About Virginia MacDonald

Juno Award-winning clarinetist Virginia MacDonald has established herself as a leading voice of her generation. Known for her lyrical and dynamic approach to the clarinet, she has been described by legendary clarinetist Doreen Ketchens as playing “like a scholar, very refined with plenty of soul.” As an in-demand bandleader, sidewoman, and composer, she maintains a busy international performance schedule, regularly appearing at renowned venues such as Birdland, Smalls, Ronnie Scott’s, Le Duc des Lombards, and Dizzy’s. Her festival appearances span the globe, with performances at the Detroit, Rochester, Torino, Montreal, and Toronto Jazz Festivals, among others.

About Colleen Clark

Drummer, composer and educator Colleen Clark is vibrant on the scenes in NYC and the southeastern United States. Clark has guest performed for four nights with the 8G Band on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers and can most recently be heard playing on her co-led project ALLIANCE (4-star Downbeat review), Michael Dease’s The Other Shoe (Origin) and Found in Space (Origin). She has also contributed to three upcoming big band records by Michael Dease, and Matt White’s Dolly. She has recorded on SteepleChase with Allegra Levy featuring legendary trumpeter John McNeil and Levy’s reimagining of his music on Lose My Number: Allegra Levy sings John McNeil. Her Mexican jazz group CC + The Adelitas will record their debut album in 2026.

About Audrey Ochoa

Audrey Ochoa is one of Edmonton’s most prolific trombone players, playing Jazz, Rock, Pop, Latin, Punk, Ska and whatever other genre will have her. She studied classical trombone at the University of Alberta and has performed professionally across Canada and abroad as a member of multiple ensembles. Audrey has found a home in jazz and contemporary music composing her own tunes, which are often Latin-influenced and definitely convey her sense of humour. Audrey has worked with such jazz legends as Chris Potter, Marcus Miller, Hilario Duran, PJ Perry, Tommy Banks, Lew Tebackin, and Dan Aykroyd and the Temptations.

Performing Groups include:

• Girls in Jazz Honour Jazz Band directed by Audrey Ochoa
• Clark-MacDonald Quintet
  • Colleen Clark – drums
  • Virginia MacDonald – clarinet
  • Michelle Gregoire – piano
  • Aretha Tillotson – bass
  • Audrey Ochoa – trombone
• Calgary Women’s Jazz Collective directed by Kathie Van Lare