Rubim de Toledo

Rubim de Toledo. bassist . composer

Award-winning bassist and composer, Rubim de Toledo combines the influences of his Brazilian heritage and his dedication to the jazz tradition, to create an approach to music that is refreshing and uplifting. Boasting a diverse rhythmic palette inspired by world music, jazz, and contemporary music, a lure towards improvisation and a forward-looking traditionalism, Rubim nurtures a commanding sound and style as a bassist, soloist, and composer.

Rubim began his professional career in Edmonton at seventeen, performing with Albertan Jazz legends Tommy Banks, PJ Perry and Clarence “Big” Miller. Since then, he has become a sought-after sideman and a productive bandleader. Rubim is a founding member of renowned Canadian Latin-Jazz group Bomba and has had the honour to accompany jazz artists like Mary Chapin Carpenter, Mulgrew Miller, Terrell Stafford, Wycliffe Gordan, Oliver Jones, and Jason Marsalis.
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With his sixth and newest release, “The Dig,” Rubim distinguishes himself as a composer with a unique ability to explore contemporary styles while maintaining a sound that is modern yet inviting. The disc features seven original instrumental compositions influenced by Brazilian, Caribbean, jazz, and groove-based music.

Rubim has worked extensively since 2007 as musical director with Calgary’s prestigious Decidedly Jazz Danceworks. He is also a passionate music educator and the head of the bass department at MacEwan University in Edmonton.

In 2018, Rubim won the Western Canadian Music Award for Jazz Artist of Year and was nominated for a 2018 Edmonton Music Award. In 2019, his Latin-Jazz group Montuno West was nominated as World artist of the year at the Western Canadian Music Award, nominated for several Edmonton Music Awards, and won the Calgary Music Award for World Recording of the Year.