KUUMBA 365 Masterclass: Dennis Passley
Sat Feb 21 2026
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Make the Saxophone Speak is a focused, hands-on masterclass for beginners to intermediate saxophonists aimed at helping players move beyond playing the notes and toward developing a clear, expressive, and personal sound. By the end of the class, students will leave with practical tools and practice strategies to strengthen clarity, expression, and confidence, while taking meaningful steps toward developing their own personal sound on the instrument.
As part of KUUMBA 365, a year-long initiative celebrating Black cultures and creative practices, Dwight Jones, Larnell Lewis, and Dennis Passley will perform in KUUMBA 365: Sounds of Blackness at The Fleck at Harbourfront Centre Theatre on February 6 at 8:00 PM. Dennis’s performance responds to Jeneen Njootli’s exhibition, creating a dynamic dialogue between sound and visual art and offering audiences a unique experience of artistic conversation in action.
Dennis Passley is a Toronto-based professional creative, composer, saxophonist and bandleader who has sustained an international touring career for over 25 years. A dynamic performer and section leader, he currently leads Northern Soul Horns with their upcoming release Big Band Theory, while also composing new material for his project Astral RIDDIMS. Beyond the stage, he founded the Toronto People’s Library, reflecting his commitment to accessibility and amplifying underrepresented voices.
