Jazz at the Columbus Centre: An Evening of Bossa Nova

Acclaimed Brazilian vocalist Fernanda Cunha brings her warmth, elegance, and authenticity to an intimate evening of classic bossa nova. Known for its intimacy, sophistication and gently hypnotic rhythms, this beloved genre comes alive through timeless works by Antonio Carlos Jobim, João Gilberto, Luiz Bonfá, and others.
Backed by a stellar ensemble, Cunha’s expressive voice transports audiences to sun‑soaked evenings and the romantic heart of Brazil. A lush, elegant concert that is both relaxing and deeply expressive.
Fernanda Cunha - Vocals

Reg Schwager - Guitar

Tom Szczesniak – Piano/Accordion

Paul Novotny - Bass

Daniel Barnes - Drums

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Fernanda Cunha - Vocals

Brazilian singer Fernanda D’Cunha is celebrated for her warm, expressive voice and her seamless blend of the rhythmic richness of Brazilian music with the sophistication of jazz. With a career spanning stage across Brazil, North America and Europe, she has become a passionate ambassador for Brazilian music abroad - especially in Canada, the country she now proudly calls home. Whether interpreting classic bossa nova or contemporary Brazilian compositions, Fernanda Cunha brings intimacy, elegance and authenticity to every performance. Her deep appreciation for different audiences and artists continues to shape her artistic path, making her a unique and compelling voice in the landscape of Brazilian-Canadian fusion.
Reg Schwager - Guitar

Reg Schwager is a Member of the Order of Canada, appointed for his contribution to Canadian jazz and considered one of our country’s best guitarists. Born in The Netherlands, raised in New Zealand & Sudbury Ontario, he has called Toronto home since 1979. The list of artists with which he has performed includes Mel Torme, Zoot Sims, Diana Krall, Peter Appleyard, Rob McConnel, Oliver Jones, Dave Young and more. Internationally he has toured extensively with legendary pianist & composer George Shearing. Reg has several “albums” released under his own name, which feature his compositions & his arrangements have been recorded by The Dave McMurdo Orchestra & saxophonist Mike Murley.
Tom Szczesniak - Piano/Accordion

Tom Szczesniak (pianist, accordionist, composer & arranger) Toronto based since 1973 and U.S.-born multi-instrumentalist. A highly regarded composer and arranger forT V, film and commercial work, Tom has performed with Lenny Breau, Joe Williams, Bobby McFerrin, numerous pop artists, The Boss Brass, and Bruce Cassidy’s Hotfoot orchestra. He is a multiple winner of the SOCAN award for Film & Television and an Emmy for “Beetlejuice”, an animated series.
Paul Novotny - Bass

Paul Novotny is a bassist, composer, music producer, author and educator who, over his 45-year career, has performed with international jazz artists such as Geoff Keezer, Cedar Walton, Holly Cole plus many more. He has produced five albums over 20 years co-leading ensembles with Order of Canada recipient pianist/composer Joe Sealy, two of which were nominated for JUNO Awards. The album he produced for Joe Sealy, “Africville Suite”, won a JUNO for Best Contemporary Jazz Album in 1996. He has produced two records on his duo with pianist Robi Botos, both of which have received great critical acclaim. Paul has written and produced countless works for film, commercials and television, and is now a leading authority on the new Dolby Atmos Audio Format.
Daniel Barnes - Drums

Drummer, composer and producer Daniel Barnes is the son of internationally renowned classical music composer Milton Barnes. His two album releases to date, “Culmination” and “Classic Beauties”, feature his original compositions, arrangements of standards and some of Canada’s great instrumentalists. They both have become staples on jazz radio in Canada. His group was a finalist in the 2008 Grand Prize of Jazz at the Montreal International Jazz Festival and his original music can be heard in the adventure film “Amazon Extreme”. Daniel backs a top echelon of jazz talent in Canada, having spent three decades with Order of Canada recipient pianist Joe Sealy (playing on the JUNO-winning release “Africville Suite), and has performed at home and abroad with Jackie Richardson, Holly Cole and Adi Braun plus many others, and visiting Americans Don Braden, Dizzy Reese and Ron Westray. Daniel plays on over 50 albums by various artists and has earned distinction in “Global Music” circles through his touring and recording with icons of Ethiopian music Mr. Mahmoud Ahmed, Ms. Aster Aweke and Mr. Hailu Mergia. The Globe and Mail newspaper has described Daniel as “… among the best of his generation”.

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