JAZZ.FM91

TD Niagara Jazz Festival 2023
2023-07-15 - 2023-07-23 | Ontario
The TD Niagara Jazz Festival presents the finest Canadian and internationally acclaimed jazz musicians by way of spectacular concerts, wine, craft beer and other events.
This year’s festival includes performances by…

Laila Biali
Alex Pangman
David Friedman Quartet
Cinnamon Jones and the Quincy Bullen Trio
Randy Stirtzinger Trio

…and more!
For details, go to niagarajazzfestival.com.

Sun Life UpTown Waterloo Jazz Festival 2023
2023-07-21 - 2023-07-24 | Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival, 100 Regina St. S, Waterloo, Canada
The Sun Life Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival is an annual 3-day FREE music festival held in Waterloo, Ontario, encouraging all genres of jazz. In 2023, we invite you to our 30th season where we look forward to entertaining more than 20,000 enthusiastic festival goers!
The 30th annual Sun Life UpTown Waterloo Jazz Festival runs July 21-23 and brings world-class music to the region.
The festival features notable local and internationally known Canadian performers. This year’s festival features Alex Cuba, Jesse Cook, Sammy Jackson, the Barbra Lica Quintet, the 3D Jazz Trio and more.
Admission is FREE! The stage is beside Waterloo City Hall.
For details, go to waterloojazzfest.com.

Aeolian Jazz & Musical Arts Festival 2023
2023-08-13 - 2023-08-20 | Aeolian Hall, 795 Dundas St., London, Ontario, N5W 2Z6, Canada
Celebrating jazz. The Music. The arts. The feeling.
The Aeolian Jazz & Musical Arts Festival is back for 2023!
Featuring performances by Molly Johnson, Monkey House, Laila Biali, Sammy Jackson, Eliana Cuevas, Holly Cole and more.

Prince Edward County Jazz Festival 2023
2023-08-15 - 2023-08-21 | Ontario
Every summer, the Prince Edward County Jazz Festival brings together top jazz talent, from local heroes to international stars in our beautiful wine-country setting.
This year’s festival includes performances by…

Big Smoke Brass
Alison Young Quintet
Virginia MacDonald & Todd Marcus Quintet
Marc Jordan Quintet
Caity Gyorgy Quartet
Hilario Durán Trio

The main stage shows will be taking place in the beautiful space at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Picton. Rich in history, with timeless acoustics, this venue is air-conditioned, accessible, has cushioned seating ​and is located centrally to many of the festival’s other events and concerts.
For details, go to pecjazz.org.

TD Markham Jazz Festival 2023
2023-08-18 - 2023-08-21 | Main Street Unionville, Main Street, Unionville, Ontario, Canada
Discover pure gold at TDMJF 2023! Grammy winners, Juno winners, special tributes, jive, blues, big bands, modern – we’ve got it and it’s all free! Experience the joy of jazz as you sip, shop and stroll along charming Main Street in Unionville, in the heart of Markham.
Enjoy performances by Catherine Russell, the Matthew Stevens Trio, OKAN, Brian Barlow & Laila Biali, Avataar, the Nimmons Tribute, Barbra Lica, Alex Bird & The Jazz Mavericks, and many more.

Port Hope Jazz
2023-08-25 - 2023-08-28 | Ontario
Port Hope Jazz has been a showcase for Canadian talent for over 15 years, offering live Canadian music to the Port Hope community as well as visitors from across Ontario. Mark your calendar for the final weekend of August for the annual Port Hope Jazz event.
Enjoy performances by Jocelyn Barth, Shannon Butcher, Jack de Keyzer, Colleen Allen, Bernie Senensky, Whitney Ross-Barris, and more.

Olcott Beach Jazz Trail - 2023
2023-09-03 12:00 - 20:30 (America/Toronto) | Olcott Beach, 5965 E Main St, Olcott, NY, NY, 14126-9541, United States
Performers include the Heather Bambrick Quintet, Danny Hull and Friends, Tres Mais, the Brendan Lanighan Octet, and the Western New York Big Band.

