Results for "Toronto"

Suresh Singaratnam

Suresh Singaratnam is a trumpeter of uncommon breadth - unique not only for the small crowd he inhabits as a virtuoso of both classical and jazz styles but also for the continuity and clarity of his voice across both idioms. When he began to study the trumpet at age nine, it never occurred to him that he might have to choose between the two. Torontonian by way of Zambia (where he was born) and the U.K., Singaratnam boasts a background that defies classification as nimbly as his artistic taste. In eighth grade he asked a music teacher if she knew of anyone who played both jazz and classical trumpet at a high level and she steered him to Wynton Marsalis, two of whose records he promptly went out and bought

New Orleans’ Next Great Big Thing! Quiana Lynell To Play Toronto's George Weston Recital Hall

December 14, 2019

TO Live presents “New Orleans’ next big thing”—Quiana Lynell—at the George Weston Recital Hall on February 15, 2020. Part of TO Live’s “Jazz at the George” series, all tickets are $35 and are available online at meridianartscentre.com, by calling 416-366-7723 or 1-800-708-6754, or in person at select TO Live box offices. Winner of the prestigious Sarah ...

Chris Gale

Chris Gale is a Toronto-based saxophonist, composer, producer and educator whose driving style and rich tone can be heard on hundreds of recordings. As leader and a sideman, Gale has performed around the globe in theatres, clubs and at festivals, impressing crowds with his lyrical sensibility and soulful approach. Gale’s diverse musical career has led to performances with Randy Brecker, Jeff Healy, Arkells, Ron Sexsmith, Brandi Disterheft, Michael Kaeshammer, Colin James, Blue Rodeo, Johnny Reid, Oliver Jones, Powder Blues Band and Jarvis Church. Chris is also a long standing member of The Worst Pop Band Ever, Hector Quartet, and Gordon Mowat’s Skeleton Crew.

Alex Bird

Born: September 18, 1990

Over the last few years, ALEX BIRD has become one of the most exciting names on the Canadian Jazz scene. With praise from around the globe, and alongside songwriting & piano partner EWEN FARNCOMBE, Bird has created timeless and heartfelt originals for a modern audience. Over the last few years, this talented team has produced something that is completely unique; three original & independent albums in three years. Their sophomore album You Are the Light and the Way, backed by their Jazz Mavericks, was nominated for “Best Vocal Jazz” at the 2022 JUNO Awards.

Bird and Farncombe’s latest album, a duo record, dropped as a surprise of 11 originals entitled, Songwriter. Kira Grunenberg at DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE wrote, “Impassioned messages sung and played from one’s heart but worn on a well-dressed sleeve. Songwriter is an elegant, romantic, and well-executed gem of a record.”

Songs of Nick Drake

by Dave Kaufman
November 13, 2019

Nick Drake recorded three of the most sublime albums in the history of folk-rock (or any other genre) in his brief lifetime. He died in relative obscurity at the age of 26 in 1974. A devoted cult following has emerged, and his stature has grown immeasurably in the decades since his passing. Drake's work has been ...

Ernesto Cervini

Born: February 25, 1982

Drummer Ernesto Cervini is making a name for himself as a consummate bandleader and in-demand sideman. Time Out New York encapsulated Cervini as “a buoyant drummer as well as a sharp composer,” while the jazz bible, Downbeat, described his fluid style as one that “exemplifies `float like a butterfly, sting like a bee’.” The drummer released Abundance, his sixth album as a leader in October, 2018. Modern Drummer magazine said: “Cervini recalls such old-schoolers as Art Blakey and Billy Higgins. . . It’s his robust, magnetic personality that fascinates consistently.” Born in Toronto in 1982, Cervini graduated from Canada’s Royal Conservatory of Music with degrees in classical piano and clarinet performance before focusing his energies behind the drum kit

Sonic Explorations and Creative Improvisations at The Guelph Jazz Festival

by Dave Kaufman
October 5, 2019

In North America, there are over 100 annual jazz festivals. Only a small number of these festivals are devoted to the avant-garde, adventurous, and freely improvised music. The Vision Festival in New York City is perhaps the best known festival with its celebration of improvised music, dance, and poetry. There are a few others that are ...

Liane Fainsinger

Jazz Pianist and Vocalist South African born jazz pianist and vocalist, Liane Fainsinger has been captivating audiences and peers alike with her musical passion, virtuosity and talents. Her unique styling’s have carved a permanent place for herself in Toronto’s jazz scene, being a favorite act for the last 4 years at Yorkville Summer Music in the Park, as well as local music hot spots such as Relish Bar and Grill, 120 Diner, Gate 403, Hirut Café and was featured at Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. The Liane Fainsinger Trio and Quartet have included music greats such as Don Thompson, Richard Brisco, Brendan Davis, Artie Roth, Alexander Brown, Frank Botos and Bill McBirnie to name a few. Though classically trained, jazz took over Fainsinger’s heart and soul

Something Else! Festival 2019

by Mike Chamberlain
July 10, 2019

Something Else! St. John the Evangelist Church Hamilton, Ontario June 20-23, 2019 I must confess that I spend very little time in churches, so I would not normally be inclined to spend the first weekend of summer in one. But sometimes exceptions must be made, and such an exception ...

Tony Malaby with Nick Fraser at the Rex

by Dave Kaufman
May 29, 2019

I recently relocated to Toronto and I'm still familiarizing myself with the local jazz scene and musicians. The scene itself turns out to be more expansive and broader in musical scope than I anticipated. The Rex Jazz Bar and Hotel is the pre-eminent jazz club in the city. It features jazz seven nights a week with ...