the players

the players

Bill Bridges, Guitar

Born in 1944 in rural Alberta, Bill began playing the guitar when he was about 13 or so and celebrated his 15th birthday while on the road with a band. Since then he has toured the world playing and writing all styles of music from jazz to classical and is one of the most sought after arrangers of symphonic music in Canada.  In 1971 he moved from Calgary to Toronto and began working with some great local and internationally acclaimed musicians: Howard Cable, Guido Basso, Hagood Hardy, Peter Desotto, Red Norvo, Art Van Damme, Phil Nimmons, Peter Appleyard, Lenny Solomon, New Music Concerts, and many more. He has recorded jingles, CD’s, movie scores, tv and radio broadcasts, and has worked in orchestras playing for theatre shows and for such artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Petula Clarke, Eartha Kitt, Vic Damone, and Tony Bennett, to name a few. He toured with Lena Horne for several years. Miss Horne said, "He plays so pretty I want to stop singing and just listen". He was John McDermott’s musical director and guitarist  for many years and has appeared as guest soloist with several symphony orchestras. Bill finessed his string writing skills while with Quintessence - a string quartet with an added guitar.

He still writes, records for, and performs with: trio Norte, Bowfire, Quartetto Gelato, Dadawa, The Done Me Wrongs, Jazz Epicure, Allyson Morris, Kelli Trottier, Ron Korb, and George Gao. For a number of years he has been a member of The Shaw Festival Orchestra and often travels to Ottawa to play with The National Arts Centre Orchestra. Currently Bill is in collaboration with Lewis Mele in the development of "Bridges", a guitar and bass duo, as well as writing for and playing banjo and guitar with the Wintergarten Orchestra - a group dedicated to playing music from the 1920's and 30's. Recently he co-produced Tom Leadbeater’s latest cd and played in the pit (as well as an on stage accompanying flamenco dancer Fernando Mira) for Strictly Ballroom. Bill intends to continue his musical life as a free lance composer/arranger/performer for many years.

Kevin Coady, Drums

Kevin hails from Newfoundland, where he began a love affair with things that make noise at an early age. He hasn’t stopped since, experimenting with the textures of percussion and playing withBig Rude Jake, Jack Zorawski and Joel Miller. He studied music with Andre White at McGill University and has performed at the prestigious Montreal JazzFestival and the Sound Symposium in St. John’s. Kevin is interested in time travel, perpetual motion (it’s what he does best) and tricycles.

Ron Johnston, Bass

Classically trained, Ron’s first love has always been Jazz. He has been professionally performing and recording, (locally and abroad), with a number of different groups since 1971. Ron has also appeared in numerous TV shows and Films as a musician extra, including being a main band member in the Oscar winning film “Chicago”. He was one of the original members of the well known Hard Bop band “Kollage”, where he performed and recorded with the group for their first nine years. Currently, Ron can be seen working with Juno award winner Bob DeAngelis. In addition to teaching privately, Ron is the bass instructor at the acclaimed St. Michael’s College School in Toronto.

Jordan Klapman, Piano

Jordan Klapman is a pianist, accompanist, bandleader, music director, silent film accompanist, and popular music history lecturer. He performs mainstream and traditional jazz, The Great American Songbook, as well as world and Jewish music at festivals, clubs, concert halls, theatres, and special events of all kinds. He’s appeared at Roy Thomson Hall, Koerner Hall for IdeaCITY, on CBC Radio and television, Birdland’s Cast Party in New York City, on CITY TV, and on JazzFM as a show co-host with the late Jeff Healey. Jordan also composes and plays piano for The Wintergarten Orchestra. A very active silent film accompanist, Jordan frequently composes and performs his own retro-style scores for the classic dramas and comedies of the silent era. His CV includes dozens of performances at venues including The TIFF LightBox, Silent Sundays at The Revue Theatre, The Toronto Silent Film Festival, The University of Toronto Media Commons, The Vintage Film Festival, and The Toronto Jewish Film Festival. For over 40 years, Jordan has specialized in 20th century popular music— including traditional Dixieland, Jazz Age dance music, European cabaret, Tin Pan Alley, klezmer— and his original retro compositions. 