World of Jazz Festival 2023
2023-09-09 - 2023-09-11 | Ontario
The World of Jazz Festival, presented by B-Jazzed, is proud to celebrate its 7th annual festival, hosting more than 100 musicians performing over two days in downtown Brampton.
Featuring community events, late-night jazz jams, and two stages of non-stop music.
Visit worldofjazz.ca for a full festival schedule and more information.

The Maple Blues Band With Special Guests: Harrison Kennedy and Quisha Wint @ the Regent Theatre
2023-09-15 21:00 - 23:59 | Regent Theatre Oshawa, 50 King St E, Oshawa
Founded by and featuring key members of the ever-popular Downchild Blues Band!
It all began at a Toronto Blues Society meeting following the 1998 Maple Blues Awards. Gary Kendall, band leader, told all present that the music that accompanied the award presentations should be better. The come back was “Let’s see what you can do”. It must be working because the band has been the centre piece of the Maple Blues Awards ever since.
At inception twenty-four years ago, Kendall knew the ball was in his hands and that he had to make it good; really good. He wanted a big band that could play all the blues styles, Delta Blues, Southside Chicago Blues, New Orleans Funk, Uptown Blues, Zydeco, Blues Rock and most of all Canadian Blues. Over the years the musicians that have contributed to making this dream possible all rose to the occasion lending their talent, support and high level of musicianship.
With Special Guests: Harrison Kennedy and Quisha Wint.

Hungry 4 Hammond at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
2023-09-23 19:00 - 22:30 | Recital Hall, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St Paul St, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2R 3M2, Canada
On Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, Niagara’s music community lost an amazing musician. Peter Shea, co-founder of the TD Niagara Jazz Festival, lost his hard-fought battle with cancer.
This September, the TD Niagara Jazz Festival explores the world of the Hammond B3 organ — an instrument near and dear to Peter’s heart. Hungry 4 Hammond’s tribute performance will feature renowned artists Donnybrook and The Tonewheels on Saturday, Sept. 23, in the Recital Hall at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. Showtime is 7 p.m.

Fall for Dance North 2023
2023-09-26 - 2023-10-08 | Ontario
Fall for Dance North is Toronto’s premier professional international dance festival that exists to break boundaries and remove barriers.
The 9th annual festival will be held between Sept. 26 and Oct. 7 in Toronto.
Six mainstage events featuring more than 19 professional Canadian and international companies have been announced and are on sale now. Plus, additional programming includes free performances, digital streams, workshops and artist talks.

Etobicoke Jazz Festival 2023
2023-09-28 - 2023-10-02 | Crooked Cue, 3056 Bloor St. W, Etobicoke, Ontario, M8X 1C4, Canada
The Etobicoke Jazz Festival returns with four nights of great musical talent, including the Laila Biali Trio, the Ale Nunez Quintet, Queen Pepper & Alison Young, the Lorne Lofsky Trio, the Hilario Durán Sextet, Oakland Stroke, and more.

Orillia Jazz Festival 2023
2023-10-12 - 2023-10-16 | Orillia Opera House, 20 Mississaga St W, Orillia, Ontario, L3V 3A6, Canada
Arts Orillia presents the 2023 Orillia Jazz Festival, a four-day celebration featuring performances by Holly Cole, Lance Anderson, World Jazz Asylum, William Sperendei, Quammie Williams, Simon Wallis, Brassworks, and more.

ES:MO Quartet @ The Gasworks
2023-10-12 20:00 - 22:30 | The Gasworks, 141 Park Street N, Hamilton, ON, L8R 2N4, Canada
The Hamilton Music Collective presents its 2023 jazz concert series.
Featuring:
Elizabeth Shepherd – Vocals
Michael Occhipinti – Guitar
Felix Pastorius – Bass
Doan Pham – Drums
About ES:MO
Elizabeth Shepherd and Michael Occhipinti (ES:MO) have been featured in each other’s projects for almost a decade, with Elizabeth being the vocalist and pianist for Michael Occhipinti’s The Universe of John Lennon, and Michael touring as the guitarist in Elizabeth’s group promoting her albums Montreal and The Signal.

