Heillig Manoeuvre

HENRY HEILLIG- BASS
Bassist and composer, Henry Heillig,  began his career as a singer-songwriter in Montreal. He learned stage craft in intimate coffee houses, and started playing bass accompanying his dad's favourite swing tunes in their living room. This combination leads directly to Heillig Manoeuvre's repertoire and performance style. 

Concurrent with his time leading Manteca, Heillig Heillig toured with Sharon, Lois and Bram as well as Eric Nagler, producing music for his children's television series. He has been a member of harmonica virtuoso Carlos del Junco's ensemble for almost twenty years. For the last ten years, he has been involved as musical director and producer for a project called The Journey, which puts vocal veterans such as Jackie Richardson and Alana Bridgewater together with young singers in Regent Park, chronicling the ongoing redevelopment of their neighbourhood. 

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ALLISON YOUNG

Ottawa-born Saxophonist Alison Young,  has a musical personality that belies her youth. Her playing is soulful and energetic, and her compositions feel very natural. Alison is in great demand, currently performing with pop singer Alysha Brilla, jazzmasters Joe Sealy and Colin Hunter, and roots bands Big Rude Jake and Red Hot Ramble, as well as Heillig Manoeuvre.

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STACIE MCGREGOR
Pianist Stacie McGregor  came from Winnipeg to study jazz in Toronto, and has been a Heillig favourite for many years for her ability to dig-in to a groove and also solo with abandon. She was MD for the late Archie Alleyne's hard-bop band Kollage, toured with bassist Brandi Disterheft, as well as holding down a weekly solo piano gig for over twenty years. 

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​CHARLIE COOLEY- DRUMS
Drummer  Charlie Cooley hails from Halifax. His varied career has found him touring and recording with many of Canada's top acts, from Amanda Marshall, The Guess Who and Sass Jordan to Prairie Oyster and Jimmy Rankin. However, his place in Heillig Manoeuvre is a result of his 25+ years as Heillig's rhythm partner in Manteca. The pair have an uncanny rapport which creates seamless confident grooving in support of Alison and Stacie's inspired melodies.