Mike T. Kerr's first release since 2020's Spring Garden Bandstand, Manoir de Mes Rêves is a proof-of-concept project exploring the acoustic guitar in Jazz. This EP features two of Django Reinhardt's greatest compositions, a deep Thelonious Monk cut, and an original composition by Mike T. Kerr.

This EP was recorded entirely at Sellers & Newel Secondhand Books on College street in downtown Toronto. The quartet went in when the store was closed and used the rolling bookcases as baffles, set up the microphones and were out by the afternoon. So much vital music in Toronto would go unheard, unsupported, and uncelebrated without the love and support of Peter Sellers, Daryl Buttineau, and the entire staff at Sellers & Newel.

Thank you, out there, for supporting live music in all its forms in this wild city. I am trying to find more and more ways to blend the recorded medium with the live experience, I think recording at Sellers & Newel as a studio space is a step in that direction- we play live here all the time, but to set out to make an album within its walls, between its bookshelves, blurs the line between studio and stage in delicious ways. This EP was recorded entirely live, but with the intention of a studio setup. This is kind of how I like to think they used to do it. Thanks for supporting this recording project, and thank you so much for listening!

I'm honoured and elated to have made so much music in 2024 with the great Aretha Tillotson from Edmonton, Alberta. She was in Toronto on all kinds of gigs this past year and I was lucky to get on stage with her as often as I did. Having Aretha in town really lit a fire under me to get recording and documenting more of what we're doing down here in the Small Time. You can tell right from the first note, that Aretha carries the tone and intention of a master.

Bruce Mackinnon has been an inspiration to my music since I moved to Toronto. He is a force of musical nature and one of the most beautiful souls I've come to know. He defines for me the spirit of the Toronto scene- the unique voice every musician carries with them. Other towns have vibrant scenes, but are often influenced by a few sources and generally players tend toward certain sounds. Bruce is entirely his own identity, and among all the other musical wonders he accomplishes on any given night, his sound on the alto saxophone elicits a revelatory response from all who witness him reaching out and touching the veil.

I have the great pleasure of getting to play with Jared Higgins quite often, and he still astonishes me every time he picks up one of his carefully curated guitars. He is a truly creative musician and so at one with his instrument. Always easy going, always laid back and lyrical, Jared's guitar playing inspires me to mean what I say and maybe hold that last percentage back for the exact right explosive moment.

A special thanks as always to Emma Jane for her unwavering support in my pursuit of an artistic life

Special thanks to Dylan Jewers for the late-night listening in my mom's car

Special thanks to Dan Ledwell for his help in getting the mix just right, his time and approach to mixing was crucial to me bringing this across the finish line

Your pal, Mike T. Kerr

credits

releases February 14, 2025

Recorded entirely at Sellers & Newel Secondhand Books, 672 College St, Toronto, ON

Recorded, Mixed, & Mastered by Mike T. Kerr

Mike T. Kerr - acoustic guitar

Jared Higgins - acoustic guitar

Bruce Mackinnon - alto saxophone

Aretha Tillotson - double bass

Djangology, Manoir de Mes Rêves by Django Reinhardt

Boo Boo's Birthday by Thelonious Monk

Bossa for Kondo by Mike T. Kerr

Artwork by Daryl Buttineau