Marc Copland & Roddy Ellias

Marc Copland - piano
Roddy Ellias - guitar

Marc Copland and Roddy Ellias bring to their duo a lyric sensibility and harmonic depth second to none.   They’ve played and recorded together over the years with Montreal bassist Adrian Vedady, but their appearance in Ottawa this year marks their debut as a duo.  The combination of their lyrical sensibilities and harmonic ingenuity makes for an intriguing listening experience.  

Copland’s history includes partnering with some master guitarists, including John Abercrombie and, early on, Ralph Towner, so he should know. “I wanted to play with Roddy as soon as I heard him.   He operates at a very high musical level, not only as a player, but as a composer. He’s a perfect duo partner!”

It doesn’t seem right to think of him as an elder statesman, but pianist and composer Marc Copland (born 1948), has been spinning out sounds like no other pianist since the mid-1970’s. His output as a leader is staggering: over 40 critically acclaimed CDs, in solos, duos, trios, quartets and quintets. The albums, recorded for over ten different labels, feature major jazz voices of the past and present: John Abercrombie, Ralph Alessi, Joey Baron, Mike Brecker, Randy Brecker, Dennis Chambers, Mark Ferber, Billy Hart, Dave Liebman, Victor Lewis, Joe Lovano, Greg Osby, Gary Peacock, Bill Stewart, Robin Verheyen, Ken Wheeler, and others. But if you were thinking of Copland as an older musician who has slowed down, stopped developing, and simply resting on his laurels---you couldn’t be more wrong. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” says saxophonist Robin Verheyen. “He’s an inspiration, coming up with new ideas and new sounds all the time. It’s the kind of energy and growth you’d expect from someone in the prime of their creative life. And he’s not only a major voice with such a distinctive sound and approach---you won’t find a better accompanist anywhere.” After years of recording for many of the world’s finest labels (Challenge, ECM, Hatology, \Nagel-Heyer, Pirouet, Savoy, Sketch, Soul Note, etc.), Copland took the plunge in 2016 and started his own label, innerVoice Jazz. Here's some critical commentary from around the world:

“Copland is a genius...nobody has consistently worked with such finesse and success, with such a deft subtlety of touch and harmonic depth, and created such stunning beauty." ---Dan McClenaghan, senior editor, allaboutjazz.com (USA)  /  "Editor's pick" --Down Beat (USA) / "CHOC" (highest rating, including his last three releases) --Jazz Magazine (France) / "5 stars" --Rondo (Germany) and Neue Zuricher Zeitung (Switzerland) / "CD of the month" -- Stereoplay (Germany) /  "Without a doubt, one of the best quartet records of recent times." ---Philippe Vincent, Jazz Magazine (France)  / "Copland est un des meilleurs pianistes dans l'histoire du jazz, le plus grand poete du piano depuis Bill Evans. On ne saurait mieux dire." ---Serge Truffaut, Le Devoir (Quebec)  /  "#1 Acoustic pianist of the year, 2020...the King of harmony." ---Arnaldo de Souteiro, JazzStation (Brazil)  / “ Marc Copland is the master magician….an argument for his surpassing (Bill) Evans could be made.” ---Dan McCenaghan, allaboutjazz.com

For some five decades, Canadian jazz guitarist and composer Roddy Ellias has been making music with an eclectic approach that defies simple classification.  This innovative guitarist melds classical, African and Brazilian musical ideas with a deep understanding of jazz tradition.   It didn’t take long for his reputation to spread beyond Canada’s borders;   he’s worked with,  among others,  Nat Adderley, Marc Copland, Tom Harrell, Lee Konitz, Cleo Laine, David Liebman, and Kenny Wheeler. 

Roddy’s musical journey began at the age of five, when he started improvising on his grandmother’s piano. Decades later, he continues to explore new musical possibilities, developing his unusual composition and playing approach.  From the early days at Uncle Charlie’s Chicken and Ribs Jazz Joint to performing for the Queen of England,  Roddy has carved a musical space for himself unlike any other. 

Roddy’s latest two albums are “Moon Over Lake” (solo guitar) and Postcard (featuring Felicity Williams, Jim Lewis and John Geggie).

“Pensive, folky beauty.” ---Brad Faberman, Downbeat Magazine /  “I’ve had this album on repeat for weeks and I am obsessed with it.” David Reed, Belleville Intelligencer (Moon Over Lake)  “A composer of extraordinary talent … His creativity is so obvious, that it is at once both startling and inspiring” Dr. Steve Kinigstein, Just Jazz Guitar / “One of the finest guitarists on planet earth.” ---Joel Frahm