Nathan Grosset is a saxophonist from Sydney, Nova Scotia. He is currently attending Acadia University where he is completing a Bachelor’s of Music with a focus on music education. After completing his degree, his hopes are to become a music teacher in the Nova Scotia school system. 

At Acadia, Nathan studies under the mentorship of Dr. Tristan de Borba. There he has built a very versatile playing style that lends itself nicely to many genres including jazz, classical, funk, and rock. 

The last five years of Nathan’s life have been devoted to his biggest passion, Backhouse Brass. He is one of the band’s founding members and, alongside his five friends, has helped grow the band’s popularity to being recognized as a fixture in the Nova Scotia music scene.  Aside from Backhouse Brass, Nathan has played in the Acadia University Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble, The Savoy Theatre’s rendition of The Rocky Horror Show in 2018, and Shiny Happy People (an REM tribute band). He’s collaborated with well known Nova Scotian musicians such as Rankin MacInnis and The Broken Reeds, Daniel James McFadyen, and the popular Wolfville based folk/rock band, Colrain. 

Music has been Nathan’s passion since he first started lessons at the age of five, and he looks forward to see what musical opportunities the future may hold! 

To get in touch or inquire about booking, Nathan can be reached at nathangrosset4@gmail.com

Carter Todd is a multi-instrumentalist from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, specializing in trumpet, flugelhorn, and trombone. A dynamic presence in the East Coast music scene, Carter blends technical prowess with deep musicality, rooted in jazz but open to a wide range of genres. He began his musical journey in fifth grade band class and has since evolved into a seasoned performer with over five years of professional experience.

Carter is a founding member of Backhouse Brass, a Cape Breton-based ensemble that has earned a strong reputation for its high-energy performances and creative arrangements. The group has seen widespread success across the province and has become a fixture in the Maritime music scene. 

Outside Backhouse Brass, Carter has had the privilege of sharing the stage with award-winning artists including Rankin MacInnis, My Son The Hurricane, and world-renowned bassist Martin Zenker. He has also appeared at major festivals and events including the Cape Breton Jazz Festival, Antigonish Jazz Festival, Rankin’s Winter Warmers, and most recently Cape Breton’s Makin’ Waves Music Festival, debuting and leading his new jazz-fusion ensemble.

Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music with Honours at St. Francis Xavier University, Carter studies under renowned trumpeter and educator Paul Tynan. Beyond performance, he is now exploring his own voice as a composer—several of his original works have already been performed live and recorded.

With a deep commitment to his craft and a passion for collaboration, Carter Todd continues to push his musical boundaries while staying grounded in the community that shaped him.

To get in touch or inquire about booking, Carter can be reached at cartertodd18@gmail.com

Gabe Sutherland is a saxophonist from Sydney, Nova Scotia. He grew up by the water of the Bras d’Or Lakes, where he learned to ski, surf and sail. Gabe is currently completing a Bachelor’s of Mechanical Engineering at Dalhousie University, and has spent his co-op placements producing sustainable technology, hoping to positively impact climate change through engineering.

Gabe began performing in drama programs in his home town, and now acts with the Kings Theatrical Society. He was also Head Coach of the BEYC junior sailing program, exercising his stage presence through sailing lessons. With Backhouse Brass, he enjoys rallying the audience with energetic performances, and believes showmanship is equally important as the music itself.

Always looking for opportunities to perform, Gabe hopes to continue inspiring crowds and bringing the energy!

To get in touch or inquire about booking, Gabe can be reached at gabejssutherland@gmail.com

Nathan Trimm is a tuba player from Albert Bridge, Nova Scotia who started his bass career in the school band program at Riverside Elementary on the baritone. Shortly after, he made the switch to tuba in middle school and was recruited to Backhouse Brass in his first year of high school. Since then, he’s been playing in BHB during the summer months and over winter breaks while attending Cape Breton University, completing courses for a Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology. Nathan T. is also an active member of the Second Wind Community Concert Band based in Sydney, and is grateful for all of his opportunities to stay engaged with music, even when life gets busy. 

To get in touch or inquire about booking, Nathan can be reached at trimmnj88@gmail.com

Jacqueline Portnoff is a drummer, percussionist, singer, songwriter and guitarist from Richmond Hill, Ontario. She moved to Nova Scotia in 2023 to study percussion at the Acadia University School of Music, in pursuit of her lifelong dream of being a high school Music and English teacher.

After picking up drumsticks at the age of seven, Jacquie has never looked back. Despite the many instruments and disciplines she enjoys, including creative writing and graphic design, nothing makes her feel more at home than being behind the kit. 

Jacquie was accepted into her high school’s specialized Music Arts program, where she studied percussion, vocals, musical theatre, composition and production. She also attended Ontario’s renowned Interprovincial Music Camp, where she experienced nightly gigs and being a studio musician in her teen years.

Alongside Backhouse Brass, Jacquie is also the drummer of Wolfville’s girl rock trio Daughters of Athena. She has played in Acadia’s Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble, and has entered and won Acadia’s Battle of The Bands two years in a row. During her time in Wolfville she has played with several Valley musicians and bands, including country group Nine Mile River and folk musician Caleb Vallelly. 

Over the years, Jacquie has honed her sound as a precise, tasteful player whose biggest priority is listening to her bandmates. She is beyond thrilled to be part of Backhouse Brass and can’t wait to see you rocking out at our shows!

To get in touch or inquire about booking, Jacquie can be reached at jacquelineportnoff17@gmail.com 

Cruz Wilson is a 22-year-old musician from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. As an experienced songwriter, guitarist, pianist, vocalist, drummer, and producer, Cruz’s sound and skill set is quite diverse, and lends itself very well to a number of musical genres.

Cruz has recorded, mixed, and mastered two studio albums in his home studio that he has released on all streaming platforms. His hit single “Holding On For A Chance” from his first full length album titled “The Darkest Hour” has continued to grow in popularity since its release in 2022 and has garnered over 20,000 streams. His most recent release is a single titled “Eyes Of The Beast” which he recorded and released in 2024 with the help of Jamie Foulds at Soundpark Studios in Sydney, NS.

Cruz has completed a bachelor’s degree in business from StFX University where he also managed the CFXU radio station. Aside from Backhouse Brass, Cruz continues to perform both as a solo act, and collaborate with other local musical talent such as Glace Bay’s, The Turnbull Brothers, and singer/songwriter Victoria MacDougall.

Cruz is leaving his hometown in September 2025 to embark on a journey to New York City where he has been accepted to Berklee Music School’s graduate program in songwriting and production.

We wish Cruz all the best and look forward to playing with him whenever he is back in town!

To get in touch or inquire about booking, Cruz can be reached at kaicruzwilson@gmail.com