The JazzInToronto Community Celebration, running May 30 to June 1, brings swing, soul, and Stevie Wonder tributes to life across downtown — with free concerts, iconic venues and an lineup that champions the city’s diverse musical spirit.
Produced by Lina Welch and Ori Dagan — who run JazzInToronto, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting live music — the festival is a young grassroots affair fueled by a passion for community. “When it comes to the combination of talent and diversity, there is probably no place in the world quite as vibrant as Toronto,” says artistic director Dagan. “The hardest part about programming a festival like this is narrowing it down, as there are so many local musicians deserving of attention.”
On Friday, May 30, the festival will open with free concerts presented by the St. Lawrence Market District on Market Street. Recently returned from a successful tour of New Orleans, young sensation Trombone Charlotte will breathe new life into early jazz classics to launch the festival at 5 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by the hot Afro-Cuban sounds of an exhilarating quartet led by Lady Son aka Yeti Ajasin on vocals and percussion. The evening will conclude one block west with a Tap Dance Jazz Jam event at C’est What (67 Front St. E.) that will feature an opening set by host Cori Giannotta. Free for jammers, the event is sure to be an impressive showcase for the tightly-knit community of Toronto tap talent.
On Saturday, May 31 at 11:30 a.m., the festival will continue its showcasing of world music with the Ona Ensemble at The Rex Hotel (194 Queen St W); led by Olivia Esther, the unique Canadian-Brazilian chamber jazz ensemble features two French horns, bassoon, reeds and a rhythm section performing choro, samba and jazz. Moving slightly north to Yorkville’s Liss Gallery (112 Cumberland St.), Saturday afternoon will feature an intimate concert at 3:30 p.m. by flamenco guitar master Roger Scannura. At 8 p.m., the festival’s flagship concert, Overjoyed: Celebrating 75 Years of Stevie Wonder will take place inside the TD Music Hall in Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St. For this exciting evening honouring the iconic singer-songwriter, award-winning pianist Michael Shand will lead an octet with vocalists Selena Evangeline, Queen Mary the Artist, Robert Ball and Chris Rouse.
“For me, Stevie is the most important artist that we have ever encountered,” says Shand. “He has inspired us all with his fusion of funk, soul, R&B, jazz, not to mention his vocal acrobatics — Stevie really is the embodiment of a genius musician.” The night will conclude with a jam session led by University of Toronto jazz student Selena Savage, who is already appearing regularly at venues around the city as bandleader, arranger, trombonist and vocalist.
The final day of the festival, Sunday, June 1 will start at 11 a.m. at The Rex Hotel with a masterclass by Juno-nominated pianist Mark Eisenman, who will inspire young pianists by sharing some of his wisdom about the art of accompanying vocalists. In a nod to the beginning of Pride Month, from 2 – 4:30 p.m. the same venue will host an album launch for Alex Samaras Meets Judy Garland, featuring the stunning vocals of Samaras in a heartfelt tribute to the iconic artist, with the bare accompaniment of Steven Noronha on piano and David French on saxophone.
To conclude the festival, the elegant Jazz Bistro (251 Victoria St.) will host a very special concert reuniting Order of Canada member and five-time Juno winner Jane Bunnett with her musical kindred spirit, acclaimed avant-garde pianist Marilyn Lerner. The two started their jazz journey as a duo in 1977 and although their career have taken them in separate directions, they have remained close friends since then. For this special reunion, Bunnett and Lerner will share some Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn and Thelonious Monk standards which they learned together nearly five decades ago.
Tickets for the festival can be purchased HERE.
