Backwater Township is a jazz quartet led by Corey Thomas, a talented Mi’gmaq bassist, composer, arranger, and songwriter. Established in 2018, the band was born out of a desire to challenge the elitism and gatekeeping often associated with jazz music. Rather than just a band, Backwater Township is a collective of misfits and outliers determined to carve out their space in the jazz scene. Their unique sound features a blend of original compositions and arrangements of music by former Indigenous jazz musicians, all crafted with a deep respect for the music’s cultural roots. Backwater Township recorded their first self-titled EP in 2018, and followed up with their newest album, Backwater Township II, released in November 2022. Their captivating performances have graced the stages of several festivals, including Festival Présence Autochtone (2019, 2020, 2022), Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (2019), Sunset on Somerled (2019), and Festival Jazz et Blues de Saguenay (2023). Band leader Corey Thomas’ impressive musicianship earned him a nomination for the Oliver Jones Award in 2019. Backwater Township’s music has been featured on major CBC Radio shows, such as Minotan and the Saturday Night Jazz show, and has been included in prominent Spotify curated playlists, like Fresh Finds Jazz and The Jazz Collection. With their sights set on their follow-up album, Backwater Township continues to delight audiences with their vibrant, lively performances, honing their skills to deliver not only great music but also a memorable experience.
