Patrick Nabuurs is an acoustic and electric bassist, composer, and educator based in Toronto (Sept-May) and Prince Edward Island (June-August). Known for his adaptability across genres, Patrick performs regularly with jazz ensembles, orchestras, rock bands, and contemporary groups across Canada.

Recent highlights include holding the bass chair in the orchestra for the Charlottetown Festival’s 2024 season, playing Anne of Green Gables: The Musical and Jersey Boys, and performing with the Toronto Arab Orchestra and with renowned Iraqi Oud virtuoso Naseer Shamma. He is an active presence on the Toronto jazz scene, performing with groups such as the Nate Beja Trio/Quintet and JazzYat, as well as leading his own quartet, The Patrick Nabuurs Quartet.

Originally from Prince Edward Island, Patrick began on violin before finding his home in the bass. He studied at Humber College, where he earned a Bachelor of Music and performed with acclaimed visiting artists such as Joe Lovano and the New York Voices. He also recorded with David Occhipinti’s Chamber Ensemble and the Humber Studio Jazz Ensemble.

Since 2015, Patrick has directed the Victoria Row Jazz Quartet as part of Charlottetown’s Always on Stage Festival, performing six nights a week each summer with a rotating cast of musicians from across North America. After a one-year hiatus working with the Charlottetown Festival Orchestra, he is excited to be returning for the 2025 season.

Patrick is also an experienced educator, offering private lessons and ensemble coaching in both jazz and contemporary styles. 

In the time-honoured musical tradition of name dropping, here is a list of notable artists Patrick has worked with or backed up:

Alex Bird and the Jazz Mavericks (Juno Award Nominee), Naseer Shamma (Iraqi oud virtuoso and UNESCO Artist for Peace), Virginia MacDonald, Ken Fornetran, Paul Tynan, Ron Petrides, Jake Hanlon, Geoff Young, Kelly Jefferson, Andrew McAnsh, Trevor Giancola, Luis Deniz, Ian Toms, Ewen Farncombe, Jeffrey Straker, Darkest Side of the Moon, Michael Burgess, Kaili Kinnon, Strike Scream Run, Folsom Prison Revisited, Alan Dowling, Grahame Rhodes, Nathan Beja, Chris Corrigan, Logan Richard, Baba’s Island Jazz Band, Tzu-Cheng Wang, The Strathgarteny Chamber Orchestra, The Charlottetown Festival Orchestra, The Toronto Arab Orchestra, JazzYat, The Singing Strings.

Performances at Notable Festivals and Venues: The Charlottetown Festival, The Cape Breton Jazz Festival, The PEI Jazz and Blues Festival, The Indian River Festival, the Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Festival, The Always on Stage Festival, The East Coast Music Awards, PEI Music Week