Aaron Shragge and Brandon Bernstein Present Innocent When You Dream

This Jazz sextet, Innocent When You Dream, interprets the unique beauty of the songs of Tom Waits. As an ensemble they create haunting and heartwarming sonic landscapes that draw upon the simplicity of the songs as the source of their interplay and improvisations, without relying on virtuosity or complexity as a means of development. Their first record, Innocent When You Dream: Celebrating The Music of Tom Waits, was released through Jazz Collective Records in 2010.

The ensemble began in 2001 when Brandon Bernstein and Aaron Shragge started collaborating while studying at Vanier College in Montreal. After Brandon moved to the L.A area he began to collaborate with tenor saxophonist Matt Otto. Through a shared admiration of the music of Tom Waits, Otto, Bernstein and Shragge then co-produced the groups first record. Shragge says of his connection to the music of Tom Waits, "It is the music I hold closest to my heart. It has been the soundtrack to my life and it gives me great joy to share it with others."

Especially for this performance, Shragge and Bernstein have put together a band of local Montreal Jazz leaders including Upstairs regulars: drummer Jim Doxas, tenor saxophonist Chet Doxas, bassist Jean-Felix Mailloux and lap steel guitarist Joe Grass.
"The group's sound is wide open but still deeply connected to the core of each of these songs" -Eric Jensen, Thoughts From Downtown LA

Innocent When You Dream; an evening of the music of Tom Waits
Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill
1254 Mackay
Sunday, Oct. 2 at 8:30pm, 9:45pm, 11pm
Tickets: 8:30pm- $15, 9:45pm- $10
For reservations: 514 931-6808

Band Leaders
Aaron Shragge (Dragon Mouth trumpet*, Shakuhachi flute) has been greatly inspired by the practice and study of ancient musical tradition of North India and Japan, studying with Grand Masters Ronnie Nyogetsu Seldin, Japanese Master Yodo Kurahashi II and North Indian vocals with Ustad Mashkoor Ali Khan. Aaron is finishing a Master's in Music Therapy at New York University. He performs regularly around New York and has appeared at The Blue Note, Lincoln Center and Kennedy Center. Aaron was last in Montreal to release his new CD The Key Is In The Window in duo with Ben Monder. The CD has received critical acclaimed. www.aaronshragge.com
*The dragon mouth trumpet is a one-of-a-kind instrument built just over a year ago. It was designed to expand the trumpet's melodic nature, emphasizing a North Indian vocal style and the microtonal vocabulary of the shakuhachi flute.

Words on The Key is In The Window
"... a welcomed phenomenal recording." -Esther Caliens, Birmingham Times, "... defies expectation and avoids clichés as it delves deeper into that satori place in your brain." -Bill Milkowski, Jazz Times

Brandon Bernstein (guitar) studied at Berklee College of Music. He earned his BA in Jazz Performance at Concordia University. Bernstein then completed his Masters in Jazz performance and his Doctorate in Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California on scholarship. He has performed/studied with Ben Monder, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Larry Koonse, Delfeayo Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Terrel Stafford and Mark Ferber among many others. He has also published a book with MelBay, writes columns for Just Jazz Guitar Magazine and Jazz Improv, and has given presentations at The International Society of Music Education Conference in Malaysia (2006) and in Italy (2008). He teaches and performs regularly in the L.A area. www.brandon-bernstein.com