HMC Presents: Adrean Farrugia Trio feat. Jessica Lalonde

Hamilton Music Collective Presents:

Adrean Farrugia - Piano

Jessica Lalonde - Vocals

(Band TBD)

Series Tickets on sale Friday August 22 2025 9:00am

Individual Tickets on sale Friday September 5 2025 9:00am

Tickets: $45 / $25 (student)

Purchase a Series Ticket and save 15% on each show here.

Check out the rest of the fall series here.

Please choose your seats at check out!

Doors at 7:00PM, show at 8:00PM (two sets).

Toronto vocalist Jessica Lalonde partners with Juno award winning pianist Adrean Farrugia and his trio. Together they bring an eclectic blend of music and song, taking the listener on a journey through early jazz, of the Broadway and Ellingtonian variety, to popular songs of the modern era, with nods to Lalonde’s training in Opera and Chanson Francaise, and Farrugia’s roots in Bach, Beethoven, and Bebop.

Recently listed by Jazz FM91 as one of "Eight Canadian Women in Jazz You Need to Know", Jessica Lalonde has made a name for herself as a compelling, passionate, and eclectic Canadian artist. Her unique and powerful vocal sound blends a wide range of musical influences, transcending genres. Since her early days as a young singer, she has enjoyed lending her voice to a diverse array of projects ranging from Operatic roles in Vancouver and Italy, to Indie-Rock backing vocals, to New Music, to every major Jazz festival in Canada.

Multiple award-winning pianist and composer Adrean Farrugia has garnered national, and even international recognition for his highly creative and individual approach to the piano– highly lyrical, rhythmic and playful, always pulling emotion from the listener. He's performed on stages worldwide from Paris to Tokyo, New York City to Tel-Aviv, bringing his unique piano approach to more than 50 recordings to date, garnering 9 Juno award nominations, 2 Juno Awards, and a 2020 award for Artist of the Year at the Production Music of America’s Mark Awards. Together, this duo mesmerizes audiences with music that hits the heart and fascinates the mind. This is music that has something for everyone.

About Adrean Farrugia

An award-winning artist and Juno nominee, Adrean Farrugia has performed with legends such as Ernie Watts, Randy Brecker, Molly Johnson, Sheila Jordan, Jane Bunnett, and Kenny Wheeler, and has appeared on more than 60 recordings. He has been recognized with two Juno Awards, eight nominations, and numerous accolades including a Mark Award for ‘Best Production Music Artist’ from the Production Music Association of America.

Adrean leads multiple creative projects including the trio Eurostar, with a new album set for release in 2025, and the Toronto-Montreal quartet Tangent. He is endorsed by Shigeru Kawai Pianos.

He holds degrees from Mohawk College, the University of Toronto, and York University, and has taught at Humber College, Mohawk College, U of T, and York. Most recently, he served as Assistant Professor at Saint Francis Xavier University.

About Jessica Lalonde:

Jessica Lalonde has spent her life exploring music in all its shades and facets. Raised on Country and Rock & Roll, she fell for jazz during her formative years. Lalonde began singing around her hometown of Midland in small jazz duos and trios, and for her local Big Band. Eventually the clarity and strength of her voice led her into serious vocal study and she obtained an Honours Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance from Wilfrid Laurier University. She excelled in her studies, winning a performance scholarship, several prestigious concerto competitions, and holding the title roles in the University’s opera productions.

After graduating she recorded a solo album of jazz and big ­band hits produced by jazz veteran Bill King. The album Spinning Daydreams, features some of Canada’s finest and most sought after musicians including Kevin Breit (Norah Jones, kd lang, Cassandra Wilson), Davide DiRenzo (Jacksoul, Sophie Milman, Tomi Swick), Duncan Hopkins (Diana Krall, Mark Murphy, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass) and Ann Lindsay (Blue Rodeo, Dionne Warwick, The Chieftans).

Following the production and touring of this project, Lalonde continued to explore and hone her instrument by delving into Bel canto singing under the guidance of Metropolitan soprano Aprile Millo, and in 2015 she had the privilege of performing in Italy alongside Ms. Millo for a series of concerts benefitting the Museo and Comittato Renata Tebaldi, the Amici delle case di Puccini, and Villa Verdi. While there, she was also honoured to work with legendary Conductor Maestro Richard Bonynge.

Jessica enjoys a diverse array of performing opportunities including recent collaborations with Juno award winner Chris Gestrin for a headlining performance of “From Heaven to The Centre of The Earth,” a multi­media performance art piece at the Vancouver Art Gallery’s FUSE Festival. She has also performed backing vocals on three Born Ruffians albums, and is featured on Will Currie and the Country French’s album, They Killed Us, Jaymze Bee’s soon to be released collaborative project, Muse and jazz giant, John MacMurchy’s latest Art of Breath recording project. Looking to expand into new markets Jessica signed with Folkstar Productions and re-released her Christmas single “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” to overwhelming support. With these appreciations she is now headed back into the recording studio with the talented John MacMurchy to record her second album. Look for her new album to drop late 2018.

Ultimately the connecting thread between these various musical genres and adventures has been an ability to express the core emotion of whatever composition she is singing, whether by Puccini, Gershwin or a local folk rock band. This expression is filtered through an open heart and depth of understanding; channelled through a voice that feels as though it may unleash at any moment, but chooses rather to remain grounded; an unaffected purity of tone conveying shadow and light.

“Such a distinct voice, genuine natural talent and undeniable beauty.” - Awesome Music

“Jessica Lalonde is one of the top Canadian women in jazz you need to know!” - Jazz.FM91

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Join Hamilton Music Collective for our fall jazz concert series, showcasing top Canadian and international musicians in jazz, blues, and improvised music since 2014. Step into our cozy jazz lounge at 141 Park Street, featuring a top notch sound system (brand new in 2020), wine selections, and an attentive audience. It all comes together in the perfect venue to hear world-class jazz in downtown Hamilton!

All proceeds from ticket sales support the An Instrument For Every Child (AIFEC) program.

For more information about the Hamilton Music Collective and An Instrument For Every Child visit: hamiltonmusiccollective.ca

Parking is available in the parking lots. Read more here: https://www.thegasworks.ca/parking/

Host or Publisher Hamilton Music Collective