Acclaimed composer and pianist Thompson Egbo-Egbo first moved to Toronto from Nigeria when he was 4 and started learning piano at the age of 6. His deep love for the instrument stayed with him and he has since earned music degrees from Humber College and from Berklee College.

Thompson performed Oscar Peterson’s beloved composition “Hymn to Freedom” at Roy Thomspon Hall at an event honouring the Canadian jazz legend. He also portrayed the young Oscar in Historica Canada’s Heritage Minute short film about Oscar Peterson.

Thompson has several albums to his credit and, in his words, “my music is as diverse as the city where I make it”. Thompson’s compositions have at their core a deep, abiding groove. His mystifying talent takes you on an unforgettable concert experience every time he sits at the piano.

In addition to composing music and performing across the country, Thompson heads a foundation dedicated to helping underserved Toronto youth to advance in music and the arts.

Website: Thompson Egbo-Egbo

Victoria Houser was raised in the tranquil coastal town of Hubbards, Nova Scotia, and now calls the vibrant city of Toronto, Ontario home. Her journey in music began naturally, with a lifelong love for singing instilled by her East Coast upbringing. Her musical toolbox consists of an acoustic guitar and her heartfelt voice, crafting a genre that blends country and folk with an East Coast flair, inspired by musical luminaries like Gillian Welch, Neko Case, Lucinda Williams, and Anne Murray. She writes songs that tell a story from start to finish, with lyrics that leave you wondering if you should laugh or cry. Her recently released EP, titled, Somewhere Close to Home, has been acclaimed across the country and is available to listen to on your favourite platform.

Website: Victoria Houser

Nominated for the 2023 Maple Blues Awards' Best Male Vocalist and also for Guitar Player of the Year, Brooke Bentley Blackburn is the composer, singer, and guitar player behind The Bentley Collective. Brooke incorporates blues, jazz and acoustic soul vibes to present a talent-filled evening of music and great entertainment.

The Blackburn name has long loomed large in the Toronto music world, beginning over 50 years ago with Brooke’s dad, R&B artist Bobby Dean Blackburn. Born into a musical family, Brooke inherited and fostered a writing style that features melody, groove and lyrical structure well-rooted in historical Black Canadian tradition. Brooke has accumulated a vast repertoire of original compositions. His solo album, Songs, consists of blues/groove songs & ballads that incorporate various styles and compositional methods that Brooke has acquired throughout his unwavering career.

Brooke also performs with Juno-nominated The Blackburn Brothers, Shakura Saida ,and with a recurring cast member of Soulpepper Theatre Company.

Website: The Bentley Collective

Recipients will be introduced and invited to perform at our concert!