Articles by Brenton Plourde
Dave Brubeck - TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival
by Brenton Plourde
Like all the other concerts within the last 60 years, all the miles logged and all the other countries traveled, this one was for Iola.
Bringing an end to the 20th edition of the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival, piano legend Dave Brubeck and his Quartet opened to the sellout crowd with a rendition of Gone with Wind." By the third song Brubeck approached the microphone to explain the origins of London Flat, London Sharp," from the 2005 Telarc ...
read moreCharlie Hunter Trio and Christian McBride Band at TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival
by Brenton Plourde
The face of drummer Simon Lott said it all. He and pianist/keyboardist Erik Deutsch are the newest members of The Charlie Hunter Trio after the departure of saxophonist John Ellis and drummer Derek Phillips. Judging by the new sound Lott and Deutsch bring, the new Charlie Hunter Trio could make a case as the new Garage A Trois.
They sat huddled around in a semi circle and played. The crowd rushed the stage (a scene that would repeat itself for ...
read moreMcCoy Tyner at the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival
by Brenton Plourde
There was a red light that reflected into the piano which showed to everyone its inner workings. Vijay Iyer took the stage just shortly past the scheduled start time.
Iyer brought his blend of African, Asian and European music to the Toronto Jazz Festival. Joined by saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa, standup bassist Stephan Crump and drummer Tyshawn Sorey, Iyer started with Inertia," from Reimagining (Savoy Jazz, 2005). Iyer and his group played a good set, changing tempos and showing everyone the ...
read moreMolly Johnson - TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival
by Brenton Plourde
Molly Johnson, TD Canada Trust Toronto International Jazz Festival, Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, Canada June 23, 2006
The TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival kicked off on June 23 with singer Molly Johnson on the main stage at Nathan Phillips Square. It was a packed house, along with two buildings that at times felt like they were peering over our shoulders, looking in.
Attired in a pink dress, Johnson hit the stage ...
read moreWayne Shorter Quartet / Brad Mehldau at Massey Hall in Toronto
by Brenton Plourde
Wayne Shorter Quartet / Brad Mehdlau Massey Hall Toronto, Canada April 5, 2006 Toronto's Massey Hall has seen it all. From rock concerts to classical to typing contests and chess tournaments, Massey Hall is as diverse as any place in Canada and possibly around the world since it first brick was laid in 1893. On April 5th, The Wayne Shorter Quartet along with Brad Mehldau for one night took over ...
read moreJoe Huron: Not Your "Average Joe"
by Brenton Plourde
Joe Huron likes Eddie Van Halen. Almost everyone has heard of Eddie Van Halen. Some of Joe Huron, until now.Joe Huron was born in Arnprior, Ontario, a cat's stretch away from Ottawa. The year was 1961 and his father was a railman. At the age of 14, Joe began his musical foray thanks to his older brother Peter. His older brother's record collection of Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa, Yes, Art Tatum and Weather Report helped Joe learn how ...
read moreFraser MacPherson Leapt In!
by Brenton Plourde
Fraser MacPherson toured the Soviet Union five times. He has won a Juno Award, which is the Canadian equivalent to a Grammy, in 1983 for Best Jazz Recording for his duet with guitarist Oliver Gannon (I Didn't Know About You). Fraser MacPherson played with Ella, Hines, Bennett and The Duke. Fraser MacPherson put his saxophone down for the last time on Sept. 28, 1993, and those of us in the jazz world are one man down, tonight and forever.
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