Toronto Jazz Festival preview: June 25th-July 4nd
June 13th, 2010 by Alex | Co-Editor
The Toronto Jazz Festival is coming up soon and this year has a particularly exciting line-up from both local and international acts, at affordable prices ranging from free to $40 for the main shows, and a bit more for the concert hall shows. But what should you see? Read on to find out BlogUT’s picks for the best shows to see each day and keep your eyes peeled on BlogUT for upcoming interviews with Alex Pangman, Hiromi, and Joshua Redman. We’ll also be posting reviews of the shows during the festival.
June 25th - 3PM, The Hogtown Syncopators @ The Rex (no cover); 5PM, Alex Pangman & Her Alleycats @ Nathan Phillips Square (FREE)
The Hogtown Syncopators specialize in that old 1930s/1940s swing sound and they are darn good at it. But the real reason to check them out is to see the amazing virtuoso violinist, saxophonist, and singer, Drew Jurecka, one of Toronto’s most treasured musicians. I saw him perform with Alex Pangman & Her Alleycats in early June and was floored by his talent. His best instrument is the violin, but if you had only heard him play sax, it would be nothing to complain about. The Hogtown Syncopator’s lead singer can also belt it out and is worth a see. You can check them out on YouTube. Check out Alex Pangman & Her Alleycats at Nathan Phillips Square at 5PM for a free concert, and be transported back to the 1920s-40s for a wonderful good time. Keep your eyes peeled for our BlogUT interview with Alex Pangman.
June 26th – 8PM, Herbie Hancock and Brandi Disterheft @ Nathan Phillips Square ($60)
This should be an all-star show with the great jazz pianist Herbie Hancock. Check out our interview with Brandi Disterheft from the 2009 festival. You can buy your tickets online at Ticketmaster
June 28th 8PM Stanley Clarke Band featuring Hiromi @ Nathan Phillips Square ($40); or Hilario Duran Big Band at the Enwave Theatre @ 7PM ($35)
You can buy your tickets at Ticketmaster or at the door if you arrive early. Head to Nathan Phillips Square for an evening of world-class musical talent, which is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Stanley Clarke is an amazing virtuoso jazz and jazz fusion bassist, equally comfortable on the electric bass, the acoustic bass, and playing with a bow. Jazz pianist Hiromi is an amazing young pianist to hit the jazz scene with extraordinary technique and musicality. Check back at BlogUT for our interview with Hiromi and review of her album “Jazz in the Garden” with the Stanley Clarke Trio. Or you can catch Toronto resident jazz pianist, Hilario Duran and his Big Band at the Enwave Theatre, for some latin jazz, which should be a good show, also.
June 28th @ 9:45PM Sophia Perlman and the Vipers @ the Reservoir Lounge (no cover)
Local jazz singer Sophia Perlman plays every Monday night at the Reservoir Lounge at 9:45PM, and the jazz festival will be no exception. Sofia Perlman has a wonderful raspy voice that’s sure to please with her repertoire of jazz standards. This is certainly a cheaper option and the music will still be most excellent.
June 29th – Dave Brubeck at Koerner Hall @ 8PM ($50-75)
Check out jazz pianist Dave Brubeck at Koerner Hall; the price is a bit steep but it’s worth it to see this master at work. Check out my reviews of his shows at the 2008 and 2009 jazz festivals. Advanced tickets are available through the RCM website
June 30th – James Farm Band at the Enwave Theatre @ 7PM ($40); Keith Jarrett Trio at the Four Seasons Opera Centre ($50-120) @ 8PM.
The best bet on the 30th is to check out the James Farm Band featuring Joshua Redman at the Enwave theatre @ 7PM, for $40. Keep your eyes peeled for an interview with Joshua Redman on BlogUT. For those of you with a bit more money to spend, and believe me, it’s worth it, you can check out the amazing Keith Jarrett Trio for an unforgettable concert (tickets $50-$120) at the Four Seasons Centre; read the review of the Trio’s 2007 concert on BlogUT.
July 1st - Roy Hargrove Big Band at Koerner Hall @ 8PM ($40-60); Quarrington, Taft, Murata at the Dominion on Queen @ 8PM ($10 cover)
Jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove is always fun to see and you can see him in the beautiful Koerner Hall for a reasonable price, too! Check out BlogUT’s review of Hargrove’s last performance at the jazz festival in 2008 and head to the RCM Website for advanced tickets . Or check out our very own local jazz musicians, singer Beverly Taft, violinist San Murata, and the great guitarist Tony Quarrington for a nice blend of standards at the Dominion on Queen. They play regularly throughout the year and are definitely worth checking out.
July 2nd – Terry Clarke Trio with Phil Dwyer and Don Thomson at Trane Studio @ 8PM ($15)
I’ve seen Clarke, Dwyer, and Thomson perform several times before, back when the Top of the Senator was still around, and it’s always a treat to watch them jam. They are a talented, high energy group that will surely have you tapping your feet. Support local artists and see this great show! Check them out on MySpace and get your tickets through Ticketmaster.
July 3rd – Saturday Night Swing at Dovercourt House ($9-13 for students) @ 7PM
Check out the swing music and learn how to swing dance with a lesson for a very reasonable price.
July 4th – Jane Bunnett at Shops at Don Mills @ 12:30PM (Free)
Check out Torontonian Jazz soprano saxophonist and flutist Jane Bunnett, one of Toronto’s best, who will entertain you with a bit of a latin flare.
