David Sanborn to receive George Benson Lifetime Achievement Award at he Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards

David Sanborn, who started his solo recording career in 1975, has managed to achieve the delicate balance of maintaining artistic integrity while receiving universal critical acclaim and huge record sales. The saxophonist has won 6 Grammy Awards and 16 of his albums entered Billboards TOP 200 chart. He is known as one of the most influential sax players in the history of Jazz.

Mary Kirk of Wave 94.7FM in Toronto/Hamilton and co-chair of The Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards says, "We are truly honoured to be able to celebrate David's outstanding career by presenting him with this year's Benson Award. Like those recipients before him, he has been such a tremendous ambassador for Jazz, pioneering the Pop/Jazz crossover and seducing millions of fans over the last few decades with his artistry."
"It's truly a dream come true for me personally to honour David Sanborn this way," says co-chair, John Beaudin of Smooth Jazz Now.com. "When I left home in 1979, I left with 5 Sanborn albums under my arm! He's always had a huge influence on me."

George Benson was the first Lifetime Achievement Award winner in 2005. With Benson's blessing, the honour was then named after him. Other winners include Bob James, Spyro Gyra, Lee Ritenour and Earl Klugh.

Sanborn will attend the gala ceremony, the 6th Annual Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, on Friday, April 23rd at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. Tickets are available at 1-800-805-8888 or 905-306-6000.



The nominations for the 2010 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards have just been released, with four outstanding Canadian acts earning 3 nominations each: Darren Rahn, Alexander Zonjic, Michael Kaeshammer and Four80East (Tony Grace & Rob DeBoer).

Saxman and super-producer Rahn, born in BC's Fraser Valley, was nominated for 'Album' and 'Best Original Composition' for "Talk of the Town" as well as 'Wind Instrumentalist of the Year."

Jazz piano prodigy Kaeshammer received nominations for 'Male Vocalist' and 'Keyboardist/Pianist' of the year. His hit song "Isabelle," co-written by Ron Lopata, Andrea Kaziol and Joel Parisien, was nominated as 'Best Original Composition.'

Rob DeBoer and Tony Grace of the band Four80East each received 3 nominations this year. Grace who co-founded the Toronto band in the late nineties, picked up a nod as 'Drummer/Percussionist,' and shared nominations with DeBoer for 'Group/Duo of the Year' and 'Best Original Composition' for their hit song, "Roll On". DeBoer was also nominated as 'Keyboardist of the Year.'

Alexander Zonjic, who is set to host the show for his sixth year, was recognized in both 'Wind Instrumentalist' and ' BMO Broadcaster of the Year' categories. His latest project Doin' the D' was also nominated for 'Album of the Year.'

Mary Kirk, Music Director for Wave 94.7FM Toronto/Hamilton and co-chair of the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, says, "Once again we have an impressive roster of nominees from across North America, with a strong representation of both emerging and established Canadian artists of whom we're especially proud."

Co-chair John Beaudin, President of Smooth Jazz Now.com, says, "It's always exciting when we come up with the final list of nominees. Our team looks at it as the greatest hits of the last 12 months. This is a powerful group of artists."

Eleven acts received two nominations each, including George Benson, the very first recipient of the 'George Benson Lifetime Achievement Award'. The legendary guitarist was named in International categories for both 'Vocalist' and 'Instrumentalist' of the year.

Guitarists Jesse Cook and Rik Emmett plus Saxophonists Demo Cates and Jeff Kashiwa were also recognized in two categories. Others nominated in two spots include Keyboardist Stan Fomin, Montrealers Howard Forman and Irene Marc of the Groove Kings & Calgary vocalist, Johanna Sillanpaa of Sillan and Young.

The Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards will take place on Friday, April 23 at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. Mary Kirk says, "Smooth Jazz fans are already anxious to get their tickets for what they tell us is the highlight of their year. They love the LAC theatre, the hilarity and camaraderie of the event and above all, the unsurpassed quality of the music performed at the show!"
Beaudin adds, "I always consider the awards show the best concert that I attend each year and this show in April will be bigger than ever." Tickets are on sale November 30th at the Living Arts Centre Box Office: 905 306 6000


CSJA 2010 Nominees for 2009 Year

1. International Instrumentalist of the Year


Rick Braun
George Benson
Euge Groove
Jessy J
Boney James
Peter White



2. International Vocalist of the Year


George Benson
Spencer Day
Will Downing
Melody Gardot
Norah Jones
Vanessa Williams



3. International Group/Duo of the Year

Marc Antoine/Paul Brown

East Bay Soul
Greg Adams, Michael Paulo, Johnnie Bamont, Brian Allen, Evan Stone, Johnny Sandoval, James Wirrick, Lee Thornburg, Joey Navarro, Tom Bowes, Sean Holt, Darryl Walker

Pieces of a Dream
James Lloyd, Curtis Harmon, David Dyson, Rohn Lawrence, Eddie Baccus, Jr

Rippingtons
Jeff Kashiwa, Russ Freeman, Dave Karasony, Bill Heller, Rico Belled

Sax Pack: Steve Cole Kim Waters, Jeff Kashiwa




4. Female Vocalist of the Year

Irene Marc
Ali Matthews
Sophie Milman
Johanna Sillanpaa
Carol Welsman



5. Male Vocalist of the Year

Michael Buble
Matt Dusk
Rik Emmett
Haydain Neale (Jacksoul)
Michael Kaeshammer
Chris Smith



6. Guitarist/Bass Guitarist of the Year

Rich Brown
Jesse Cook
Johannes Linstead
Robert Michaels
Robert Tardik




7. Wind Instrumentalist of the Year

Demo Cates
Carson Freeman
Darren Rahn
Jon Stewart
Alexander Zonjic



8. Keyboardist/Pianist of the Year

Don Breithaupt
Eddie Bullen
Rob DeBoer
Stan Fomin
Michael Kaeshammer



9. Album of the Year

Jesse Cook - Rumba Foundation - EMI Music Canada
Four80East - Roll On - Native Language
Groove Kings - Blood Red - Independent
Darren Rahn - Talk of the Town - Nugroove Records
Alexander Zonjic - Doin the D - Heads Up International



10. Drummer/Percussionist of the year

Dave Campion
Davide Direnzo
Steve Heathcote
Tony Grace
Mark McLean

11. Best Original Composition

Blood Red - Howard Forman
Wouldn't Change a Thing - James Bryan McCollum & Matthew Marston
Isabelle - Michael Kaeshammer, Ron Lopata, Andrea Kaziol Joel Parisien
Roll On - Tony Grace and Rob DeBoer
Talk of the Town - Darren Rahn

12. Group/Duo of the Year

Four80East
Cates-Fomin Project
Groove Kings
Sillan & Young
Strung Out Troubadours

13. BMO Broadcaster of the Year

Ted Hasiuk
Cameron Smith
Alexander Zonjic

Congratulations to Jazz.fm on a successful fundraising campaign!

JAZZ.FM91's Fall Fundraising Campaign raised $616,028, making it the most successful campaign in the history of the station. Almost 4,000 people pledged their support, and picked up new and exciting incentives, including a Jazz Safari to New Orleans and the opportunity to host a half hour radio program on JAZZ.FM91.

"We are incredibly excited and motivated by the success of this campaign", says Ross Porter, President and CEO of JAZZ.FM91. "Each donation we received was from someone who wanted to show us what JAZZ.FM91 means to them, and that means everything to us! Our donors are part of the JAZZ.FM91 family, and an integral part of our success as a station. We are grateful for their loyalty and support as we continue to provide our unique music programming and documentaries, our community outreach and our educational programs and events."