Celebrating Chet Baker with Franklin Penny
2023-10-14 19:30 - 21:30 | Living Arts Centre, 4141 Living Arts Dr., Mississauga, ON, Ontario, L5B 4B8, Canada
Presented by Franklin Penny.
A Warm, Inviting & Romantic Cabaret featuring trumpet/vocalist Franklin Penny.

“Franklin Penny is the complete package; a showman, a fine musician, a singer with great chops, and astonishingly a nice guy. It doesn’t get better than that!” – DAVID WARRACK Producer, Director, Arranger, Composer, Lyricist, Conductor, Actor, Pianist – Toronto.
Franklin can be seen on-camera performing between Mathew McConaughey, Kate Hudson and Marvin Hamlisch in the Paramount Pictures release ‘How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days’. Franklin is also viewed on-camera in the CBS Television movie ‘Martin & Lewis’ in the Copacabana scene with Sean Hayes as Jerry Lewis and Jeremy Northam as Dean Martin.
The ever popular songs of CHET BAKER always rode the waves of ‘Cool’ West Coast Jazz. The aim is not to imitate or mimic the Chet Baker artistry but rather showcase his wonderful Songbook. This 1st Class Event also features a sensational Sextet including pianist Juno Award Nominee, Film Composer, Education Award Winner – GEORGE BRASOVAN.
Introducing our ‘Special Guest’ SHEILA BRAND- Star Vocalist on London’s West End and Broadway in many major roles including the Lead in Marvin Hamlisch’s ‘They’re Playing Our Song’ with Tom Conti. We are honoured to have Sheila join us for this wonderful evening.

Contact
Box Office
905-306-6000

Omar Kamal at Koerner Hall
2023-10-20 19:30 - 22:30 | Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Canada
Performing with a Toronto all-star big band featuring London based pianist Rob Barron, multiple Juno Award-winners Allison Au, Michael Occhipinti, Roberto Occhipinti, and more. Palestinian singer, composer, and producer Omar Kamal brings together a stunning repertoire of emotional hits for one enchanting evening of standards at Koerner Hall. The pure power of his voice can be felt in his eclectic catalogue and captivating performances, from Sinatra’s croon and to Joe William’s swing.
Omar Kamal has captivated audiences worldwide with his unique blend of jazz, classical, Arabic, and oriental music. His debut album Serenade, produced by Dave Pierce (Michael Bublé, The Frank Sinatra Estate) and Bob Rock (Metallica, Jon Bon Jovi, Aerosmith) in 2017, showcased his versatility and talent as a vocalist and musician. The title track of his second album Show Me the Light reached the UK top 10 chart positions and was followed by an international tour that featured sold out shows at Dubai Opera and Ronnie Scott’s in London.
This evening is dedicated to the memory of Tony Bennett.
Presented in partnership with the Canadian Arabic Orchestra

Joe Sealy & Paul Novotny with Thompson Egbo-Egbo
2023-10-20 19:30 - 22:30 | Trinity Anglican Church, 79 Victoria St., Aurora, Ontario, L4G 1R3, Canada
Toronto-based jazz legend Joe Sealy is joined by long-time collaborator Paul Novotny on bass for a special piano concert supported by Thompson Egbo-Egbo with an opening set. An Order of Canada recipient, Joe Sealy won a Juno Award for his Africville project that captured an enormous piece of Canada’s Black cultural history.

