Music brings people together. Music inspires us to go beyond what we see and strive for more. It makes us want to stand up for ourselves, save the world, and fall in love. Every now and then you find yourself lost in a piece that reminds you of times gone by, adventures to come, and the people who weave in and out of our lives. When The John Chiasson Trio started making music over 25 years ago, they couldn’t have known the impact they’d have on fans around the world. Individually, John Chiasson, Charlie
Cooley, and Dave Staples have written, produced, engineered, scored, and taught music in a way that has influenced others in all corners of the globe; but when they get together, it is, as the old saying goes, where the magic happens.

As an established musical group that celebrates that beauty and mystery of jazz around the world, The John Chiasson Trio reminds you that inspiration comes in many forms and the members invite you into their world where you’ll not only appreciate the smooth-sounding soul of jazz, but you’ll discover new ways of looking at music. Jazz music is for everyone, but it speaks to everyone in a different way. You just need to listen. And when you listen to the Trio, you’ll find yourself lost in deep and rich melodies that are inspired by music of all shapes and sizes. Providing audiences with show-stopping performances and an energy that leaves you wondering why you didn’t start listening to
these guys sooner, you’ll find yourself a fan of the jazz world and have a new appreciation for what is possible when three musicians care about the music as much as they care about entertaining their audience.

J o h n  C h i a s s o n
Described as a musician in a class of his own, John Chiasson has been a celebrated musician throughout Nova Scotia for over 40 years. Whether he’s shining on stage or perfecting his sound in a studio session, John is dedicated to delighting and creating an experience that reminds people why they love music. John enjoys playing instruments as much as he loves singing and values the diversity and challenge of each. Having worked with the likes of Lennie Gallant, Scott Parsons, The Rankin Family Band, Natalie MacMaster, and Myles Goodwin, John lends his smooth vocals to a wide range of musicians and enjoys blending his strong musical talents with a variety of Nova Scotian artists. Drawing on several influences, John blends his love of soulful jazz with rich music such as swing, Latin, blues, and more. In any situation, John brings his talents to stages around the world and has continued to call Nova Scotia home. Hailed as multi-talented musician with a precision voice that lends well to jazz, John puts on show-stopping performances for his audiences near and far. When John isn’t playing music, he expresses his creativity through photography and enjoys connecting with people who share his love of creation and broadening the awareness of jazz music throughout Canada and the world’s stage.

D A V E   S T A P L E S
Dave Staples is a veteran East Coast performer and music educator and maintains a busy freelance career as a pianist, trombonist, composer and recording artist. Dave has performed and recorded with such artists and groups a s Mike Murley, Renee R o s e s , Kenny Wheeler, Kurt Elling, Omar Hakim, the Maritime Jazz Orchestra and Bicoastal Collective as well as numerous East Coast musicians and ensembles, including John Chiasson, Ian Janes, Scott and the Rocks, Mike Cowie, Latin Groove, the Blakey Project, the Mingus Project, the Horace Silver Tribute Band, the Halifax Trombone Summit, the Back Alley Big Band and his own Dave Staples Septet. In 1995, he received the East Coast Music Award (ECMA) with Jeff Goodspeed as Jazz Artists of the Year for their album release of “Eastern Passage”(CBC Productions) and is featured on the 2006 ECMA Jazz Album of the Year “Tom Roach: Piano Trios “(CBC Productions).
Dave taught instrumental music with the Halifax Regional School Board for over 30 years and is co-founder and director of the Nova Scotia Honour Jazz program, which
has worked with talented students of jazz in Nova Scotia for the last 25 years. He has also served a s a board member of JazzEast and was on the Canadian Executive Board
of the International Association for Jazz Education a s Newsletter Editor and Director of Communications from 2003 to 2008.

Charlie Cooley
Charlie Cooley is one of Canada’s most in-demand drummers. He has performed and/or recorded with such artists as: Leonard Cohen, Randy Brecker, The Guess Who, Long John Baldry, Anne Murray, Sass Jordan, Amanda Marshall, K.D. Lang, Jimmy Rankin, and The Blues Brothers (musical director – Paul Shaffer)
Charlie is also a member of the Juno Award winning world beat jazz ensemble Manteca. Charlie has been the in-house drummer for many of Canada’s award shows such as The Junos Awards, The East Coast Music Awards, The Gemini Awards, The Canadian Country Music Awards, and the Canada Day Celebrations from Parliament Hil (CBC)
“When I’m playing music – in whatever situation – I’m thinking – what can I do best to support the music? My goal is to help the composition speak directly to the listener.’