A Festival to Remember

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings had the audience on their feet as they kicked off the 2009 edition of the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival

The TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival enjoyed its 23rd edition this year with a similar structure to recent years.The Mainstage concerts in front of City Hall were the nightly focal point as well as key locations such as the GRANDMASTERS series at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts for Sonny Rollins and the Gary Burton Quartet, the Canon Theatre for Tony Bennett, and two theatre locations at Harbourfront Centre.
June 26: On opening night, Mr. Tenor Madness himself, Sonny Rollins, kicked off the Festival with an extended outpouring solo on "Sonny, Please" that lasted about 15 minutes.Sporting a white jacket and cool shades, he received an ovation as soon as he appeared on stage.Approaching the age of 79, he still exhibits an inspiring vitality.
He was joined by Clifton Anderson (his nephew) on trombone, Bob Cranshaw on bass, Kobie Watkins on drums, Victor Y. See Yuen with his Trinidadian influence on percussion and Bobby Broom on the far right side to provide a certain balance on guitar.He played with sustained creativity and aesthetic balance.Sonny is still a hard-working musician, practising every day, looking for that new feeling and inspiration.
On Irving Berlins "They Say Its Wonderful," Clifton Anderson and Bobby Broom were featured soloists followed by Rollins trading with the percussionist while Watkins and Cranshaw quietly sustained the foundation over the swinging rhythm.The audience enjoyed a quieter moment with the emotional "In A Sentimental Mood" with Anderson contributing the appropriate tone in his solo with references to melodies such as "Thats All." by Brandt and Haymes.The ninety-minute show closed with a very short rendition of the calypso tune, "Nice Lady" and "Global Warming."
June 27: In addition to headliner concerts, one can easily identify certain gems at a number of venues.One such place was The Pilot Tavern which hosted Charlie Hunter on Saturday night.He was joined by Brooklyn based versatile drummer, Eric Kalb.Hunter has appeared at the Festival Mainstage yet the quieter and more intimate settings of The Pilot offers a closer taste of his talent in this duo setting.What made the evening fresh and relaxing was that the musicians did not have a set list of tunes that were pre-selected.Charlie Hunter started off by digging right into a blues that he felt like playing at that moment and even jocularly said to Kalb: "I dont know if I remember this one; well find out soon enough!"Of course he did and that was the pattern for the evening without ever being lost as these two musicians are talented professionals who have known each other for years.Charlie would set the foundation and Eric would join in.The evening was filled with rich bluesy grooves, sometimes heavy but never long and repetitive.Other pieces included some R&B as well as some funky head boppin fast play with Kalb discreetly throwing in his personal improvised part.
His 8-string guitar, which acts as a bass and as a guitar at the same time, is a very expressive instrument.Charlie Hunter is able to play both parts so clearly that you stop to see where they are hiding the actual bass player.
The duo closed the first set with a Michael Jackson tune, "I Cant Help It" as well as the humorously titled "Every Morning You Wake Up, New York Says No."
June 28: While BeauSoleil and Buckwheat Zydeco brought a bit of Louisiana up to a brisk summer evening, Maria Schneider and her 18-piece orchestra enveloped the lucky audience to true musical poetry on Sunday night at the Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront.In the Grammy award winning opening track, "Concert in The Garden," you get the full flavor of the orchestra with a cinematic crescendo build followed by a relaxing guitar solo.The piece features a musical conversation between the piano and the accordion before the rest of the group slowly eases in.Some parts of the piece almost remind us of Wayne Shorters approach to some of his compositions and orchestrations on certain projects.The versatile Scott Robinson moved to a beautiful soft solo on "Evanescence."Many if not most of Schneiders compositions are very personal. In "The Pretty Road," she described it as driving to a spot overlooking Windom, Minnesota, where she was born and recreating memory glimpses when she reached that observation post. The images included church hymns, Chopin, and her parents favourite song "As Time Goes By." Canadian born Ingrid Jensen highlighted the dream sequences by combining the trumpet, fluegelhorn, and a few discreet electronic sound effects such as birds and echoes.Tenor saxophonist Richard Perry soared in "Richs Piece," where he played with plenty of space for an unconstrained yet balanced sound. Final selections included "Journey Home," "Coming About," and "Sky Blue" featuring Steve Wilson on soprano sax for the welcomed encore. The band is like a family off stage and that cohesion was in full display adding to the sincerity behind the sound.
June 29: The Botos brothers kicked off the opening of Monday nights GRANDMASTERS Series before a packed and enthusiastic house.Louie Botos came all the way from Hungary to play bass with Frank Botos sitting in on drums. Robi Botos was clearly thrilled to be part of the evening and called it "a special night, a special place, and a special audience."He selected a few melodic pieces including Gershwins "Someone To Watch Over Me."Later Attila came on stage on electric guitar and we even got to hear Louie sing "Reveries of Love".
The main part of the highly anticipated evening was devoted to the recreation of Gary Burtons Quartet, a band he formed in the 60s.Pat Metheny joined that group in the 70s and then, as Burton pointed out, Antonio Sanchez was born. The first part of the programme featured selections written by other composers.Chick Coreas "Sea Journey" was the perfect lyrical and flowing tune that showed the whole band as a unit.Burton led the way with his famous four-mallets playing the vibes with deliberate precision and purpose.Steve Swallow provided the solid ground base throughout the show while standing and facing mainly Metheny and Sanchez.The drummer, who is also a member of the Pat Metheny Group, showed some of his dexterity during a solo without the need to go over the top. Following Carla Bleys "Olhos de Gato," Swallow kicked off quickly into soloing at the beginning of his own composition, a tribute to Bill Evans, "Falling Grace" before being joined by Burton and the rest of the band in the groove.The performance took on a second level of energy as soon as the group dove into Methenys "Question and Answer" with the growing intensity amplified by the guitarists fiery guitar.
Metheny used his custom made 42-string Pikasso guitar (created by Torontonian Linda Manzer) on "The Sound of Water" starting unaccompanied as the mystical notes enveloped the hall with Burton eventually completing the duo. We would also be treated to "Summertime" and the Brazilian tune "O Grande Amor" before the band would come out for two encores. The overall sound of the evening was fresh and contemporary.Toronto was the final stop of the "Quartet Live" tour with many selections of the show available on the recent CD by that name (Concord Jazz, 2009). The Pat Metheny Group will hopefully be recording during the second part of next year.
June 30:Chris Potters Underground finished off the second night at the Pilot Tavern with another sellout and enthusiastic crowd. A large number of music students were on hand to experience up close the talent of this great saxophonist surrounded by Craig Taborn on Fender Rhodes, Adam Rogers on guitar, and Nate Smith on drums. Potter kicked things off with an easy and short melody borrowing similar notes to the start of Coltranes "Love Supreme" with a funky African beat supplied by the rhythm section. Rogers continued into an extended solo with heavy drum work by Smith before Potter took charge with his improvisational ideas. This tune was called "Facing East" from Chris Potters new CD Ultrahang coming out on July 1st (Artistshare, 2009). During an interview earlier in the day conducted by Ted OReilly at the Ken Page Memorial Trust Workshop, Potter talked about the rich polyphony that his Underground group provides. With fewer people you have more freedom and responsibility at the same time and it feels like jumping off a cliff. He clearly landed on his feet this particular night as he showcased his great talent and versatility by conducting improvisational investigations to his written pieces using a variety of idioms from his textural capabilities. To the listener, all of these musical ideas seem to flow seamlessly from one to the other under various rhythmic styles. The Underground band chose older selections as well such as "Viva Las Vilnius." On "Lotus Blossom" by Billy Strayhorn, we heard the lighter side of Potter as he brought out the beautiful sounding bass clarinet with the Fender Rhodes adding to the mood of the quiet tune. The vibe that night was such that most attendees chose to stay for the second set and were even treated to an encore. Dave Holland brought back Chris Potter again for his quintet on Friday night together with Robin Eubanks, Steve Nelson, and Nate Smith.
July 1:On Canada Day, music revelers were treated to different styles throughout the day. Rob McConnell led for the last time his famed Boss Brass. Later in the afternoon, 789 saxophonists filled Nathan Phillips Square in an attempt to break the world record of having the largest number of players performing "O Canada". Though the effort came short, it was a rare but invigorating experience for all attendees.
Cubas greatest jazz pianist, Chucho Valds, played two shows at Harbourfront Centre in the evening. He was joined by Yaroldi Abreu on percussion, Lazaro Alarcon on bass, and Juan Rojas on drums. The opening Ellington medley including such pieces as "In a Sentimental Mood," and "Caravan," indicated the theme of the evening where Valds and his musicians would approach a piece by eventually blending in a Latin touch. It is a beauty to watch a pianist play a fluttering of notes with his right hand while using his left for melodic ideas. One of the highlights during the first show was the groups rendition of "Birdland" with afro-cuban elements providing a rich appeal. Valds played the melody with a deliberate sound with the other band members amplifying the intensity of the piece. At one point, an energetic exchange took place between Abreu and Rojas as the percussionist would be hitting the sides of his congas while the drummer went into his fast solo. Mayra Caridad Valds, who fans will remember from her appearances in her brothers band Irakere, emerged for a couple of spirited songs. Her onstage presence and soulful voice offered a sincere dose of positive energy as audience members joined in to clap when prompted. In fact, the audience was very knowledgeable judging by their ability to quickly jump into the right rhythmic clapping pattern of the Clave. For the anticipated encore, they even yelled out requests such as "Besame Mucho."
