live jazz, Canada

Art of Jazz Celebration
June 4-8
Distillery District, Toronto

International & Canadian Jazz Legends to Headline Event

Organizers for the 3rd annual Art of Jazz celebration, ‘Global Jazz’, slated to run June 4-8 in Toronto’s Distillery District, have announced this year’s lineup of jazz greats.

Headline artists include Brazilians Hermeto Pascoal and Egberto Gismonti, The Cindy Blackman Quartet, Sheila Jordan & Steve Kuhn, Randy Weston & Billy Harper, Kelly Lee Evans, Elizabeth Shepherd and more.

Other highlights include clinics and workshops, including the ‘Jazz for Juniors’ program, as well as a tribute to CODA Magazine and Sackville Records founder John Norris, who has been named as recipient of the Art of Jazz Lifetime Achievement Award. Also receiving the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards are Brazilian multi-instrumentalists Hermeto Pascoal and Egberto Gismonti.

The Art of Jazz event will take place on three outdoor stages as well as venues in the Distillery District.

ART OF JAZZ SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

THURSDAY, JUNE 5

8:00 PM
Fermenting Cellar
Tribute Concert - Celebrating Jazz Icon John Norris

This historic concert honours founder of CODA Magazine and Sackville Records John Norris and features performances by the Wray Downes Quartet (with Reg Schwager, Dave Young and Ethan Ardelli), The Dan Block Quintet (with Mark Eisenman, Steve Wallace and Terry Clarke), a rare solo set by Randy Weston and a big band performance led by longtime Norris colleague Jim Galloway. Hosted by Toronto jazz presence and close Norris friend Ted O’Reilly, the evening will also feature guest performances by Phil Nimmons, Gene DiNovi and Andrew Scott and remarks about Norris by O’Reilly and Bill Smith.

FRIDAY, JUNE 6

7:30PM
Fermenting Cellar
Duo Series - Randy Weston and Billy Harper

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see this accomplished master of the jazz piano at close range with his very special guest, legendary tenor saxophonist Billy Harper.

10:00 PM
Fermenting Cellar
Afro Cuban Party

Don’t miss this event favourite! This jazz Latin dance party will feature a powerhouse band with special surprise soloists.

SATURDAY, JUNE 7

2:00 PM
Dancemaker’s Theatre
Duo Concert - Sheila Jordan and Steve Kuhn

Legendary vocalist Sheila Jordan and pianist extraordinaire Steve Kuhn offer up a unique duo sound with Kuhn’s evocative piano work providing the perfect match to Jordan’s masterful minimalist vocals.

8:00 PM
Fermenting Cellar
Tribute Concert

Hermeto Pascoal with the Art of Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Jovino Santos Neto
Multi-instrumentalist, visionary composer, musical maverick and Art of Jazz 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Hermeto Pascoal will premier new music written for big band performed with the Art of Jazz Orchestra conducted by Jovino Santos Neto.

SUNDAY, JUNE 8

8:00 PM
Fermenting Cellar
Tribute Concert- Egberto Gismonti

Winner of this year’s International Art of Jazz Lifetime Achievement Award, the prolific Egberto Gismonti will present a wide array of musical works drawn from a career that has spanned over 3 decades.

4:00 PM
Boiler House
Cindy Blackman Quartet

With a power and dexterity on the drum kit that shatters any sexual stereotypes about female instrumentalists, Blackman performs at the Art of Jazz with J.D. Allen on tenor sax, bassist George Mitchell, and young guitar sensation Fionn O’Lachlainn.

for more info visit www.artofjazz.org

jazz festivals, Canada

SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival
June 20-29
Saskatoon, Regina, North Battleford

Over 600 Musicians to Perform Throughout the Week

The SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, running this year June 20-29, have announced their lineup at an official launch on Wednesday in Saskatoon.

The event will feature over 600 musicians, 75% of them regional artists, who will perform a variety of music genres throughout the 10 days, including world, blues, hip hop, gospel, funk and jazz.

Among the headline artists slated to appear on the Bessborough Gardens Mainstage are The Neville Brothers (June 20), Los Lobos (June 21), Pink Martini (June 22), Le Gran Union (June 27), Maceo Parker (June 28), and Robert Cray (June 29). Closing out the festival June 29 at TCU Place is legendary pianist Dave Brubeck.

Over at the Broadway Theatre, nine concerts will take place, including a special double-bill performance with homegrown greats Fred Ballantyne and his Juno Award-winning pianist son, Jon (June 22). Also appearing are Carol Welsman (June 21), E.S.T. (June 23), John Scofield (June 25), Molly Johnson (June 26), Kellylee Evans (June 28), Monty Alexander (June 24) and Naturally 7 (June 27). On June 28 the TD Canada Trust High School Jazz Intensive will perform in the afternoon.

Free jazz events will take place at Kiwanis Park South, running every day throughout the festival and featuring headliners on the StarPhoenix Free Stage. Free concerts are also slated for the Boppin’ on Broadway stage June 21 & 28th, as well as the downtown Barney Kutz Pocket Park on June 20th and 23-27th. The Spadina Freehouse hosts free concerts June 21, 21, 26, 28 & 29, while the 2nd Ave Grill hosts concerts June 22, 23, 24, 26 & 27th.

Fred Ballantyne has also been named as this year’s recipient of a special recognition award, while Mona Chappell, who worked with the festival for 12 years and was president from 1995-1997, will receive the Jim Hill Builder Award.

The fifth largest jazz festival in Canada and the second largest in Western Canada, SasTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival has seen a 40% increase in attendance over the last four years. Having received funding support from three levels of government, organizers have kept the average ticket price for 2008 at $20, while 60% of the concerts are free.

for more info visit www.saskjazz.com

live jazz, Canada

Phil Dwyer Quartet
Featuring Joe LaBarbera
Fri & Sat, May 9 & 10
Yardbird Suite, Edmonton

Jazz Greats Return to Yardbird Suite for a Night of Swing

Renowned Canadian saxophonist Phil Dwyer makes a return to Edmonton’s Yardbird Suite this weekend when he brings his quartet to the stage on Friday & Saturday, May 9 & 10.

Featuring Los Angeles drumset master Joe LaBarbera, the quartet is filled out by Edmonton’s Chris Andrew (piano) and Mike Lent (bass).

Phil Dwyer has been a major force on the jazz scene for over two decades. The critically acclaimed composer, arranger and musical director is also recognized as one of the world’s great improvisers. Phil has performed with such jazz greats as Kenny Barron, Tom Harrell, Renee Rosnes, Red Rodney and Don Thompson.

Joe LaBarbera is perhaps best known for his work with iconic pianist Bill Evans, with whom he worked with during the last years of the legendary jazz musician’s life. LaBarbera also spent time as part of flugelhorn giant Chuck Mangione’s quartet, as well as freelancing with a number of notables including Jim Hall, Art Farmer and Gary Burton among the many.

for more info visit www.yardbirdsuite.com