JAZZ.FM91

Jairus Sharif @ The Music Gallery
2023-06-14 20:00 (America/Toronto) | The Music Gallery, 918 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON, M5R 3G5
Jairus Sharif and Mustafa Rafiq, along with local artists Marilyn Yogarajah, Subsume, and Adrian Russouw, join us for a personal, wild-hearted tribute to the potential of improvised music.
For the final Emergents show of the year, we delve into the expressive energy of freely improvised sound.
Mohkinstsis/Calgary-based multi-instrumentalist, improviser, composer and producer Jairus Sharif creates music that deals with healing, self-understanding, and personal freedom, forging connections between hip-hop abstraction, mysticism, and outsider jazz. Following the fall 2022 release of his latest album Water & Tools, Sharif will join the Music Gallery for an improvised set alongside Edmonton-based fellow sonic explorer Mustafa Rafiq, navigating themes generated by the duo.
Opening the evening are local improvisers Marilyn Yogarajah, Subsume, and Adrian Russouw, performing together as a trio for the very first time in a freely-improvised set for trumpet, bass, and live electronics.
Part of the Emergents series, curated by Sara Constant.

Heather Christine Big Birthday Show @ Freetimes Cafe
2023-06-11 19:00 - 22:00 | Free Times Cafe, 320 College St, Toronto, ON, M5T 1S3
Join vocalist Heather Christine for an exciting evening of Cabaret & Jazz at her “Big Birthday Show” on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at Freetimes Café in Toronto. Featured guests include Jazz Vocalist Donovan Locke, Peter Hill and Matt Zaddy.
Enjoy a colourful mix of Heather’s all-time favourite Jazz standards, beloved classics and original songs. The show begins at 7pm guests are welcome to come for dinner and enjoy the delicious Jewish and Middle East fare. Tickets are $15 at the door or $10 in advance on Eventbrite.
Sing, laugh, dance and enjoy the free cake at this celebration!
Freetimes Café is located at 320 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 1S3, (416) 967-1078. Email hcb@rogers.com for more details.

Live Music: Jenna Marie
2023-06-11 17:00 - 21:00 | Distillery District, 2 Trinity St, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Join us every weekend in Trinity Square for live Jazz and Blues all summer long! Performers to be announced weekly.
Entertainment schedule for the remainder of June:
Thursday June 8
5:00PM – 9:00PM Trash Panda Brass Band
Friday June 9
5:00PM – 9:00PM Serafin LaRiviere
Saturday June 10
5:00PM – 9:00PM Mandy Goodhandy
Sunday June 11
5:00PM – 9:00PM Jenna Marie
Friday June 16th
4:00pm- 7:30pm Julian Fauth Quintet
Saturday June 17th
1:00 pm -4:00 pm Dixie Demons
4:30 pm – 7:30 pm Denis Keldie Experience
Sunday June 18th
1:00 pm -4:00 pm Richard Underhill
4:30 pm – 7:30 pm Queen Pepper
Friday June 23rd
4:00pm- 7:30pm Eliana Cuevas
Saturday June 17th
1:00 pm -4:00 pm TBA
4:30 pm – 7:30 pm Sean Bellaviti
Sunday June 25th
1:00 pm -4:00 pm Linda Carone Lemon Twist
4:30 pm – 7:30 pm Christopher Plock Band

Jenna Marie @ the Distillery
2023-06-11 17:00 - 21:00 | Distillery District, 2 Trinity St, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Jazz Rangers @ the Port Credit Legion
2023-06-11 14:00 - 16:00 | Port Credit Legion (Branch 82), 35 Front Street North, Mississauga, Canada
Another afternoon of jazz with the team and some special featured guests!

Fifth Element @ Hirut Cafe & Restaurant
2023-06-10 20:00 - 22:00 | Hirut Cafe, 2050 Danforth Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M4C 1J6, Canada
On Saturday, June 10th from 8:00 to 10:00 pm Fifth Element jazz quintet will make its debut at Hirut Cafe & Restaurant, renowned for hosting performances by many of Toronto’s top jazz musicians. Join Dave Coules (tenor sax), Jack Gelbloom (piano), Glenn Anderson (drums), Nina Richmond (vocals) and guest bassist, Brendan Davis, for a wonderful evening listening to Dave Coules’ arrangements of music from The Great American Songbook and more. Enjoy drinks and a delicious Ethiopian dinner. Cover $15 cash. Hirut is located at 2050 Danforth Avenue (just west of Woodbine). There is street parking nearby and the Woodbine subway station is just steps away. Hirut is an intimate setting so please reserve your table soon by calling 647-779-1986.

