Mike Downes is respected as one of Canada’s finest jazz musicians. Since his career began in the 1980s he has performed worldwide and been featured on a large discography of Juno-nominated and Juno-winning CDs. He has performed with virtually all of Canada’s top jazz musicians, including Oliver Jones, Diana Krall, PJ Perry and Don Thompson. …
Category: Event Details
Friday & Saturday jazz.
Apr 09
Friday, April 27 – Jaclyn Guillou Quartet
Emerging sensation, Jaclyn Guillou, is in demand from the jazz district of Manhattan, to stages across Canada and Europe. As a lyricist, Jaclyn’s vocal phrasing is truly compelling and carefree: “Guillou puts a contemporary jazz spin on music steeped in tradition and thus makes old school become new cool, the sign of a true artist. …
Apr 02
Friday, April 20 – Avi Granite Quartet
Based in Brooklyn and Toronto, guitarist and composer Avi Granite delivers pure flavor in the form of a quartet. His originals can move seamlessly from guitar solos to driving kit and evocative horn blends. “”Avi Granite and his serpentine guitar, half-intellect, half-instinct, fatten up a whole new jazz sound… The music is at once cerebral and playful, …
Mar 29
Saturday, April 14 – Tara Davidson Quartet
Toronto-born alto and soprano saxophonist Tara Davidson has performed around the world at such prestigious venues as New York City’s Carnegie Hall, the acclaimed North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands, and The Kennedy Center, in Washington, D.C. Tara has produced three recordings as a leader since 2003 and performed on over a dozen recordings. Davidson’s sophomore …
Mar 29
Friday, April 13 – Paul Morrison Quintet
Paul Morrison’s dedication to performance and composition stems from his teen years in B.C. His innate talent and creativity were tuned at Humber where he earned the school’s highest award in honor of Oscar Petersen. He now leads two innovative jazz ensembles in the Toronto area. Always a musical exploration, his composition ranges from intricate …
Mar 27
VFest-On-Demand
What’s a Virtual music festival? Some of the best music in the region on demand! VFest!
Mar 05
Saturday, April 7 – Kim Ratcliffe Quartet
Kim Ratcliffe was in demand, playing six nights a week in Victoria B.C., even as as teen. Now based in Toronto, his jazz guitar leads a meeting of the minds in the Kim Ratcliffe quartet – Rat4. Kim Ratcliffe – Guitar Pat Collins – Bass Jim Lewis – Trumpet and Flugelhorn Ted Warren – Drums …
Mar 05
Friday, Mar 30 – Big Band Theory
This is the moment when theory becomes practice. This is the debut of Big Band Theory. The premise is simple: you put the most talented jazz’ers together in rehearsal and wait for an explosion of sound. Paul Ellingham on trombone was a catalyst for the ensemble. Saxophonist and singer Robin Habermehl leads the group musically. …
Mar 03
Friday, April 6 – Rebecca Binnendyk Quintet
Drawing on her lead of the Phoenix Jazz Group, Rebecca’s soulful and playful alto hits the stage at the jazz room. The quintet’s playlist is a perfect mix of swing, ballads, Latin Jazz and funk. Rebecca’s ballads are candid and personal including touching performances of The Way You Are and You’ve Changed. Fronting the jazz …
Feb 27
Friday, Mar 23 – Glenn Buhr Trio
The jack hammer is back in the jazz room! Glenn Buhr’s decorated career in composition and piano performance has spanned genres from symphonic and film to the jazz quartet. His extensive discography features Thru the Wounded Sky, a gripping textural work that has become a signature for Glenn’s jazz style. Glenn has brought together a truly distinctive …