“Jazz music at its finest is community based and is all about connecting the composer, the people playing the music and the listeners to create unforgettable and continuously changing experiences from song to song.” This quote describes the objective of the jazz quintet; The Shop. The band consists of Bureh Bollo- Kamara on guitar, Connor Moe on saxophones & flutes, Omar Gittens on the drums, Racha Moukalled on the vibraphone and Carlo Santo Domingo on the bass. The name “The Shop” originates from Bureh and Connor being in the same jazz ensemble class (also known as jazz workshop) at York University and from all the members of the ensemble being York Alumni and taking jazz workshop too. Nate Smith, Gilad Hekselman and Michael League are a few influencers of the Shop’s compositions. However, there are also hints of bands like Blink 182, NewFound Glory and Paramore and nods to Tye Tribbett and Israel Houghton. Simply put the compositions of the tunes borrow from modern gospel, pop punk, and several sub genres of African music and combine them with the quintet’s mutual foundation in modern and traditional jazz. The magic of the ensemble is in the combination of these elements with each member’s personal influences. The outcome is a truly unique sound that’s continually evolving. The goal is music that’s accessible to all listeners but also challenges the group and spotlights the individual strengths of each member.

Originally known as Bureh Bk & The Shop, the ensemble was established by Bureh Bollo-Kamara in early 2020. The group started as a quartet comprising Bureh, Connor & Omar and Robert Bourrie on the upright bass. During 2021, the group recorded their debut EP “Forward Motion” with Kahon Hall subbing in on the drums. Forward Motion was released on March 4th, 2022. In 2022 Carlo Santo Domingo took over on bass and Racha Moukalled joined the group on the vibraphone rounding out the ensemble. This new iteration of the band created a new chemistry that further inspired the jazz/punk/gospel/African sound. Throughout 2022 and 2023, the ensemble played at many of the different jazz venues throughout Toronto and eventually became “The Shop.” According to Bureh, the name change reflects the collaborative nature of the band. In January 2024, The Shop recorded their second album which will be released in 2025.