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Volume 25 Issue 3 - November 2019

  • Text
  • Orchestra
  • Composer
  • Performing
  • Symphony
  • Musical
  • Arts
  • Theatre
  • Jazz
  • Toronto
  • November
On the slim chance you might not have already heard the news, Estonian Canadian composing giant Udo Kasemets was born the same year that Leo Thermin invented the theremin --1919. Which means this is the centenary year for both of them, and both are being celebrated in style, as Andrew Timar and MJ Buell respectively explain. And that's just a taste of a bustling November, with enough coverage of music of both the delectably substantial and delightfully silly on hand to satisfy one and all.

Landline Michael

Landline Michael Davidson – serves as a good reminder of the instrument’s strengths and capabilities, and of the unique music that it makes possible. On November 6 and 7, saxophonist Chet Doxas brings the group Landline to The Rex. Though currently a Brooklyn resident, Doxas was born and raised in Montreal, where he attended McGill for both his undergraduate and graduate degrees; his brother, Jim Doxas, is one of Canada’s better-known jazz drummers, and still based in their shared hometown. Landline – whose eponymous debut album will release on November 1 – is a quartet, made up of Doxas, pianist Jacob Sacks, bassist Zack Lober and drummer Vinnie Sperrazza. Landline is something of a family affair: in May of this year, George Doxas, Chet’s father, recorded the album in Montreal at Boutique de Son Studios. Landline gets its name from a two-year-long process of “collaborative composition” by all four members of the quartet, each of whom made contributions to each piece in a process reminiscent of the children’s game “broken telephone.” What this means isn’t precisely clear, but I imagine that all will be revealed at The Rex. What is clear is that Landline represents an intriguing new project from accomplished modern jazz musicians who have played together – both in this specific quartet and in other configurations – for a number of years, with a collective group dynamic that only comes with shared experience. Sacks will be returning to The Rex later in the month with the Dan Weiss Trio, where he – along with Weiss (drums) and Thomas Morgan (bass) – will be playing two consecutive nights on November 20 and 21. The last time that I wrote about Weiss for The WholeNote, it was in the wake of his 2018 Jazz Festival performance with his Starebaby project. Drawing influence from Twin Peaks, the album Starebaby was a study in Lynchian intensity, with bombastic and quiet moments sustained past conventional points of resolution. During the group’s packed Toronto show, this exploratory spirit was on display in full force; the show that I saw qualified as one of the loudest and quietest shows that I’ve ever seen at The Rex, or, for that matter, at any jazz ... In the Clubs (Mostly Jazz) w/ Pete Carmichael & The Volts, Maybelleen Nov 7 8:30pm Mimico w/ Vallens, Bart. Nov 8 8:30pm Sorry Girls w/ Favours & More. Nov 9 8:30pm Pale Lips w/ Prancer, Terrastray. Nov 10 8:30pm Stuyedeyed w/ Mother Tongues + Your Grandad. Nov 15 9:30pm Beans on Toast. Nov 17 8:30pm Brooke Lanziner. Nov 20 8pm Ringo Deathstarr. Nov 21 9pm Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet. Nov 21 9pm Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet. Nov 22 9pm Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet. N’awlins Jazz Bar & Dining 299 King St. W. 416-595-1958 nawlins.ca All shows: No cover/PWYC. Every Tue 6:30pm Stacie McGregor. Every Wed 7pm The Jim Heineman Trio. Every Thur 8pm Nothin’ But the Blues with Joe Bowden. Every Fri & Sat 8:30pm N’awlins All Star Band; Every Sun 7pm Brooke Blackburn. Nice Bistro, The 117 Brock St. N., Whitby. 