Upcoming shows

Tanya Wills, Jazz Vocalist

The Tanya Wills Quartet

May 3, 2018

6:00 pm

120 Diner
120 Church St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
Tel: 416-792-7725 Text: 416-706-4237

The Tanya Wills Quartet

June 16, 2018

7:30 pm

Tranzac, Southern Cross Lounge
292 Brunswick Ave, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-923-8137

The Wintergarten Orchestra

June 22, 2018

8:30 pm

Hugh’s Room Live
2261 Dundas St W, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:

The Wintergarten Orchestra

June 23, 2018

12:00 pm

Spadina House – Gatsby Garden Party 2018
285 Spadina Rd, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:

The Wintergarten Orchestra

June 24, 2018

5:00 pm

Spadina House – Gatsby Garden Party 2018
285 Spadina Rd, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:

Jazz Trio

June 29, 2018

5:30 pm

The Pastry Peddler
17 King St E, Millbrook
For Reservations, Book at:

Jazz Trio

June 29, 2018

7:45 pm

The Pastry Peddler
17 King St E, Millbrook
For Reservations, Book at:

The Tanya Wills Quartet

July 6, 2018

8:30 pm

The Cavern Bar
76 Church St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-971-4440

The Wintergarten Orchestra

July 12, 2018

7:30 pm

The Duke
1225 Queen St East, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-463-5302

The Tanya Wills Quartet

July 15, 2018

4:30 pm

The Tilted Dog (formerly The Local Gest)
424 Parliament St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-961-9425

The Wintergarten Orchestra

July 28, 2018

12:30 pm

Beaches International JazzFest
Queen St E, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:

The Tanya Wills Quartet

August 4, 2018

5:00 pm

Westben Jazz Fringe - SOS Lounge Warkworth
161 Old Hastings Rd, Warkworth
For Reservations, Book at:
705-924-3333

Tanya Wills

August 7, 2018

8:00 pm

The Cobourg Bandshell - Concert In The Park
Bandshell at Victoria Park, Cobourg
For Reservations, Book at:

The Tanya Wills Quartet

August 25, 2018

8:00 pm

The Firehall Theatre
213 Second St, Cobourg
For Reservations, Book at:
905-372-2210

The Tanya Wills Quartet

August 26, 2018

7:00 pm

CD Preview Party-Jazz Bistro
251 Victoria St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-363-5299

The Tanya Wills Quartet

August 30, 2018

6:00 pm

120 Diner
120 Church St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
Tel: 416-792-7725 Text: 416-706-4237

The Tanya Wills Quartet

September 5, 2018

8:00 pm

Alchemy
890 College St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-530-4082

The Tanya Wills Quartet

September 12, 2018

8:00 pm

ALCHEMY
890 College St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-530-4082

The Tanya Wills Quartet

September 19, 2018

8:00 pm

ALCHEMY
890 College St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-530-4082

The Tanya Wills Quartet

September 22, 2018

8:00 pm

AVIV
328 Dupont St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-922-2243

The Tanya Wills Quartet

September 26, 2018

8:00 pm

ALCHEMY
890 College St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-530-4082

The Tanya Wills Quartet

September 28, 2018

6:00 pm

BURDOCK
1184 Bloor St West, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-546-4033

The Tanya Wills Quartet

October 13, 2018

7:00 pm

The Supermarket
268 Augusta Ave, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-840-0501

The Tanya Wills Quartet

October 20, 2018

7:00 pm

Relish Bar & Grill
2152 Danforth Ave, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-425-4664

The Tanya Wills Quartet

October 21, 2018

4:00 pm

The Loft Cinema
201 Division St, Cobourg
For Reservations, Book at:
905-372-2210

The Tanya Wills Quartet

November 3, 2018

8:00 pm

Free Times Cafe
320 College St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-967-1078

