WPBE

With influences ranging from Miles Davis to the Carpenters to J Dilla, The Worst Pop Band Ever is a Toronto based group that combines their love of improvisational jazz with modern pop influences. And despite the name, the WPBE's mish-mash of sounds has received critical acclaim, reached the top of College Radio Charts and been used for film, television and podcasts, (from the NFB, CBC, the Toronto Public Library and even a Disney Pilot). For nearly 20 years, the WPBE has been entertaining audiences at festivals and packed clubs throughout North America and Asia: from St. Individually - Chris Gale (sax), Adrean Farrugia (keys), Dafydd Hughes (keys), LEO37 (turntables, MC), Drew Birston (bass) and Tim Shia (drums) - have had the good fortune of playing with a host of Juno, Grammy, Polaris, and Golden Melody (Taiwan) nominees in a multitude of genres from Blue Rodeo to Ernie Watts to Holly Cole to Feist to Chantal Kreviazuk. Their newest release - The Greatest Least Hits - will be released in early 2025 featuring a host of special guests including Caity Gyorgy, Elizabeth Shepherd, Terry Hsieh and Rebecca Hennessy.

“The music's fresh, may appeal to pop lovers but assuredly to jazzers keen on a kind of driven fluency as genre stylings are examined, discarded and reworked.” Toronto Star

“Indeed, titles can deceive. When it comes to the Worst Pop Band Ever, don’t assume it’s about pop. Don’t even assume it’s about jazz. But know that it’s about some of the most clever, talented and wide-ranging musicians in the nation.” FFWD magazine

"Street wise yet substantive,... would appeal to fans of Vijay Iyer, Brad Mehldau, or DJ Logic, as dealt by the poised sax/piano front line (Chris Gale, Dafydd Hughes and Adrean Farrugia), a robust rhythm section (bassist Drew Birston and drummer Tim Shia), and excellent colorizations by turntablist Leo37...hip enough and deep enough for jazzers and non-jazzers alike." Mark Turner, All About Jazz