Photograph by Frank Nagy

Drummer Ernesto Cervini has quickly become in demand as a sideman and also as a bandleader in New York City and Toronto because of his unique and deep musicality. Ernesto has, at the young age of 26, had the opportunity to share the stage with many legendary jazz musicians; Joe Lovano, Clark Terry, Pat LaBarbera, Dick Oatts, Buddy DeFranco, Henry Cuesta, Scott Robinson, Jim McNeely, Phil Nimmons, Peter Appleyard, Ranee Lee and many others. He has opened for musicians such as Herbie Hancock, Kenny Garrett, Roy Hargrove, Dave Holland, Roy Haynes and Poncho Sanchez. Ernesto is currently the drummer for the ACQ, MEM3, The Tara Davidson Quintet as well as Monday Off, a 4-part vocal group. In November of 2006, Ernesto released his first album with his own quartet and it has been receiving rave reviews in publications across Canada and the United States.

Ernesto's diversity as a musician (he is also an excellent pianist and clarinetist) has allowed him to travel throughout the North America performing in some of the world’s greatest concert halls and jazz clubs. Ernesto has been featured as a leader and sideman at the legendary Birdland, The Jazz Standard, The 55 Bar, The Montreal Bistro, The Top Of the Senator, The Rex Jazz and Blues Club and has also been fortunate enough to perform in Concert Halls such as Massey Hall, The Glen Gould Theatre and The St. Lawrence Center for the Arts.

Growing up in Toronto, Canada he performed with a variety of groups around the Greater Toronto Area. He has been a member of the Hamilton All Star Jazz Band and the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra. He was also principle clarinetist in the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra and has performed with the Toronto All Star Big Band for the past twelve years. While in Toronto, Ernesto was also the conductor of the Etobicoke Jazz Band, a music group focusing on the education of elementary and high school students. Ernesto received his Bachelors degree from the University of Toronto, and received a Masters degree from the Manhattan School of Music.