Ottawa based Safe Low Limit is a jazz oriented group made of instruments pitched in the bass clef. This eclectic lineup of tuba, trombone, cello and drums creates a unique sound and performs a variety of original compositions, obscure standards and funk hits in a wide variety of jazz and pop styles, leaving the audience wondering what the heck will they do next!
Safe Low Limit’s virtuoso tuba player, Dr. Keith Hartshorn-Walton, is equally impressive pumping out walking bass lines or playing be-bop heads and improvising. Trombonist Steve Berndt uses electronic effects to enhance his sound and also provides vocals. Cellist Ken Kanwisher trades bass lines and solos with the band. Drummer Michel Delage has an innovative style and has become a top call on the Ottawa jazz scene.
Since their first concert in May 2017 performed at the bottom of a drained swimming pool in Vanier and a viral CBC article about the pool concert, the band has done a number of festival appearances and recorded an album called “High On Low”. One of the songs from the album, a Ken Kanwisher composition called “Chasing The Rainbow” has seen almost rotational airplay on CBC’s national jazz show “Saturday Night Jazz with Laila Biali from 2022 to 2024.