Next Wave Jazz Series feat. HUGE @ BSMT254
2023-06-10 19:00 | BSMT254, 254 254 Lansdowne Avenue, Toronto, ON, M6H 3X9
The Next Wave Jazz Series highlights young, up & coming musical talent in downtown Toronto for those who like to stay ahead of the curve.
In this – the 4th instalment of the series – our curator Jon Catanus brings HUGE to our stage …
They’re a musical group comprised of some of Toronto’s finest young artists & musicians. Each member is well-recognized in the downtown scene for their own individual & collective projects. While they vary greatly in style, what makes HUGE stand out is how these disparate parts seamlessly come together to create truly unique sound that – simply put – works.
With influences spanning from the Bee Gees to Thundercat, HUGE ultimately plays music that you just have to move to.
HUGE is:
Amelia Northey-Taylor on vocals
Daniel Bado on guitar
Jen Lo on keys
Gabriela Laconsay on bass
Mitch Milley on drums
TICKETS:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/next-wave-jazz-series-feat-huge-tickets-637842452947

Mandy Goodhandy @ Distillery District
2023-06-10 17:00 - 21:00 | Distillery District, 2 Trinity St, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TONE: Badge Époque Ensemble, Ben LaMar Gay
2023-06-09 20:00 - 23:30 | Nineteen Seventy Eight, 1978 Dundas St W, Toronto, Ontario, M6R 1W6, Canada
Two celebrated labels meet in the next TONE event on June 9 at the Great Hall, as artists from Telephone Explosion and International Anthem take the stage. From Mas Aya and Pantayo to Joseph Shabason and Bernice, Toronto-based Telephone Explosion has quickly become an epicentre in the network of local music. Founded in Chicago in 2014, International Anthem has similarly built a reputation as a source for “adventurous yet curiously accessible releases” (Pitchfork), making this union with Telephone Explosion through TONE feel quite natural.
Featured on June 9, Toronto’s Badge Époque Ensemble (Telephone Explosion) teases and pulls myriad psychedelic textures into beautifully distilled grooves. Their appearance at TONE marks the first celebration of 2022 release Clouds of Joy, described in Exclaim! as a “musical, emotional euphoria to be felt and witnessed.” Cornettist and composer Ben LaMar Gay’s lauded 2021 release, Open Arms to Open Us (International Anthem), considered among the best albums of 2021 by The Wire and Bandcamp, was described by Pitchfork as “a remarkable piece of musical pathfinding, sprawling in its ambition and surprisingly precise in its attack.” Gay’s work offers an orchestral prowess that summons sweeping unison swells, hip hop beats bathed in brass, dirge-like incantations of the timeless now, and more. Toronto-based Masahiro Takahashi (Telephone Explosion) rounds out the program with the warm nostalgia of his minimalist pop creations. Hear what makes the two labels nodes for experimental sound.
Tickets: $20 Adv / $25 Door, All Ages

Continenza Jazz @ the Acton Town Hall
2023-06-09 19:00 - 22:00 | Acton Town Hall Centre, 19 Willow Street North, Acton, ON
An evening of live music featuring the soulful stylings of local favourite, Continenza Jazz. Experience the soulful sounds of Continenza Jazz! This jazz ensemble will transport you to the golden age of jazz with smooth melodies and expert musicianship. From classic standards to modern interpretations, their performances are a true celebration of the genre. Whether you’re a jazz aficionado or new to the scene, you won’t want to miss this!
This is a Fundraising Event for Heritage Acton. All donations will go towards the maintenance of our beautiful Acton Town Hall Centre.

