I wanted this record to feel like a dream. As a child I spent hours singing my heart out to these songs in the basement of my family home with recordings of Judy Garland. The intensity in Judy’s voice shook me to my bones. I remember trying to throw my voice in the same way she did, creating darkness in my vowel to match her rich, luscious tone. On this record, instead of chasing Judy’s intensity, we decided to take these songs into our own musical landscape and tried to honour Judy by meeting her in a softer place. I am grateful to Steven Noronha and Madeleine Ertel for coming on this journey with me. Their playing took these songs into places I didn't know were possible. Thank you to my dearest friends Thom Gill and Bram Gielen for coming to the studio and supporting us by listening and giving feedback on a few songs while we were recording. Thank you to my sister, Kat Samaras, who endured hours of Judy Garland movies when we were children. Thank you to Robin Dann for being a witness and support of my Judy love.This record is dedicated to my parents, Laura and Dean Samaras and to Pablo Keselman. Thank you Pablo for always believing in me. Alex Samaras, voice
Steven Noronha, piano
Madeleine Ertel, trumpet
John Alcorn, vocals (track 11)
Recorded at Canterbury Music by Kohen Hammond
Mixed by Matthew Pencer
Mastered by Fedge photo by Colin Medley
U of T Jazz students are back at @therextoronto tonight! ✨✨
Monday, March 23, 2026:
5:00 pm: David Occhipinti Ensemble
5:40 pm: Vocal Jazz Ensemble
6:20 pm: Vocal Jazz Ensemble
In the meantime, please enjoy this video of Alex Samaras and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble performing Cesca’s View by R. Eckert, ft. Anna Janzen on percussion.
Thank you to @ronceyguy for joining us for a masterclass filled with energy, insight, and so much fun. We loved learning from you and brining new ideas into our rehearsal space.
Join us in less than a week, on March 22nd at 3PM for our winter concert! We cannot wait to share the music with you all soon 🎶
We got nominated for a Juno! Madeleine Ertel plays trumpet. Steven Noronha plays piano. John Alcorn sings the classic Judy/Barbra duet. Kohen Hammond recorded us at Canterbury Music. Matthew Pencer mixed. Jeff Elliot mastered. Thom Gill designed the album artwork with me. Bram Gielen and Thom came in to the studio to support and listen. I love the other singers who got nominated! I'll be doing a duet with Justin Bieber at the ceremony!(jk) I don't really believe in awards but i do believe in radically supporting others and getting excited about life so i'm going to enjoy this little moment. Thank you all for the fist pumps and hearts. Also: I can't believe my name sits beside Judy Garland's on an album. it just hit me! biggest honour of my life! ✨😌 And thank you to the team @thejunoawards for all the work you're doing! This is all in honour of my dear friend Pablo Keselman who believed in me. Thank you Pablo. THIS PHOTO IS BY COLIN MEDLEY!
Alex Samaras Meets Judy Garland is a return to Samaras’ love of the intimate jazz trio setting and to his favourite singer as a young child, Judy Garland.
His recently released recording features Steven Noronha on piano and Madeleine Ertel on trumpet. For the 2025 Guelph Jazz Festival, Steven and Alex will be joined by the great Allison Au on alto saxophone.
#GJF2025 #guelphfestivals #guelpharts #guelph
JUNE 1st, 2-4:30pm at the The Rex
Alex Samaras meets Judy Garland with pals! this is magical Thom Gill who designed the CD cover with me❤️ we'll be doing a Judy/Liza duet hehe
BIG news: We are recording “Reunion” and we need your help!
Creating this music remains one of the most impactful experiences of my career - it was a community collaboration from the very beginning, so it’s only natural that it’ll take a community effort to get us in the studio 😅
Find the link for our Indiegogo fundraiser campaign in my bio - here you can find more info about the project as well as the PERKS you get for donating 😎
We appreciate any support you’re able to offer!! Not in a position to donate? It would also be super helpful to share our posts, tell your friends, and join our email list :)
Stay tuned for some special events we’ll be having in the lead-up to our recording in August 2025 ✨
Thank you SO much & can’t wait to get started ❤️
#reunionalbum2025 #supportnewmusic #womeninjazz #jazz #contemporarymusic
So Many People, by Stephen Sondheim. Arranged by Bobby Hsu. There is something special about having song that you get to sing over a number of years. This one has been with me for almost 15 years and I never get tired of singing it. Thanks to the band for making it soar and to my Braden for being in my heart while I meditate on love and life and song.
down in yon forest is an old english carol. sean donald and i recorded it at the humber river tunnel with nick storring a few weeks ago. all proceeds will go to the daily bread food bank. the photo is by braden alexander who finds beauty everywhere he goes. link in bio
Tour with Glenn, Elizabeth, Mel and Shaun! I don't have too much to say in words except: ask the universe for what you want. be clear. and specific! Thank you to the Montreal choir: Eugénie, Fréd, Alanna, Adele, Camille, Helena, Mara, Robin and Naomi. Thank you to the NY choir: Weston, Kalmia, Angelica, Kim and Ruth. Thank you Evan for supporting all of us with your magic touch on the drums. Thank you to Howard Bilerman at Hotel2Tango. We started a new album! Thank you to Chase, Sam and your film crew for capturing us putting it all together. I can't believe there will be a documentary coming out about this tour. whoa. all i know is i was wearing short shorts and a tank top and running around packing the van. so, beware. Thank you Glenn for writing music that heals and moves people so deeply. Singing+playing with you feels meant to be and also beyond belief. Thank you Elizabeth for your creative spirit and flow. And thank you Mel and Shaun for making this happen and leading us through it all! TAKING A BREAK NOW, BYE!