At the Festival Mainnstage at Nathan Phillips Square, the audience welcomed back the famed Dave Brubeck Quartet. The living legend kicked things off with a medley starting with "C-jam blues" and including other Ellington pieces such as "Take the A-train." This was a night of pure musical pleasure on a national holiday and to enjoy true professionals at work. Bobby Militello demonstrated his full panoply of abilities on alto sax and flute as well as Michael Moore on bass. Brubecks son, Matthew Brubeck, came as a special guest on cello playing "Sermon on the Mountain" and staying on until the end of the concert. The final part of the evening was devoted to commemorate a "little" recording called "Time Out" that emerged 50 years ago this year. From the waltz, "Three To Get Ready," the night closed with the famous "Take Five" that to this day still sounds fresh and fun to play and hear.
July 2:Al Di Meola showcased his World Sinfonia after previous appearances in the trio formation.Enthusiastic fans were on hand to absorb every note from the international musicians representing Italy, Cuba, and Hungary.Arranged in a tight formation on stage, Di Meola sat next to guitarist Peo Alfonsi.Fausto Beccalossi drew a lot of attention on the accordion and vocals, playing at different tempos and at times going head-to-head with Di Meola while complementing the same fast notes.The rhythm section included Victor Miranda on electric bass as well as the youngest member of the formation, Peter Kaszas on drums and longtime associate "Gumbi" Ortiz on percussion.The band showed much cohesion with perfect timing and musical balance when shifting between urgent lines and more relaxed rhythms.No evening would be complete without reference to a great inspiration in Di Meola's musical career, Astor Piazzolla, the Argentinian tango and bandoneon master."Double Concerto" was the chosen piece on this night with the spirit of Piazzolla echoing throughout and ending on a spirited finish.Ortiz and Di Meola showed their personal connection during a fun trade in the middle of "Bugliero."The international appeal of the World Sinfonia could be found in "Siberiana," a piece inspired while touring around Siberia.Latin rhythms, jazz, and rock elements are all fused together.The double encore closed the show with the anticipated classic "Land of the Midnight Sun."
July 3: Jazz fans were in for an exciting double-bill on Friday night for the Mainstage concert. Chris Potter who enjoyed two sold out performances earlier in the week flew back to Toronto in order to join the Dave Holland Quintet together with Robin Eubanks on trombone, Nate Smith on drums, and Steve Nelson on vibes and marimba. These musicians have played together for such a long time that Dave Holland didn't need to direct anyone and could focus on his musical contribution. He presented a combination of past and current tunes. "Step To It" was a new piece and captured the style of this band today. Following the melody, Potter's energetic development on his solo seemed effortless even with a couple of feverish arpeggios. Holland followed with the perfect counterpoint with a careful hint of Miles Davis during the bassist's tenure with the legend. On "Last Minute Man," Steve Nelson started off with careful marimba notes before switching to the vibes for the better part of the piece. Eubanks' solo included what sounds like an added voice to the natural trombone sound. The quintet played two tracks from the "Critical Mass" CD (Sunny Side, 2006) with "Lucky Seven" and "Full Circle" with Potter even outdoing himself.
The Marsalis name conjures up immediately a contemporary jazz brand. What is remarkable is how each musician of the well known family has developed into a musician in his own right. Luckily for us, Branford Marsalis, who at one point in his career was the leader of the first Tonight Show band when Jay Leno took over, came back to jazz. The BMQ has just celebrated its 10 years as a solid unit and came to Toronto with Joey Calderazzo on piano and Eric Revis on bass. The only missing member of the band was Jeff "Tain" Watts who was currently working on other projects. Justin Faulkner took his spot and made quite a splash. "The Return of the Jitney Man" kicked things off with Marsalis leading the tune off the downbeat and later featuring a feverish buildup between Calderazzo and Faulkner. This was just one of the tracks played from the group's recent CD, "Metamorphosen" (Marsalis Music, 2009). The bluesy "Teo" by Thelonious Monk kept the pianist involved with his melodic lyricism while the band leader observed with enjoyment. Branford Marsalis revealed his quieter side while playing soprano on "The Blossom of Parting." Another soft tune, this time on the tenor, was "You Don't Know What Love Is." At the end of the lovely evening, Chris Potter and Robin Eubanks surprised everyone when they returned to the stage to join Marsalis with "Jumpin' At The Woodside" as the encore.
July 4:Two distinct styles were on full display Saturday evening.At Harbourfront Centre, Kenny Werner brought Randy Brecker on trumpet, David Sanchez on tenor sax, Antonio Sanchez on drums, and Scott Colley on bass. The quintet played mainly pieces from the CD released two years ago called "Lawn Chair Society" (Blue Note, 2007) that included Dave Douglas, Chris Potter, and Brian Blade. Blending straight-ahead jazz, R&B and funk under an accessible avant-gardist cloak, each musician showed his chops without the need to go over the top. For example, during the opening track, the tempo picked up during Werner's solo with Colley supplying a heavy bass hand with one brief insert of rumbling sounds before returning to the melody. "Uncovered Heart" is a tune that originally appeared on an album by the same title (Sunny Side, 1990) with Randy Brecker playing on that recording. Starting off with a melancholic piano solo, David Sanchez and Randy Brecker using a mute, joined in this quiet musical interlude before adding Colley. A fun highlight was the satirical "Inaugural Balls" written following the 2004 US presidential election. Werner quipped about being inspired to "do something" and wrote a piece that would be played at the inaugural ball with all the tuxedos present. Harry Potter's fans will instantly recognize the main "Hedwig's Theme," performed here in a jazz setting with David Sanchez playing deep tones in his solo and later Antonio Sanchez showcasing his tenacious drum play.
"From the groovin' to the groovacious," as Werner put it, the welcomed encore was a lovely reworked "Work Song" by Nat Adderley that had the same swing as the piece made popular by Cannonball Adderley.
A bit of Brazil landed in the Mainstage concert following the swinging Curtis Stigers. Just like a few days ago when Dave Brubeck noted the 50-year anniversary of the classic "Time Out" release, Eliane Elias was on hand to commemorate the new wave, the Bossa Nova, with "Chega De Saudade." Written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius De Moraes, this '58 tune put the brazilian style on the map and would inspire a great many artists, among them Stan Getz who put out classic recordings such as "Getz/Gilberto" (Verve/MGM Records, 1964). A very talented piano player who was greatly inspired by Bill Evans, Sao Paolo-born Eliane Elias brought a genuine and sophisticated voice to the lyrics heard this night. She did the same on "The Way You Look Tonight" by Cole Porter, someone who influenced the new wave. Besides her long time bassist Marc Johnson, Rubens de la Corte played guitar with Rafael Barate on drums. Elias later introduced us to Joo Donato from the pre-Bossa phase and described his piano style in which his left hand would play Latin/Carribean while his right hand would handle the samba style. Donato co-wrote "A R (The Frog)" with Caetano Veloso who wrote the lyrics. Following a lovely ballad under the blue lights, Elias continued with other selections such as "So Dano Samba" and "False Baiana." The concert drew to a close with the classics "Desafinado" and "The Girl From Ipanema." One of her recent albums "Bossa Nova Stories" (Blue Note, 2009) is a rich homage to the genre with a fuller orchestra. Jazz fans should not miss her other successful album "Something for You: Eliane Elias Sings & Plays Bill Evans" (Blue Note, 2008).
July 5:On the final day of the festival, the Mainstage concerts shifted towards fusion sounds with a triple bill.Alain Caron and Le Band returned to Toronto to kick off the evening.He opened up with "P.A.C. Man" and the jazzier "Pole Position" from "Play" (Norac Records, 1997).John Roney who moved to Montreal from Toronto was on piano together with David Bellemare on tenor and soprano saxes.Drummer Philippe Melansonplayed with youthful enthusiasm.The funky "Freedom Jazz Dance" let Caron really get heavy on the slap bass.
Alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett, who brought the house down a few years ago when opening up for Joshua Redman, was next on tap kicking things up with the catchy beat of "Wayne's Thang."Garrett showed his Miles Davis allegiance by throwing in a quick reference to "Jean-Pierre."African rhythms were amplified by Justin Brown on drums and Kona Khasu on bass on "Charlie Brown Goes To South Africa."Following a slow blues introduced by Corey Henry on the Fender Rhodes and another piece with a subtle Latin flavour featuring Garrett playing a few notes on the keyboard, the audience needed a pick-me-up of the musical kind.It came under the guise of a lengthy rendition of "Happy People," where everyone would be invited to sing along and clap.It would restart as soon as the audience expected the end with Garrett urging on more cheers.
The evening ended with Sadao Watanabe and his 6-piece band who showcased various styles from funk to Latin together with his talented band of musicians from Japan.N'diasse Niang, originally from Senegal but now a Japanese citizen, showcased his decorated percussion instrument to provide the appropriate rhythmic touch on pieces such as "Alalake-Lopin'."Following a light bossa, Watanabe introduced a tune that he tried to build as a samba but it didn't meet his own expectations, hence the name "Not Quite Samba."It had more of a smooth jazz feel to it.Watanabe eventually closed the show after midnight on an intimate note accompanied only by Akira Onozuka on acoustic piano with a fitting Jobim ballad.
- Alain Londes

