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Rubim de Toledo . bassist . composer

Award-winning Canadian bassist and composer Rubim de Toledo combines the influences of his Brazilian heritage and his dedication to the jazz tradition to create an approach to music that is refreshing and uplifting.


With a musical palette that spans the globe, drawing inspiration from Latin, Caribbean, African, jazz, and contemporary influences, Rubim blends improvisation with a forward-looking traditionalism. His distinctive sound and style as a bassist and composer have earned him acclaim, making him a standout figure in the Western Canadian music scene.
 

In a notable 2021 milestone, Rubim clinched the Western Canadian Music Award (WCMA) for Instrumental Artist of the Year, adding to his impressive accolades that include a previous WCMA Jazz Artist of the Year win in 2018. The same year saw him nominated for Global Artist of the Year, a testament to the universality of his musical voice.
 

At seventeen, Rubim began his professional career in Edmonton, performing with Albertan jazz legends Tommy Banks, PJ Perry and Clarence “Big” Miller. Since then, he has evolved into a highly sought-after sideman and a prolific bandleader, releasing seven full-length albums of original compositions and establishing himself as a celebrated Western Canadian musical artist.
 

As a bassist, Rubim has been fortunate to accompany many international artists such as Vince Mendoza, Mulgrew Miller, Wayne Bergeron, Terrell Stafford, Dick Oatts, Wycliffe Gordan, Peter Bernstein, Sean Jones, Jason Marsalis, Bob Mintzer, D.D. Bridgewater, Luis Bonilla, Victor Goines, Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton, Tomas Chapin, Ralph Bowen, Gary Smulyan, Peggy Stern, Dave Mancini, Hendrik Meurkens, Benny Sharoni, John Riley, Oliver Jones, Ross Taggart, Phil Dwyer, Brad Turner, John Stetch, Ingrid Jenson, Christine Jensen, the Doxas Brothers, Denzel Sinclair, Sienna Dahien, Cambell Riga, Gordon Gordina, Mary Chapin Carpenter, the Canadian Tenors, Laila Biali, Hilario Duran, Jens Lindemann, Alfie Zappacosta, the Legendary Platters, Jackie Richardson, Inti Illimani, and Oscar Valdez of Irakere. His musical versatility is underscored by his association with diverse genres and artists, showcasing a depth of experience that enriches his artistic expression.
 

Beyond his solo endeavors, Rubim is also a founding member of Albertan Latin groups Montuno West, Bomba, and Maracujah and has been a frequent musical director for Calgary’s Decidedly Jazz Danceworks since 2006. Additionally, Rubim serves as the head of the performance and bass departments at MacEwan University in Edmonton, nurturing the next generation of musical talent.

Selected Recorded Discography

 

Self-Titled

 

  • The Drip (2023)

  • The Dig (2020)

  • The Gap (2018) - featuring Jason Marsalis

  • The Bridge (2013) - featuring Sean Jones

  • The River (2009)

  • Seu Swing (2008)

  • In Charcoal and Crimson (2007)

 

Bandleader or Group

 

  • Up and Over (Up and Over Trio)

  • Tocar Tambor (Montuno West)

  • reClaim Volume 1 (reClaim)

  • reClaim Volume 2 (reClaim)

  • Cuatro Caminos (Bomba)

  • Entre Sol y Luz (Bomba)

  • Lo Que Bomba Te Da (Bomba)

  • A Mi Me Gusta (Bomba)

  • Maracujah (Maracujah)
     

Sideperson
 

  • Pip Dreams (Jim Walker and the MacEwan Generations Big Band)

  • The Long View (MacEwan Generations Big Band)

  • Valley of Silence (Brenan Brothers)

  • You and Your Smile (Tom Van Seters)

  • Frankenhorn (Audrey Ochoa)

  • Mirror Suite (Penny Sanborn)

  • Under a Dancing Sky (Kate Blechinger)

  • More Rocky Mountain Fairy Tales (Sam Whelan)

  • Skin and Flame (Allyson Lynch)

  • 50/50 (Jim Brenan)

  • The Throw Down (Brenan Brothers)

  • January (Jim Brenan)

  • Spectre (Jim Brenan)

  • From Blue to Red (Storyfair productions)

  • Launch (Tyler Hornby)

  • Passages (Sandro Dominelli)

  • The D.A.D.s Trio (de Toledo, Andrew, Dominelli)

  • Jump to It (Dave Babcock)

  • Dreamer’s Lunge (Leesila Dawkins)

  • Up All Night (Peter Manley)

  • Willow Brocke (Willow Brocke)

  • Fortress of Solitude (Don Berner)

  • Home Town Riot (Develsplender)

  • Hiding from the Cold (Devilsplender)

  • Modest Charms (Beth Arrison)

  • Seemore (Christian Mena)

