Ernesto Cervini (drummer, composer, bandleader) is a Toronto-based drummer who is making a name for himself as a consummate bandleader and in-demand sideman. He is repeatedly praised for his deeply musical, infectiously energetic talents. Time Out New York encapsulated Cervini as “a buoyant drummer as well as a sharp composer and bandleader,” while the jazz bible, Downbeat described his fluid style as one that “exemplifies `float like a butterfly, sting like a bee’.” The drummer released There, his third album as leader of the Ernesto Cervini Quartet, in fall 2011. Reviewing the album, Modern Drummer magazine said: “Cervini recalls such old-schoolers as Art Blakey and Billy Higgins. . . It’s his robust, magnetic personality that fascinates consistently.”

The Ottawa Citizen said: “On There, you can practically hear the musicians smiling and reveling in their creativity and musical repartee. Superb, high-energy, spur-of-the-moment music.”

In 2012, Ernesto released the recording Tell with the collective trio Miriad 3, which features pianist Chris Donnelly and bassist Dan Fortin. The group released their second album, The Where, in June 2014. The album was nominated for a JUNO in 2015.

In 2014, Ernesto was a named as a finalist for the Toronto Arts Foundation Emerging Jazz Artist Award.

Awards:

2014 - Nominated for the 2014 Toronto Arts Foundation Emerging Jazz Artist Award
2015 - JUNO nomination for 'Jazz Album of the Year, by a Group' for The Where