905-668-8839 nicebistro.com (full schedule) Live jazz and dinner, .00 per person. Dinner from 6pm and music from 7pm to 9pm. Nov 13 Suzi and Doug. Nov 27 Paul Greco and Laura Gauthier. Old Mill, The 21 Old Mill Rd. 416-236-2641 oldmilltoronto.com (full schedule) The Home Smith Bar: No reservations. No cover. food/drink minimum. All shows: 7:30-10:30pm unless otherwise listed. Nov 1 Canadian Jazz Quartet & Friends. Nov 2 Wendy Lands Quartet. Nov 5 Gene DiNovi. Nov 6 Mike Murley Trio. Nov 7 Libor Smoldas Trio. Nov 8 Dave Young Quartet. Nov 9 Brian Blain’s Blues Campfire. Nov 13 John MacLeod and Friends. Nov 14 Sophia Perlman & Adrean Farrugia’s Thursday Night Jazz Party. Nov 15 James Brown Trio. Nov 16 Tunetown. Nov 20 Russ Little Quartet. Nov 21 Bob DeAngelis & Friends. Nov 22 Richard Whiteman Trio. Nov 23 Monica Chapman Trio. Nov 27 John MacMurchy’s Wednesday Night Jazz Party. Nov 28 Daniel Bado Quartet. Nov 29 Amy McConnell Quartet. Nov 30 Don Vickery Trio. Only Café, The 972 Danforth Ave. 416-463-7843 theonlycafe.com (full schedule) Pilot Tavern, The 22 Cumberland Ave. 416-923-5716 thepilot.ca All shows: 2:30pm. No cover. Nov 2 Nick Morgan Quartet. Nov 9 Sugar Daddies Sextet. Nov 16 Kirk MacDoanld Quartet. Nov 23 Free Spirits. Nov 30 A Tribute to Randy Sorrell. Poetry Jazz Café 224 Augusta Ave. 416-599-5299 poetryjazzcafe.com (full schedule) Reposado Bar & Lounge 136 Ossington Ave. 416-532-6474 reposadobar.com (full schedule) Reservoir Lounge, The 52 Wellington St. E. 416-955-0887 reservoirlounge.com (full schedule). Every Tue & Sat, 8:45pm Tyler Yarema and his Rhythm. Every Wed 9pm The Digs. Every Thurs 9:45pm Stacey Kaniuk. Every Fri 9:45pm Dee Dee and the Dirty Martinis. Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar, The 194 Queen St. W. 416-598-2475 therex.ca (full schedule) Call for cover charge info. Nov 1 4pm Hogtown Syncopators, 6:30pm Lester McLean Trio, 9:45pm Andy Ballantyne’s Sidewinders. Nov 2 12pm Terry Wilkins’ Uncle Bass, 3:30pm Conor Gains, 7pm Elena Kapeleris Group, 9:45pm Bernie Senensky Sextet. Nov 3 12pm Excelsior Dixieland, 3:30pm Club Django, 7pm Marilyn Lerner Duo, 9:30pm Barry Romberg Group. Nov 4 6:30pm U of T Jazz Ensembles, 9:30pm Jazzlab Orchestra. Nov 5 6:30pm Brodie West Quintet, 9:30pm JazzLab Orchestra. Nov 6 6:30pm Chris Platt Trio, 9:30pm Chet Doxas’ Landline. Nov 7 6:30pm Kevin Quain, 9:30pm Chet Doxas’ Landline. Nov 8 4pm Hogtown Syncopators, 6:30pm Lester McLean Trio, 9:45pm Alex Dean Jazz Orchestra. Nov 9 12pm Terry Wilkins’ Uncle Bass, 3:30pm Laura Hubert Band, 7pm Jenna Marie R&B, 9:45pm Alex Dean Jazz Orchestra. Nov 10 12pm Excelsior Dixieland, 3:30pm Red Hot Ramble, 7pm Marilyn Lerner, 9:30pm JV’s Boogaloo Squad. Nov 11 6:30pm U of T Student Jazz Ensembles, 9:30pm Brigham Phillips Jazz Orchestra. Nov 12 6:30pm Brodie West Quintet, 9:30pm Harry Bartlett Trio. Nov 13 6:30pm Chris Platt Trio, 9:30pm Lauren Falls Quintet. Nov 14 6:30pm Kevin Quain, 9:30pm Robb Cappelletto Group. Nov 15 4pm Hogtown Syncopators, 6:30pm Lester McLean Trio, 9:45pm Avi Granite. Nov 16 12pm Terry Wilkins’ Uncle Bass, 3:30pm Chris Hunt Tentet + 2, 7pm Justin Bacchus, 9:45pm Dave Young Quintet. Nov 17 12pm Excelsior Dixieland, 3:30pm Dr. Nick & The Rollercoasters, 7pm Marilyn Lerner Trio +, 9:30pm Dan Pitt Trio. Nov 18 6:30pm U of T Student Jazz Ensembles, 9:30pm Humber College Jazz Orchestras. Nov 19 6:30pm Brodie West Quintet, 9:30pm Classic Rex Jazz Jam. Nov 20 6:30pm Chris Platt Trio, 9:30pm Dan Weiss Trio. Nov 21 6:30pm Kevin Quain, 9:30pm Dan Weiss Trio. Nov 22 4pm Hogtown Syncopators, 6:30pm Lester McLean Trio, 9:45pm Michael Dunston. Nov 23 12pm Terry Wilkins’ Uncle Bass, 3:30pm Advocats Big Band, 7pm Justin Bacchus, 9:45pm Roberto Occhipinti 4. Nov 24 12pm Hart House Jazz Ensemble, 3:30pm Excelsior Dixieland, 7pm Chris Banks Trio, 9:30pm Michael Eckert’s Neon Eagle. Nov 25 6:30pm U of T Student Jazz Ensembles, 8:30pm John MacLeod’s Rex Hotel Orchestra. Nov 26 6:30pm Brodie West Quintet, 