Myriad3 was an accident. Chris, Dan, and Ernesto had never played together until a few substitutions and a twist of fate put them on stage together for the first time in late 2010. Since then, the trio has completed multiple tours of Canada, the US and Europe, including opening for Earth, Wind & Fire at the Ottawa Jazz Festival in 2014.
The band is a true collective. Each member acts simultaneously as a leader and a sideman. They play mostly original music that features different aspects of jazz improvisation, ensemble playing and contemporary composition. In June 2014, Myriad3 released their second album, The Where on Universal/Alma Records.
Chris Donnelly represents a new generation of jazz pianists, composers and improvisers dedicated to creating programs that are engaging, entertaining and educating. He is continually praised for his virtuosic performances, musicality, versatility and ability to captivate audiences. In September 2008, Chris released his Juno-nominated, debut album with Alma Records called ‘Solo,’ featuring a blend of original material and arrangements of jazz standards. This also earned him nominations for ‘Best Recording of the Year’ and ‘Best Keyboardist of the Year’ from the 2009 National Jazz Awards.
Daniel Fortin was born and raised in Peterborough, Ontario. He graduated from the University of Toronto’s Jazz Performance Program in 2007. Since moving to Toronto, Dan has been an active member of the city’s music scene, playing with the likes of Mike Ruby, David Occhipinti, Dave Restivo, Mike Murley, Geoff Young, Barry Romberg, Chris Donnelly, and many others. He also performs regularly with Serena Ryder (Atlantic Records/EMI), Stop Time, The Brent Mah/Alex Goodman Quartet, The Alex Goodman Quintet, Jessica Stuart, Myriad3, Robin Dann (Bernice), Potions, Felicity Williams’ Al Purdy Project, Michael Davidson, The Harley Card Trio, The Jonathan Challoner Quartet, The Matt Newton Trio, and ENGINE, to name a few.
Drummer Ernesto Cervini is making a name for himself as a consummate bandleader and in-demand sideman, repeatedly praised for his deeply musical, infectiously energetic talents. Time Out New York encapsulated Cervini as “a buoyant drummer as well as a sharp composer and bandleader,” while the jazz bible, Downbeat described his fluid style as one that “exemplifies `float like a butterfly, sting like a bee’.” The drummer released There, his third album as leader of the Ernesto Cervini Quartet, in fall 2011.