"There can be no question that the creative pairing of pianist, vocalist and composer Hannah Barstow with saxophonist/composer Mike Murley is beyond inspired...this is one of the finest jazz recordings of the year." - the WholeNote

Mike Murley & Hannah Barstow - In a Summer Dream (2022) is available for purchase at hannahbarstow.com/music and cornerstonerecordsinc.com, and for streaming on all major platforms.

Brand new music from Emilie-Claire Barlow's 🐦SparkBird🐦 out now! Listen: https://bfan.link/where-will-i-be
"Where Will I Be?" is a contemporary jazz tune written by pianist, composer Hannah Barstow. After hearing Hannah play a section of the melody on Instagram, Emilie-Claire reached out to her - not being able to get the tune out of her mind. Hannah finished the composition, (which already had reference to birds!) and gave EC her blessing to release the first recording of it.
In the lyrics, Hannah expresses the idea that life goes on after we’ve passed away, and the curiosity of what it will be like without us. "I tend to go to vulnerable and uncertain places in my lyric writing, but I always come back to the idea of hope."
On Spark Bird, each song has its own signature bird - with a special connection to the music - Illustrated by Temagami Anishinaabe artist Caroline Brown - Whitebear Design
Many people believe that a red cardinal is a representative of a loved one who has passed - a connection to the departed. Cardinals are also thought to bring hope, or renewal. Some believe a red bird’s presence is a reminder of the cycle of life, death, transformation - and our connection to nature.

Review of Beneath by David Reed in the Kingston Whig Standard and the Belleville Intelligencer. Click the photo to read the full article.

Delighted to be back at the Rex next month, every Thursday from 5:30-7:30. I’ve got some wonderful bands lined up and some new music to play. • April 4: Tara Davidson, Phil Albert, Aidan McConnell • April 11: Virginia MacDonald, Phil Albert, Nick Fraser • April 18: Mike Murley, Nick Arseneau, Keith Barstow • April 25: Tara Davidson, Phil Albert, Ambrose Veno

Delighted to be back at the Rex next month, every Thursday from 5:30-7:30. I’ve got some wonderful bands lined up and some new music to play. • April 4: Tara Davidson, Phil Albert, Aidan McConnell • April 11: Virginia MacDonald, Phil Albert, Nick Fraser • April 18: Mike Murley, Nick Arseneau, Keith Barstow • April 25: Tara Davidson, Phil Albert, Ambrose Veno

Delighted to be back at the Rex next month, every Thursday from 5:30-7:30. I’ve got some wonderful bands lined up and some new music to play. • April 4: Tara Davidson, Phil Albert, Aidan McConnell • April 11: Virginia MacDonald, Phil Albert, Nick Fraser • April 18: Mike Murley, Nick Arseneau, Keith Barstow • April 25: Tara Davidson, Phil Albert, Ambrose Veno

Delighted to be back at the Rex next month, every Thursday from 5:30-7:30. I’ve got some wonderful bands lined up and some new music to play. • April 4: Tara Davidson, Phil Albert, Aidan McConnell • April 11: Virginia MacDonald, Phil Albert, Nick Fraser • April 18: Mike Murley, Nick Arseneau, Keith Barstow • April 25: Tara Davidson, Phil Albert, Ambrose Veno