richard whiteman
THE RICHARD WHITEMAN TRIO
"a class act"
- Geoff Chapman, Toronto Star
Formed in 2003, the Richard Whiteman Trio combines the
"melodic inventiveness" of Toronto jazz composer/pianist Richard
Whiteman with the exciting rhythm team of bassist Brandi Disterheft and
drummer Sly Juhas. The trio's first recording, "ALL OR NOTHING AT
ALL" was described by American music critic Scott Yanow as "a
delightful outing", and given four stars out of five in his column
for AllMusic.com. The disc was also praised by www.tojazz.com, who called
it "a tasty, accessible set with some great playing from Whiteman
and fine support from two young jazz upstarts".
In its short history, the trio has already been featured at the Montreal Jazz Festival, The Atlantic Jazz Festival and the Coastal Jazz and Blues Festival in Vancouver. In addition, the trio has performed at Toronto area venues like The Rex Hotel, Chalkers, Top O' the Senator, The Jazz Brunch at The Westin Harbour Castle and Amis du Jazz (in Sonya, Ontario). Richard also keeps the group busy with many corporate and private engagements.
ABOUT BASSIST BRANDI DISTERHEFT & DRUMMER SLY JUHAS
Richard’s younger colleagues are accomplished alumni of the jazz program at Toronto’s Humber College. Together, Brandi and Sly have worked with Toronto’s brightest up-and-coming jazz talents, including pianists Laila Biali and Greg De Denus and guitarist Lee Wallace.
Originally from Vancouver, Brandi Disterheft has studied with some of the best bassists in jazz: Rufus Ried, Don Thompson, Mike Downes, Niels Henning, Orsted Pedersen and Rodney Whittaker. In 2004, she was named Galaxie Rising Star, and has rapidly become one of Toronto’s busiest bassists, working at the finest jazz venues and appearing on recordings with award-winning pianist Laila Biali, vocalists Danny DePoe and Laura Hubert, and many others. In 2007 Brandi released "DEBUT", her first CD as a leader, which took her to all the major Canadian Jazz Festivals that summer.
Drummer Sly Juhas, from Mississauga,
is an active freelancer in Toronto, having performed at all the top jazz
clubs, including The Rex Hotel, The Courthouse, Opal Jazz Lounge and the
famed Montreal Bistro. In 2002, Sly's co-led "CROSSINGS" Quartet
won an international competition that garnered the talented young players
a workshop at the Manhattan School of Music and a concert at Carnegie
Hall. As a member of the Laila Biali Trio, Sly opened for Diana Krall
at the 2005 Vancouver Jazz Festival, and he has also toured the country
with Juno-winner Rich Underhill. In addition, Sly has worked with luminaries
such as Rob McConnell, Lorne Lofsky, Rick Wilkins and Pat LaBarbera.
More about bassist Brandi Disterheft
More about drummer Sly
Juhas