has been on faculty at Humber College in Toronto since 2001. He has taught theory, composition, arranging and jazz pedagogy in addition to private lessons on saxophone and woodwinds.
POL COUSSÉE
Born and raised in Belgium, Pol Coussée became a staff musician at the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco, backing up artists such as Sammy Davis Junior, Shirley MacLaine, Liza Minelli and Jerry Lewis.
Pol moved to London, UK and toured and recorded with many famous and even more infamous pop stars of the day including Dexys Midnight Runners, Barry White, Bashia, Carmel, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Sister Sledge, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Martha Reeves, Harold Melvin, and Three Degrees.
He played with the BBC Jazz Orchestra and worked in the West End theatre district on Cats, Blood Brothers, Fame, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar and Starlight Express.
As a studio musician, Pol played on live TV/Radio broadcasts, commercial jingles, and records covering almost all styles of music ranging from classical, Jazz, Folk, Latin, Funk, Klezmer to bubblegum-pop.
When Pol relocated to Toronto he played Guys & Dolls (Stratford), Dirty Dancing, Chicago, Beautiful, Book of Mormon (Mirvish Productions) Come Fly With Me, 9 to 5 The Musical, West Side Story, Jersey Boys, ( DanCap) Mary Poppins, Swing! (Drayton Productions) Motown, Love Train, Smoky Joe’s Cafe, and Rocky Horror Show ( StageWest).
Pol’s most recent recordings include Grease with the Wintergarden Orchestra and A Christmas Carol for Ross Petty Productions.
JEFF KING
Juno award winning musician Jeff King is a Toronto-based saxophonist that for the past 20 years has performed all over the world. As a university student he studied classical saxophone, flute and clarinet.
Along with running his own band, he has performed and recorded with the likes of Paquito D' Rivera, Paul Shaffer, Tony Bennett, Randy Brecker, Paul Anka, Lonnie Smith, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Jeff Healey, Joey DeFrancesco, Lorne Lofsky, Hilario Duran, Wayne Newton, Jackie Richardson, David Braid, Joel Haynes, Keiran Overs, Rich Brown, Alexis Baro, Robi Botos, Doug Riley, Archie Alleyne, and pretty much everyone else in the Canadian jazz scene.
Jeff has recorded three albums of his own and is currently the leader of his new band "Catalyst", featuring Luis Deniz, Ted Quinlan, Rich Brown and Mark Kelso.
Jeff is a P. Mauriat Saxophones endorsed artist.
LISTEN AND DOWNLOAD
GET IN TOUCH
TORONTO SAX QUARTET