Kind of Blue Revisited @ The Gasworks
2023-10-26 20:00 - 22:30 | The Gasworks, 141 Park Street N, Hamilton, ON, L8R 2N4, Canada
The Hamilton Music Collective presents its 2023 jazz concert series.
Featuring:
Pat LaBarbera – Tenor Saxophone
Nick Morgan – Alto Saxophone
Kevin Turcotte – Trumpet
Mark Eisenman – Piano
Dave Young – Bass
Terry Clarke – Drums
About Kind of Blue
AllMusic senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine stated: “Kind of Blue isn’t merely an artistic highlight for Miles Davis, it’s an album that towers above its peers, a record generally considered as the definitive jazz album, a universally acknowledged standard of excellence. Why does Kind of Blue possess such a mystique? Perhaps because this music never flaunts its genius. … It’s the pinnacle of modal jazz — tonality and solos build from the overall key, not chord changes, giving the music a subtly shifting quality. … It may be a stretch to say that if you don’t like Kind of Blue, you don’t like jazz — but it’s hard to imagine it as anything other than a cornerstone of any jazz collection.”

Mavis Staples @ Koerner Hall
2023-10-28 20:00 - 23:00 | Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Canada
Hailed by NPR as “one of America’s defining voices of freedom and peace,” Mavis Staples is the kind of once-in-a-generation artist whose impact on music and culture would be difficult to overstate. She is a civil rights icon, a multiple Grammy Award winner, a chart-topping soul/gospel/R&B pioneer with her family group The Staple Singers, a member of both the Blues Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a National Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement recipient, and a Kennedy Center honoree. She marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., performed at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, and sang in Barack Obama’s White House. Staples has collaborated with everyone from Prince and Bob Dylan to Arcade Fire and Hozier, blown away countless festivalgoers from Newport Folk and Glastonbury to Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, performed with The Band at The Last Waltz, and graced the airwaves, from major talk shows to Austin City Limits.

'Til I Hear You Sing @ Meridian Arts Centre
2023-11-01 20:00 - 22:30 | Meridian Arts Centre, 5040 Yonge St., Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8, Canada
For over half a century, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music has dazzled audiences. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of variations, two film scores, and a Latin requiem mass. Several of his songs have been widely recorded and were hits outside of their parent musicals, notably “The Music of the Night” and “All I Ask of You” from The Phantom of the Opera, “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” from Jesus Christ Superstar, “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina” from Evita, “Any Dream Will Do” from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and “Memory” from Cats.
In celebration of the Lord Lloyd-Webber’s music, Zac Mansfield has put together a new and improved revue show featuring all of your favourite songs…plus obscure gems from Andrew’s lesser-known shows.
Scaled back to feature stunning vocalists backed by the hauntingly intimate accompaniment of the piano, with anecdotal narrations to enhance your experience and admiration of the Lord Lloyd Webber’s music, this is a show you don’t want to miss.

Ritesh Das @ Al Green Theatre
2023-11-04 19:00 - 22:30 | Koerner Hall
Calcutta-born, Toronto-based tabla maestro Ritesh Das releases his debut solo album, To Begin With, after three decades of heading the acclaimed Toronto Tabla Ensemble, a multi-cultural entity that has been on the map for a while for its cutting edge contemporary fusion.
The 66-year-old percussion maestro has led a fairy-tale life in his shift of roots. As a metaphor for yet another new phase in his life, To Begin With is unlike anything in Das’s storied career.
To Begin With stands out as an epic sequence of cinematic cuts that blend man and machine, balances spirituality and technology, and forms the soundtrack for a globe-trotting adventure film straight out of Das’s boundless imagination.
The performance will feature guest artists Toronto Tabla Ensemble, Japanese Taiko maestro Kiyoshi Nagata and Aki Takahashi, Egyptian vocalist Maryem Hassan Tollar and multi-instrumentalist George Koller.
Don’t miss this one time epic performance at the Al Green Theatre in Toronto!
Since 1991, Das and the TTE have crossed Canada multiple times, and mesmerized audiences in India and Australia with their intricate grooves and modern, high-energy approach. They have released eight original studio albums that have garnered Global Music Awards, Independent Music Awards and Ethnic Media Awards. Their 2020 album Bhumika earned the group a nomination for Best World and Best Instrumental Group at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. Their compositions have been licensed for commercials, films, and as the theme music for CBC Radio’s daily Metro Morning.