Jazz Notes For Fall 09

Occhipinti brothers receive Sicilian award

Toronto musicians Michael and Roberto Occhipinti were in Ragusa, Sicily to be honoured with the prestigious Ragusani nel Mondo prize for their contribution to the Canadian music scene.
The two brothers started the year competing against each other as JUNO Award nominees in the Contemporary Jazz Category, and now they have to their parents' home province to receive a reward that recognizes excellence in people descended from the province of Ragusa in a variety of fields. The musicians were featured on Il Premio Ragusani nel Mondo, televised world-wide and hosted by Italian pop giant Lucio Dalla.

While Michael and Roberto are known across the country for their work as jazz artists (along with cousin David whom Michael competed against at the 2008 JUNOs), in Toronto they are well known across a number of genres. Michael and Roberto lead two of the city's best R&B funk bands (Grooveyard and Soul Stew).
Michael Occhipinti has received 8 JUNO Award nominations (winning once with his big band NOJO) and his brother Roberto has performed with JUNO winners Jane Bunnett and Hilario Duran, and received numerous National Jazz Awards. Both brothers are thrilled to be returning to their parents' home province and are especially thrilled that on August 30th where they performed music from Michael's CD The Sicilian Jazz Project, which Roberto produced and performed on.
www.michaelocchipinti.com www.robertoocchipinti.com

Sound Of Jazz Concert Series

2009-2010 Sound of Jazz Concert Series features a fresh crop of top international talent and homegrown favourites. Nine special concerts at The Old Mill Inn, Canadas longest running jazz series returns for its 34th season, September 2009 to March 2010.

The season gets underway with a tribute to the 60th Anniversary of Blue Note Records. One of the most influential and successful labels of all time, Blue Note Records musical legacy is one of the most important in jazz history. The Alex Dean Quintet featuring Alex Dean (saxophone), Brian OKane (trumpet), Brian Dickinson (piano), Neil Swainson (bass), and Barry Elmes (drums) will honour this legacy with a performance of some of the songs that helped establish Blue Notes incomparable reputation.
Following this theme, additional concerts honouring the history of jazz and its most distinguished icons include: a double feature concert with vocalists Colin Hunter and Shawne Jackson performing the signature ballads of Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday; a special Vince Guaraldi Peanuts holiday tribute concert by Torontos Robert Scott; jazz violinist Lenny Solomons tribute to Stéphane Grappelli and the Hot Club of France; and Duke Ellington Remembered: an evening of Ellingtons music performed by one of the few remaining members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, bassist John Lamb.
Featured international and local headliners include jazz harmonica sensation Hendrik Meurkens from New York; Guitar virtuoso Larry Coryell; Order of Canada member, Montreals Ranee Lee; and one of the countrys most promising talents, vocalist Diana Panton. Tickets for the Sound of Jazz Concert Series are $35 each, with special discounts for students and JAZZ.FM91 members. Series Subscriptions are also available for $280 www.jazz.fm or call 416-595-0404.

Jazz for a Good Cause

There will be a couple of very special big-ticket all-star jazz occasions for jazz lovers .
Sunday, September 20 (3:00 to 8:30pm) at the venerable Palais Royale, there's a benefit for the Toronto Humane Society with vocalist Karina Zorn and a stellar lineup of award-winning musicians including Guido Basso, Russ Little, Mark Eisenman, Steve Heathcote, Kelly Jefferson, Bill McBirnie, Anthony Michelli, Rob Piltch and Duncan Hopkins with Rick Wilkins conducting and special guest Perry King. Tickets are $250.00 + taxes for full benefit - tickets to the concert alone are $50.00 with drinks. www.ticketpro.ca
The Jazz Performance and Education Centre (JPEC) will host One October Night A Jazz Tribute to the Honourable Lincoln Alexander, The Man We Love at Glenn Gould Studio, on Thursday, October 1 at 8 pm. This unique concert features jazz legends Archie Alleyne (drums), Peter Appleyard (vibes), Guido Basso (trumpet and flugelhorn), Russ Little (trombone and music director) and Joe Sealy (piano); with outstanding vocalists Arlene Duncan, Molly Johnson, Jackie Richardson and Michael Dunstan. Also featured is an all-Canadian house band with; Scott Alexander (bass), Brian Barlow (drums), Vern Dorge (alto saxophone), Russ Little (trombone), Steve McDade (trumpet), Ted Quinlan (guitar), Michael Stuart (tenor saxophone), Tom Szczesniak (piano) and Simon Wallis (baritone saxophone). Together with Little and Executive Producer Adrienne Cohen, the music maestros will create a memorable evening of magic as they pay tribute to Lincoln Alexander, former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and an avid jazz fan. Tickets are $250 per person + GST (with tax receipt given for maximum allowable amount) on sale now at Roy Thomson Hall Box Office or call 416.872.4255. For more information visit jazzcentre.ca

New Jazz Vocal Series at The Old Mill

Jazz vocalists are the focus for the new "Fridays to Sing About!" live music feature scheduled to begin Friday, September 11th in the intimate ambience of The Home Smith Bar at The Old Mill Inn. Celebrated Toronto singer Carol McCartney, who has been showcased in major jazz clubs, festivals, concert stages, and recordings all over the continent, will launch the Series, just weeks before departing for her second Far East Tour in recent months, this time with jazz legend James Moody. Some of the citys best-loved jazz singers and musicians are scheduled to appear on following Fridays at 7:30 p.m. throughout the Fall and Winter.

Ken Page Memorial Trust at U of T

The Ken Page Memorial Trust is continuing its support of a series of presentations on Friday afternoons throughout the school year effective September 11th. The Ken Page Masterclass Series is unique in its format and mandate, and has become a popular U of T Jazz fixture. Musicians and interested parties from outside the school are welcome to attend. The series presents (usually young) jazz musicians and people from the music industry. Oftentimes they are U of T Jazz alumni or rising stars in New York, a.k.a. Jazz Mecca. They share not only their music, but also their strategies for surviving in the highly competitive world of jazz. The goal is to help students think beyond the security of the classroom to what lies ahead in the real world. Full information is available at www.uoftjazz.ca/concerts

Jazz Journalists Awards

The Jazz Journalists Association have announced their annual awards and a couple of the big winners were here for the jazz festival including Sonny Rollins (Musician of the Year, Tenor Saxophonist of the Year and Historical Recording/Reissue of the Year - Road Shows, Vol. 1) and Maria Schneider (Composer of the Year, Arranger of the Year and Large Ensemble of the Year), Branford Marsalis (Soprano Saxophonist of the Year). And a big congratulations to Kris King for Best Photo of the Year. To see Kris' winning photo of Hank Jones and a complete list of winners go to www.jazzjournalists.org

Gary Burton and Pat Metheny finally together at the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival

Gary Burton and his discovered protege, Pat Metheny, have an enduring musical relationship dating back to the mid 70s. He has often retold how he first heard the guitarist play with a student group at a jazz festival in Kansas when he was still a teenager. They would eventually collaborate over a period of 4 years when jazz brought in a few electric and rock elements. During that time, a very young Metheny joined vibraphonist Gary Burton's band and recorded Dreams So Real (1975 ECM. Reissued last year under the ECM Touchstones collection) featuring Carla Bley compositions with bassist Steve Swallow, guitarist Mick Goodrich and drummer Bob Moses. A year later, Burton came out with Passengers (1976 ECM. Reissued 2001) this time with Eberhardt Weber on acoustic bass. A common musical thread would have to be Burton's soft fluid sound providing just the right tone and textures allowing all musicians to improvise clearly with ample time. Two examples of this group's play would have to be the first track on the recording Sea Journey as well as B&G (Midwestern Night's Dream) with an alternating chord progression between Bm7 and GM7 (hence the name).
This would be the last recording for a while as Pat Metheny shifted his attention to form his own band with the enduring collaboration of pianist Lyle Mays. Pat Metheny has enjoyed tremendous success and an international following by consistently taking the jazz idiom very seriously with challenging projects for his own Pat Metheny Group (PMG), as well as trio and solo formations. The PMG quickly established a reputation among fans for creating a unique brand of jazz that takes you on a very inviting train ride encapsulating a multitude of musical textures and inviting melodies. The result is a unique sound that the world has come to enjoy as they anticipate the next album and intensive world tour. Metheny has worked with artists as diverse as Steve Reich to Ornette Coleman to Herbie Hancock to Jim Hall to Milton Nascimento to David Bowie.

