For nearly two decades Torontonians and tourists have trekked to the city's core to see Miles Davis, Oscar Peterson, Sarah Vaughan, Sonny Rollins, Gerry Mulligan, Betty Carter, Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto, Dizzy Gillespie, and enough others to render one dizzy—nearly 20,000 jazz artists in total. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary season in Canada's largest city, the festival has become synonymous with success and has steadily built an international reputation.
From south of the border, this year's highlights include two-time Grammy winner Etta James, the still-going-strong Dave Brubeck Quartet, critically acclaimed guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli, reigning king of jazz accordion Richard Galliano, and blasts from the past Pharoah Sanders, Lew Tabackin, and Yusef Lateef. Tickets to these shows range in price from $20-95, with most hovering around $30.
Canadian performers of note include the Hilario Durán Big Band, Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra, Rob McConnell Tentet, Don Thomspon Quartet, Laila Biali Trio, Metalwood, Club Django, Molly Johnson, and Bill McBirnie, with prices ranging from free admission to $30. The Maple Blues Revue is billed as a first rate Canadian Blues Show featuring vocalists Chuck Jackson, Dawn Tyler Watson, and John Mays accompanied by an all-Canadian eight-piece band, with tickets priced at $15.
This year's TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival will run from June 23 to July 2, featuring additions and alterations that reflect the festival's growth and diversity.
The festival this year marks the first time the word "downtown" is omitted from the title, as the original setting can no longer exclusively house the growing number of gigs, upwards of 1,500 musicians, 350 concerts, and 40 locations around the city. Additional venues include ones in the neighbourhoods of Yorkville, the Distillery, Harbourfront, Roncesvalles, and Yonge & Eglington. Naturally, some of the classic downtown will remain active, including Hummingbird Centre, Massey Hall, The Rex, The Pilot, Montréal Bistro, and the Toronto Star Stage at Nathan Phillips Square.
New this year is the Cabaret Series in the Distillery district, featuring the fantastic Andy Bey as well as distinguished Canadian vocalists Adi Braun, George Evans, Sandra Caldwell, Michel Bérubé, and Lori Cullen. Tickets for the Cabaret Series are $15.
Since Toronto is one of the most culturally diverse cities in North America, the addition of the EuroJazz series is most fitting. Five nights at the Gladstone Hotel will feature top jazz acts from Russia, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands. EuroJazz tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door, with the option of buying a EuroPass—all five nights for $40.
A special concert at Harbourfront Centre on June 29 will feature the Original Superstars of Jazz Fusion with Roy Ayers on vibes, Jean Carne on vocals, Wayne Henderson on trombone, Bobbi Humphrey on flute, Ronnie Laws on saxophone, Jon Lucien on vocals and acoustic guitar, and Lonnie Liston Smith on keyboards. Jazz fusion emerged in the 1970s as a melting pot of jazz, rhythm and blues, Latin, funk, and dance music, with Roy Ayers leading the way as a major influence on a new generation of artists. Tickets for this one-of-a-kind concert are $49.50.
Yet another first for this year's festival is the on-site presence of the JAZZ.FM91 Broadcast Centre at Nathan Phillips Square. Canada's premier jazz station is the only non-for-profit radio station dedicated to jazz and all its communities of interest. The Broadcast Centre will keep listeners and attendees informed with live interviews, discussions and previews of nightly performances.
Keeping a good thing going, last year's Talkback Series and Workshop Series are back, with informed reflections by some of the country's jazz experts. Both series are free of charge and highly recommended for either the jazz aficionado or the casual listener.
For those who cannot afford the ticketed shows, listen to JAZZ.FM91 online at www.jazz.fm for giveaways or enjoy the free afternoon and early evening concerts around the city. For ticket, venue, and other information, visit www.torontojazz.com .
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