Sean Stanley -Jazz pianist/vocalist/bandleader of “The Sean Stanley Trio”/Quartet, from Scarborough Ontario (Turtle Island) “Canada”. Sean is one of the only “Indigenous” (Pottawatomi/Ojibwe & Acadian) musicians in Toronto and comes from a much less privileged background than the majority of his peers and contemporaries. Overcoming homelessness in his teens and being surrounded by addiction and mental health issues, these and other experiences molded him and his music greatly. These challenges prepared him to navigate the often elitist and “tribal” nature of the Toronto Jazz/music scene, Sean and his group including Chris Adriaanse (Bass), Andrew McCarthy (Drums) and new Juno award winner Kyle Tarder-Stoll (Tenor Sax) are fast becoming one of the more “in demand” Jazz bands in the city.
Sean’s musical journey began at the age of 11 playing the popular music of the day, starting on guitar and eventually migrating to the piano by age 17. Studying the Jazz & Blues greats such as Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Erroll Garner and of course, Billie Holiday….. “Jazz” Music became his main focus.
Beginning to perform professionally in 2014, he honed his skills as an accompanist, composer and bandleader on the bandstand and is mainly a self-taught musician.
Sean’s accomplishments include a Harlem restaurant Residency from 2015-2019, Taste of the Danforth 2019 as well as many other club dates and more recently, appearances at Jazz Bistro, Crow’s Theatre, Oud & Fuzz, SOLD-OUT performances at Reid’s Distillery’s “Gin & Jazz” as well as busking on the streets of Toronto during the pandemic to make ends meet and provide a supplemental income for himself and his musicians. Currently you can find Sean and his group playing all over the GTA and beyond, follow them on their social media for upcoming performance dates.
Instagram: seanstanleytrio
Facebook: The Sean Stanley Trio
YouTube: SeanStanley1986
PERFORMANCES
Twilight Jazz and Blooz Series Part 2: Summer Jazz featuring the Sean Stanley Quartet
Spirit In Niagara, 458 Lakeshore Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
First Ladies of Jazz: A Celebration of Nations Program
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St Paul St, St. Catharines, ON L2R 3M2