Real Divas' Sweet Sixteen; 3 New Divas Added
Last year's runaway hit, Real Divas returns to the festival for a second year with more singing power. Sixteen vocalists will come together on one stage for one starry night filled with solos and duets. Join these vocal powerhouses as the red carpet rolls out for the Real Divas.
Joining the Diva line-up are:
Ndidi Onukwulu has a voice you cannot forget. A bluesy, seductive purr, this vocalist is forging new ground with African blues.
Shawne Jackson a seasoned musician has been recording and performing since the late 1960s.
Lauren Margison is a 14 year-old singing sensation whose prowess and talent belie her age. Margison first made headlines when she joined the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus at the age of 7.
Previously announced Real Divas include: Liberty Silver, Heather Bambrick, June Garber, Lori Cullen, Andrea Menard, Eliana Cuevas, Karin Plato, Melissa Pisarzowki, Shakura S'Aida, Sophie Berkal Sarbit, Janelle Headley, Diana Braithwaite and Kim Richardson.
Real Divas - Sunday, June 25, 8pm on the Toronto Star Stage at Nathan Phillips Square. Tickets are $25 and available through Ticketmaster at (416) 870-8000 or www.ticketmaster.ca.
Caribbean Soul Songster Jehro Opens for Seu Jorge
French singer-songwriter Jehro will open for acclaimed Samba Soul singer and guitarist Seu Jorge on Friday, June 30.
Melding reggae, folk, latin and calypso into one distinct sound, Jehro is often described as the troubadour with the angelic voice. His current self-titled album is inspired by Caribbean and American grassroots music. It's a style he calls Caribbean Soul.
At the Harbourfront Centre, Friday June 30 at 8pm. Tickets on sale now and available through Ticketmaster at (416) 870-8000 or www.ticketmaster.ca
Zanussi Five Cancelled
The July 1 performance of Zanussi Five, as part of the EuroJazz Series, has been cancelled. Please note that refunds are available at point of purchase.
Advance ticket prices for Kinnie Star/Buck 65 are $18.00. Tickets were previously sold for $20.00. Refunds are available the night of the performance on Friday, June 30 at Opera House.
McCoy Tyner Lineup Changed
Wallace Roney will be replacing Nicholas Payton on trumpet when the McCoy Tyner Septet takes the stage at Nathan Phillips Square on Thursday, June 29.
The recipient of three Grammy Awards, Roney began studying trumpet and music theory at the tender age of 4 while at Philadelphia's Settlement School of Music. He is generally thought of as one of the few musicians of his generation who learned and perfected his craft directly from alliances with Jazz Masters. Past collaborations read like a list of who's who in jazz - Art Blakey, Herbie Hancock, Elvin Jones, Jay McShann, David Murray, Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins and Dizzy Gillespie.
The Gospel of Jazz
Experience jazz and prayer as the two come together on Sunday June 25 and July 2. Offering contemporary service and religious music set within a jazz context is Christ Church Deer Park (1570 Yonge Street), St. Timothy's Anglican Church (4125 Sheppard Avenue) and St. James Cathedral (64 Church Street).
Art Maiste with Don Vickery Trio present an afternoon of straight ahead jazz combined with gospel music on Sunday, June 24 at 3pm inside St. Timothy's. Laurie Bower (trombone), Don Vickery (drums) and Jack McFadden (bass) join Art Maiste (piano).
Barlow Brass & Drums will be at Christ Church Deer Park Sunday, June 24 at 4:30pm. Joining Brian Barlow on drums will be Doug Burrell (tuba), Chase Sanborn (trumpet), Brian O'Kane (trumpet), Russ Little (trombone) and Terry Promane (trombone).
Featuring the St. James Choir, the Brian Barlow Quartet performs at St. James Cathedral on Sunday, July 2 at 11am with John Johnson (saxophone), Tom Szczesniak (piano), Scott Alexander (bass) and Brian Barlow (drums).
Free Jazz
Enjoy free performances every day at Nathan Phillips Square and Alexander the Great Parkette (at Danforth and Logan Avenue).
Toronto Star Stage, Nathan Phillips Square - 12 Noon:
Jim Galloway and His Wee Big Band - June 23
Bernard Primeau Jazz Ensemble - June 24 (1pm)
Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra - June 25 (1pm)
Rob McConnell Tentet - June 26
Magnolia Brass Band / Happy Pals / Climax Jazz Band - June 27
John MacLeod Big Band - June 28
David Buchbinder's Schurum Burum Big Band - June 29
Cruzao Grupo Monstruoso - June 30
Hilario Duran Big Band - July 1 (1pm)
Cimarron - July 2 (1pm)
Tuborg Stage, Alexander the Great Parkette - 6pm:
Roy Patterson Trio - June 23
Ena K'ena (2pm) / Brian 'Colourblind' Blain Blues - June 24
Patrick Tevlin & The Mighty Four (2pm) / David Buchbinder's Klezmer Trio - June 25
Doug Watson Trio - June 26
Sultans of String - June 27
Ouzo 3 - June 28
Bill McBirnie Trio - June 29
William Carn Trio - June 30
Escola de Samba (2pm) / Syncona - July 1
Club Django (2pm) / Levon Ichkhanian - July 2
Monster Mural
Returning for another year, TD Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Foundation (FEF) will be presenting their gigantic monster mural. Measuring 20 feet long and 6 feet high, the FEF Childrens Activity Centre will host hundreds of festival children where boys and girls can let loose their creative genius.
FEF will support festival recycling programs and host a FEF information booth on opening and closing weekends. TD Canada Trust FEF volunteers and community partners will be available to chat with customers and distribute information on the community projects they support, including the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, Canada's largest participatory environmental initiative.
The booth will be open: June 24 - 25 and June 30 - July 2, from 1 - 7pm. Please note that on Canada Day, the booth will be open from 12 Noon - 5pm.
Celebrate Phat Tuesday & Canada Day
Join the festivities at Nathan Phillips Square on Tuesday, June 27 as the festival pays tribute to all things New Orleans. Presented by JAZZ.FM91, things kick off at 12 Noon with the Magnolia Brass Band, Happy Pals and Climax Jazz Band. The evening ticketed performance features Loco Zydeco, Kevin Clark Quartet and the tradition rich Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Celebrate The Big Easy, Toronto style.
Nathan Phillips Square and the jazz festival is the destination to celebrate Canada Day, presented by Primus. Bring the whole family down for the afternoon as the Hilario Duran Big Band kicks off the festivities at 1pm. Groove & Graffiti takes over the square at 3pm as students and aerosol artists, Elicser and Mediah, showcase their artistic skills while DJ Jedi spins rare jazzy grooves. Return in the evening for a night of saxophones as Pharoah Sanders and Kenny Garrett blow their lids in a concert not to be missed.
Friends of Jazz Lounge
Members of “Friends of Jazz" will be able to relax in a new lounge onsite at Nathan Phillips Square adjacent to the tent during the festival. Look through the program books, plan your next concert stop, have a drink or meet up with friends in this exclusive lounge available to “Friends of Jazz" only.
For more information on how to become a Friend of Jazz and learn about our Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond member benefits, visit www.torontojazz.com.
Media Contact:
Debbie Rix, ext. 30, [email protected]
Anna Tom, ext. 21, [email protected]
(416) 928-2033
For more information contact All About Jazz.
