Gigs

Past Events

Bill Mays and Lorne Lofsky Live in the Green Sanderson Hall at Hugh’s Room

Date: June 6, 2026
Time: 8:00 to 10:30 pm
Location: Hugh’s Room Live, 296 Broadview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4M 2G7
lorne-bill-highs

Guitarist Lorne Lofsky and Pianist Bill Mays.
After their 1990 duo debut at the Montreal Bistro

Show at 8pm, Doors at 7pm
$39+ in advance, $46+ at the door

Pianist Bill Mays’ career as a professional musician spans the last 65 years and includes a multitude of musical endeavours. Following four years as a bandsman in the U.S. Navy, Bill spent 15 years as a session player in Hollywood studios.In 1984, he re-located to New York City, firmly establishing himself as an in-demand sideman and leader of his own ensembles. He has worked with jazz legends Benny Golson, Shelly Manne, Red Mitchell, Gerry Mulligan, Bud Shank, Frank Sinatra, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Sarah Vaughan and Phil Woods. His many recordings as a leader (solo, duo, trio and sextet) are well-documented on the Chiaroscuro, Concord, DMP, Palmetto, Steeplechase and Sunnyside record labels.

A prolific composer and arranger, Mays has written extended suites for bass, flute, woodwind septet, and pieces for big band and orchestra (New York Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, Turtle Creek Chorale, WDR Big Band, U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note). His latest recordings include Phil & Bill (duo with saxophonist Phil Woods), Front Row Seat (solo), Mays Plays Mays (trio/quintet), Autumn Serenade, and Soundscape (trio). His songs have been used in movies and television: Anamorph, Burn After Reading, Hamlet, Looker, Succession, The Fifth Estate, Tribeca, and Honey, Don’t. His keyboard work has been heard on hundreds of film soundtracks, among them Fargo, Fur, Godfather 2, Hail, Caesar!, Jaws 2, Julie & Julia, Rocky 2, Interview with the Vampire, Superman, The Big Lebowski, The Good Liar, The Spanish Prisoner and White Noise. Mays has received rave reviews with the publication of his first book, Stories of the RoadThe Studios, Sidemen & Singers: 55 Years in the Music Biz.

Lorne Lofsky is an internationally recognized jazz guitarist. Born and raised in Toronto, he has been playing professionally for the last 42 years. He has played/toured or recorded with a who’s who of the jazz world, including Oscar Peterson, Ed Bickert, Rob McConnell, Chet Baker, Joey DeFrancesco, Pepper Adams, Ray Brown, Neils Henning Orsted Pedersen, Rosemary Clooney, Kirk MacDonald, Dave Holland, and many other respected members of the international jazz community.

He has been a faculty member at York University’s Fine Arts/Music Program since 1978 and also teaches at the Humber College Community Music Program. Lorne is a mainstay of the Toronto jazz scene and performs extensively in the Greater Toronto Area. He has also given clinics/concerts at St. FX University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia and McGill University in Montreal. See Bill Mays and Lorne Lofsky on Saturday June 6.

Lorne Lofsky Quartet

Start date: April 23, 2025 - End date: April 26, 2025
Time: 8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Location: The Rex Hotel Jazz and Blues Bar, 194 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1Z1
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Lorne Lofsky: guitar
Peter Bernstein: guitar
Neil Swainson: bass
Barry Romberg: drums

Guitar Duo

Date: April 22, 2025
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: Hirut Cafe & Restaurant, 2050 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4C 1J6
hirut

With special guest from New York city Peter Bernstein.

TWILIGHT JAZZ SERIES: Lorne Lofsky Trio

Date: March 16, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Mahtay Café & Lounge, 241 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, ON
niagarajazzfestival

Presented by the Niagara Jazz Festival in partnership with Mahtay Cafe and Market

Lorne Lofsky on Guitar
Neil Swainson on Bass
Drums TBD

Buy Tickets

Barry Elmes Quintet

Date: March 1, 2025
Time: 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Location: The Jazz Room, 59 King St N, Waterloo, ON N2J 2X2
the_jazz_room

Barry Elmes (drums/leader)
Brian O’Kane (trumpet, flugelhorn)
Chris Gale (tenor sax)
Lorne Lofsky (guitar)
Pat Collins (bass)

Lorne Lofsky: Words and Music

Date: February 26, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Location: The Redwood Theatre, 1298 Gerrard St. East - 3rd Floor
redwood_conversations

Conversations in All Keys with Bill King presents:
Lorne Lofsky. Words and music.
In the Tetra Listening Room, 3rd Floor, stair access only.
Doors at 6:30
A rare chance to hear Bill in a live interview with guitar legend Lorne Lofsky. Lorne will talk and play guitar.

Lorne Lofsky and David Occhipinti Jazz Duo Benefit Concert

Date: February 8, 2025
Time: 7:00 to 9:00pm
Location: Metropolis Mercantile + Café, 183 main street south Newmarket, ON L3Y 3Y9
newmarket_benefit

Doors Open 6:30pm, Music from 7pm-9pm

Ticket purchase is tax deductible (Tax receipt is for $75 ) Will be processed through Inn From The Cold

Please join us at Metropolis Mercantile + Cafe for a night of Jazz. Renowned Canadian Jazz musicians Lorne Lofsky and David Occhipinti will be performing live for this special benefit concert.

All proceeds are being donated to Inn From The Cold.

The Barry Elmes Quintet

Start date: January 29, 2025 - End date: February 1, 2025
Time: 8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Location: The Rex Hotel Jazz and Blues Bar, 194 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1Z1
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Barry Elmes – Drums
Chris Gale – Saxophone
Brian O’Kane – Trumpet
Lorne Lofsky – Guitar
Pat Collins – Bass

Lorne Lofsky Duo

Date: January 21, 2025
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: Hirut Cafe & Restaurant, 2050 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4C 1J6
hirut

Guitar & Piano Masters Series

David Occhipinti: guitar
Lorne Lofsky: guitar

Lorne Lofsky Trio

Start date: January 10, 2025 - End date: January 11, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Diese Onze Live Jazz Bar, 4115 Saint Denis St, Montreal, Quebec
diese_onze

Lorne Lofsky: guitar
Adrian Vedady: bass
Jim Doxas: drums