Serafin LaRiviere @ the Distillery
2023-06-09 17:00 - 21:00 | Distillery District, 2 Trinity St, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TONE: Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog
2023-06-07 20:00 - 23:30 | The Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. W, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H3, Canada
On June 7 at the Great Hall TONE audiences will experience guitarist and composer Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog. A contemporary troubadour, Ribot has produced numerous recordings and collaborated with or contributed to the works of Tom Waits, Caetano Veloso, Solomon Burke, and Ceu, to name a few. Ribot’s ensemble includes drummer Ches Smith (who has played with everyone from Xiu Xiu to John Zorn) and bassist Shahzad Ismaily (a collaborator of Yoko Ono, Laurie Anderson, Ben Frost, and others). Ceramic Dog brings a sonic fury tempered by rich timbres, effervescent instrumentals that whisper a nascent hopefulness, all bridged by delicate song craft. Also featured on June 7 is Andy Moor (of the Ex) who ventures into the wide atmospherics of his textured guitar playing. Toronto-based Adversarial Networks (Caleb Klager, Chris Pruden, Luan Phung, and David Lipson) will bring all the qualities of a 60s radio lab creating science fictional worlds, sweetened by shimmering guitar tones and engrossing ensemble play.
Tickets: $25 Adv / $30 Door

Advocats Big Band @ The Duke
2023-06-05 19:45 - 22:15 | The Duke Live, 1225 Queen Street East, Toronto, Canada
Join the Advocats Big Band for another instalment of first-Monday-of-the-month big band jazz at The Duke Toronto on Monday, June 5th from 7:45 to 10:15 pm. We plan to devote time to playing music in memory of and in tribute to our founder and former leader, Henry Gluch, who passed away on March 12th. We have tons of great music to share with you. The Duke Toronto is located at 1225 Queen Street East at Leslie on the southwest corner. There is parking onsite and nearby, plus the Queen streetcar stops right in front! $15 cash cover. We encourage you to call 416-466-2624 soon to reserve your table!

Red Hot Ramble @ Distillery District
2023-06-04 16:30 - 19:30 | Distillery District, 2 Trinity St, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Join us for Live Jazz in Trinity Square June 2nd – June 4th.
Friday June 2 4:30-7:30pm Occipinti’s Grooveyard
Saturday June 3 1:00pm – 4:00pm Trash Panda & 4:30-7:30pm Queen Pepper
Sunday June 4 1:00pm – 4:00pm Danny Marks Blues revue & 4:30-7:30pm Red Hot Ramble

JudyBlue Anderson at Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre
2023-06-04 14:00 - 16:00 | Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre, 247 Ricardo Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0
The exhibit in the Joyner Gallery of Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre features the JudyBlue Anderson’s new body of abstract works that explores impressions of what rests unseen ‘under the sea’. The paintings portray the human-made tension in the rhythms of nature on man-made debris left by shipwrecks.
Join us on Sunday, June 4th from 2:00-4:00 p.m. for an opening reception and an opportunity to meet the artist in person. Admire the mixed media works over nibbles and refreshments with other art appreciators. Remarks at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Danny Marks Blues Revue @ Distillery District
2023-06-04 13:00 - 16:00 | Distillery District, 2 Trinity St, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Queen Pepper @ Distillery District
2023-06-03 16:30 - 19:30 | Distillery District, 2 Trinity St, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Trash Panda @ Distillery District
2023-06-03 13:00 - 16:00

TONE: RAWL, Naomi McCarroll-Butler, Unguent
2023-06-02 20:00 - 23:30 | Tibet Street Records, 102 Ossington Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M6J 2Z4, Canada
This year’s festival opens on June 2 at Tibet Street Records with a night of instrumental dynamism. “In the rarefied, underground world of experimental free improvisation,” writes the Washington Post of TONE’s first headliner, “saxophonist Jack Wright is King.” Wright performs with longtime collaborator Evan Lipson (bassist), Ben Bennett (drummer and noteworthy YouTuber), and Zach Darrup (guitarist). The ensemble explores more widely the pointed and pixelated qualities of Wright’s work, characterized by dense seismic passages contrasted with more subtle exhalations of sound. The concert also features the mercurial artistry of local multi-instrumentalist Naomi McCarroll Butler, and Unguent whose raw minimalist electronics ruminate and recalibrate in countless layered permutations.
Tickets: $12 Adv / $15 Door, All Ages

TONE: Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog
2023-06-02 20:00 - 23:30 | The Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. W, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H3, Canada
This year’s TONE festival opens on June 2 at Tibet Street Records with a night of instrumental dynamism. “In the rarefied, underground world of experimental free improvisation,” writes the Washington Post of TONE’s first headliner, “saxophonist Jack Wright is King.” Wright performs with longtime collaborator Evan Lipson (bassist), Ben Bennett (drummer and noteworthy YouTuber), and Zach Darrup (guitarist). The ensemble explores more widely the pointed and pixelated qualities of Wright’s work, characterized by dense seismic passages contrasted with more subtle exhalations of sound. The concert also features the mercurial artistry of local multi-instrumentalist Naomi McCarroll Butler, and Unguent whose raw minimalist electronics ruminate and recalibrate in countless layered permutations.
Tickets: $12 Adv / $15 Door, All Ages

