Hary Vetro's NORTHERN RANGER

In 2017, as Canada celebrated 150 years of confederation, 23 year old Hamilton drummer Harry Vetro took to the road. He traveled coast to coast, visiting communities in Canada's six indigenous cultural areas (Arctic, Subarctic, Northwest Coast, Plateau, Plains, and Eastern Woodlands) in an effort to connect with musicians and artists from different cultural backgrounds, and to better understand the land's long cultural history.

Northern Ranger - Vetro's debut album - tells the story of his travels. A jazz musician by training, Harry melded his own style of improvised music with folk and classical influences to create a deeply personal statement, one that speaks to the country as a whole. 

A recent graduate of the University of Toronto Jazz program, Vetro leads an active performing career, Past performances include the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Ottawa Jazz Festival and Orillia Jazz Festival. 

Proceeds from this album will assist in starting an outreach initiative for youth with limited access to music education. The program will be titled "Northern Ranger Outreach" and Vetro will be partnering with his father, who is an educator and musician with connections in the school system. 

Northern Ranger will be released on Friday, October 19th on T.Sound Records.

Harry Vetro - Drums

Lina Allemano - Trumpet

Harrison Argatoff - Saxophone

Dan Pitt - Guitar

Ian McGimpsey - Guitar

Noah Franche-Nolan - Piano

Jacob Thompson - Piano

Andrew Downing - Bass

Phil Albert - Bass

Jessica Deutsch - Violin

Aline Homzy - Violin

Anna Atkinson - Viola

Andrew Downing - Cello

Les Petits Nouveaux - Stockholm

Les Petits Nouveaux’s sophomore release is an exciting breath of fresh air in a genre that is often mired in traditionalism. The album’s namesake is a tribute to both Django Reinhardt and the group’s connection to the Swedish capitol through band member, Mikko Hilden. Half recorded in Toronto and half in Stockholm, it captures the musical journey of a Jazz Manouche ensemble that is set on pushing the envelope while respecting the traditions. Fusing Django Reinhardt’s infectious swing and the modern advancements of the post-war jazz era, Stockholm is a record that sounds nostalgic yet current.

The group collaborated with many of Canada’s well-established personnel to produce this record; including virtuoso vibraphonist, Michael Davidson, award-winning mix engineer, Don Kerr (Ron Sexsmith, Bahamas, Rheostatics), and Canadian Jazz Manouche ambassador, Denis Chang. The album is released with support from the Ontario Arts Council.

About the band:

Les Petits Nouveaux is a Jazz Manouche collective based in Toronto. The band's founder, Mikko Hilden, joins Aline Homzy, Andy Mac, and Tak Arikushi and overcome geographic challenges (Mikko now lives in Stockholm and Andy lives in Monteral) to create music. The band's name means "A little bit of new" in French, and they continually strive to introduce bits of modern influences while respecting the traditions of the genre. Influences as diverse as Astor Piazzolla, Julian Lage, and even Dr. Dre can be found in their repertoire.

The album's official release date is April 6th, and will be celebrated with a concert at the Burdock Music Hall, a renowned microbrewery/music hall in the heart of Toronto. 

1. Neptune 03:15

2. Catnip 03:10

3. Leapsheep 04:08

4. Bluie 05:09

5. Stockholm 04:19

6. Si Tu Savais 05:42

7. King's Garden 02:43

8. Tango Sobremesa 04:28

9. Morning Brew 04:03

10. BrZ 03:21

11. Blue Jasmine 04:41

12. Depaysment 04:09

This album was made over two years. It is made up of mostly original materials from the members of Les Petits Nouveaux.

Aline Homzy / violin (composer trax 2, 4, 7, 10)

Andy Mac / guitar (composer trax 1, 9 & 11)

Mikko Hilden / guitar (composer trax 8 &12)

Tak Arikushi / guitar (composer track 3)

Jim Sexton / bass (trax 1-6)

Marten Korkman / bass (trax 7-12)

Django Reinhardt - composer track 5

George Ulmer - composer track 6

Special thanks to the Ontario Arts Council for making this project possible, Michael Bourgeois and Marilyn Legge for your continued support, La Rev for helpin us grow as musicians and compsers, and providing a space for art to happen, Rolf Pilotti for lending us your room, and to Django Reinhardt for your eternal inspiration.