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

Born and raised in New Westminster, BC, William Chernoff performs original instrumental music and has played bass professionally since his teens. His Western Red Cedar project works Celtic-based music through an improvising ensemble. It currently includes saxophonist John Nicholson, fiddler Katie Stewart, guitarist Madeleine Elkins, pianist Jancis Bautista, and drummer Jamison Ko.

Western Red Cedar is a voice for the genre-bending west coast, joining a new wave of "folk jazz" that has emerged from Glasgow to Québec. Having played in both folk and jazz scenes, Will brings Irish, Scottish, Franco-Canadian, and more traditions to the group. His original pieces and arrangements are inspired by beyond-category artists like guitarist Bill Frisell and fiddler Martin Hayes.

Will's 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, Elkins on guitar, and drummer Miles Wong had all been longtime collaborators, finding their paths through the Canadian creative music scene alongside each other in the years prior.

Will recorded his first studio album, Aim to Stay, in 2015 and 2016 and his second, Maybe Eventually, in 2020 and 2021. 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.