Occhipintis Grooveyard @ Distillery District
2023-06-02 16:30 - 19:30 | Distillery District, 2 Trinity St, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Cassatt - McNicoll @ The AGO
2023-05-31 - 2023-09-05 | Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON, M5T 1G4
This groundbreaking exhibition brings together for the first time the work of two extraordinary women Impressionist painters, Mary Cassatt (American, 1844-1926) and Helen McNicoll (Canadian, 1879-1915). Renowned for their depictions of modern womanhood, their work had a profound impact on the development and proliferation of Impressionism in North America.
This original and eye-opening exhibition draws upon the AGO’s significant collection of McNicoll works and it is the first in Canadian history to centre Cassatt’s paintings and works on paper. Educated in Philadelphia and Montreal, Cassatt and McNicoll both left North America for Europe in their early 20s to study and pursue art professionally. Cassatt was an original member of the Impressionist movement in Paris, and a generation later, McNicoll contributed to the movement’s evolution and spread around the globe.
Curated by Caroline Shields, Curator of European Art at the AGO, and showcasing more than 65 artworks including paintings, prints and sketch books, this innovative exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated publication.

Sound of Jazz: A Celebration of Nimmons 'N' 100
2023-05-30 19:00 - 22:00 | Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Canada
jazz.fm91 welcomes you to the final edition of the 46th annual Sound of Jazz Concert Series. For this evening, we’ll celebrate the living legend Phil Nimmons. This Canadian jazz clarinetist, composer, bandleader, and educator is known for his free jazz and mainstream styles. He received the first-ever Juno Award given in the jazz category for his album Atlantic Suite and has composed more than 400 pieces of music across the board. The Nimmons Tribute Band will lead the celebration on this special evening marking his upcoming centenary.
To learn more about Phil Nimmons, go to philnimmons.ca. In fact, you can leave him a special birthday message, or tell him about your memory of studying with him, or playing music with him. jazz.fm91 will read some of these messages during the concert, hosted by Heather Bambrick.
Tickets are general admission and do not guarantee seating. To reserve a table, please call Lula Lounge at -416-588-0307 or reserve online at lula.ca/reservations. PLEASE NOTE: Dinner begins at 6:30 PM day of the show.
jazz.fm91’s Sound of Jazz Concert Series is brought to you in part by Don Valley North Lexus and Remenyi House of Music.

Twilight Jazz Series: Bossas & Ballads – Sundar Quartet
2023-05-28 18:00 - 21:00 | Mahtay Café & Lounge, 241 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, Canada
This show will focus on the bossa nova compositions of Antonio Carlos Jobim and ballads and blues by Duke Ellington, two composers/musicians who are heavy influences on the way Sundar thinks about melody and harmony. The music is highly lyrical and grooving!
Presented by the TD Niagara Jazz Festival in partnership with the Mahtay Cafe and co-sponsored by DPLU Music.

Advocats Big Band @ Old Mill Toronto
2023-05-27 18:00 | The Old Mill Toronto, 21 Old Mill Road, Toronto, Canada
The Advocats Big Band is returning to Old Mill Toronto on Saturday, May 27th for a delightful evening of dinner and dancing. We will be playing a variety of music that will get you kicking up your heels on the dancefloor all evening! Doors open at 6:00 pm and we will entertain you from 8:00 to 11:30 pm. Reservations are a must for this event. Here is the link to book your table: oldmilltoronto.com/event/the-advocats/

Jazz Rangers at the Kingsway's The Business Barber
2023-05-27 12:00 - 14:00 | The Business Barbershop, 2982 Bloor St W, Etobicoke, Ontario, M8X 1B9, Canada
Early afternoon jazz in the barbershop. Come by for a drink in the fully licensed facility, get a trim or just enjoy the music.

Klout's Jazz Pop-up ft. Ori Dagan and Nathan Hiltz @ Gastro Market
2023-05-25 19:00 - 22:00 | Gastro Market, 193 King Street East, Hamilton, ON, L8N 1B3
Beyond Jazz is a monthly, pop-up, live jazz and culinary experience brought to you by Klout Entertainment. For the upcoming May pop-up, guests will be treated to a tantalizing tapas menu expertly crafted by the talented chefs of Gastro Market. They can indulge in creative cocktails while being serenaded by the smooth voice of Ori Dagan and uplifting guitar strumming of Nathan Hiltz.
As part of Klout Entertainment’s commitment to giving back, a portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Hamilton Children’s Hospital. Additionally, attendees will have the chance to win exciting door prizes. Seating is limited, so secure your tickets now to ensure your spot at this unforgettable experience.