The Tanya Wills Quartet

December 13, 2018

8:00 pm

AVIV
328 Dupont St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-922-2433

The Wintergarten Orchestra

December 30, 2018

8:00 pm

Hugh's Room Live
2261 Dundas St West, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-531-6604

The Wintergarten Orchestra

January 21, 2019

7:30 pm

The Duke Live
1225 Queen St East, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:

Jazz Trio

January 26, 2019

6:30 pm

Victoria Hall - Private Event
55 King St West, Cobourg
For Reservations, Book at:

Jazz Trio

January 27, 2019

6:00 pm

The Pastry Peddler
17 King St East, Millbrook
For Reservations, Book at:
705-932-7333

Tanya Wills

January 31, 2019

8:41 pm

REVIVAL
783 College St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:

SYNERGY - Rob Tardik

February 1, 2019

8:00 pm

Capitol Theatre
20 Queen St, Port Hope
For Reservations, Book at:
905-885-1071

The Tanya Wills Quartet

February 14, 2019

1:00 pm

Spadina Theatre - Alliance Francaise Toronto
24 Spadina Ave, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-924-6211

The Wintergarten Orchestra

February 14, 2019

8:30 pm

Hugh's Room Live
2261 Dundas St West, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-533-5483

The Royals Big Band

February 16, 2019

8:00 pm

Victoria Hall
55 King St West, Cobourg
For Reservations, Book at:
905-372-2210

Toronto Art Orchestra

February 18, 2019

8:30 pm

Hugh's Room Live
2261 Dundas St West, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-533-5482

The Wintergarten Orchestra

March 18, 2019

7:17 pm

The Duke Live
1225 Queen St East, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:

The Tanya Wills Quartet

May 17, 2019

12:00 pm

St Andrew's Church - Noontime Music
73 Simcoe St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-593-5600

The Wintergarten Orchestra

May 20, 2019

7:30 pm

The Duke Live
1225 Queen St East, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-463-5302

The Tanya Wills Quartet

May 23, 2019

7:00 pm

RELISH Bar & Grill
2152 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-425-4664

Tanya Wills

May 28, 2019

2:00 pm

Victoria Hall - Cobourg
55 King St West, Cobourg
For Reservations, Book at:
905-372-2210

Tanya Wills

June 2, 2019

7:00 pm

Buddies in Bad Times
12 Alexander St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-975-8555

The Tanya Wills Quartet

June 8, 2019

8:00 pm

HIRUT Cafe
2050 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-551-7560

Jazz Trio

June 28, 2019

5:30 pm

The Pastry Peddler
17 King St East, Millbrook
For Reservations, Book at:
705-932-7333

Jazz Trio

June 28, 2019

7:45 pm

The Pastry Peddler
17 King St East, Millbrook
For Reservations, Book at:
705-932-7333

Tanya Wills with Bill Bridges

June 30, 2019

12:00 pm

Bar Hop Session
681 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-461-2035

The Tanya Wills Quartet

July 6, 2019

6:00 pm

120DINER
120 Church St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
417-792-7725

The Wintergarten Orchestra

July 12, 2019

8:30 pm

Hugh's Room Live
2261 Dundas St West, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-533-5483

The Wintergarten Orchestra

July 15, 2019

7:30 pm

The Duke Live
1225 Queen St East, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-463-5302

Tanya Wills with Michael Monis

July 20, 2019

5:00 pm

Laveanne Lavender
8667 Gilmour Rd, Campbellcroft
For Reservations, Book at:
705-201-1545

The Wintergarten Orchestra

July 27, 2019

5:45 pm

Beaches International Jazz Festival
Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-698-2152

The Tanya Wills Quartet

August 3, 2019

5:00 pm

WESTBEN Jazz Fringe Festival - S.O.S. Lounge
161 Old Hastings Road, Warkworth
For Reservations, Book at:

The Tanya Wills Quartet

August 3, 2019

5:00 pm

Westben Jazz Fringe - SOS Lounge Warkworth
161 Old Hastings Rd, Warkworth
For Reservations, Book at:
705-924-3333

