EPK

In this electronic press kit for me, William Chernoff and my ensemble called Western Red Cedar:

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1. Bio
2. Latest release
3. Photos
4. Contact

Socials: Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

"refreshingly accessible music”- Hrayr Attarian, All About Jazz

Bio

Bassist William Chernoff's Western Red Cedar project plays Celtic-based music, including Irish, Scottish, Franco-Canadian, and more traditions, in a creative instrumental ensemble. Joined by saxophonist John Nicholson, guitarist Madeleine Elkins, keyboardist Jancis Bautista, and drummer Jamison Ko, Will brings original music as well as arrangements of traditional and modern pieces. He takes inspiration from artists such as Bill Frisell, the Martin Hayes Quartet, Sam Amidon, and Matt Carmichael. Western Red Cedar represents the genre-bending west coast, joining a new wave of "avant-folk" that has emerged from Glasgow to Québec.

Born and raised in New Westminster, BC, Will performs original instrumental music and has played bass professionally since his teens. His latest release, an EP titled Queen's Park, was recorded in the fall of 2023 with a quintet that celebrated his formative years. Trumpeter Thad Bailey-Mai, trombonist Nebyu Yohannes, guitarist Madeleine Elkins, and drummer Miles Wong had all been longtime collaborators, finding their paths through the Canadian scene alongside each other in the years prior.

Will released his first studio album, Aim to Stay, in 2020 and his second, Maybe Eventually, in 2022. Critics have described his music as mainstream and accessible; jazz journalist Chris Wong writes that "swing and melodicism" are "at Chernoff's artistic core". His show history as a bandleader has included performances at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Khatsahlano! Music & Arts Festival, Frankie's Jazz Club, the Bernie Legge Theatre, and Tyrant Studios, to name a few.