Less than two months after signing off the air at JAZZ.FM91, Toronto’s Ambassador of Jazz Jaymz Bee is paying it forward with a benefit concert on Wednesday, October 16 at Koerner Hall in support of the station.
The former host of Jazz in the City and Jazz Gone Wild left JAZZ.FM91 in July after a storied 22-year career to pursue his growing career in filmmaking full-time. However, he’s using his talents to produce and curate Jaymz Bee presents THANK YOU JAZZ.FM91, a night of vibrant, local jazz with proceeds going back to the station. “I love the station and want to continue to help make sure it thrives,” Bee expressed in an interview. “I thought wouldn’t it be nice to do a big show (like Jazz Lives) where I take the risk and JAZZ.FM91 gets the money?”
The night will open with “Music from the Secret Agents,” a tribute to James Bond and other iconic tunes featuring the likes of Irene Torres, Adam James, John Finley, Serafin LaRiviere, Gavin Hope, Simone Denny, and Queen Mary (formerly Queen Pepper). The concert will also be the album release of vocalist Genevieve Marentette’s Songs of ’69, an album of hit songs from 1969 recorded with a contemporary jazz flair.
“My connection with JAZZ.FM91 goes way back—right to the old building, where I volunteered as a Humber student, working events, doing voiceovers, and of course, many unforgettable Jazz Safaris and fundraising events and shows,” she says, “I’m so thrilled that Jaymz is making my album release part of his efforts to give back to the station that means so much to all of us.”
Other artists include the night’s house band of notable local musicians such as Michael Shand (piano), Eric St-Laurent (guitar), George Koller (bass), Ben Wittman (drums), Alison Young (saxophone), and Bill McBirnie (flute).
Jaymz Bee presents THANK YOU JAZZ.FM91 takes place on Wednesday, October 16 at 7pm at Koerner Hall. Tickets are on sale now and available here.