Marc Copland & Roddy Ellias

Marc Copland and Roddy Ellias bring a lyrical sensibility and harmonic depth to their duo that’s second to none. Though they’ve previously recorded with Montreal bassist Adrian Vedady, this marks their debut performance as a duo in Ottawa. Their intuitive musical connection promises an intriguing and intimate listening experience.

Pianist and composer Marc Copland has been creating his singular sound since the 1970s. With over 40 critically acclaimed albums as a leader, he’s worked with jazz luminaries like John Abercrombie, Gary Peacock, Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, and Kenny Wheeler. Known for his harmonic sophistication and emotional depth, Copland launched his own label, innerVoice Jazz, in 2016. He’s been praised worldwide, earning accolades from DownBeat, Jazz Magazine, and All About Jazz, where Dan McClenaghan called him “a genius… the master magician.”

Copland’s longtime admiration for Ellias runs deep: “He operates at a very high musical level, not only as a player, but as a composer. He’s a perfect duo partner.”

Roddy Ellias, one of Canada’s most distinctive guitarists, blends jazz with classical, African, and Brazilian influences. He has performed with Nat Adderley, Lee Konitz, Tom Harrell, Cleo Laine, David Liebman, and Kenny Wheeler. From his early days improvising on his grandmother’s piano to solo work like Moon Over Lake, Ellias has carved a unique musical path. Critics have called his music “pensive, folky beauty” (DownBeat) and hailed him as “one of the finest guitarists on planet earth” (Joel Frahm).

Together, Copland and Ellias promise an evening of profound musical conversation and invention.