Kirke Karja Trio & more @ Estonian Music Week 2023
2023-05-25 18:30 | St Anne’s Anglican Church, 270 Gladstone, Toronto, ON
A young visionary from Estonia meets Toronto jazz fixtures at the historic St. Anne’s Church: Kirke Karja Trio, Tania Gill Quartet & Marilyn Lerner/Matt Brubeck Duo.
Kirke Karja Trio: groundbreaking experimental improvisers
The Trio is lead by the vigorous and awarded Estonian pianist Kirke Karja. Together with German bassist Felix Henkelhausen and German drummer Ludwig Wandinger they focus on extended techniques, elements from free improvisation and contemporary composition. The trio gets their inspiration from old creepy silent films and broken machines.
Kirke Karja: piano (Estonia)
Felix Henkelhausen: double bass (Germany)
Ludwig Wandinger: drums (Germany)
Tania Gill Quartet: lyrical/wild avant-jazz
Tania Gill (piano)
Lina Allemano (trumpet)
Rob Clutton (bass)
Nico Dann (drums)
Pianist and composer Tania Gill’s name will undoubtedly be familiar to anyone that’s been keeping a close eye on Toronto’s jazz and experimental scenes over the past two decades. She has worked with numerous musicians including The Brodie West Quintet, The Titillators, Steve Reich, and The Weather Station. The Tania Gill Quartet is a primary vehicle for her writing and playing. The group launched their debut Bolger Station (Barnyard Records) in 2010 to numerous accolades including a nomination for ‘debut album of the year’ in The Village Voice jazz critics’ poll, and a spot on The Globe and Mail’s top 10 discs of the year. Their 2022 recording Disappearing Curiosities, mines Gill’s polar fascinations—pensive lyricism and playful angularity, with compositions ranging from thoughtfully melodic to wildly edgy. Of it, the Wire says, “her subtly coruscating second release as leader is a revelation.”
Marilyn Lerner & Matt Brubeck Duo: piano cello sound sculpture
Jazz pianist/improviser Marilyn Lerner performs to acclaim internationally, from her native Montreal to Havana, from Jerusalem to Amsterdam and the Ukraine. Her musical career has been marked by a deep exploration of traditional and free jazz, new music tinged improvisation, and Ashkenazic folk music.
Lerner performs and records with her two jazz trios, Ugly Beauties with Matt Brubeck and Nick Fraser and Lerner/Filiano/Grassi and accompanies silent films at the Toronto Bell Lightbox Theatre in Toronto.
Matt Brubeck is a JUNO award -winning performer/composer/educator specializing in improvisation on the cello. Raised on jazz and classically trained at Yale, Matt is at ease in multiple genres and has taken his cello improvisation skills into diverse musical territories.

Gin & Jazz with Fifth Element at Reid's Distillery
2023-05-24 20:00 - 22:30 | Reid’s Distillery, 32 Logan Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M4M 2M8, Canada
With two sold-out shows behind us, Fifth Element jazz quintet is delighted to be returning to Reid’s Distillery. Join us for Gin & Jazz on Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 from 8:00 to 10:15 pm (doors open at 6:30). Enjoy fabulous drinks and delicious snacks (charcuterie, cheese, humus and pita) while band leader Dave Coules (tenor sax and arranger), Glenn Anderson (drums), Ron Johnston (bass), Jack Gelbloom (piano) and Nina Richmond (vocals) entertain you with music from The Great American Songbook and more. Reid’s Distillery is located at 32 Logan Avenue, between Eastern Ave and Lakeshore Blvd. Tickets are $10 (all proceeds go to the band).
Reserve your table online at reidsdistillery.com/pages/gin-jazz-concert-series. See you there!

The Past Is Never Far at the Rivoli
2023-05-24 19:00 - 22:00 | Rivoli, 334 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, M5V 2A2
Photographer and Artist Summer Leigh exhibits her works of history and present day represented in her project, ‘The Past Is Never Far’ being held in the front room of Toronto’s Rivoli.
Music by Heather Luckhart and Josh Piche
