Articles by Alain Londes
Hilario Durán At Telus Centre
by Alain Londes
Hilario Durán and his Latin Jazz Big BandTelus Centre for Performance and LearningToronto, Canada February 9, 2019A “dream concert" is how Hilario Durán characterized the show featuring his Latin Jazz Big Band and the great drummer Horacio “El Negro" Hernández. Cuban-born piano great Durán settled in Canada in the mid-nineties and has continuously broadened the horizons for many concerning the rich musical traditions permeating Cuba. This performance was a perfect example of an educational showcase ...
Continue ReadingMiles Electric Band at Koerner Hall
by Alain Londes
Miles Electric Band Koerner Hall Toronto, Ontario October 14, 2017 What started off as a successful “Miles Davis Festival" at the initiative of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic in 2011 and led by Vince Wilburn Jr. and nephew of the great Miles Davis himself, would eventually lead to the Miles Electric Band celebrating the music of Davis' electric period. The band represents stellar musicians with impressive and extensive musical credentials who are either alumni of the ...
Continue ReadingTD Toronto Jazz Festival 2015
by Alain Londes
TD Toronto Jazz Festival Various locations Toronto, Canada June 18-29, 2015 With festival season in full swing, it's always an opportunity to see what the state of jazz is and to hopefully discover something new. The challenge is of course that there are always many choices and one might be guided by personal choice and on a whim as to what to see. This year's Toronto Jazz Festival had a rich collection of performers from ...
Continue ReadingMauricio de Souza: Different Directions
by Alain Londes
Brazilian music and jazz intermingle with other touches to produce Mauricio de Souza's Different Directions. There are a lot of different exposés, particularly of Brazilian rhythmic styles interpreted by a wonderful collection of artists contributing their artistic talents. Bossa Brazil lends itself more towards Brazilian music while the Mauricio de Souza group will have more traditional jazz leanings. As a whole, it feels like a natural organic whole. The project includes a combination of classics as well as original compositions. ...
Continue ReadingPoncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band: Toronto, Canada, March 9, 2013
by Alain Londes
Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz BandKoerner HallToronto, OntarioMarch 9, 2013After not playing in Toronto for quiet a few years, fans were finally able to enjoy the wonderful talent of master conguero Poncho Sanchez, together with his Latin Jazz Band and featuring, on this particular occasion, young lion {m: Christian Scott = 15401}} on trumpet. For the 2012-2013 season, the Royal Conservatory has programmed a series of performances, Devoted to Dizzy. This particular night was billed as ...
Continue ReadingThe SFJAZZ Collective: Toronto, Canada, October 15, 2011
by Alain Londes
The SF Jazz CollectiveKoerner HallToronto, CanadaOctober 15, 2011 The eight-piece, all-star SFJAZZ Collective rolled into town with its current project, dedicated to the music of Stevie Wonder, its original arrangements reflecting the Collective's personality. Part of a successful group of this magnitude is the talent, respect, and chemistry that helps everyone contribute to the whole. They work as one with the different textures of the rich instrumentation at their disposal.Kendrick Scott's delicate drum ...
Continue ReadingTD Toronto Jazz Festival, Days 4-10: June 27-July 3, 2011
by Alain Londes
TD Toronto Jazz Festival 2011Toronto, CanadaJune 24-July 3, 2011 Monday, June 27, 2011On Monday evening, fans had a few hard choices to make among the headliners. At Koerner Hall, award-winning Dee Dee Bridgewater paid tribute to Lady Day, Billie Holiday. Meanwhile at the Enwave Theatre, Kurt Elling took to the stage before an equally enthusiastic audience. The sold-out crowd gave a standing ovation when Elling walked on the stage. Laurence Hobgood, ...
Continue ReadingTD Toronto Jazz Festival, Days 1-3: June 23-25, 2011
by Alain Londes
TD Toronto Jazz Festival 2011Toronto, CanadaJune 24-July 3, 2011 2011 marked the 25th anniversary for a festival that is a key stopping point for artists coming to Canada. Organizers always have to strike the right balance when booking top names and other talented international artists. A key change from previous years was the relocation of the big white tent--housing all the Mainstage concerts--from Nathan Philips Square, in front of City Hall, to the park ...
Continue ReadingBobby Sanabria / Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra: Tito Puente Masterworks Live!!!
by Alain Londes
The spirit of Tito Puente comes alive with a riveting live concert, wonderfully recorded, on Tito Puente Masterworks Live!!!. Percussionist Bobby Sanabria fires up the exceptionally talented Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra in an energetic performance, just as he did on Kenya Revisited Live!!! (Jazzheads, 2009), this time showing maestro Puente's depth, majesty, complexity and artistry. Two distinguishing features of this concert are its stylistic variety, and the new arrangements or reconstructions--still recognizable and true to ...
Continue ReadingThe Monty Alexander Trio: Toronto, March 5, 2011
by Alain Londes
The Monty Alexander TrioKoerner HallToronto, CanadaMarch 5, 2011 For a night of swinging blues, in honor of Oscar Peterson, the Monty Alexander Trio was an ideal choice for the continuing series Aspects of Oscar at Toronto, Canada's Royal Conservatory of Music. The regular trio included bassist Hassan JJ Wiggins Shakur and drummer Winard Harper. To kick things off, each musician of the trio was introduced and started playing an easy swin,g one at ...
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