By the time late June rolls around Toronto's downtown jazz festival will turn 21. Glasses will be raised at 350 concerts over its ten-day run.
This year's jazz festival promises to be a memorable one for lovers of the ebony and ivory. The Grandmasters Series at the brand new Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts will open with an encore performance by Dave Brubeck's Quartet (Monday, June 25) featuring Randy Jones on drums, Bobby Militello on saxophone and Michael Moore on bass. The series will conclude with a highly anticipated presentation by genius composer and pianist Keith Jarrett, with drummer John DeJohnette and bassist Gary Peacock (Friday, June 29). All Concerts in the series will start at 8pm, with tickets ranging from $40-95.
On Tuesday, June 26, Canadian grandmaster of the piano Oscar Peterson will also appear at the Four Season Centre. Hailed as the most significant jazz musician Canada has ever produced, Oscar Peterson was named Officer of the Order of Canada in 1972 and is the winner of seven Grammy Awards. Born in 1925, the Montréal-born child prodigy became a household name thanks to famed jazz impresario Norman Granz and his jazz record labels Clef, Norgran, Verve and Pablo.
If unable to attend the Grandmasters Series, a piano lover will still have plenty of opportunities to be tickled pink. In addition to two evenings at Opal Jazz Lounge with original hard bopper Cedar Walton, many Canadian and Toronto-based pianists will be featured throughout the festival, including Dave Restivo, Robi Botos, Steve Koven, Adrean Farrugia, David Virelles, and the rapidly rising singer/songwriter/pianist Elizabeth Shepherd.
Vocalist Holly Cole (Monday, June 25 at the Toronto Star Stage) is one of the most successful jazz singers this country has ever produced. Popular at home, in Japan and around the world, Cole's successful career can be attributed to a singular timbre, tasteful delivery and impeccable material. With its hypnotizing depth, Holly Cole's singing has a way of reinventing even the most well-known classics by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Tom Waits, Nina Simone and The Beatles.
Other vocal highlights include the return of the popular Cabaret Series, this year shifted from the Distillery to the more central Savoy. One of Canada's most famed operatic exports, mezzo-soprano Jean Stilwell will open the series with Carmen Unzipped, a two woman cabaret with piano collaborator Patti Loach. Cabaret at the Savoy (June 25-29, shows at 9pm) will also feature the always entertaining Julie Michels, Cabaret Noir fare by former Nylon Micah Barnes and a tribute to Cole Porter by the ever-so-swingin' John Alcorn. The series at the Savoy will close with not one but two nights of three-time Dora Mavor Moore award winner Louise Pitre singing torch and jazz classics made famous by Edith Piaf, Judy Garland and Al Jolson.
Sunday, June 24th festivities will focus on Québec's Fête National, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, highlighted by The French Connection Series. More than a dozen artists will represent Québec and France, including local tribute band Club Django Sextet with budding youngster Nikki Yanofsky, bass clarinetist Denis Colin's trio and the versatile violinist, Jean Luc Ponty.
As the festival comes to a close, Canada Day festivities on July 1st will feature a double bill. The Rebirth Brass Band will precede Mavis Staples, a consummate voice of soul, gospel and R&B. Similarly, Rebirth combines the traditional New Orleans textures with funk, jazz and soul influences. Also appearing on this nation's 140th birthday will be experimental pop royalty Sean Lennon and four-time Maples Blues Award recipient drummer/singer Maureen Brown.
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