Over the years, the vibraphonist and pioneer of the four-stick vibes technique has focused on contemporary tango music (ie: the music of Astor Piazzolla), classical and jazz standards. Using his educator's eyes and ears at Berklee College of Music, he has repeatedly demonstrated a knack for discovering young and talented musicians such as guitarist Julian Lage, seen a few years ago at the Toronto Jazz Festival with Burton's Generations (2004 Concord Records) project.

1989 would see a reunion with Metheny on an album under that name featuring Mitch Forman, Peter Erskine, and Will Lee (1989 GRP).

Burton had known Chick Corea almost as long as he knew Metheny. By 1998, Chick Corea and Pat Metheny had already received numerous accolades and recognition as artists in their respective corners. Together with Roy Hanes and Dave Holland, they would all come together to produce Grammy award winning Like Minds (1998 Concord Records CCD 4803-2). Speaking of Chick Corea, he and Burton won another Grammy this year for Best Instrumental Jazz Recording for The New Crystal Silence (2008 Concord Records).

TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival enthusiasts and true jazz fans will be thrilled to welcome Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Steve Swallow, and Antonio Sanchez as they promote their brand new recording Quartet Revisited on June 29th at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

- Alain Londes

Jazz Notes for Fall 08

Tuck and Patti (vocalist Patti Cathcart and guitarist Tuck Andress) have been a steady performing duo for going on three decades. They have rarely made it to this part of the world but will be appearing as part of the "Jazz at the Playhouse" series at the Diesel Playhouse on December 19.

Earl Klugh at Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards
The Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards' Nominating Committee has announced Earl Klugh as the recipient of the 2009 'George Benson Lifetime Achievement Award.' Klugh, a Jazz legend, first gained recognition at 15 when he played with Jazz innovator Yusef Lateef. Two years later Klugh was discovered by George Benson who says, "I heard him play the acoustic guitar and I knew that if he was successful, he'd be one of a kind." Benson, who has remained close friends with Klugh since 1971 adds, "he had that finger style technique down pat, he had a lot of sentimentality to his playing and he's very believable so it wasn't just technique with him." Klugh will receive the award and perform on April 24, 2009 at the Awards Show in Mississauga, Ontario at the 1300 seat Living Arts Centre

A Jazzy New Year's Eve and more
Now that you can't celebrate New Year's Eve at the Montreal Bistro, Quotes on King Street will be hosting a New Year's bash featuring the joyous sounds of the Jim Galloway Jazz Quintet with Jim Galloway (saxophones), Laurie Bower (trombone), Ian Bargh (piano), Rosemary Galloway (bass), Don Vickery (drums). Price is $87.50 per guest which includes a specially created 3-course meal with selections, coffee, all taxes and gratuities on food, festive party favours and a glass of champagne to welcome the New Year. An Entertainment Charge of $30 per guest (cash only please) will be collected at the door on arrival. Quotes Bar & Grill is located at 220 King Street West . Doors open for dinner at 7:00 p.m. and music begins at 8:30 p.m
You can also catch Jim on Saturday December 6th from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Ichi Riki Japanese Restaurant at 120 Bloor Street East - #103. He'll be playing with Ralph Fraser on piano in this intimate setting where your gracious host, Mr. Riki, will once again be preparing a sumptuous multi-course dinner for your delectation. This venue always sells out early, so reservations are essential. (Phone: 416 923 2997)
On Monday, December 8th (8:00 p.m.) Jim Galloway and His Wee Big Band will entertain you at The Old Mill Inn with some of your holiday favourites, along with special excerpts from Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite. This event is one of the programming highlights in JAZZ.FM91's 2008/2009 Sound of Jazz Concert Series. General Admission Tickets are $35 each for adults, $32 each for students and JAZZ.FM91 Members, and may be purchased either online at www.jazz.fm or by telephone at 416 595 0404. Once you have purchased your concert Tickets, please call the Old Mill Inn, at one of the numbers below, for your Dinner Reservations (from 6:00 p.m. onwards). The Old Mill Inn is located at 21 Old Mill Road, Telephone 416 207-2020 or 416 236 2641.
A little further down the line, Jim will be performing with the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, February 28, 2009 (8 pm). The show, arranged for full symphony orchestra by Rosemary Galloway, will feature Jim, John Sherwood and Rosemary playing jazz and movie classics with the full CBSO 65 piece orchestra conducted by Norman Reintamm. Tickets are available by calling the CBSO box office 416-879-5566 or by email by writing to info@cathedralbluffs.com. Further information may be obtained by going to the CBSO website, www.cathedralbluffs.com. The CBSO performs in the acoustically superb PC Ho Theatre located 5183 Sheppard Ave. E. This will be one of the season's premiere musical events....not to be missed!!!

Holiday Jazz Jam for a Good Cause
There's a Holiday Jazz Jam on Sunday, December 7th at Trane Studio from 8:00PM to 12:00PM to support the Children's Aid Foundation's Surrogate Santa Program.
Expect a who's who of the Toronto jazz scene to support Jazz.FM's Sarah Stewart, who has organized the event. The house band is Dave Restivo on piano, Ross MacIntyre on bass, and Sly Juhas on drums.
Since it began in 2003, the Surrogate Santa program has made the holiday season a bright one for thousands of disadvantaged families and youth in the Greater Toronto Area. The purpose of the programme is to raise the resources required to assist children and families served by various child welfare organisations in Toronto during the holidays. For families who struggle to meet daily living expenses, the holiday season brings an added stress of the need for extra funds to provide their children with gifts and food. Last year the Surrogate Santa program raised more than $200,000 and helped thousands of families and children in the community.

Hamilton Music Awards
Nominations for Jazz Recording of the Year at the Hamilton Music Awards this year are: Afternoons In Stereo - The City Is Sleeping; David Braid - DMBQ Live; Chantal Chamberland - The Other Woman; Danny Lockwood - A Few Of My Favourite Grooves; Out to Lunch - Excuse Me While I Do the Boogaloo. Chantal Chamberland was also nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year and David Braid for Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year. The 2008 Hamilton Music Awards will be hosted by Tom Wilson and Patrick McKenna (Traders, Red Green) at the Studio at Hamilton Place on November 16th. The Hamilton Music Industry Awards which serve to acknowledge people behind the scenes in Hamilton's music community are being held at 6PM on November 15th at the Studio at Hamilton Place. There is also a Career Day Conference with a keynote speech by Jim Norris, Publisher, Norris Whitney Communications (Canadian Musician Magazine/Professional Lighting and Production Magazine). The conference will also feature a series of technical workshops including a live sound engineering workshop, a computer technology workshop presented by (Apple Canada and Long & McQuade) and a guitar clinic. www.hamiltonmusicawards.com

Historic Tin Pan Alley in jeopardy
A group of New Yorkers is fighting to save Tin Pan Alley, a half-dozen 19th-Century buildings on Manhattan's West 28th St., where the music of Irving Berlin, Scott Joplin, Fats Waller, George M. Cohan and other greats was born. The buildings were put up for sale earlier this fall for $44 million, with plans to replace them with a high-rise. The construction plan fell through amid the turmoil in the economy, but the possibility of losing the historic block hastened efforts to push for landmark status for Tin Pan Alley.
A commission is "researching the history of the buildings and reviewing whether they'd be eligible for landmark designation," said Lisi de Bourbon, a spokeswoman for New York's Landmarks Preservation Commission.
From the late 1880s to the mid-1950s, the careers of songwriters were launched from the buildings at 45, 47, 49, 51, 53 and 55 West 28th. The windows of music companies broadcast a cacophony of competing piano sounds, earning the area the nickname Tin Pan Alley, to describe what one journalist said sounded like pounding on tin pans.

