Jam Session 1

Jon Gearey is recognized as one of the finest 7-string guitarists in North America, and has been an essential presence on the jazz scene since the mid-1980s. From Tokyo to New York, through Korea and the Montreal Jazz Festival, his career is that of an insatiable musician, always striving for perfection.
Settled in North Hatley since 2012, Jon and his wife Louise launched the popular Saturday Night Jazz at the Mercantile in 2022 — the beloved jazz evenings that ultimately sparked the idea for this very festival. A founding member of the festival's first edition, he now serves as President of the Festival de Jazz de North Hatley. A deeply committed educator, he currently teaches at Bishop's University and the University of Sherbrooke, while continuing to perform weekly in North Hatley and the surrounding area in a variety of musical settings.

Ron Di Lauro is one of Quebec's most celebrated trumpet players, with over 45 years of experience spanning jazz, classical, popular, and world music. A recipient of the prestigious Oscar Peterson Prize from the Montreal International Jazz Festival, he has shared the stage with legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra Jr., Aretha Franklin, and Céline Dion, among many others. He has also appeared as guest soloist with major orchestras including the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal and has contributed to over 350 recordings as soloist, producer, and conductor.
In March 2019, Ron Di Lauro was awarded the "Prix Hommage" (Tribute Award) from the JazzFest des jeunes du Québec "for an exceptional musical contribution to the cultural scene and for 20 years of involvement and dedication."
In August 2021, the FestiJazz de Mont-Tremblant awarded him the "Prix Hommage" for his remarkable contribution to the development of jazz in Canada.

Guillaume Gilbert is a versatile guitarist, composer, and educator based in the Sherbrooke area, with over a decade of experience on Quebec's professional music scene. A graduate of the University of Sherbrooke (B. Mus.) and McGill University (Master's in Jazz Performance), where he studied under renowned musicians Greg Clayton, Jan Jarczyk, Joe Sullivan, and Alec Walkington, he brings both academic rigor and a deeply personal voice to his playing.

Rooted in the jazz tradition, Gilbert's guitar style draws inspiration from masters such as Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Hank Mobley, Grant Green, and Ed Bickert. He has recorded and performed across jazz, pop, and rock, including as lead guitarist with rock and roll band The Singles, and on albums by Roxane De Lafontaine, Philibert Bélanger, Brazz, and Dactylo Fidelity.

As an educator, Gilbert teaches jazz and pop guitar at the University of Sherbrooke, Cégep de Sherbrooke, and Bishop's University, sharing his passion for music with the next generation of musicians.

Eric Harding is one of Montreal's most recognized jazz pianists, with a career spanning more than 35 years accompanying many of Quebec's most iconic artists, leading his own groups, and performing across Canada and Europe. A versatile musician, he also plays drums when the occasion calls for it.
Eric shares a deep and personal connection with North Hatley — his family has been established above Lake Massawippi since the mid-1950s, making him an integral part of both the area's history and its vibrant musical scene today. It was only natural that he would name his trio Auburn, a tribute to a family legacy steeped in memory and belonging. Born in Montreal in the 1990s, the Auburn Trio first performed in the intimate lounges of the Hotel Vogue before finding new life at the Mercantile in North Hatley, a venue that has since given way to Café Bistro DuPont. A founding member and one of the Artistic Directors of the Festival de Jazz de North Hatley, it is his deep attachment to the region that guides his vision: to showcase the village's stages and celebrate the beauty of the iconic landmarks of the Massawippi Valley.

Carlos Maldonado Cisneros is an iconic figure on both the Canadian and Mexican jazz scenes, moving effortlessly between two rich and complementary musical cultures. Having shared the stage with legends such as Marcus Miller and Tower of Power, and collaborated with international heavyweights like Ben Wendel and Greg Cohen, he brings to the festival a broad and diverse vision of jazz.
A graduate of the Schulich School of Music at McGill University (Master's in Jazz Composition and Performance), Carlos is also the founder of several bold ensembles, including the avant-garde Chocolate Smoke Gang, reflecting his constant drive to push the boundaries of the genre. A founding member of the Festival de Jazz de North Hatley, he serves as one of its Artistic Directors, bringing the same passion and boldness that defines his music to the festival's creative vision.