From the Promoter

So Here We Are is saxophonist and composer Alison Young's highly anticipated debut album. After years of building her reputation as a versatile and dedicated sideman on the Toronto music scene, Alison has written and recorded an album of mostly originals that reflect her diverse inspirations: hard bop, soul, and New Orleans-style funk. With a band of her favourite Toronto musicians: the fiery Eric St Laurent on guitar, virtuoso bassist Ross MacIntyre, Saskatchewan's hard swinging Jeff McLeod on piano and organ, and the rhythmic styling’s of Chris Wallace and Sly Juhas on drums, Alison has found the ideal lineup to channel her sound: energetic, driving, yet also prioritizing elegant, singable melodies.

Born and raised in Ottawa, Alison discovered jazz at an early age, gravitating towards the exuberance and melodicism of Sonny Rollins and Cannonball Adderley, who continue to influence her to this day. She began playing professionally as a teenager, developing an affinity for soul and R&B as well as jazz. Since moving to Toronto in the early 2000s to study music at the University of Toronto, Alison has been an active presence on the jazz scene, performing regularly in venues such as The Rex, The Jazz Bistro and The Reservoir Lounge, among others, with a variety of projects.

As a sideman, Alison has toured across North America, Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and Asia with Joe Sealy, Colin Hunter, Alysha Brilla, Big Rude Jake, Johnny Reid, and the Shuffle