New York-based saxophonist Irwin Hall is coming back to Toronto to record his debut album at the Jazz Bistro — and it marks the first time the iconic venue will be the locale of a live recording.
Hall’s talents have taken him around the world as a featured soloist in Melody Gardot’s touring band, and he’s also shared the stage with stars like Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jazzmeia Horn and Theo Croker.
Veteran engineer Danny Greenspoon will record Hall and his Toronto-based quartet at the Jazz Bistro on Thursday, Dec. 5.
That backing band is pianist Ewen Farncombe, bassist Ben Dwyer and drummer Davide Corazza. The group first played together when Hall visited the city in January, and Hall said there was an instant spark that made them want to make a recording.
“They blew me out of the water. They sounded so great,” he said. “We had so much fun playing music, and we said man, we have to get this recorded. There’s so much magic and chemistry here.”
The show will also be the “swan song” of Sybil Walker, who is retiring at the end of the year after spending 30 years presenting live jazz in Toronto.
“I believe Irwin Hall is a very special talent, as are the members of this trio,” Walker said. “[I’m] inviting lovers of jazz, and especially of live music, to support this exciting recording.”
Walker has launched an IndieGogo campaign with a fundraising goal of $10,000 to cover the costs involved in producing the record.