Mark Kelso & the Jazz Exiles are an exciting Jazz/Funk/Fusion group of musicians helmed by Toronto drummer/composer Mark Kelso. Featuring Rich Brown on bass, Jeremy Ledbetter on Keys, Luis Deniz on Sax and Elmer Ferrer on guitar, these players create an intense and creative musical playground for their original music.

Formed to continue in the improvisatory nature of groups like Weather Report, Yellowjackets, Pat Metheny Group, Miles Davis and Snarky Puppy while also dipping into the funky grooves of bands such as Earth Wind & Fire, the music of the Jazz Exiles is energetic, funky and wild, yet melodic and accessible to all. The ferocity of the grooves will definitely get your body moving.

Following on the heels of the 2016 Juno nominated CD “Stealing From My Youth”, the Exiles have arrived with their second recording, entitled “ELEMENTALS”. Once again we have drummer/composer Mark Kelso (Gino Vannelli, Natalie MacMaster, Pat Metheny, Larry Coryell) leading the way on the drums, Rich Brown (Rinsethealgorhythm, Dapp Theory, The Abeng) on the electric bass, Luis Deniz (Hilario Duran, Cubanismo) on alto saxophone, Elmer Ferrer (Los Van Van, Zucherro, Chucho Valdes) on electric guitar and debuting on keyboards, Jeremy Ledbetter (Canefire, Eliana Cuevas).

With their original Jazz/Funk/Fusion sound now familiar to Jazz radio stations all around the globe, the Jazz Exiles continue to craft their signature style on ELEMENTALS. Whether laying down some greasy grooves on “Slank” and “Boom Tune” to the melodic beauty of “Solace”, to the fiery intensity of “Elementals (Water) and “Zig Zag” the Jazz Exiles continue their commitment to playing music that grooves hard, has lots of rhythmic counterpoint but is still all about melody. This recording is the perfect continuation of what the group started with on their “Stealing From My Youth” recording back in 2016.

Kelso says, “After playing with the guys now, I have a better understanding of each individual voice so I am able to write more specifically for them, yet still allow them lots of creative freedom to do their own thing!” Kelso also adds a personal touch on this recording by writing 2 tunes for his young children, Conor & Aoife.

The Jazz Exiles are back and they are here to stay! Check out “ELEMENTALS” on itunes, spotify or on the band website at www.groovydrums.com and fall into their groove and hang on for a fun ride! The Jazz Exiles have been garnering rave reviews this year from their recent performances at the Banff Center for the Performing Arts, the Juno Awards, the Beaches Jazz festival, the Toronto Undergraduate Jazz festival, the Oakville Jazz festival and the South Coast Jazz festival. The band has also been receiving regular airplay on JazzFM. Kelso, Ledbetter, Brown, Ferrer, & Deniz are the Jazz Exiles, united in groove, embracing creativity and giving 110% to their audiences.

Mark Kelso – Band leader, drummer, composer

Address: 1542 Myron Drive Mississauga, ON Canada L5E 2N6
Email: mkelso@sympatico.ca
Cell: 1-416-938-3786
Record Label:  Groovy Drums Studio
Song Affiliation:  Canada – Socan | U.S.A – ASCAP