The transformation of nostalgia is both innovative and intricate, a delicate balance of appealing to
the old while tiptoeing at the forefront of the entirely cutting edge. Unbound by any predisposed
ideals around genre or delivery, trombonist Audrey Ochoa has achieved the ideal: presenting
meticulously infl uential compositions with a playful and liberated approach. Classically trained but
with a voracious appetite for honing her craft in any genre, Ochoa has shared stages with Hilario
Duran, PJ Perry, and Tommy Banks; and with international greats Lew Tebackin, Marcus Miller, Chris Potter and the UNT One O’Clock Lab Band. A rising star in her own right and a fi xture of the Canadian music scene, she is decidedly captivating and original, and her compositional skill and talent on her instrument is spectacular. “...here shows a musician with endless confi dence and skill, with varying moods and tempi within a trio that is always in sync.” - (Keith Black, Winnipeg Free Press)
Her debut album, “Trombone and Other Delights” (2013) , was widely acclaimed and spent 3
consecutive weeks as the number one Jazz album on the Earshot charts. Ochoa’s sophomore
release, “Afterthought” (2017), is an extension of her consummate understanding of arrangement
and dedication to her craft - leading to a No. 1 position on the Canadian jazz charts and breaking top
20 in the U.S. She is a decorated award nominee, having earned recognition at the Western Canadian
Music Awards, the Global Music Awards and a recent recipient of the Edmonton Music Prize, noting
an outstanding musical contribution to the local arts scene.
With signifi cant education, performances and momentum amassed, Ochoa’s next recorded eff orts
were originally intended to feature duets with pianist Chris Andrew – which would be remixed by
electronica DJ, Battery Poacher. As pre-production progressed, she found herself utilizing skills
from other projects and arranging strings with horns and a rhythm section. The result is an ambitious
project that introduces strings into her previous confi guration of trombone, piano, bass and drums,
a mix of chamber music with contemporary and Latin jazz. Focused on unique arrangements
and undisputed inspirations, the album features electronic remixes alongside this harmonious
combination of genres and ideals.
Exhilarating and exuberant, Audrey Ochoa exemplifi es an artist who has dedicated herself to
expertise while remaining relevant and light-hearted. With a magnifi cent and fresh-faced approach,
she defi es categorization and plants her fl ag fi rmly as a centrepiece of the Canadian music arena.
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