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Volume 22 Issue 1 - September 2016

  • Text
  • September
  • Toronto
  • Jazz
  • October
  • Festival
  • Symphony
  • Musical
  • Orchestra
  • Theatre
  • Quartet
  • Volume
Music lover's TIFF (our fifth annual guide to the Toronto International Film Festival); Aix Marks the Spot (how Brexit could impact on operatic co-production); The Unstoppable Howard Cable (an affectionate memoir of a late chapter in the life of of a great Canadian arranger; Kensington Jazz Story (the newest kid on the festival block flexes its muscles). These stories and much more as we say a lingering goodbye to summer and turn to the task, for the 22nd season, of covering the live and recorded music that make Southern Ontario tick.

●●Soulpepper Concert

●●Soulpepper Concert Series. Taking the A Train Uptown Manhattan – Harlem. Albert Schultz, writer and host. Mike Ross, music director. This concert is a tour of the music, words and ideas that have made Harlem great. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666. -. Runs to Sep 3. Days and times vary. Visit soulpepper.ca for details. ●●Southern Ontario Lyric Opera. La Traviata. Music by Giuseppe Verdi, libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. Semi-staged opera in concert. Allison Cecilia Arends, soprano (Violetta); Riccardo Iannello, tenor (Alfredo); Jeffrey Carl, baritone (Giorgio Germont). Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St., Burlington. 905-681-6000. -; (sr); (st 19 and under). Sep 17, 7:30pm. ●●Stratford Festival. A Chorus Line. Music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban, book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante. Conceived and originally directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett. Donna Feore, director and choreographer. Festival Theatre, 55 Queen St, Stratford. 1-800- 567-1600. -5. Runs to Oct 30. Days and times vary. Visit stratfordfestival.ca for details. ●●Stratford Festival. A Little Night Music. Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Hugh Wheeler. Avon Theatre, 99 Downie St, Stratford. 1-800-567-1600. -5. Runs to Oct 23. Days and times vary. Visit stratfordfestival.ca for details. ●●Theatre Ancaster. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. Music by Jimmy Roberts, lyrics and book by Joe DiPietro. Old Firehall Arts Centre, 334 Wilson St. E, Ancaster. 905- 304-7469. ; (sr); (st). Opens Sep 9, 8:00pm. Runs to Sep 18. Fri/Sat(8:00pm), Sun(2:00pm). ●●Well Seasoned Productions. That’s Life. A musical revue exploring the joys and challenges of ageing. Aki Studio Theatre, Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas St.E. 416-531-1402. ; (sr). Opens Sep 30, 8:00pm. Also Oct 1(8:00pm), 2(2:00pm). D. In the Clubs (Mostly Jazz) 120 Diner 120 Church St. 416-792-7725 120diner.com (full schedule) September 1 6pm Julie Michels & David Restivo. September 2 6pm Howard Willett’s Blue Smoke Trio. September 3 6pm Aimée Butcher. 9pm Tiffany Hanus. September 4 6pm Dave Mascall Trio; 8:30pm Jacky Bouchard. September 6 6pm Leslie Huyler; 8pm Annie Bonsignore; 10pm Chris Burkett with guests. September 7 6pm Genevieve Marentette & Robert Scott; 8pm Lisa Particelli’s Girls’ Night Out Jazz Jam. September 8 6pm Ryley Murray Trio; 9pm Perlhaze. September 9 6pm Joanne Morra. September 10 6pm Sistah Lois: Sistah’s Telling. September 11 6pm L J Folk; 8:30pm Julia Pal Sings Songs From Films. September 13 6pm Leslie Huyler; 8pm Annie Bonsignore; 10pm Chris Burkett with guests. September 14 6pm Genevieve Marentette & Robert Scott; 8pm Lisa Particelli’s Girls’ Night Out Jazz Jam. September 15 6pm Joel Sheridan. September 16 6pm Double Bill: Raine & Mack Davis. September 17 6pm Double Bill: Dan Taylor & The Command Sisters. September 18 6pm Double Bill: Mel Dube & Charmie. September 18 8:30pm Donna Greenberg. September 20 6pm Leslie Huyler; 8pm Annie Bonsignore; 10pm Chris Burkett with guests. September 21 6pm Genevieve Marentette & Robert Scott; 8pm Lisa Particelli’s Girls’ Night Out Jazz Jam. September 22 6pm Laura Marks. September 23 6pm Denise Leslie sings Ray Charles. September 24 6pm Distillery Blues. September 25 5pm Christine Gaidies: A Celebration of Life and Love. September 27 6pm Leslie Huyler; 8pm Annie Bonsignore; 10pm Chris Burkett with guests. September 28 6pm Genevieve Marentette & Robert Scott; 8pm Lisa Particelli’s Girls’ Night Out Jazz Jam. September 29 6pm Alma Soul. September 30 6pm Jmondew. Alleycatz 2409 Yonge St. 416-481-6865 alleycatz.ca C. Music Theatre All shows: 9pm unless otherwise indicated. Call for cover charge info. September 1, 8, 29 Wendy Robins & The Quiet Storm. September 2, 16, 17, 24, 30 Lady Kane. September 3, 10 Soular. September 9 The Funk Frequency Prince Tribute. September 15 In the City Band. September 22 Uptown Soul Concert Series. September 23 Universal Boogie Band. Artword Artbar 