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BIO
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 moments 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 all the members being alumni of York University's jazz ensembles known as Jazz Workshops.
The Shop's sound combines influences of modern gospel, pop punk, and African music with the group's mutual foundation in jazz. This combination results in compositions that are accessible to listeners but also challenge and spotlight the individual strengths of each member.
The band was formed originally as Bureh Bk & The Shop by Bureh Bollo-Kamara in 2020. The group started as an acoustic quartet comprising Bureh, Connor & Omar, and Robert Bourrie on the upright bass. In 2022, the group released its debut EP, Forward Motion. Carlo Santo Domingo took over on the electric bass in 2022, and Racha Moukalled joined the group on the vibraphone. This new iteration pushed The Shop's sound towards a more electric sound. It also created a chemistry that further inspired the jazz/punk/gospel/African sound. Throughout 2022 and 2023, the ensemble played at many of the jazz venues in Toronto and eventually became The Shop. According to Bureh, he changed the name to reflect the collaborative nature of the band. In early 2024, the band recorded its debut LP and will release it in the summer of 2024.
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