TMA149 Members

Miles Finlayson is a jazz, r&b, and rock guitarist who forged a deep connection to music at an early age, and continues to develop and strengthen it to this day. After picking up the guitar in high school, he began enthusiastically pursuing the means to express his own truth through sound and music. It is this calling to which Miles continuously answers with each new musical endeavour.

He first attended York University as an undergrad, and then the University of Toronto as a Masters student. It was during this time that the groundwork was laid for Miles to develop his individual voice as a composer and improviser. With an emphasis on melodies, groove/rhythm, a personal sense of harmony, and strong arrangements, his tunes never fail to showcase the various dimensions of his style and musicianship.

Miles has performed his original music at events such as the Brantford International Jazz Festival, the first annual Scarborough Town Jazz Festival, the 2018 Markham Jazz Festival, and Markham’s 2019 Sounds of Summer Festival.

As an accompanying/backing musician, performs and has performed with various acts in the Toronto area and beyond, including Sean Jones, Melanie Durrant, Quisha Wint, Kolette Easy, Ray Robinson, Katie DuTemple, and the Sidewalk Crusaders. He has also played behind visiting artists such as Winnipeg-based hip hop group The Lytics, and the South African saxophonist Rus Nerwich. Additionally, Miles has worked in pit bands for productions of various musicals including Spring Awakening, Rent, Hairspray, and up-and-coming Canadian musicals such as Raise The Stakes, and Grow (formally titled Rumspringa Break).

Miles currently works steadily as both a performer and an educator, and continues to hone his skills on the guitar.