The Short Life of Richard Twardzik
The Mercury Press has published Jack Chambers' highly anticipated new biography of Richard Twardzik, Bouncin' with Bartok: The Incomplete Works of Richard Twardzik. It is described as a deeply researched, passionate and unflinching exploration of the short life and tragic death of a piano prodigy and composer whose small body of work left a monumental legacy.
Here is what Ron Davis wrote on Jazztalk (see review of Ron's new release on opposite page): "As many will know, but many won't, Richard Twardzik was a genius pianist and composer. He died in 1955. He was working with Chet Baker at the time. With correct pre-beatnik era flair (i.e. stupidity), he died of a heroin overdose in a Paris hotel room. He was something like 24 years old. He left a few dozen recordings, and some compositions. He was gifted beyond belief. Yet he is forgotten today. Talent did nothing to preserve his name in the public memory."
Jack Chambers is Professor of Linguistics at the University of Toronto. He also maintains a parallel vocation in jazz criticism, including the prize-winning biography Milestones: The Music and Times of Miles Davis (1998). Order online at www.themercurypress.ca

Remembering Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba, the South African singer whose voice stirred hopes of freedom among millions in her country with music that was banned by the apartheid authorities she struggled against, died of cardiac arrest after performing at a concert in Italy on November 9th. She was 76.
Ms. Makeba collapsed as she was leaving the stage at a concert in support of Roberto Saviano, an author who has received death threats after writing about organised crime.
Despite her claims that she was not a political singer, she was a staunch opponent of apartheid since the South African authorities revoked her passport in 1960 and refused to allow her to return after she traveled abroad. Nelson Mandela said "She was South Africa's first lady of song and so richly deserved the title of Mama Afrika. She was a mother to our struggle and to the young nation of ours."
As a singer, Ms. Makeba merged the ancient and the modern, tradition and individualism. Her 1960s hits "Qongqothwane," known in English as "The Click Song," and the dance song "Pata Pata," which would be remade by many other performers in the next decades, used the tongue-clicking sound that is part of the Xhosa language her family spoke. Traditional African ululation was also one of her many vocal techniques.
But Ms. Makeba was also familiar with jazz and international pop and folk songs, and while South African songs would always be the core of her repertoire, which was ever-expanding in many languages. Her voice was supremely flexible, and she could sound like a young girl or a craggy grandmother within the same song.
Ms. Makeba was born in Johannesburg on March 4, 1932, the daughter of a Swazi mother and a father from the Xhosa people, who live mainly in the eastern Cape region of South Africa. Her musical career spanned five decades, from 1950s recordings with South African vocal groups - the Manhattan Brothers and then her own female group, the Skylarks - through her last studio recording, "Reflections" (2004), and her continuing concert performances.
With tenderness, righteousness and playfulness, Ms. Makeba sang love songs, advice songs, spiritual songs, anti-apartheid songs and calls for unity. In bringing African music to other continents, she was a pioneer of what would be called world music, reworking her own heritage for listeners who might never hear it otherwise while creating fusions of her own.
In the United States she became a star, touring with Harry Belafonte in the 1960s and winning a Grammy award with him in 1965 for "An Evening With Belafonte/Makeba." Such was her following and fame that she sang in 1962 at the birthday party of President John F. Kennedy. She also performed with Paul Simon in his "Graceland" concert in Zimbabwe in 1987.
But she fell afoul of the music industry in the United States because of her marriage to Stokely Carmichael. Scheduled concerts were suddenly being canceled, she said. "It was not a ban from the government; it was a cancellation by people who felt I should not be with Stokely because he was a rebel to them," Ms. Makeba said in May in an interview with the British music critic Robin Denselow in The Guardian of London. "I didn't care about that. He was somebody I loved, who loved me, and it was my life."
Even after becoming a star, Ms. Makeba was often short of money and could not afford to buy a coffin when her only child, her daughter, Bongi, died at 36 in 1985, Agence France-Presse reported. Bongi Makeba was a singer and songwriter who had released an album and had performed with her mother. Ms. Makeba buried her daughter alone, barring a handful of journalists from covering the funeral. No other information on survivors was available.

Jazz Notes for Summer 08

Guelph Jazz

The Guelph Jazz Festival(and Colloquium) takes place from September 3 to 7 and once again reaches to the outer limits of jazz, a zone which is home to John Zorn, one of the most adventurous jazzmen of the century. Zorn brings two separate shows to Guelph (albeit with the same lineup of stellar and by-now-legendary members of the New York's Downtown scene - Marc Ribot, Jamie Saft, Kenny Wollesen, Trevor Dunn, Cyro Baptista and Joey Baron). Electric Masada (2pm September 7 at the River Run Centre) interprets Zorn's take on traditional 'Jewish' modes " through a canny blend of Bitches Brew-derived jazz fusion and contemporary noise music. At the centre of it all, however, are Zorn's razor-sharp conducting and distinctively idiosyncratic saxophone playing - acidic, lyrical, and violent in turn.
The Dreamers provide the second half of this double bill. This is a new suite by the ever-prolific composer for a band with the same personnel as Electric Masada. However, with one particularly crucial switch of instrumentation (Kenny Wolleson on vibes in lieu of drums), the sound palette is changed considerably to accommodate Zorn's compositional priorities for this project. Here, he unabashedly mines a feeling of nostalgia, as the ensemble explores material (in a notably accessible way for those familiar with Zorn's work) that draws on surf music, organ-trio jazz, film music, and psychedelia, with Marc Ribot's inimitable guitar playing nearly always at the centre of the music-making.
Also appearing are the legendary Instant Composers Pool (ICP) Orchestra (Sept 5) With the playfully volatile and oft-contradictory duo of Misha Mengelberg and Han Bennink at its core for more than 40 years, ICP is now a long-established 10-piece ensemble that features several of the most original voices in creative music. The ICP Orchestra is a radical band at the peak of its powers and brimming with outrageous (and outrageously varied) soloists.
Sat, Sept 6 (5:15pm) in the Upper Wyndham Street Jazz Tent, Burnt Sugar from New York blasts through the gamut of contemporary musical genres with Greg Tate marshalling their exceptional talents using Butch Morris's "conduction" technique, a system of hand cues that signal different kinds of improvisation.
The Guelph Jazz Festival has earned international acclaim for presenting innovative jazz and creative improvised music in a community setting. This year, they present 12 ticketed and 11 free concerts, with a dazzling array of jazz explorers. Opening the Festival is a three-day Colloquium (all events free) that examines the influence of jazz on society and culture. Lots of other notable artists, Rene Lussier (with Kevin Breit!), Jane Bunnett, Francois Houle, Tortoise, much more. See www.guelphjazzfestival.com


Order Of Canada

Governor General Michaëlle Jean just announced 75 new appointments to the Order of Canada this week. The new appointees include a couple Canadian jazz greats, Paul Bley, (Member) "For his contributions as a pioneering figure in avant-garde and free jazz, and for his influence on younger jazz pianists" and Ian McDougall (Member) "For his contributions to classical and jazz music as a renowned trombonist and composer and as an innovative educator and mentor". A highly respected player, composer and arranger, Ian was also the lead and solo trombonist with Rob McConnell's Juno and Grammy award-winning Boss Brass. Randy Bachman, O.C. was elevated to Officer of the Order of Canada "For his contributions as an iconic Canadian rock musician and for his support of Canadian music as a producer of emerging Canadian artists".

Jazz Funeral for Katrina Victims

On August 29, exactly three years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, the remains of 85 victims, many still unidentified, will be fęted on their final journey by brass bands and dancers before being interred at a new $1.5 million Hurricane Katrina memorial. Playing his trumpet at the head of the parade will be Frank Minyard, the coroner who led the effort to identify the bulk of Katrina's 1,800-plus fatalities. Dr. Minyard was stranded for four days without food or drinking water before being rescued by helicopter. Then he moved into a caravan in the grounds of a makeshift mortuary set up outside the city to process the dead. Now they will finally be laid to rest with a proper New Orleans funeral.

