Ernesto Cervini

Innovative and electrifying, Toronto jazz drummer Ernesto Cervini has energy to burn, whether radiating it from behind his kit or working on any number of musical and educational projects.  With his sextet JUNO Award winning sextet, Turboprop, Cervini flexes his arranging muscles, creating a vast landscape of musical textures, and moods on which these monster musicians can play.

The band features his regular quartet of Joel Frahm on Tenor Saxophone, Adrean Farrugia on Piano, Dan Loomis on Bass and Cervini on Drums, plus Tara Davidson on Alto Saxophone and William Carn on Trombone.

Their latest release, A Canadian Songbook, celebrates Cervini’s connection to the music of Canada: “Growing up in Canada, my listening tastes always skewed local. I grew up listening to bands like The Barenaked Ladies , Our Lady Peace and Alanis Morrisette as well as many others. Jazz-wise, I was listening to Oscar Peterson, Barry Elmes, Mike Murley and many other great musicians.”

“A Canadian Songbook” was released on March 8, 2024. Buy “A Canadian Songbook” on Bandcamp to best support the artist. You can also buy/listen on Apple Music, and Spotify.

“There’s no nationalistic sonic stamp flagging this as a Canadian songbook, unless modestly, confidence and accomplishment should be considered natural aspects of the northern country. Regardless of its home, Turboprop’s got jazz.” ★★★1/2

Howard Mandel – Downbeat

“With A Canadian Songbook Cervini proves himself an original and accomplished, multifaceted musician. The album also demonstrates Cervini's ability to mature and evolve with each new addition to his discography. A necessary skill for any creative mind to master. ★★★★

Hrayr Atttarian – All About Jazz

A Canadian Songbook

  1. Skeletons

  2. When I Fall

  3. If, Then

  4. Stuck Inside

  5. Clumsy

  6. Aureole

  7. The Inertia of Complacency

“Joy” is the latest record from Juno-winning drummer and composer Ernesto Cervini. Inspired by Louise Penny’s Gamache series of books (NYTimes Best-Sellers) and the qualities of goodness, decency, courage, and love that permeate them, Cervini was moved to compose music that captures the characters, landscapes and relationships created by Penny. From the opening track “Three Pines” that sets up this voyage, to a musical portrait of a duck and her cranky, poet laureate owner in “Ruth’s Rosa,” from the mercurial “Beauvoir” to the beautiful love story of “Sandalwood and Rosewater.”

The album showcases Canada’s finest musicians and is the first of Cervini’s albums to feature vocalists; Two tracks feature Alex Samaras (Queer Songbook Orchestra), and an additional featuring track with Felicity Williams (Bahamas, Bernice), Emilie-Claire Barlow (2 time Juno Award winner, 6 time nominee) and Amy Cervini (Duchess) who also co-produced the album. Featuring Ernesto's Turboprop, Tune Town and Tetrahedron groups as well as other sonic surprises, this album is a musical journey through the soul and heart of Three Pines and the characters who inhabit it, guided by an adoring fan. Cervini’s music and personality beam with unbridled joy and this album is a true reflection of that.

“Joy” was released on October 7, 2022. Buy “Joy” on Bandcamp to best support the artist. You can also buy/listen on Apple Music, and Spotify.

“The stories take place in the fictional Quebec village of Three Pines (the title of the opening track) but knowledge of the novels doesn’t appear integral to enjoyment of the music – if my own case is indicative at any rate: I’d never heard of the books but I was instantly drawn in by the variety and energy of the music… A highly enjoyable discursive jazz drama. ★★★★”

Robert Shore – Jazzwise (UK)

“For me, it has become one of the most interesting musical experiences of this year.”

Leonid Auskern – Jazz Quad

Joy

  1. Three Pines

  2. Surprised by Joy

  3. Myrna

  4. Sandalwood and Rosewater

  5. Clara

  6. Roar and Havoc

  7. Ruth’s Rosa

  8. The Moth

  9. Oliver and Gabri

  10. Bella Bella

  11. Peter Morrow

  12. The Beautiful Mystery

  13. Lacoste

  14. Beauvoir

  15. I’m FINE

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