Synapsis Trio

“Ruminations as the embers glow” – The Synapsis Trio The nature of the music by this trio is based on improvisation following various themes, which can be pre-determined, conversational, intuitive and through-composed. Works will vary in length from less than a minute to infinity. 

Mark DeJong – winds Mark DeJong is a saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. He holds degrees in saxophone performance from the University of Calgary, (BMus) and jazz performance from Rutgers University (MMus).  Active as a performer, composer and educator throughout North America, Mark has numerous recordings and appearances at festivals across the country. As a composer, his music has been featured on CBC radio, and he has co-led groups in various configurations across the country. He was featured as a soloist with the Saskatoon Symphony and Sarah Slean, and has toured with the Shuffle Demons, appearing at the Panama and Havana Jazz festivals. He appeared as a feature artist at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai China, as well as the famous Blue Note in New York. He has shared the stage with Quincy Troupe, Ray Charles, Lenny Pickett, Kenny Wheeler, Brad Turner, Campbell Ryga, Ian Tyson, Wayne Newton, Rob McConnell, Moe Koffman, Ralph Bowen, Sean Jones, Hugh Fraser, Jens Lindeman, Tommy Banks, PJ Perry and many others.   

Mark Limacher – keys Canadian-born Mark Limacher is a Composer-Pianist currently based in Calgary, Canada. He is a graduate of New School University in New York City where he studied with Kirk Nurock, Ernesto Klar, Armen Donelian, and Evan Rapport, among others. In 2013 he served as apprentice to composer Bunita Marcus in Brooklyn, NY.As a composer he has written extensively for piano, solo instruments, and chamber ensembles, being particularly drawn to small gestures, soft dynamics, and delicately constructed aural textures. His work is focused around an acute attention to the creative process and the discovery of new means of experimentation within the act of composition itself. In addition to exploring ideas such as of“found music”, patterns, silence/waiting, repetition, and grids, his work is also heavily influenced by his ongoing collaboration with artist and drawer Brianna Strong. His compositions have been performed in the United States and Canada. As a pianist he has performed with groups and artists such as the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Theater Calgary, and cantor Alex Stein. He is well versed in many styles and genres, from Jazz and Classical music, to Musical Theater and Opera. He is an active member of the Calgary music community, and appears frequently at many venues as a freelance performer. His diverse and eclectic areas of musical interest include the music of Morton Feldman (and the “New York School” more generally), the Wandelweiser collective, Sephardic music, Balkan & Middle Eastern music, and popular music of the early 20th Century. 

Simon Fisk – strings Simon Fisk is a bassist, mad scientist and coffee lover. His recording credentials have been extensive over the past 30 years, including work with Jerry Granelli, Chris Gestrin, David Braid, Mark DeJong, Robin Tufts, Sheldon Zandboer and many more. Fisk toured as the bassist with acclaimed Canadian pianist Michael Kaeshammer, performing with Kaeshammer, as well as his own trio, all over the world. He is also a regular feature with famed drummer Jerry Granelli, collaborating on 4 albums. His debut outing Trainwrecks (2002) and his fifth outing You and Yours (2007) were both nominated as the outstanding jazz recording for the WCMA awards in their respective years. Most recently, he has developed a highly sought after business creating in-ear monitors for musicians all over the world, known as Plunge Audio.