Christian McBride's New Jawn @ Koerner Hall
2023-11-04 20:00 - 22:30 | Koerner Hall
“One of the premier musicians of his generation” (DownBeat), eight-time Grammy Award-winning bassist Christian McBride leads an all-star quartet that draws on the powerhouse connection between McBride and drummer Nasheet Waits. The frontline of Josh Evans (trumpet) and Marcus Strickland (sax) soar as they are propelled by one of the world’s greatest rhythm sections with no piano or guitar chords to ground them. One thing is guaranteed, this band will swing!

Tarragon Theatre Presents Withrow Park
2023-11-07 - 2023-12-04 | Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada
Three people gaze out their living room window as the days pass. Across the street in Withrow Park life goes on – or is it a dream?
Then a knock at the door. Time has found them, hiding in plain sight. Or possibly it’s just a man in a wrinkled suit. But they must act, now, or forever be devoured by their own indifference. Logan Avenue awaits, and beyond it, heaven, perhaps. They can no longer live on the periphery of their own lives. They must invite the young man to dinner.
With direction from Jackie Maxwell, and from the mind of Morris Panych, Withrow Park asks what we see in the darkness, and who is watching us from the light.

Tony Monaco @ The Gasworks
2023-11-09 20:00 - 22:30 | The Gasworks, 141 Park Street N, Hamilton, ON, L8R 2N4, Canada
The Hamilton Music Collective presents its 2023 jazz concert series.
Featuring:
Tony Monaco – B3 Organ
Reg Schwager – Guitar
Vito Rezza – Drums
About Tony Monaco
Tony Monaco may be the best organ player you have yet to hear of, flying stealth while playing arguably some of the hottest B-3 around. Mentored by the legendary Jimmy Smith in what is considered the more classic style, Monaco does not swing, smolder or smoke. “Tony Monaco burns is this most fitting!” CriticalJazz Review2012. Tony Monaco began his keyboard life at age eight. When he was twelve, his destiny as a jazz organist was sealed when he first heard Jimmy Smith. An enthusiastic student, Tony began working in Jazz clubs as a teenager in his native Columbus, Ohio, guided by local organ gurus Hank Marr and Don Patterson. Four years later, Jimmy Smith invited Tony to come play at his club in California, a peak lifetime experience for Tony.

Django Festival Allstars @ Koerner Hall
2023-11-10 20:00 - 22:30 | Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Canada
The Django Festival Allstars bring the music of the legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt fully into the 21st century. Their unique, high-energy performances pay tribute to Reinhardt who is considered one of the greatest guitar players of all time. Reinhardt’s driving, swinging style became known as “hot jazz” and it continues to grow in popularity throughout the world, in great part to the success of the Django Festival Allstars, who honour the traditions of the music, adding their own interpretations, arrangements, and original compositions with stunning virtuosity.

Israel Fernández and Seffarine @Koerner Hall
2023-11-11 20:00 - 23:00 | Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Canada
One of the leading voices of a new generation of flamenco cantaors, Israel Fernández draws from the deep well of flamenco to captivate new audiences with its timeless power. Born into a Roma family in Corral de Almaguer (Toledo), he infuses traditional flamenco singing with his own distinctive style.
One of the most recognized flamenco guitarists in recent history, Diego del Morao’s guitar accompaniment has served the most successful artists of the genre, including Diego El Cigala, Niña Pastori, José Mercé, Marina Heredia, Duquende, Antonio Reyes, and even Paco de Lucía.
Seffarine’s music embraces and extends Morocco’s musical collision between Arabic, Iberian, and West African cultures, forging original music deeply rooted in the Arab-Andalusi and flamenco music that vocalist Lamiae Naki and co-composer/oud player/flamenco guitarist Nat Hulskamp meld cohesively into their compositions. The diverse instrumentation of their companions, who hail from Iran, Spain, and the US, charge the sound with texture and colour. They will be joined by bassist Gal Maestro along with flamenco dancer and percussionist Manuel Gutierrez.

