A Canadian-American soul-jazz ensemble known as Busty and the Bass unites a broad spectrum of musical influences through its multi-instrumental roster. Formed at Montreal’s Schulich School of Music, the collective progressed through the 2010s and 2020s via the studio albums Uncommon Good, Eddie, and Forever Never Cares, securing partnerships with figures ranging from George Clinton to Verdine White while performing widely throughout North America and Europe. Their expansive third album, Forever Never Cares, brought a 2024 JUNO Awards nomination for Breakthrough Group of the Year.
The group’s story traces to McGill University in Montréal, where founding members first connected as students at the Schulich School of Music and developed both camaraderie and an eclectic style during casual jam sessions. Over several years the lineup expanded and stabilized at nine players: Nick Ferraro (vocals, alto sax), Scott Bevins (trumpet), Alistair Blu (vocals, keyboard, synthesizer), Julian Trivers (drums), Louis Stein (guitar), Milo Johnson (bass), Eric Haynes (piano, keyboard), Chris Vincent (trombone), and Mike McCann (trumpet). Late 2014 marked their initial national recognition when they entered and ultimately won Canada’s Top University Band competition in October. That victory led directly to their debut EP, Bustified, which captured the first eight months of the group’s existence.
Equipped with $10,000 in prize money, the band recorded a follow-up EP, the assertive GLAM, issued in June 2015 after they signed with Indica Records. Their third EP, 2016’s LIFT, gained unexpected attention when Macy Gray praised the group’s cover of her song “I Try” after it circulated widely online. Following several smaller releases, the debut full-length Uncommon Good appeared soon afterward. Crafted with Grammy Award-winning producer Neal Pogue (OutKast, Earth, Wind & Fire), the 2017 album showcased intricate melodies, genre fluidity, and a collective writing approach that positioned the band as a notable emerging act in underground soul-jazz circles.
After McCann’s exit, the ensemble issued the Live from London EP and then moved to Arts & Crafts in early 2020 to prepare their second album. Following preview singles, Eddie arrived in September of that year. Featuring George Clinton, Macy Gray, and Illa J, the record extended the group’s seamless stylistic blends while centering on the theme of offering guidance to one’s younger self. Alternate takes of the track “ET” appeared on the 2021 EP ET Suite, with Eddie (Instrumentals) following later the same year. A 2022 collaborative EP with rapper STS, titled Karneval, came next.
Following Ferraro’s departure in 2022, the remaining members began work on their third studio album, previewed by five singles throughout 2022 and 2023, among them “All the Things I Couldn’t Say to You.” Mixed and engineered by Vincent, the ambitious full-length reached listeners in November 2023, presenting an expansive fusion of styles anchored in the band’s core soul-jazz identity. The album’s reception earned the group another Breakthrough Group of the Year nomination at the 2024 JUNO Awards.
