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Volume 15 Issue 8 - May 2010

  • Text
  • Toronto
  • Jazz
  • Symphony
  • Theatre
  • Orchestra
  • Arts
  • Trio
  • Choir
  • Musical
  • Concerts

Beat by Beat / World

Beat by Beat / World ViewKAREN AGESMay is “Canary” month – the month in which The WholeNotemusic. Echo Women’s Choir (directed by Becca Whitla and AlanGasser) celebrates spring, freedom and the outdoors with “Throwthe Window Open,” May 16 at Church of the Holy Trinity. Amongothers works, the programme will include songs from South Africaand the Republic of Georgia sung in the original languages, aswell as Holly Near’s Hay una mujer, which commemorates womenwho were “disappeared” during the Chileanjunta of the 1970s. Toronto’s Afrocentricchoir, the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, performsMay 26 and 29 at the Glenn Gould Studio.“And Still We Sing...Steel Singin,” featuresthe new steel pan ensemble Legacy GroovePan. The programme will showcase TrinidadianCalypso rhythms, West Indian folkmusic, works by David Rudder, and more.The Toronto Jewish Folk Choir presentsits 84th spring concert at Walter Hall, May30. The concert which celebrates the memoryof Emil Gartner, the choir’s longestserving conductor, will feature his daughter,Brainerd Blyden-Taylor conductsthe Nathaniel DettChorale.Toronto Symphony cellist Esther Gartner, in Srul Glick’s YiddishSuite No. 1, composed to poems by Yiddish-Canadian poets. She’llalso premiere a new work by Raymond Luedeke, commissioned forOverture on HebrewThemes with a chamber ensemble. The programme also featuresclassical works, as well as songs in Hebrew and Judeo-Spanish.As much a world-music concert as an early music one, “Lutefest”closes the Toronto Consort’s season with performances on May 7and 8. I won’t go into detail here as it’s the topic of our cover story,but I couldn’t leave it out entirely. The programme features threeinstruments that are essentially cousins: the Middle Eastern oud,played by Bassam Bishara; the western lute (whose name is derivedfrom the French “l’oud”), played by the Toronto Consort’s TerryMcKenna; and the Chinese pipa, played by Wen Zhao. Do read thecover story for more!Presented by Small World Music, the Gundecha Brothers presentan evening of Indian Dhrupad music. Dhrupad is a slow, meditative,deeply spiritual ancient vocal music tradition, and Umakant andRamakant Gundecha are, like the Dagar brothers before them, twoof India’s leading artists in this style of music, performing both athome and internationally. You can hear them at The Yoga Sanctuary(2 College St.) on May 7.Toronto’s Lula Lounge is a well known hotbed of musical activity,and this month they present “Lulaworld 2010,” a festival ofworld music running May 5 to 30. This concert series presents bothCanadian and international artists, representing a truly global arrayof musical identities, with a special focus this year on Latin America.The festival opens with Latin jazz ensemble Bomba with bassistFito Garcia and vocalist Marlin Ramazzini. There are too many artiststo list here, so please visit Lula’s website at www.lulalounge.ca.Here are some highlights of “Lulaworld 2010.” Afrolatino DanceCompany and Roberto Linares Brown present a Cuban Cabaret, “Iam Cuba,” with show-girls, a Cuban orchestra and dance lesssons,May 8. Kinobe and Soul Beat Africa perform Ugandan roots musicand original compostions, May 13. Colombia Mon Amor with OrquestaFantasia present Colombian music, featuring a salsa ensemblewith dance lessons by Bailaboogaloo, May 15. Son Jarocho withCafe con Pan and Yohualichan offer an evening of Mexican musicin honour of the bicentennial of Mexican independence, May 16.Soneros del Tesechoacan, followed by a dance and music workshop.)Mondo Uke features world music for the ukulele, with a bossa novaworkshop for ukeplayers followed by aconcert of global ukulelemusic, May 17.Viva Celia presents atribute to Celia Cruz,“Queen of Salsa,”featuring vocalistsPatricia Cano,Alberto Alberto andLuis Mario Ochoa,May 22. And there’sa whole lot more!Caribbean/Latin Jazz ensemble CaneFire launches its second CD,Pandemonium, May 19 at the Glenn Gould Studio. This Torontoin Trinidad and Tobago after appearing in festivals there. I’ve hadPHOTO KEVIN THOMSince 1959, Remenyi House of Music has been a proud supporter ofToronto’s musical community. Providing musicians at every level qualityinstruments and expert service to help them perform their personal best.Celebrating51 YearsIn Canadaand120Worldwidewww.remenyi.com20 THEWHOLENOTE.COMMay 1 - June 7, 2010