OPERAtion Kids

Jazz vocalist Sophia Pearlman is starting a brand new program with the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus called OPERAtion Kids and they are collecting supplies to build an opera. They're looking for Old clothes, towels, bedsheets, arts and craft supplies - paper, newsprint, feathers, glue, string, yarn, large pieces of cardboard or bristol board, cardboard or plastic tubing and just about anything that can be re-purposed into a prop or costume. Contact Sophia at sophia.perlman@gmail.com


2008 Jazzle Dazzle Raffle Winners

Congratulations to Paul Plecash, winner of the $250 HMV Shopping Spree; Alvin Lau, winner of the Umbra Gift Pack; Barbara Brunton. winner of the Old Mill Inn Getaway and Dawn Lucas who won both the Panasonic Package and the Movado watches

New Releases for Summer 08

At this year's TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival, the Charles Lloyd Quartet was one of the hottest tickets for jazz fans at Harbourfront. The concert was a fresh treat for audience members because the lineup was not an exact copy of their recent recording. In fact, the only tune played from the CD was the title track, "Rabo de Nube". The recording comes from the live performance that some have called the "concert of the century" in Basel, Switzerland. The elder statesman is well at home with young lions such as Jason Moran (piano), Reuben Rogers (bass) and Eric Harland (drums).

With "Prometheus," Lloyd sets the tone with the solo opening notes as if he was awakening the spirits that motivate him at this stage in his life. This fitting piece has all the characteristics of this project ranging from the fluidity of the rhythm section, tonic creations on drums, to the shear spirituality of the music. One could be forgiven for drawing parallels between "Migration of Spirit" and John Coltrane's "Love Supreme" due to its meditative extensions. Nevertheless Lloyd maintains his own warmer toned voice by eventually sliding on 4/4 timing for that piece.
"Booker's Garden," a tribute to Lloyd's past colleague and friend Booker Little, brings in some fittingly beautiful alto flute work from Lloyd. For a more Middle Eastern touch, Lloyd makes use of the tarogato (a Bb woodwind instrument also known under other names such as the Turkish pipe) on "Ramanujan" and awakens the spirits of Indian music and spirituality with the deep and dark textures as well as polyrhythmic work deliberately grounded by Rogers and Harland. The catchy beat also draws emphasis with Moran's percussive style by, for example, playing F repeatedly on the left hand.
Transcending the spirit of Thelonious Monk, Moran and Lloyd bring in a heavy dose of the noted pianist in the piece "La Colline de Monk" by drawing on the same style and bringing in short clips such as Epistrophy into the mix.
Many believe that this quartet might be one of Lloyd's best. Let's hope for our sake that they are correct and that we will hear them again. (Alain Londes)

Luis Mario Ochoa looked to his Cuban heritage and heart for Momentos Cubanos. Ochoa is best known for his nine-piece dance band Cimarrón, but for this disc he rounded up just a handful of his compańeros - la crema de la crema of Cuban-Toronto musicians - to make a more intimate record. For this outing Hilario Duran joins Ochoa's quintet: David Virelles on piano, Paco Luviano on bass, the ubiquitous Luis Orbegoso and Jorge Luis Torres on percussion, with Ochoa handling the guitar work and adding his strong, emotive tenor to the vocal tunes. A handful of the tracks are instrumentals - the most notable being the breezy title track - and are classic Cuban (no hip hop or other urban styles here), with a few nods to Brazil and Peru. With the lyrics being sung in Spanish, English-speakers might anticipate feeling a little in the dark, but Ochoa is such an expressive singer, no translations are necessary. We get it. www.luismario.com or www.cubanmusicproductions (Cathy Riches - reprinted courtesy of Wholenote)

Latin America and particularly the 50th anniversary of bossa nova, are the sources of inspiration for Riding on the 65 brought to us by the talented bunch of people known as Shirley Eikhard. Lyricist, composer, singer, guitarist, keyboardist, bass player, percussionist, producer - Eikhard has once again done it all on this disc. As amazing a feat as that is, the lack of other musicians means songs are sometimes not given the treatment they deserve. Specialists can add expertise and variety that is especially needed here on percussion, given the Afro-Caribbean bent of this record. But no matter. Eikhard's warm, throaty vocals and strong songwriting transcend the shortcomings, especially on the beautiful "Following Your Footprints", "So Begins the End of the Affair", and the fun "Crazy from the Heat". www.shirleyeikhard.ca
(Cathy Riches - reprinted courtesy of Wholenote) .

Who would have thought Robert Louis Stevenson, the 19th century poet, would be the source for a 2008 jazz recording? Mandy Lagan, that's who. Lagan is a Toronto-based singer, composer and educator who collaborated with a number of other composers, chiefly David Occhipinti, to produce Verses. Occhipinti also co-produced much of the album and his stunning guitar work is a strong presence throughout the disc. Many of the musicians are from the jazz world - Nancy Walker on piano, Andrew Downing on bass, cello and harmonium, Kevin Turcotte on trumpet, Ross Wooldridge on clarinet - but there are also touches of folk, classical, Celtic, and perhaps even a little Bartok, so it all adds up to an original and category-defying album. For some composers, setting to music poems that weren't originally intended to be songs would be a big challenge. But Lagan, Occhipinti and company have seamlessly wedded the two forms, devising tunes that artfully evoke the ideas in the poems. This is grown-up, harmonically rich and complex music that does full justice to the imaginative poetry it's based on. www.mandylagan.com <http://www.mandylagan.com/>
(Cathy Riches - reprinted courtesy of Wholenote)


SHORT TAKES:

The irrepressible Bill King has released a pretty "official" jazz album coming from a true "Renaissance Man" of jazz, who has covered just about every style within and beyond the jazz idiom. This is strictly instrumental with a fine combo of William Sperandei, Duncan Hopkins, Darcy Hepner, Mark Kelso and Luis Obergoso. The band is called Bill King's Rhythm Express and the album is Beat Street. This is a heavy jazz album that will surprise a lot of people.

Pat Carey - Jumpin in Jersey: International recording artist, six time Maple Blues Award winner, and long time Downchild Blues Band member Pat Carey has released a jazz instrumental album called Jumpin' In Jersey. The album was recorded in Union City, New Jersey, and showcases the band as free blowing ensemble that moves energetically through 11 numbers of mostly original material.

Monica Kim: A new jazz voice emerges with a helping hand from bass meister George Koller and a beautiful recording made in the inner sanctuary of St. Mathias Anglican Church in Toronto. Evelyn Datl plays piano and keyboards and it was recorded by Paul Benedict who has been working closely with George on solo and side projects. Watch for a CD launch at Hugh's Room in the fall.

Guitarist Rick Washbrook has just released a new CD called West Mystic, a stunning follow-up to his previous homage to Lenny Breau. Lenny's influence still flows through this new work - Washbrook is now playing a nylon string classical guitar exclusively and can be seen playing around town regularly at Gate 403 and other venues. He is one of Toronto's hidden treasures.

New Releases Spring 08

Day and Night David Liebman/Mike Murley Quartet
Live at the Atlantic Jazz Festival
Neptune Theatre, Halifax

David Liebman, soprano and tenor saxophone, Indian bamboo flute, Mike Murley, tenor and soprano saxophone, Jim Vivian, bass, Ian Froman, drums, Jeff Johnston, piano (on India only).
Another addition to the growing and valuable library of the Canadian Cornerstone label.
Liebman and Murley make great sparring partners on this session which gets off to a rousing start with the title tune by David Liebman, based, of course, on the changes of Cole Porter's Night And Day. It is followed by a Murley original called That's What You Want, a moody introspective performance, followed by the more melodic, "straight ahead" Tad Dameron composition, Gnid.
The CD then features a four minute introduction by Liebman which is interesting the first time around, but ....
The CD is rounded out by the John Coltrane piece, India which is given an extended exploration.
There is a truly remarkable cohesion to the playing of all the performers on this live recording and followers of Liebman and Murley will be richly rewarded. (Jim Galloway)

Maceo Parker: Roots & Groove (Heads Up)

