The Disease

The Disease is an eight-piece funk machine born out of the depths of Toronto's music community. Featuring the illustrious La-Nai Gabriel on vocals and saxophone, The Disease has been a prominent force in the local music scene for over five years. The band formed when some of Toronto's most promising young musicians came together to explore the possibilities of jazz and hip-hop influenced funk - trying to fuse the vintage groovy funk made famous by Earth Wind & Fire with the contemporary hip-hop-jazz approach taken by Jamiroquai as well as Roy Hargrove & his RH Factor band. With a three-piece horn section, retro synth nastiness, face-melting guitar solos and a rock solid rhythm section, The Disease has matured its sound into something original, compelling and infectious.

Over the course of the band's development, its members have been busy touring with some of Canada's top acts, including Down With Webster, Reuben Cherry and the Toronto Jazz Orchestra. Now, after recording their debut album during 2008, The Disease has set its sights to take on Canada with full strength. Having spent years being regular performers at Toronto's most beloved live music venues, The Disease has been taking their act to big stages across the province. Recently, The Disease has performed at the World Electronic Music Festival, Toronto Freedom Festival, Distillery Jazz & Blues Festival, Markham Jazz Festival as well as being asked to headline the Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon, hosting a record 10,000 runners. Through these opportunities and more, The Disease has shared the stage with acts such as Broken Social Scene, Controller Controller, King Sunshine and KC Roberts.