Quintet EPK

In this electronic press kit for the William Chernoff Quintet:

đź“–
1. Bio
2. Live (recent performances)
3. Photos
4. Contact

Socials for William Chernoff: Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp

"swings like a classic post-bop session […] Chernoff has nailed it” - Stuart Derdeyn, The Vancouver Sun

Bio

The William Chernoff Quintet is a new ensemble playing all-original music by jazz electric bassist Will Chernoff. Merging hard bop and bossa nova with influences from Bill Frisell and Steve Swallow, the group brings together four of Will's peers who have worked with him for over a decade. Prior to the quintet, Will released his debut album, Aim to Stay ("refreshingly accessible music” - All About Jazz), in 2020 and his sophomore album Maybe Eventually ("swing and melodicism [are] at Chernoff's artistic core" - Chris Wong) in 2022.

With Thad Bailey-Mai - trumpet, Nebyu Yohannes - trombone, Madeleine Elkins - guitar, & Miles Wong - drums.

Long bio with musician detail:

The William Chernoff Quintet is a jazz group led by bassist Will Chernoff. Will is known for his original instrumental compositions and for playing electric bass on the Vancouver, BC jazz scene as a bandleader.

The quintet released its first EP titled Queen's Park in November 2024 after headlining shows at Frankie's Jazz Club and the Bernie Legge Theatre. The group plays brand-new music by Will alongside the repertoire of his two albums to date.

Will released his debut album, Aim to Stay, in 2020 with critics observing the influence of guitarist Bill Frisell. On Maybe Eventually, released in 2022, jazz journalist Chris Wong writes that "swing and melodicism" are "at Chernoff's artistic core".

Thad Bailey-Mai is a rising trumpeter, "part of the new breed: highly literate in complex music, flush with thoughtful ideas" (Rhythm Changes). With his debut album still yet to come, Thad has already earned renown as a composer and bandleader, as well as for his playing on the David Blake album Fun House (Cellar Music).

Nebyu Yohannes is an accomplished trombonist and songwriter whose touring experience ranges from Ontario to Ethiopia, and Western Canada through the United States. His credits include Quique Escamilla, We Are All, Makes Shapes, and more ensembles representing music from around the world. Now based in Vancouver after a decade in Toronto, he also plays as a solo artist.

Guitarist Madeleine Elkins works at the crossroads of jazz-influenced music, folk, and rock. Influenced by Bill Frisell, Mary Halvorson, and Tony Rice, Madeleine's work bridges creative improvisation with new bluegrass and folk sounds. She is a vital musician for many BC-grown acts including the Sister Jazz Orchestra big band, Spindle!, folk singer Madelyn Read, and many more.

Drummer Miles Wong excels with improvising and beat-driven art forms, merging the force of the acoustic drum kit with the adaptive sensibility of electronic music. As a side musician, his playing covers everything from the David Lavoie Quartet's post-bop album Juno (Inner Ocean Records) to touring and recording with the alternative R&B artist Dacey.

"striking bass playing" - Michael Beda, Dominionated

Live

Select performances

  • Bernie Legge Theatre (New Westminster, BC) - 05/27/2023
  • Frankie's Jazz Club (Vancouver, BC) - 09/03/2023

Hear more: recordings

From 12th Street Quintet EP (2021)

Contact

For all inquiries, email@williamchernoff.com

I don't regularly monitor my Facebook messages or Instagram DMs for professional inquiries; please email instead. Thanks!

-Will