Presented by Small World Music and George Crotty

Celebrate the release of George Crotty Trio’s new album, “Heart Music". Experience a transatlantic travelogue of creative encounters in Copenhagen, Delft, Berlin, Toronto, and Brooklyn. Inspired by European jazz, Hindustani raga, and contemporary chamber music, Crotty’s compositions are further illuminated by a formidable rhythm section comprising John Murchison (bass) & Jeremy Smith (percussion).

“Heart Music” is scheduled for release on June 6th, with summer tour dates in Canada & the US, as well as fall performances in western Europe. On the horizon are more plans for touring & collaboration, and an upcoming release with Persian tar maestro Hamid Motebassem.

About the Artists:
Canadian cellist George Crotty has forged his own exciting vocabulary, pushing the boundaries of the cello. Following his graduation from the Berklee College of Music, Crotty immersed himself in New York’s jazz and world music scenes, playing with several ensembles, such as the Brooklyn Raga Massive, and Detroit-based National Arab Orchestra. Crotty has also worked with esteemed musicians such as Bob Ezrin, Adam Rudolph, Simon Shaheen, and Paquito D’Rivera. Crotty has performed as a soloist and bandleader in The Americas and Europe and enjoys active collaboration in film & theatre. He toured North America with award-winning Broadway musical, “The Band’s Visit,” and played on the video game soundtrack for “Assassin’s Creed Mirage.”

Formed in 2019 in Brooklyn, The George Crotty Trio (GC3) makes multicultural chamber music that is both cinematic and conversational, with lyrical melodies, sparse arrangements, and continuous improvisation. To quote Whole Note Magazine, “...the music certainly plays like a showcase of the cello’s capabilities...Crotty’s virtuosity and melodicism undeniably take center stage...” About their 2022 release, “Chronotope”, All About Jazz wrote: “Cellist George Crotty excels at blending various elements into a unique musical brew. On Chronotope, a cross-cultural mix of South American, Arabic, Indian, and contemporary jazz idioms amount to a stream of genre-blurring invention”. The GC3 has performed at the 21C Festival, Small World Music Festival, Copenhagen Vinterjazz Festival, and the New Directions Cello Festival. They have toured internationally in cities such as Toronto, Montreal, New York, Chicago, Washington D.C, Bogota, Sao Paulo, London, Berlin, Antwerp, and Copenhagen.

Deviating from a trio's typical hierarchy, the three players intertwine on their own spontaneous terms in an exploration of groove and colour, lending Crotty's tunes an exciting three-dimensional quality.

Join us for an unforgettable, immersive experience that weaves through the multidimensional sounds of The GC3’s new album “Heart Music”.

Follow George Crotty Trio:
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Opening Act:
Chris Pruden is a Toronto-based pianist, keyboardist, and composer hailing from Edmonton. His sound is rooted in a rich blend of jazz, contemporary classical, folk, rock, and electronic influences. Known as a versatile collaborator, he has worked with a wide range of artists, including Juno Award winner Sammy Jackson, Zinnia, and many others.

In 2022, he released his debut solo piano album Suns on Elastic Recordings. More recently, he was commissioned by Soundstreams to compose and perform an original piece for their TD Encounters series, titled Letters to God: P.S. I (don’t) believe in you. Chris has performed and toured extensively throughout North America, China, and Europe.



Doors open 7:30 PM

If you have any further questions or require accessibility accommodations, feel free to reach out to us at boxoffice@smallworldmusic.com or call (416) 536-5439.

The 2025 Small World Music Series is sponsored by TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment and funded by the Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council.