Wes Carroll Confabulation

The Wes Carroll Confabulation walks the tight-rope, balancing detailed arrangements with the power of spontaneity. Since 2015, they have honed their unique blend: stretching out into a world of hip-hop grooves, soul and electricity while not losing their jazz footing. Their set blends Carroll's distinct, hip-hop-inspired singing, dynamic guitar solos, and modern-jazz horn lines with themes that include that include the rising cost of living, sexual humor, re-imagining masculinity, distraction, hopelessness, and quirky love. Wes has traveled the world, playing concerts in the EU, the UK, across Canada, and the US. In 2021, he finished a Masters in Jazz Performance as a guitar major at the University of Toronto and has since become faculty at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. While focusing on his own sound he also learns from the greats with side-projects that include “Wes plays Wes” (a tribute to Wes Montgomery), and PIGS: Canada's Most Authentic Pink Floyd Tribute where he performs as Roger Waters. The Confab are currently promoting their third studio album "Helium" (Released May 24, 2024).

Helium is out on May 24th! Released through Flatcar Records. Photo taken by Seth Brooks

Album Description: Helium, Wes Carroll Confabulation's third studio album, is an expressive pop and jazz record defined by clever songwriting, deep grooves, thoughtful arranging, and Wes's distinct, hip-hop inspired vocals which combine flowing rhymes with potent melodies. Its nine tracks span a wide range of topics – the rising cost of living, sexual humor, re-imagining masculinity, distraction, hopelessness, and quirky love. This record is a departure from the Confab's previous two outings, introducing ambient slide guitar and vibraphones that dance around dynamic horn-lines. "Helium" is a deeply personal record that offers a space to grieve, laugh, and slow down.

The Band: Owen Chow: trumpet. Rowan Farintosh: sax

Steven Taddei: Bass, Cyril Lojda: drums, Dakota Hoeppner: Keys

Off Empire performed by Wes Carroll Confabulation at Fernfest, 2022.