Saxophonist Mike Murley and bassist Jim Vivian are veterans of the Canadian jazz scene and recently returned home to Halifax, NS (Murley) and St. John’s, NL (Vivian) after decades of living in Toronto. Pianist Florian Hoefner moved to St. John’s from New York City in 2014 and now serves as Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Memorial. Born out of the Atlantic Jazz Nights concert series at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John’s, the Atlantic Jazz Collective’s mission is to develop and promote jazz in Atlantic Canada and beyond through exciting international collaborations.

For their first project, they have invited revered UK-based vocalist, Norma Winstone, and legendary drummer, Joe LaBarbera to join them. Both Winstone and LaBarbara, now in the latter stages of their careers, have participated in iconic recordings that have shaped the direction of modern jazz and have set standards for vocal and piano trio recordings. Winstone was featured as vocalist and lyricist on Wheeler’s influential Music for Large and Small Ensemble (1990, ECM Records). Her 1987 ECM album Somewhere Called Home was described as “one most original yet idyllic of vocal jazz recordings” by Allmusic. LaBarbera was part of Bill Evan’s double Grammy award-winning album “We Will Meet Again” (1979. Warner Bros, Records) and many other acclaimed recordings by the trio.

The quintet met for an inaugural performance and recording in St. John’s in September 2023. The result will be released under the title “Seascape” on May 2nd 2025 on Alma Records. The repertoire includes reimagined versions of pieces by Maria Schneider, Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Ralph Towner, Steve Swallow and others. A brilliant wordsmith whose timeless, poetic lyrics have set the standard for the contemporary jazz art song, Winstone has written original lyrics to these previously instrumental pieces. To celebrate the release the quintet is embarking on a cross-Canada-tour to present the repertoire live.