The Tanya Wills Quartet

August 18, 2019

10:00 pm

Alchemy
890 College St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:

The Tanya Wills Quartet

September 7, 2019

2:00 pm

TD INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FEST - Brantford
Brantford, Ontario
For Reservations, Book at:

The Wintergarten Orchestra

September 16, 2019

7:30 pm

The Duke Live
1225 Queen Street East, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:

The Tanya Wills Quartet

October 5, 2019

8:00 pm

HIRUT Cafe
2050 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:

The Wintergarten Orchestra

November 18, 2019

7:30 pm

The Duke Live
1225 Queen Street East, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-463-5302

Tanya Wills with Bill Bridges

December 6, 2019

6:00 pm

Lola's Coffee House - Christmas Dinner Event
74 Main Street, Brighton
For Reservations, Book at:
613-475-0711

Tanya Wills with Bill Bridges

December 7, 2019

6:00 pm

Lola's Coffee House - Christmas Dinner Event
74 Main Street, Brighton
For Reservations, Book at:
613-475-0711

Tanya Wills with Bill Bridges

December 19, 2019

8:00 pm

The Bluebird - Holiday DUO
2072 Dundas Street West, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-535-0777

The Wintergarten Orchestra

December 30, 2019

8:30 pm

Hugh's Room Live
2261 Dundas Street West, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-531-6604

The Tanya Wills Quartet

January 18, 2020

7:00 pm

RELISH Bar & Grill
511 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-425-4664

The Royals Big Band

February 1, 2020

8:00 pm

VICTORIA HALL
55 King Street West, Cobourg
For Reservations, Book at:

The Tanya Wills Quartet

February 14, 2020

12:00 pm

St Andrew's Church
73 Simcoe St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:

Frank DiFelice Jazz Quartet

March 8, 2020

2:00 pm

Hudson Public Kitchen + Bar
93 Dalhousie Street, Brantford
For Reservations, Book at:

The Wintergarten Orchestra

March 9, 2020

7:00 pm

The DUKE Live
1225 Queen Street East, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:

Tanya Wills with Jordan Klapman

August 16, 2020

1:00 pm

The Capitol Theatre
20 Queen Street, Port Hope
For Reservations, Book at:

The Tanya Wills Quartet

September 14, 2020

12:15 pm

Music Mondays - Church of the Holy Trinity
19 Trinity Square, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:

The Tanya Wills Quartet

June 20, 2021

12:00 pm

Concerts In Care - Tapestry at Village Gate West
15 Summerland Terrace, Etobicoke
For Reservations, Book at:

The Tanya Wills Quartet

July 29, 2021

4:00 pm

ORCHARD CONCERT
** contact for invite
For Reservations, Book at:
[email protected]

The Tanya Wills Quartet

August 12, 2021

8:00 pm

HIRUT Cafe & Restaurant
2050 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-551-7560

The Tanya Wills Quartet

August 21, 2021

5:30 pm

SOS Lounge
161 Old Hastings Rd, Warkworth
For Reservations, Book at:
705-924-3333

The Tanya Wills Quartet

September 1, 2021

4:30 pm

ORCHARD CONCERT
** contact for invite
For Reservations, Book at:
[email protected]

The Tanya Wills Quartet

September 16, 2021

8:00 pm

SMOKESHOW BBQ & Brew
744 Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-901-7469

The Wintergarten Orchestra

November 28, 2021

7:00 pm

THE DUKE LIVE
1225 Queen St East, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-466-2624

The Tanya Wills Quartet

December 1, 2021

9:00 pm

Holiday Kickoff - JAZZ BISTRO
251 Victoria St, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-363-5299

The Tanya Wills Quartet

December 11, 2021

8:00 pm

Swing In The Holidays at THE PORT
15 Cavan St, Port Hope
For Reservations, Book at:
905-885-0897