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton. 905-543-8512 artword.net (full schedule) September 11 2pm Chris Maskell Quartet . Bloom 2315 Bloor St. W. 416-767-1315 bloomrestaurant.com All shows: 19+. Call for reservations. Burdock 1184 Bloor St. W. 416-546-4033 burdockto.com (full schedule) All shows: 9pm Castro’s Lounge 2116e Queen St. E. 416-699-8272 castroslounge.com (full schedule) All shows: No cover/PWYC September 18 8pm The Boxcar Boys. C’est What 67 Front St. E. (416) 867-9499 cestwhat.com (full schedule) September 10, 24 3pm The Boxcar Boys. September 17 3pm The Hot Five Jazzmakers. De Sotos 1079 St. Clair Ave. W. 416-651-2109 desotos.ca (full schedule) Every Sun 11am Sunday Live Jazz Brunch No cover. Emmet Ray, The 924 College St. 416-792-4497 theemmetray.com (full schedule) All shows: No cover/PWYC September 1 9pm John-Wayne Swingtet: Beat by Beat | Mainly Clubs, Mostly Jazz! Free Times Thirty Five ORI DAGAN Toronto musicians have been cutting their teeth at Free Times Cafe for 35 years. That’s how long owner Judy Perly, a local hero to Toronto musicians and audiences alike, has been booking: since the early 1980s, over 12,000 evenings of music, more than 400 poetry readings, 500 nights of comedy and improv, 100 original art shows and nearly 1000 concerts of klezmer and Yiddish music. Located just seconds from Kensington Market at 320 College Street, Free Times is a casual, inviting, warm restaurant and music venue. The live music is presented in the cozy back room, seating approximately 50. According to Perly, the much buzzed-about “Bella, Did Ya Eat?” Sunday brunch literally keeps her business alive. “It’s not unusual that we will do in sales more at the brunch than in the back room the entire week. The brunch averages 100 to 200 people a week. The reason it works is because there is nothing else like it – in the world!” Indeed this might be the only place on earth that has weekly klezmer and Yiddish music accompanied by an all-you-can-eat buffet, serving 50 items from smoked salmon and potato latkes to gefilte fish and blintzes. Bella’s Bistro, the front room where the Brunch is served, is sentimentally decorated with a variety of art including a large portrait of Perly’s mother, painted by Judy herself. “I wanted to do something for my mother after she passed away. And the more connected I got with my mother, the better things got. My mother would always get the right ingredients – she worked very hard all the time. People say I work hard, but I say she worked way harder. She had a husband and three children.” Growing up, the Perly family’s record collection contained everything from the blues and reggae to folk icons like Ian and Sylvia, Joan Baez and Buffy Sainte-Marie, as well as classic jazz from Holiday to Sinatra. “The other connection I have to jazz is that late in their lives, my parents started following Dixieland jazz. My mother even made up this crazy dance! (laughs). In fact Jim Galloway played for free at my parents’ 32nd anniversary because he loved them so much …” John Farrell (guitar), Abbey Sholzberg (bass), Wayne Nakamura (guitar), Alexander Tikhonov (clarinet). September 8 9pm Bossa Tres: Victor Monsiváis (guitar), Abbey Sholzberg (bass). Gate 403 403 Roncesvalles Ave. 416-588-2930 gate403.com All shows: PWYC. September 1 5pm Bruce Chapman Blues Duo with feature guests; 9pm Darcy Windover Band. September 2 5pm Daryl Jahnke Jazz Trio. September 3 5pm Glen Hornblast with friends; 9pm Melissa Boyce Jazz & Blues Band. September 4 5pm Grateful Sunday feat. Trevor Cape and The Field; 9pm The Ault Sisters. September 5 5pm Mike and Jill Daley Jazz Duo; 9pm Drew Austin Jazz Band. September 6 5pm Howard Willett Blues Duo. September 7 9pm Julian Fauth Blues Night. September 8 5pm Michael Bell Solo; 9pm Kevin Laliberté Jazz & Flamenco Trio. September 9 5pm Evan Desaulnier Jazz Trio; D. In the Clubs (Mostly Jazz) 9pm Sean Bellaviti Latin Jazz Trio. September 10 5pm Bill Heffernan and His Friends; 9pm Julian Fauth Blues Quartet. September 11 5pm The Lesters. September 12 5pm Chris Reid and Nina Richmond, vocals and guitar; 9pm Chris Staig Trio. September 13 5pm Grant Lyle Blues Music; 9pm Kurt Nielsen and Richard Whiteman Jazz Band. September 14 5pm Michelle Rumball with friend; 9pm Julian Fauth Blues Night. September 15 5pm Concord Jazz Quintet; 9pm Chelsea McBride Jazz Trio. September 16 5pm Josh Lane: Toronto Jazz Collective; 9pm Jerry Quintyne Jazz Band. September 17 5pm Bill Heffernan and His Friends; 9pm Sweet Derrick Blues Band. September 18 5pm Rob Thaller & Joanna Reynolds Jazz Duo; 9pm L.A. Turcotte: Sultans of Soul. September 19 9pm Linda Carone: Vintage Jazz & Blues. September 20 5pm Sarah Kennedy & Matt Pines Jazz Duo. September 21 5pm Rick Maltese: Rick’s Three in One; 9pm Julian Fauth Blues Night. September 22 5pm Emma Cava Jazz Trio. September 23 5pm Nathan Hiltz 46 | September 1, 2016 - October 7, 2016 thewholenote.com

