Ciara Hager Quartet – JazzYYC Emerging Artist Series

For tickets, please visit JazzYYC.com

The Ciara Hager quartet is made up of four talented musicians from across the province of Alberta. The quartet creates an iconic harmony of sound performed on string instruments, with innovative lead melodies played on Jazz violin.

While originally studying her Bachelor’s degree in Classical violin from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, Jazz violinist Ciara Hager became influenced by the culture of the Jazz students and mentors around her. She continues to absorb the elements of the style and intends to continue her journey establishing herself as a Jazz artist, pursuing her Master’s degree in Jazz violin performance.

Hager, as well as guitarist Christian Ferguson, currently reside in Medicine Hat, and began their journey playing music together in 2020, playing locally as a Jazz duo. The two began playing in larger ensembles beginning in the summer of 2021, playing in bands such as The Haggards, which included members from Ferguson’s Jazz Funk band Phat Daphne from Medicine Hat. The two continued to make trips to meet and perform with musicians in Calgary.

Bassist Sean Croal from Edmonton, an alum of the well known MacEwan University, travels between the cities of Calgary and Edmonton to perform in ensembles and teach. Sean also performs in several ensembles within Alberta including the Don Berner Big Band and MacEwan Big Band. Drummer Harry Faunt, a Calgary local, currently teaches band at Dr. Gordon Higgins School in Calgary and received his Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance at Ambrose University, and a Bachelor’s of Education from the U of C.

Band members

Ciara Hager – violin
Christian Ferguson – guitar
Sean Croal – bass
Harry Faunt – drums