About

For the upcoming April Cookie Concert, hear the five musicians of “Ally Fiola and the Next Quest”, an instrumental jazz combo that performs original music and arrangements that are inspired by New Orleans brass band, funk, and soul. The group is led by alto saxophonist and composer Ally Fiola. She was recently living in London, UK, completing a Masters in Film Composition, where she collaborated with diverse musicians and performed across the city, including at the award-winning Pheasantry Jazz Club. Since returning she has recorded an album Interblaze of original jazz music. Other musicians include Simon Oakey (trombone), Addison Sowery-Quinn (sousaphone), Andrew Miller (drums) and Kurdish guitarist Shvan Kaban.

About Ally Fiola

Ally Fiola is a Nova Scotian saxophonist and film composer. Her debut album, Dreaming Away, was showcased at the 2019 East Coast Music Awards, and was nominated for Jazz Recording of the Year at the 2019 Music Nova Scotia Awards. Her recently recorded original jazz album, Interblaze, features guest artists such as grammy nominated saxophonist Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones), keyboardist Glenn Patscha (Bonnie Raitt), Kurdish guitarist, Shvan Kaban, and many top-tier Nova Scotian musicians.

Quirky melodies combined with joyous grooves and unexpected twists and turns, Ally’s music is influenced by New Orleans brass band, Maceo Parker, Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus, to name a few. An experienced film composer, she connects to a wide-range of listeners with music that is emotionally charged, infused with personality yet widely accessible.

Influenced by her work in the Halifax Creative Music Workshop led by Jerry Granelli, (which included sessions with guitarist Bill Frisell and trombonist Julian Priester), Ally also performed in Granelli’s Globe Blues Band. She participated in the 2019 Winter Musicians in Residence session at the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity where she collaborated with international musicians, notably working with the Quasar Saxophone Quartet. Ally recently lived in London, United Kingdom, completing a Masters in Film Composition. During her time in London, she collaborated with diverse musicians and performed across London, including at the award-winning Pheasantry Jazz Club.