I pause to tell Judy about Galloway’s work for The WholeNote and his support for the Toronto jazz community, and she reminisces about the great jazz musicians that walked through her doors, especially in the early days. “I would say the music started on a regular basis in 1982. The very first time was a year earlier, at an art opening. I was going out with a man who was a part-time bass player [in the] Sam Miya Trio – Sam and Roy Miya who were Japanese Canadians – and I was going with Sam. He played bass and Roy played piano. Then Sam’s nephew was studying at York University and he asked me, ‘Can we play on Saturday night?’ We had a very small room in the back in those days. So he started on Saturdays, and we gave him some food, and then other people asked. So many great musicians. “If you scrape the surface of the Toronto music scene you will find a lot of people who started out at Free Times. We didn’t even have a stage. It was a lot of folk singers at that time. Tex Konig, Mose Scarlet. Ian Tamblyn, who is coming back here in September, he’s from Ottawa. Sneezy Waters is another icon. David Rea who played guitar with Ian and Sylvia. And then I hired a gentleman by the name of Michael Katz who used to bring all these musicians from the great folk festivals. Soon we were packed every night. We were one of the only places as there weren’t a lot of clubs like ours. George Koller was here all the time. Micah Barnes, Fern Lindzon, Brian Katz, Rob Piltch. We had a poetry series with major poets … “But I have to tell you, the economics of jazz are hard. This is a small room and jazz audiences don’t spend a lot of money. They sit on a drink, it’s not a party night, it’s a little bit more serious, right? So I never really sought it out, but of course I always welcomed it, and the first time we had music it was jazz.” But it wasn’t always easy, to say the least: “It was a real struggle. And the downside to all of this where the music was concerned was that for quite a few years – five years I would say – I didn’t even enjoy the music. I just wished that it would go away! I was mean, I was nasty, I never was here at night. After I started the brunch I realized I could do 00 to 00 in five hours and the whole night of live music was 0. From a business point of view sometimes it feels like banging your head against the wall. But I didn’t have a choice – I tried to kill it and it wouldn’t die! (laughs) Isn’t that interesting that it just wouldn’t die. And of course, it’s because of the music that I’ve been able to go on, because as you know music is a healer. It makes you feel so good about everything, and you have those moments. Like any relationship there are the ups and the downs … and I realized that I had to change my attitude. I had to go through a spiritual evolution in order to do this because things weren’t going to go my way, and I had to deal with it. I’m happy that I was able to get out of that.” Speaking of healing music, one of the series that Perly is most excited about presenting these days happens on the third Wednesday of every month called “Where Have All the Folk Songs Gone” hosted by folk duo Sue and Dwight. Covering classics by Dylan, Seeger, Peter Paul and Mary and many more, this is a popular series in its fourth year that often sells out. “People are practically in tears and they keep Eat! Judy Perly and a latke you can't refuse. coming back! A lot of my brunch customers heard about it on the newsletter and once they come once, they are hooked!” After all these years of hard work and determination, does she consider herself a success? “I’ve lasted. I guess I’m sort of successful now, but I worked for nothing