This afternoon’s stellar BWJC performance will feature VERN DORGE.  Saxophone, flute, and woodwind specialist VERN DORGE has long held an integral place on the Canadian and international music scenes, featured in live concert, on television, and multiple recordings in a variety of music genres.  Arriving in Toronto from Alberta in 1974, he became known as a featured soloist with ‘Blood, Sweat & Tears’, Gordon Lightfoot, and Anne Murray, and performed with a long list of other acclaimed artists including Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Roberta Flack, Aaron Neville, Gino Vannelli, Diana Krall, and Herbie Hancock.Since joining the fertile music culture of Toronto in the ’70s, Dorge has spent time playing with music icons including Guido Basso, Doug Riley, Howard Cable, Domenic Troiano, and Moe Koffman.  As a performer, composer/arranger, and teacher, he is involved in many settings including Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Orchestral, Musical Theatre, and as a busy studio musician.

The Blue Water Jazz Collective is Stuart Steinhart (Bass), Robert Gasidlo (Keys), Ward Cornforth (Drums). 

Several member’s of the collective group are among the top Jazz musicians in Canada on their respective instruments and bring decades of experience having performed with several world class jazz artists and musicians. The group’s high energy combined with a varied repertoire of swing, latin, fusion and funk delivers a dynamic professional show that engages the audience from start to finish.

Formed in 2023, the group’s members live in the region of Grey Bruce/Simcoe. Having performed together in a variety of different acts previously this newly formed group has received rave reviews in it’s debut shows.