Toronto Downtown Jazz Kicks Off 20th Anniversary Concert Series
From Randy Weston's African Rhythms to the Cuban-based grooves of Cubanismo!, this Anniversary Series will get the city in the mood for jazz come June when the TD Canada Trust Toronto Downtown Jazz takes over from June 23 - July 2, 2006. In honor of celebrating twenty years of great jazz music, Toronto Downtown Jazz is committed to presenting jazz year round, beginning with this series and including more concerts to be announced in the fall of 2006.
Playing throughout the city from February to April, the Anniversary Series features some exciting performances:
The Bad Plus - February 8 (Doors at 7pm, Show at 8pm)
Revival - 783 College Street, Tickets $24.50 adv / $28 door
This group rewrites the rules, busting up any and all preconceived notions of what an acoustic jazz trio should be. With their classic cover songs of Nirvana's “Smell's Like Teen Spirit" or Blondie's “Heart of Glass", experience the sound that is The Bad Plus. The Worst Pop Band Ever will be opening for The Bad Plus.
Chris Potter - February 15 (Two sets, 8pm & 10pm)
Revival - 783 College Street, Tickets $32.50 adv / $35 door
Labeled as one of the finest saxophonists of his generation, this Grammy nominated artist plays a powerful tone full of stylistic twists.
Charlie Hunter - February 22 (Doors at 8pm, Show at 9pm)
El Mocambo - 464 Spadina Avenue, Tickets $24.50 adv / $28 door)
With his unique 8-string guitar (3 bass strings and 5 guitar strings), Hunter plays a mix of funk, hip-hop, modern jazz and folk creating a sound he calls antacid jazz. Experimenting with different variations of improvised music, Hunter leads the pack of alternative musicians.
Cubanismo! - March 6 (Doors at 8pm, Show at 9pm)
Opera House - 735 Queen Street East, Tickets $30 adv / $35 door
Their sound is inspired by the horn driven Cuban big bands of the 1940s with a kick of fresh, modern style. Led by Jess Alemay and his 15-piece band, they are the tightest and most dynamic sound to come out of Cuba in a long time.
Randy Weston - March 10 (Show at 8pm)
Glenn Gould Studio - 250 Front Street West, Tickets $39.50, plus service charge
Incorporating the vast rhythmic heritage of Africa in his sound, Weston is often cited with bringing the music of Africa to the fore in jazz. This pianist is a true innovator and visionary.
Russ Little - April 3 (Show at 8pm)
Glenn Gould Studio - 250 Front Street West, Tickets $32.50, plus service charge
Trombonist, composer, arranger and conductor, Little has been a mainstay in the Canadian jazz scene for years. As a member of Lighthouse and The Boss Brass in the early days, he now leads his own group.
Tickets on sale Friday, December 16 at Ticketmaster
(416) 870-8000 or www.ticketmaster.ca
These performances are presented by JAZZ.FM91
Media Contact:
Anna Tom
(416) 928-2033, x21
[email protected]
For more information contact All About Jazz.
