Roberta Hunt

Roberta Hunt is no stranger to the many venues and festivals in Southern Ontario such as; The Jazz Bistro, The Rex Hotel, Reservoir Lounge, Lula Lounge, and The Lancaster Jazz Club in Kitchener. Red Hot Ramble and/or her trio have performed at the Niagara Jazz Festival, Toronto Jazz Festival, Lakefield Jazz, All Canadian Big Band Festival and many others. In addition to performing solo and with her own bands (Red Hot Ramble, Bertie and the Gents, Roberta Hunt Trio) in Toronto, Roberta has also participated in the French Quarter Festival New Orleans; Davos Sounds Good Festival, Davos; Rapperswil Jazz Festival, Switzerland; Jazz in Mortigliano, Italy as well as local jazz festivals over her career.

The New Orleans influence began early in Roberta’s career when she joined the legendary Toronto New Orleans band “Kid Bastien’s Happy Pals” and held the piano post for 14 years.

Jacob Gorzhaltsan:

Jacob Gorzhaltsan is a Juno-nominated multi-instrumentalist and composer based in Toronto, Ontario.  Born in Jerusalem, Israel, to parents who are both visual artists, Jacob moved to Canada at a young age and began studying music shortly afterwards. Early on in his musical pursuits, Jacob was fortunate to attend a workshop and play with his clarinet-hero, Buddy DeFranco — a moment that continues to inspire his passion to this day. Subsequently, Jacob joined the Toronto All-Star Big Band (TABB) at a very young age, further developing his love for performance and the jazz tradition. Jacob was fortunate to study with a plethora of local Toronto musicians, and enjoyed four years at Humber College’s B.A. of Music program. 

He now performs and records extensively (both as a sideman and leader) with numerous groups in Toronto, and has played in various venues across Canada and the United States. He has had the pleasure of being a part of an incredible cast and crew for several concert productions and recordings with Soulpepper Company in the past few years. He is honoured to have shared the stage with Jackie Richardson, Denzal Sinclaire, Kevin Breit, Noam Lemish, Amos Hoffman, Alex Bird and the Jazz Mavericks, Pedram Khavarzamini, Kalyna Rakel, The Israeli-Iranian Music Initiative, Heavyweights Brass Band, Travis Knights, Mike Ross and many others. 

Jacob can be seen regularly playing at venues all around Toronto and the surrounding-area. As well, he is an active music educator, teaching woodwinds and music theory.

Jack Zorawski:

Jacek “Jack” arrived in Canada from Poland in 1986 and wasted no time establishing himself in the Toronto traditional jazz scene.  As a young man, Jack travelled all throughout Europe playing “Dixieland” music gaining valuable experience that has served him well in the Toronto music scene, throughout North America, and Japan.  Toronto has long had a vibrant traditional jazz scene and Jack has played bass with just about every band since ’86!  In addition to traditional jazz, Jack has also established himself as a versatile bassist leading his own “piano trio” releasing his CD entitled ‘First Train’ in 2006, and working with legendary and versatile performers such as pianist extraordinaire, Bernie Senensky,  the great Peter Appleyard,  fellow countryman, the legendary composer, violinist, saxophonist and lyrical player Michael Urbaniak, and many years with jump/jive/blues singer/songwriter Big Rude Jake.  As a founding member of Red Hot Ramble, Jack has not only provided his wonderful bass playing, he has established himself as a prolific composer of original songs now in RHR’s repertoire!

Glenn Anderson:

Born and raised in Toronto, Glenn has been playing drums for close to four decades now. Well known for his hard-swinging, yet sensitive drumming, Glenn is a favourite rhythm section member for many vocalists in Southern Ontario, including such artists as blues-jump musician/songwriter Big Rude Jake and Canada’s ‘Sweetheart of Swing’ Alex Pangman & Her Alleycats. In addition, Glenn performs with various instrumental ensembles ranging from trios to big bands like The Galaxy Orchestra led by reed master/pianist/arranger Ross Wooldridge.   Duke Ellington was quoted as saying “There are two kinds of music, good and the other kind” … Glenn can be found performing with traditional country group Colonel Tom & The American Pour at The Dakota Tavern in Toronto or on tour with legendary jazz pianist Gene DiNovi at The Parry Sound Festival of Music … it’s all good music as Duke says! As a young kid, Glenn heard many a record at home of some of the greatest traditional jazz artists of our lifetime and he fell in love with the music of New Orleans…. fast forward to Toronto where Glenn has been a mainstay of The Excelsior Jazz Band for close to 30 years and has and continues to perform at some point with almost every Traditional Jazz band in Toronto over the years! In 2003, Glenn released his first CD under his name entitled “Swingin’ The Blues”.  In 2011 Glenn and his long time friend and rhythm section bassist Jack Zorawski decided it was time to put together their own band with a decidedly fresh approach to the music of New Orleans from a Canadian perspective – Red Hot Ramble was born and Glenn has, along with his band mates, introduced a vibrant, exciting and inviting band to the Toronto music scene and beyond.

The Hare Wine Co. is offering some delicious menu items to accompany your wine and jazz experience. A small cheese and charcuterie board for $20 + HST, as well as your choice of a 12-inch pizza for $22 + HST (Smoked duck, Pepperoni or Margarita.) Order in advance when you buy your tickets.