ABOUT US
"Ted Peters & Gumbo YaYa put the jazzed back in jazz music. This band is just what youth need to reconsider a little jazz in their cultural diet. Gumbo YaYa is a good wake-up call to the seniors on the jazz circuit, reminding us all, "Why so serious?" Maybe Ted Peters & Gumbo YaYa can do just that.”-Joe Chisholm (indiecan.com)
“Led by trombone dynamo Ted Peters, GUMBO YA-YA delivers Rock, Funk & Blues with a unique New Orleans twist. Dazzling audiences with a healthy dose of inspired original material mixed with classic Nola standards this ensemble is a crowd favourite, guaranteed to feed souls and make feet move. Every day's Mardi Gras with Gumbo Ya-Ya!”-Andrew Nicholson (TD Jazz Fest 2014)
TORONTO: Featuring musical influences from New Orleans, Gumbo Ya Ya fuses together the sounds of funk, rock and blues. With an impressive roster of their own set of songs, Gumbo Ya Ya also puts their own unique-sounding twist on classics from from Led Zeppelin, The Who and Dr. John to name a few. With grit and originality, the group takes decades of a popular sound and delivers a high-energy performance with a grass roots feel.
Gumbo Ya Ya’s five-piece band harmonizes the sounds of the trombone, sax, bass, drums and guitar. Leading the group with vocals and the trombone is Ted Peters, whose life-long musical career has led to him recording and performing with the likes of Willie Nelson, Larry Carlton and Al Martino. On the saxophone is jazz veteran Elena Kaperleris, whose woodwinds have been featured on the movie soundtrack “Poor Boy’s Game.” Having recently returned from Dubai after touring regionally and performing with Bobby McFerrin and Vanessa May, Nabil Amarshi adds soul to the group on bass. On the drums is Kyle Mcgyle, whose versatility is product of the time he spent in Brazil developing a foundation in African and world rhythms. Last – but in no way least – is Gareth Parry who lends his talents on the guitar and is no stranger to the Toronto music scene.
Born out of their love for a southern sound, Gumbo Ya Ya delivers a raucous performance with energy and the spiritual undertones of jazz.