The Elvis Goes Jazz Project @ The Westdale
2023-11-17 20:00 - 22:00 | The Westdale Theatre, 1014 King St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 1L4
From Mark Kelso, creator of The Elvis Goes Jazz Project:
In February of 2022, Oliver Vadas (Organizer of the West End Jazz Festival) contacted me regarding playing drums for a project of classic Elvis Presley tunes done in a jazz format. Being an Elvis fan myself, I was intrigued by this possibility. The original arranger had to suddenly remove himself from the project due to a family emergency, so I ended up taking on the arranging duties myself. For the first performance I was able to put together 18 classic Elvis tunes, spanning the 1950’s to the 1970’s, using the big band styles of Frank Sinatra, some New Orleans grooves, and Afro-Cuban rhythms. What an interesting mix! For me, the main focus was to change the songs in a way that would make them interesting to a jazz listener (and the musicians playing) but without being disrespectful to the original songs and melodies. All and all, with these fabulous players, I think we have succeeded in doing just that!
Mark Kelso (drums, leader, arranger), David Statham (lead vocals), Colleen Allen (tenor sax), Michael Occhipinti (guitar), Kevin Turcotte (trumpet), Mike Downes (acoustic bass), Ewen Farncombe (piano), Karen Thornton (host) – Click on Karen’s name for her bio

The Nimmons Tribute @ Aeolian Hall
2023-11-23 20:00 - 22:30 | Aeolian Hall, 795 Dundas St., London, Ontario, N5W 2Z6, Canada
The Nimmons Tribute honours the legacy of Canada’s living jazz legend – The Dean of Canadian jazz – Phil Nimmons O.C., O. Ont. The Nimmons Tribute band features some of Canada’s greatest musicians, many of whom are JUNO Award-winners. The Nimmons Tribute, led by Sean Nimmons-Paterson consists of former students, colleagues, friends, and family, who have come together to celebrate Phil through his music.

Dominique Fils-Aimé @ FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
2023-11-28 19:00 - 22:30 | Recital Hall, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St Paul St, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2R 3M2, Canada
Dominique Fils-Aimé returns to the stage to present her new album ‘Our Roots Run Deep’ slated for release in September 2023 on Ensoul Records. After having explored her African-American musical influences in her album trilogy, this new show invites the audience to delve into the roots of her soul. She manifests a strong desire to connect with her higher self, her musicians along with the audience, with the intention of enveloping the listener in a soothing aural embrace.

Darcy Hepner & Friends @ The Gasworks
2023-11-30 20:00 - 22:30 | The Gasworks, 141 Park Street N, Hamilton, ON, L8R 2N4, Canada
The Hamilton Music Collective presents its 2023 jazz concert series.
Featuring:
Darcy Hepner – Saxes, flute
Ted Quinlan – Guitars
Nancy Walker – Piano
Dave Young – Bass
Ted Warren – Drums
About Darcy Hepner
Born in Edmonton, Alberta and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, he is the son of professional musicians (conductor Lee Hepner and pianist Patricia Rolston). His professional career began as a cellist at the age of 15 and transitioned to flute, clarinet, and saxophone during his studies at McMaster University (BMus 1978). While pursuing jazz studies at the University of Miami he performed with Henry Mancini, BB King, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Mel Tormé and many others (MMUS 1980). Moving to New York City in 1983 he studied composition and saxophone at New York University with Lee Konitz and Bob Mintzer. During his second residency in New York from 1996 to 2005, Hepner toured with Blood, Sweat and Tears, played in Broadway and Off-Broadway shows and in clubs with such artists as Buster Poindexter, Tom Wopat and the Ed Palermo Big Band.