  • Bleach Bone Choir (BBC)

  • Madame (Madame)

  • Flow (Flow - Attack Records)

  • Senat (Leandro Goncalves)

  • Sextet (Don Berner)

  • Ai (Tim Tamashiro)

  • All in Time (Rachelle Risling)

  • Beyond the Dover (Susan Weatley)

  • Andrew / Berner Quartet (Andrew / Berner)

 

Producer/Engineer/Mixing/Mastering credits

 

  • Firm Roots (Marty Majorowicz) mixing/mastering

  • Prequel (Prequel) mixing/mastering

  • Truth Be Told (Chris Andrew) mixing

  • Not so Fast (Chris Andrew) mixing

  • Sounds of Brazil (de Toledo, Andrew, Dominelli) mixing/mastering

  • Skin and Flame (Allyson Lynch) - producer

  • January (Jim Brenan) mixing/mastering

  • Mirror Suite (Penny Sanborn) mixing/mastering

 

Compilations

 

  • Alberta Music Sampler – Alberta Music (2009)

  • Made in Alberta - Alberta Foundations for the Arts (2009)

  • Made in Alberta - Alberta Foundations for the Arts (2004)

  • Coming Home - Grant MacEwan College (2004)

  • CKUA ‘Radio Worth Fighting For’ documentary (2002)

  • Diasporama - Chilenos en Canada (2002)

  • Beat Niq Compilation (2010)

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Quotes


"If there exists one word to try and encapsulate the sheer abundance of groove in The Drip, it would be “punch” (“pop” would be a close second). In any case, this descriptor would need to be of the onomatopoeic variety, because this album is a verb, not a noun. Nine tracks of back-to-back-to-back momentum and drive, every break in the sonic stream implies re-entry … Switching between upright and electric bass, Rubim de Toledo is a curator of low end … Across this galaxy of funk, it is de Toledo that remains integral to the sound of the ensemble.” – Yoshi Maclear Wall, the Whole Note Magazine (Volume 29 Issue 3 Dec 2024/ Jan 2024)

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"a captivating musical journey that skillfully blends the infectious rhythms of Brazil, Cuba, and the Caribbean with influences from Afrobeat, funk, and contemporary jazz. The result is an addictively upbear and vibrant collection that showcases the Western Canadian bassist's mastery in creating multifaceted musical landscapes." - Kodi Hutchinson, host of A Time for Jazz, Ckua (2023)

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"Rubim de Toledo, now one of my favourite jazz artists in this country." - Stephan Bonfield, Calgary Herald (2022)

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"The Drip is a 5-star album in my books!" - Tony Hillier, Plant Jazz Australia (2023)

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“How to describe such a beautiful album in just a few lines? The fact remains that nine titles are far too short because we let ourselves be swept away by this album, and all the same, suddenly, everything stops… but basically, that’s the effect of all excellent albums.” – The Drip Review, paris-moves.com by Thierry de Clemensat (2023)

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"Edmonton’s Rubim de Toledo has shown himself to be one of the most consistently inspired musical tailors in Alberta jazz, an excellent, in-demand bassist, a gifted composer-arranger and a smart bandleader, too." - Edmonton Journal, 2017 by Roger Levesque

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"The Dig is the most recent studio album by bassist/composer Rubim de Toledo. This release features seven songs, with each track highlighting a different aspect of Toledo's incredibly diverse creativity and high-level musicianship. The album kicks off with a song titled "Saddleback," which tips the hat off to some of the best fusion-jazz out there. The bass tone is warm and dynamic, perfectly highlighting Toledo's articulation and his ability to drive the mix, without ever overpowering it..." - Jazz Corner, 2020

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"Coming from a Brazilian background, Toledo taps on the rich history of jazz in Brazil as well as the Caribbean to bring a worldly dimension to his music." - World Wide Waves, 2020 by Faiz Haque   

 

“And then, from this super special soiree with dear friends, I got a Rubim de Toledo (The Gap) gift CD. What is the language? - Jazz. I confess that when I heard the answer I thought, ‘Come on, listen to another handful of standards!’ ... I was surprised. The CD is imaginative. Original pieces, AND most importantly, it has ‘IDENTITY’. Does not replicate anyone. … The Gap is really the gap; the best. Wonderful. A trip. I recommend.” (Translated from Portuguese) – CD Review, Gumbe Music, Sao Paulo, Brasil, 2019 by Carlos Gomes

 

"Rubim de Toledo: a Canadian from Alberta, of Brazilian origin and a well-established musician … The first thing to grab me was his big rounded tone, gifting the tunes with a richness and beauty that captivated from start to finish. While most bass sits deep within the mix, de Toledo’s voice spoke clearly; not by overcrowding his band-mates nor by punching through the others as an electric bassist might, but because every musical utterance sounded right. His melodicism and clarity of ideas were enhanced by devices which I found appealing; his occasional and appropriate use of vibrato at the end of a line, sometimes, rarely, he combined this with a slight bending of the note. He is definitely a successor to the Evans trio model; a bassist who communicates as an equal." - Concert Review - John Fenton, Auckland, New Zealand