for years, and I cried for ten years straight! (laughs). Nobody helped me. They’d say, too bad, so sorry! I used to want to quit every day, then it was every week, then monthly and now it’s maybe once a year. The thing is with me that I’m not coming at this with an agenda. That’s why the club has lasted. I’m a conduit – I allow other people to do things. My agenda is keeping my business going.” Meet Judy Perly in person at the Ashkenaz Festival where she will be a featured guest, speaking on Saturday September 3 at 6pm on the Fressers Summit and a not-to-be-missed special demonstration of her potato latke-making on Monday September 5 at 2pm, including latkes! Ori Dagan is a Toronto-based jazz musician, writer and educator who can be reached at oridagan.com. ORI DAGAN Jazz Ensemble; 9pm Ilios Steryannis Jazz Trio. September 24 5pm Bill Heffernan and His Friends; 9pm Donné Roberts Band. September 25 5pm Anything Goes Jazz Band; 9pm Dennis Kwok Jazz Band. September 26 9pm Toby Hughs: The Big Three. September 27 5pm Rob Davis Blues Duo; 9pm Kalya Ramu Jazz Band. September 28 9pm Julian Fauth Blues Night. September 29 5pm Zaynab Wilson: “Mozayic Afro-Soul”; 9pm Kristen Lindell Jazz Band. September 30 9pm Fraser Melvin Blues Band. Grossman’s Tavern 379 Spadina Ave. 416-977-7000 grossmanstavern.com (full schedule) All shows: No cover (unless otherwise noted). Every Sat The Happy Pals Dixieland jazz jam. Every Sun 10pm The National Blues Jam with Brian Cober. Every Wed 10pm Bruce Domoney. September 1 10pm Tom Robertson Band. September 2 6pm Hold the Bus; 10pm Combo Royal. September 3 10pm Mike McDonald Band. September 4 4:30pm New Orleans Connection All Star Jazz Band. Harlem Restaurant 67 Richmond St. E. 416-368-1920 harlemrestaurant.com (full schedule) All shows: 7:30-11pm (unless otherwise noted). Call for cover charge info. September 2 Madette. September 3 Simone Morris Trio. September 9, 30 The Sean Stanley Trio & Sokhna-Dior. September 10 Liz Loughrey & Adrian X. September 16 Fibralou. September 23 Gyles. September 24 Kristin Fung. Hirut Cafe and Restaurant 2050 Danforth Ave. 416-551-7560 Every Sun 3pm Open Mic with Nicola Vaughan: folk/country/jazz/world/R&B PWYC. September 1 8:30pm Marty Harrison (drums) Quintet with Alexander Brown (trumpet), Kurt Lund (sax), Tom Reynolds (keys), Brendan Davis (bass). September 6, 20 8pm Finger Style Guitar Association PWYC. September 9 8pm Don Naduriak D. In the Clubs (Mostly Jazz) (keys) Quintet with Bob Rice (drums), John “JJ” Johnson (sax), George Koller (bass), Joaquin Hidalgo (drums) PWYC. September 30 9pm Hirut Hoot Cabaret . Home Smith Bar – See Old Mill, The Hugh’s Room 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604 hughsroom.com All shows: 8:30pm (unless otherwise noted). September 2 Labour Day Celebration and Fall Preview Show (adv)/$22.50(door). September 3 Selcuk Suna (adv)/$22.50(door). September 9 A Man Called Wrycraft presents Rebel Rebel – The Music of David Bowie (adv)/(door). September 10 Friends Featuring some of Toronto’s best jazz musicians with a brief reflection by Jazz Vespers Clergy Welcome back - we look forward to seeing you! Sunday September 18 at 4:30 pm Bob DeAngelis Sunday October 2 at 4:30 pm TRIBUTE TO BILL EVANS with David Restivo, Neil Swainson & Brian Barlow. Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge St. 416-920-5211 (north of St. Clair at Heath St.) www.thereslifehere.org Admission is free; donations are welcome. thewholenote.com September 1, 2016 - October 7, 2016 | 47

Volumes 26-29 (2020- )

Volumes 21-25 (2015-2020)

Volumes 16-20 (2010-2015)

Volumes 11-15 (2004-2010)

Volumes 6 - 10 (2000 - 2006)

Volumes 1-5 (1994-2000)