Since entering the Toronto music scene, Saskatoon-born drummer and bandleader, Tim Shia has performed and recorded with many of Canada’s most acclaimed musicians, including Rich Underhill, Kevin Barrett, Kevin Clark, Laila Biali, Amanda Martinez, Julie Michels, Kelly Jefferson, George Koller, Ron Davis, Rhonda Stakich, Suzie McNeil, Tyler Yarema, Quinsin Nachoff, Mike Downes, Kieren Overs, Christopher Plock, Bernie Senensky, Bob Brough, and Dee Kaye Ibomeka. As both sideman and leader, he has played festivals and shows across the country and recorded and composed music for CDs, television and film.

Tim first came to Toronto on a scholarship from the University of Toronto where he pursued a Bachelor of Science degree while playing music on the side. After graduating, he traveled to Taiwan for a year and found himself performing with various Taipei musicians. With a new resolve to build a career in music, Tim returned to Toronto in 1998 and enrolled at Humber College. There he fast- tracked his way through a Jazz Performance diploma, receiving a Performance Award Bursary studying under such notable teachers as Roger Flock, Don Vickery, Paul DeLong, Rick Lazar, Mike Downes, Kieren Overs, Art Maiste, Shannon Gunn and Terry Promane.

Tim’s current performance and recording projects include: the Love Orchestra (his ever evolving “jazz” outfit); LEO37 (Toronto-based emcee/ turntablist); Ebb (a contemporary jazz guitar trio focused on groove and atmospherics); the Love Mechaniques (a deconstructionist group with modern jazz intentions); and his newest project, the Worst Pop Band Ever (pop tunes played in ways upsetting to both pop and jazz purists). Tim also plays as a sideman in a number of other groups, teaches private lessons, and has, since 2000, run Jazz for Juniors, an educational program that teaches school-aged children about Jazz.