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"The band, led by Rubim de Toledo, conjures up one rich layer of funkified jazz after another throughout the night, and you’re liable to spontaneously shout out “Mojitos for all my friends! … de Toledo’s band shines infusing C-Legs — and the rest of the show — with as much of a jazz club feel as a funkified one … After the break, de Toledo’s tunes blend beautifully with Begins’ projected images on Beat Driven Post Wonderment." - Decidedly Jazz Danceworks takes to the streets for inspiration, Calgary Herald, April 2013 by Stephen Hunt

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"Bassist and composer Rubim de Toledo must be one of Alberta’s busiest and most accomplished musicians ... De Toledo fuses the rhythmic styles of Latin American music and post-war American jazz evoking, Heitor Villa-Lobos, contemporary salsa, Charlie Parker and John Coltrane – while achieving something entirely fresh ... (jazz scene) abounds in performers with virtuosic technique. The eternal challenge is to innovative material that is thoughtful, challenging, accessible, listenable and enjoyable. Rubim de Toledo’s The River is all of that." - CD Review from Legacy Magazine, Winter 2009 by Ron Chalmers

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"... by simply listening to Toledo’s most recent album, the River, you start to understand the importance of that dynamic (teamwork, flexibility and creativity). It’s not about showing off, but creating a seamless dance from idea to idea, measure to measure, note to note." On Dance, Creativity and Corporate Teamwork, See magazine, Feb 2010 by Kathleen Bell

"... all of that made The River one of the finest Jazz albums of the year ..." - Inspiration Flowed from Flood, Edmonton Journal, April 2009 by Roger Levesque

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"Rubim de Toledo is one of the most sought-after studio and performing artists on Alberta’s jazz scene. The versatile bassist is also considered a Brazilian / Cuban master, and is active on the Rock, R&B and Folk scenes ... The release (The River) is one of three great jazz projects to hit the market in 2009 that Rubim has helped to create all three." - 2009 a busy year for jazz Musician, Jazz Elements website, Feb 2009 by Cindy McLeod

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“Bassist Rubim de Toledo, of Brazilian descent, is the backbone of the band. His soulful style is as passionate as it is eloquent.” - Challenging Empire, Citizenship, Sovereignties and Self-Determination, Nov 2003 by Gordon Laxer

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Awards

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Individual or as bandleader/group

 

Instrumental Artist of the Year (Rubim de Toledo) - Winner (2021)

Western Canadian Music Awards

 

Global Artist of the Year (Rubim de Toledo) - Nominated (2021)
Western Canadian Music Awards

 

World Recording of the Year (Montuno West) - Winner (2019)
Calgary Music Award
 

Jazz Recording of the Year (Montuno West) - Nominated (2019)
Edmonton Music Awards
 

Latin Recording of the Year (Montuno West) - Nominated (2019)
Edmonton Music Awards
 

Instrumental Recording of the Year (Montuno West) - Nominated (2019)
Edmonton Music Awards
 

World Artist of the Year (Montuno West) - Nominated (2019)
Western Canadian Music Awards
 

Jazz Artist of the Year (Rubim de Toledo) - Winner (2018)
Western Canadian Music Awards

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Jazz Recording of the Year (Rubim de Toledo) - Nominated (2018)
Edmonton Music Awards

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Jazz Recording of the Year (Rubim de Toledo) - Nominated (2010)
Western Canadian Music Awards

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Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts (Bomba) - Winner (2007)
 

World Artist of the Year (Bomba) - Nominated (2006)
Western Canadian Music Awards

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Outstanding Latin Music (Bomba) - Winner (2005)
Canadian Indie Music Award
 

CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award (Bomba) - Winner (2004)
 

ARIA Group of the Year award (Maracujah) - Winner (1998)

 

As a sideperson

 

2019 winner - Kate Blechinger, Night in the City – bassist
- Edmonton Music Award

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2019 nominated - Jim Brenan, 50/50 – bassist
– Calgary Music Award

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2019 nominated - Penny Sanborn, Mirror Suite – bassist/mixing/mastering
– Calgary Music

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2018 nominated - Allison Lynch, Skin and Flame - bassist/producer
-  Calgary Music Award

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2018 winner – Jim Brenan, January – bassist/mixing/mastering
- WCMA

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2013 winner – McIntyre/Whelan, From Blue to Red
- Alberta Book Publishing Award

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2010 nominated – Brenan Brothers, Throwdown - bassist
- WCMA

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