The live recording brings Maceo Parker to Cologne, Germany together with the WDR Big Band conducted and arranged by Michael Abene in 2007 during the European tour. In fact it was one of his dreams to play with this Grammy award-winning band. Jazz is nothing new to this versatile European band. They have had the chance to play with the likes of Randy Brecker and the late Joe Zawinul among others. From the opening track to the end one is witnessed to an enthusiastic crowd that doesn't dominate the music itself but more importantly the sound is definitely richer with the addition of these fine musicians that all contribute to the whole.
The engaging and upbeat "Hallelujah I Love Her So" kicks things off the first part of the show with a Ray Charles tribute featuring our main star and Frank Chastenier on the Hammond B3. Following the 8-song tribute, MP showcases some of his own brand of funky R&B derived from his solo career, spanning from the 1970s to the present. Maceo tastefully pays tribute to Ray Charles by also singing on "Busted," "Georgia On My Mind," "You Don't Know Me," and "Hit The Road Jack"
For the second part of the show labeled as "Back to Funk," Maceo and the WDR Big Band are joined by Rodney "Skeet" Curtis on bass and Dennis Chambers on drums to emphasize the patented funky sound. An example of the fuller sound mentioned above is clearly heard on the classic "Uptown Up" which features the WDR saxes, with solos by Parker, Andy Haderer on trumpet and Olivier Peters on EWI. If you want to hear some funky bass work ŕ la Marcus Miller, Rodney "Skeet" Curtis is here to please on "Off The Hook." "To Be Or Not To Be" from Parker's School's In (MCG, 2005) features Karolina Strassmayer who goes head to head on alto with our headliner and could have easily been mistaken for MC had it not been for his acknowledgement during the piece. John Marshall on trumpet, Frank Chastenier on the Hammond B3 and Maceo all contribute extended improvisations on "Advanced Funk" to the delight of the crowd. The show concludes with a long rendition of "Pass The Peas."
One would think that the WDR was Maceo's own band by the musicality and tightness evident on these captured live performances. Maceo Parker will turn on the gas again with his band at the festival. (Alain Londes)

Express Lane
James Silberstein Consolidated Artists Productions

Composer/songwriter Cole Porter's "From This Moment On" fires up talented guitarist James Silberstein's second album, Express Lane. The up-tempo rendition of this classic brings in a full and dynamic band for this project, including topnotch members of the well-known New York-based collective, One For All: trumpeter Jim Rotondi, tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander and saxophonist Steve Davis.
Silberstein plays with virtuosity reminiscent of Joe Pass, Pat Martino, and Martin Taylor. Whether in a trio, quartet, or larger formation, his punctuated contributions are clearly evident. All scenarios are effectively showcased on this CD.
Following Song for Micaela (CAP, 2004), the guitarist felt encouraged to do another project, with Express Lane sounding consistently engaging and fresher than ever. Bassist Harvie S, drummer Vince Cherico and keyboardist Jill McCarron had been rehearsing with Silberstein, and played a number of gigs together. Silberstein felt that this cohesive core would work for his second project and, after bringing in this depth of talent, the recording took place over three days.
Silberstein felt that his original, "Express Lane," would be the right choice for the title-an up-tempo tune with a catchy name. It was Silberstein's idea to play Arlen and Mercer's "Come Rain or Shine" with the meter shifting smoothly from 4/4 to 6/8, with a soloist cutting in before the switch.
A bluesy bass-guitar dialogue opens guitar master Jack Wilkins' "Kiwi Bird" before Anne Drummond's flute and Rotondi's muted trumpet add a classical interlude. By contributing the concept of a classical sounding bridge, Silberstein once again leaves his mark. The bassist's bow provides a deep context to the melody of "You Don't Know What Love Is" before shifting to a comfortable Cha Cha groove.
The recording ends quietly with a mellow rendition of Silberstein solo on J.J. Johnson's "Lament."
Express Lane is a hidden gem meriting many enjoyable plays. (Alain Londes)

New Releases Spring 08

Day and Night David Liebman/Mike Murley Quartet
Live at the Atlantic Jazz Festival
Neptune Theatre, Halifax

David Liebman, soprano and tenor saxophone, Indian bamboo flute, Mike Murley, tenor and soprano saxophone, Jim Vivian, bass, Ian Froman, drums, Jeff Johnston, piano (on India only).
Another addition to the growing and valuable library of the Canadian Cornerstone label.
Liebman and Murley make great sparring partners on this session which gets off to a rousing start with the title tune by David Liebman, based, of course, on the changes of Cole Porter's Night And Day. It is followed by a Murley original called That's What You Want, a moody introspective performance, followed by the more melodic, "straight ahead" Tad Dameron composition, Gnid.
The CD then features a four minute introduction by Liebman which is interesting the first time around, but ....
The CD is rounded out by the John Coltrane piece, India which is given an extended exploration.
There is a truly remarkable cohesion to the playing of all the performers on this live recording and followers of Liebman and Murley will be richly rewarded. (Jim Galloway)

Maceo Parker: Roots & Groove (Heads Up)

The live recording brings Maceo Parker to Cologne, Germany together with the WDR Big Band conducted and arranged by Michael Abene in 2007 during the European tour. In fact it was one of his dreams to play with this Grammy award-winning band. Jazz is nothing new to this versatile European band. They have had the chance to play with the likes of Randy Brecker and the late Joe Zawinul among others. From the opening track to the end one is witnessed to an enthusiastic crowd that doesn't dominate the music itself but more importantly the sound is definitely richer with the addition of these fine musicians that all contribute to the whole.
The engaging and upbeat "Hallelujah I Love Her So" kicks things off the first part of the show with a Ray Charles tribute featuring our main star and Frank Chastenier on the Hammond B3. Following the 8-song tribute, MP showcases some of his own brand of funky R&B derived from his solo career, spanning from the 1970s to the present. Maceo tastefully pays tribute to Ray Charles by also singing on "Busted," "Georgia On My Mind," "You Don't Know Me," and "Hit The Road Jack"
For the second part of the show labeled as "Back to Funk," Maceo and the WDR Big Band are joined by Rodney "Skeet" Curtis on bass and Dennis Chambers on drums to emphasize the patented funky sound. An example of the fuller sound mentioned above is clearly heard on the classic "Uptown Up" which features the WDR saxes, with solos by Parker, Andy Haderer on trumpet and Olivier Peters on EWI. If you want to hear some funky bass work ŕ la Marcus Miller, Rodney "Skeet" Curtis is here to please on "Off The Hook." "To Be Or Not To Be" from Parker's School's In (MCG, 2005) features Karolina Strassmayer who goes head to head on alto with our headliner and could have easily been mistaken for MC had it not been for his acknowledgement during the piece. John Marshall on trumpet, Frank Chastenier on the Hammond B3 and Maceo all contribute extended improvisations on "Advanced Funk" to the delight of the crowd. The show concludes with a long rendition of "Pass The Peas."
One would think that the WDR was Maceo's own band by the musicality and tightness evident on these captured live performances. Maceo Parker will turn on the gas again with his band at the festival. (Alain Londes)

Express Lane
James Silberstein Consolidated Artists Productions

Composer/songwriter Cole Porter's "From This Moment On" fires up talented guitarist James Silberstein's second album, Express Lane. The up-tempo rendition of this classic brings in a full and dynamic band for this project, including topnotch members of the well-known New York-based collective, One For All: trumpeter Jim Rotondi, tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander and saxophonist Steve Davis.
Silberstein plays with virtuosity reminiscent of Joe Pass, Pat Martino, and Martin Taylor. Whether in a trio, quartet, or larger formation, his punctuated contributions are clearly evident. All scenarios are effectively showcased on this CD.
Following Song for Micaela (CAP, 2004), the guitarist felt encouraged to do another project, with Express Lane sounding consistently engaging and fresher than ever. Bassist Harvie S, drummer Vince Cherico and keyboardist Jill McCarron had been rehearsing with Silberstein, and played a number of gigs together. Silberstein felt that this cohesive core would work for his second project and, after bringing in this depth of talent, the recording took place over three days.
Silberstein felt that his original, "Express Lane," would be the right choice for the title-an up-tempo tune with a catchy name. It was Silberstein's idea to play Arlen and Mercer's "Come Rain or Shine" with the meter shifting smoothly from 4/4 to 6/8, with a soloist cutting in before the switch.
A bluesy bass-guitar dialogue opens guitar master Jack Wilkins' "Kiwi Bird" before Anne Drummond's flute and Rotondi's muted trumpet add a classical interlude. By contributing the concept of a classical sounding bridge, Silberstein once again leaves his mark. The bassist's bow provides a deep context to the melody of "You Don't Know What Love Is" before shifting to a comfortable Cha Cha groove.
The recording ends quietly with a mellow rendition of Silberstein solo on J.J. Johnson's "Lament."
Express Lane is a hidden gem meriting many enjoyable plays. (Alain Londes)