The essence of Jazz is that its boundaries are ever-changing, marked with innovation and improvisation. The programming at this year's TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival is an exciting, eclectic line-up of international musicians who push those boundaries into new territory.
A true innovator in avant-garde jazz, composer and saxophonist John Zorn will be playing with his quartet, Masada, on Wednesday June 28, at The Music Hall at 7 and 10pm. Based on the idea of creating a new radical Jewish sound that would be relevant today, Zorn merged traditional Jewish scales with the sound of Ornette Coleman to create the Acoustic Masada show.
While it is not unusual for a woman to grace the stage as a Jazz vocalist, as a player she is a less familiar presence. This year, not only can you catch drummer Sherrie Maricle and her entire female orchestra when the Diva Big Band hits the stage at Nathan Phillips Square July 2, but also Lina Allemano leading her band on alto saxophone June 25 and July 2 at the Tranzac, and guitarist, Christine Bougie, June 28th at Red Guitar. Original music resounds all across town when composer/pianists, Lorraine Desmarais, Laila Biali, and Fern Lindzon lead bands with their feminine energy and appeal. The business end of Jazz is also covered, when manager/ programmer Sybil Walker shares her expertise during the Talkback Series, July 2.
There is no need to define or defend the Hip-Hop label because the genre has a solid presence in this year's programme. The festival is welcoming both hip-hop and roots-style jazz-funk fusions in the forms of international trend-setters De La Soul, performing on the Harbourfront Stage, June 23, Toronto rap-dancehall star Kardinal Offishall June 28 (an all-ages show), and Paris-based, Canadian hip-hop innovator Buck 65 June 30, both at the Opera House.
Language limitations have not hindered the international success of Brazilian Samba sensation Seu Jorge, or sultry French crooner Jehro. Jehro's Caribbean soul style opens the highly anticipated June 30th show at the Harbourfront Stage in support of cool composer Jorge, who promises funky, hard-swinging tunes heavily rooted in Brazilian musical genres.
Spoken word and poetry are also finding a way into the programme this year. Vancouverite, Kinnie Star upholds the old-school MC mentality when she plans to take the crowd along with her, rather than just play songs at them as Buck 65's opener at the Opera House. Corry Sobol will be at the Red Guitar on June 25 and July 2. She appears as a Jazz vocalist performing both the well-loved jazz standards and Canadian poetry set to her original compositions and arrangements.
Tickets are now available for all shows through Ticketmaster at (416) 870-8000 or www.ticketmaster.ca
Media Contact: (416) 928-2033 x 30
Debbie Rix, [email protected]
Lisa Logan, [email protected]
For more information contact All About Jazz.