a listen to some of the album, and can testify that this is top-notch,polished performing of instrumental and vocal jazz, with the virtuososteel-pan playing of Mark Mosca as one of the many highlights.Headed by pianist and composer Jeremy Ledbetter, the band featureswell-known guest musicians David Rudder and Hermeto Pascoal, aswell as Alexis Baró (trumpet), Braxton Hicks (saxophones), YoserRodriguez (bass), Alberto Suárez (percussion) and Chendy León(drums). This promises to be a lively evening!Opening May 19 and running to the 23rd,Seventh Stage Theatre presents 9 Parts ofDesire by Heather Raffo. The play presentsa portrait of nine Iraqi women, “a timelymeditation on the ancient, the modernand the feminine in a country overshadowedby war.” The production features an all-starcast including someone who neeeds no introductionhere, Arabic singer Maryem HassanTollar, who wrote the music for the productionas well as acting in it.Here’s some news about world renowedmrdangam player and and professor of southVocalistMaryem HassanTollar.Indian music at York University Trichy Sankaran: “I wanted to letyou know that my father is releasing a book, The Art of Konnakkol(Solkattu – Spoken rythms of south India),” writes his daughter Suba,of Autorickshaw fame. “It’s a groundbreaking work and educationalmanual, including accompanying CD”. Both father and daughter,members of Autorickshaw and other special guests celebrate with afree concert at the Music Gallery, May 27. The book will be availableat a reduced price, this time only!And heading to the traditions of North India, the Toronto TablaEnsemble performs at Harbourfront’s Enwave Theatre, May 28 and29. They join forces with two dance companies, Chhandam and Lavish.For more info, visit www.tablaensemble.com.Coming up in June is another Small World Music presentation, inpartnership with Roy Thomson Hall, Persian vocalist MohammadReza Shajarian performs with Shahnaz Ensemble, June 6. One of themost well known artists of Iranian classical music, Shajarian has hada career spanning over 40 years, both at home and internationally.He’ll be accompanied by an ensemble of 15 instrumentalists.Karen Ages can be reached at worldmusic@thewholenote.comNewly expanded instrumental repertoire & methodsectionsDedicated RCM exam requirements sections for Theory,Piano, Strings, Brass/Woodwinds,(also great for highschool student solos/testing/university entrance auditions!)Discount cards Available for all registered private teachersand institutional directors (see staff for details)Toronto’s largest collection of Artist/Group/PersonalityportfoliosFull selection of electric/acoustic guitars, keyboards,drums, stands and accessories including amplifiers andpublic address systems/dj equipmentBand Instrument sales/rentals/service415 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2A5store: (416) 593-8888 www.stevesmusic.comeducational@stevesmusic.omTakeA SECOND LOOKAT US IN 2010CANADA’S STRING SHOPViolins, violas, cellos, and bowsComplete line of strings and accessoriesExpert repairs and rehairsCanada’s largest stock of string musicFast mail order servicewww.thesoundpost.cominfo@thesoundpost.com93 Grenville St., Toronto M5S 1B4tel 416.971.6990 fax 416.597.9923Register Now For Summer LessonsOn Guitar - Piano - Drums - BrassWoodwinds - Voice - Theory and more!All ages - All levels - All styles No registration feesShop online atlong-mcquade.comNow with 42 locationsfrom Victoria to St. John’sMay 1 - June 7, 2010 WWW.THEWHOLENOTE.COM 21

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