About

For Musique Royale’s Cookie Concert in May, we welcome multi-instrumentalist Tobias Beale to curate a concert which includes guests Krisanne Crowell, Gabriella Ciurcovich, and Emmet Smith. The quartet will present music from Canadian composers, some favorite standards from Jobim, Monk, and some original compositions. The classic quartet format of sax, piano, bass, and drums will be augmented with flute, vocals, and even tin whistle. There will be plenty of improvisation on these well known and lesser heard standards, to communicate joy and positive thoughts through great grooves for your Saturday enjoyment! Cookies are served following the hourlong concert, and all ages are welcome.

About the Artists

Tobias Beale

Tobias Beale found a passion for playing music beginning in the mid 1960’s. His love of music making led to a lifelong study of flute and tenor saxophone and the exploration of all genres of music. Launched into professional gigs with the Stan Clark Orchestra while still attending high school, he had the formative experience of playing in a big band sax section, travelling with the band to London UK, Guyana SA and Cuba in the 70’s. After a year in Carlton University and another in Humber College, Tobias played professionally in the Ottawa/Montreal area. There he put his attention to promoting the live local scene forming a musician’s collective of over 50 young musicians, Blue Current Preserve. Tobias went on to get a BFA in Music Performance, Jazz Studies from Concordia University and a BEd in music from Dalhousie University. Now retired from a 26-year teaching career in the Halifax Band programs, Tobias currently enjoys playing with the Tuesday Night Big Band and the Sackville Concert Band along with several smaller ensembles. Always aware of the crucial function of live music where it meets community.

Krisanne Crowell

Songwriter, Krisanne Crowell, is former pianist, saxophonist and vocalist for the Stadacona Band of the Canadian Armed Forces. Representing her country while performing all over the world has enhanced her desire to reach and support others through music. With decades in the vibrant Halifax blues & jazz scene in many diverse configurations, she is an experienced band leader and respected arranger. Her group, Solarocity, showcases Krisanne’s jazz, blues & salsa compositions with sizzling horn arrangements. Her newest initiative, SheJamBlues, supports and promotes women instrumentalists. Keen for unique challenges and collaborations, she continues to stretch and grow in new musical directions.

Gabriella Ciurcovich

Gabriella Ciurcovich is a musician and composer based in K’jipuktuk/Halifax. She plays regularly in Halifax’s improvised music scene, in many longer standing projects such as rumé kover, Many Worlds, and the Dusty Halos, and as a collaborator in interdisciplinary works (most often alongside dance/movement and interactive media). She writes for jazz and improvised music ensembles, and her own songwriting project, popuri. She is a current CFAT Media Arts Scholar and has a BMusic in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto.

Emmet Smith

Emmet Smith is from Waverley, Nova Scotia. He has played in many musical groups such as, the Nova Scotia Youth Jazz Orchestra, Senzu, Punch Bowl Drive, Soul Circuit, The Solstice Trio, Simon Rostis Quartet, Squeak Squeak Clarinet Quartet and many others. Emmet is in the final year of his degree at Mount Saint Vincent University, studying English, Philosophy, and Economics. When Emmet isn’t playing music, he enjoys reading and spending time outside.