The Wintergarten Orchestra

April 10, 2022

5:00 pm

THE DUKE LIVE
1225 Queen St East, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-466-2624

The Wintergarten Orchestra

May 7, 2022

5:00 pm

Oakville Convention Centre
2525 Wyecroft Rd, Oakville
For Reservations, Book at:
905-847-1000

The Tanya Wills Quartet

May 12, 2022

6:30 pm

MANDY'S BISTRO
123 Danforth Ave, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-519-4461

The Wintergarten Orchestra

May 22, 2022

5:00 pm

THE DUKE LIVE
1225 Queen St East, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-466-2624

The Tanya Wills Quartet

June 2, 2022

7:00 pm

SMOKESHOW BBQ & BREW
744 Mount Pleasant Ave, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-901-7469

The Tanya Wills Quartet

June 23, 2022

8:00 pm

HIRUT
2050 Danforth Ave, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-551-7560

The Wintergarten Orchestra

June 25, 2022

3:00 pm

SMOKESHOW BBQ & BREW
744 Mount Pleasant Rd, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-901-7469

The Tanya Wills Quartet

June 26, 2022

1:30 pm

CAPITOL THEATRE
20 Queen St, Port Hope
For Reservations, Book at:
905-885-1071

The Wintergarten Orchestra

July 10, 2022

3:00 pm

SMOKESHOW BBQ & BREW
744 Mount Pleasant Rd, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-901-7469

The Wintergarten Orchestra

July 17, 2022

5:00 pm

THE DUKE LIVE
1225 Queen St East, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-463-5302

The Tanya Wills Quartet

July 28, 2022

5:00 pm

FARM CONCERT
The Farm
For Reservations, Book at:

The Wintergarten Orchestra

August 14, 2022

3:00 pm

SMOKESHOW BBQ & BREW
744 Mount Pleasant Rd, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-901-7469

The Tanya Wills Quartet

August 20, 2022

8:00 pm

HIRUT
2050 Danforth Ave, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-551-7560

The Tanya Wills Quartet

August 25, 2022

5:00 pm

FARM CONCERT
The Farm
For Reservations, Book at:

The Tanya Wills Quartet

September 10, 2022

7:30 pm

VICTORIA HALL
55 King St West, Cobourg
For Reservations, Book at:
905-372-2210

The Wintergarten Orchestra

September 11, 2022

5:30 pm

THE DUKE LIVE
1225 Queen St East, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-463-5302

The Wintergarten Orchestra

October 8, 2022

3:00 pm

SMOKESHOW BBQ & BREW
744 Mount Pleasant Rd, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-901-7469

The Tanya Wills Quartet

October 29, 2022

8:00 pm

HIRUT
2050 Danforth Ave, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-551-7560

The Wintergarten Orchestra

October 30, 2022

5:00 pm

THE DUKE LIVE
1225 Queen St East, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-463-5302

The Wintergarten Orchestra

November 12, 2022

3:22 pm

SMOKESHOW BBQ & BREW
744 Mount Pleasant Rd, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-901-7469

The Wintergarten Orchestra

December 10, 2022

3:00 pm

SMOKESHOW BBQ & BREW
744 Mount Pleasant Rd, Toronto
For Reservations, Book at:
416-901-7469

Testimonials

“For 28 seasons, I was the producer and principal performer (piano and vocals) of the
concert series Words and Music presented at Cobourg’s historic Victoria Hall Concert Hall….

….I was always determined to include Tanya at least once each season in my Words and Music concert series, not just because of the beautiful sound of her singing, but also her versatility, finding her to be equally at home in whatever style of music was asked of her….”

Brad Halls

“I have seen Tanya perform with The Wintergarten Orchestra many times and with her
Quartet and I’ve enjoyed her performance immensely. Tanya is a great singer and
performer, with an amazing voice and her knowledge of the music from various
eras and in various languages is outstanding. She is both a pleasure to listen to and watch, and I hope she continues singing for a long time to come. Highly recommended!”

Olya Bata

Contact

Tanya Wills, Jazz Vocalist

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