9:30pm Gymnoped. Nov 27 6:30pm Chris Platt Trio, 9:30pm Carn / Davidson 9. Nov 28 6:30pm Kevin Quain, 9:30pm Carn / Davidson 9. Nov 29 4pm Hogtown Syncopators, 6:30pm Lester McLean Trio, 9:45pm Brad Shigeta w/ David Braid. Nov 30 12pm Terry Wilkins’ Uncle Bass, 3:30pm Paul Reddick, 7pm Justin Bacchus, 9:45pm Joe Bowden Quintet. Salty Dog Bar & Grill, The 1980 Queen St. E. 416-849-5064 thesaltydog.ca (full schedule) Every Tue 7-10pm Jazz Night. Every Thu 8:30pm Karaoke. Every Fri 9:30pm Blues Jam - house band with weekly featured guest. Every Sat 3pm Salty Dog Saturday Matinée. Sauce on Danforth 1376 Danforth Ave. 647-748-1376 sauceondanforth.com All shows: No cover. Every Mon 9pm Gareth Parry’s Book Club. Every Tue 6pm Julian Fauth. Every Wed Paul Reddick & Friends. Every Thu 8pm Steve Koven and Artie Roth. Sat and Sun Matinees 4pm various performers. The Senator Winebar 249 Victoria St 416 364-7517 thesenator.com (full schedule) Tranzac 292 Brunswick Ave. 416-923-8137 tranzac.org (full schedule) 3-4 shows daily, various styles, in three different performance spaces. Mostly PWYC. 70 | November 2019 thewholenote.com

E. The ETCeteras Dan Weiss club. Though Weiss’ trio may not have the same mandate for extreme dynamics, it does have the same mandate for intensity and intentionality. It is not hyperbole to say that Weiss is one of the preeminent jazz drummers of his generation; a brief look at his recent schedule reveals engagements with the likes of Nir Felder, Adam Rogers, Miles Okazaki and Chris Potter’s Underground Quartet, amongst many other notable gigs, including his own. As a drummer and as a bandleader, he is much the same: specific, exacting, exciting and, at unexpected moments, funny, in a way that complements the seriousness of his dedication to his craft. A final note on The Rex: guitarist Robb Cappelletto, who has crafted a unique musical identity that straddles the line between jazz, rock, blues, and other genres, releases his new album Double Red on November 14, in performance with keyboardist Michael Shand, bassist Andrew Stewart and drummer Amhed Mitchel. Cappelletto – a faculty member at York University – has been putting out consistently interesting music since his debut album !!! was released in 2012, both under his own name and with the instrumental group re.verse, which has been heard in its residency slots at 416 Snack Bar and The Drake, as well as at Koerner Hall, collaborating with the likes of Shad and DJ Skratch Bastid. Cappelletto is a fiery player, with ample technical command of his instrument, but what sets him apart from his peers is his conscientious attention to the nuances of tone, and his commitment to building a multilayered sonic world in which his music can live. MAINLY CLUBS, MOSTLY JAZZ QUICK PICKS !! NOV 6 AND NOV 7, 9:30PM: Chet Doxas’ Landline, The Rex. Landline, a new project helmed by Montreal-born saxophonist Chet Doxas, play in support of their new selftitled album, the material for which the band composed cooperatively through a musical version of “broken telephone.” With pianist Jacob Sacks, bassist Zack Lober and drummer Vinnie Sperrazza. !! NOV 14, 9:30PM: Robb Cappelletto Group, The Rex. Robb Cappelletto celebrates the release of his new album Double Red, the latest entry in the fusion guitarist’s discography. With keyboardist Michael Shand, bassist Andrew Stewart and drummer Amhed Mitchel. !! NOV 14 AND NOV 15, 9PM: Gentiane MG Trio, Jazz Bistro. An up-and-coming musician from Montreal, Gentiane MG (Michaud-Gagnon) leads her eponymous trio (bassist Levi Dover and drummer Louis-Vincent Hamel) at Jazz Bistro in support of her recent album, Wonderland. !! NOV 20 AND NOV 21, 9:30PM: Dan Weiss Trio, The Rex. Playing compelling modern jazz, drummer Dan Weiss’ trio, with pianist Jacob Sacks and bassist Thomas Morgan, has been active for over a decade, and has developed a thrillingly intuitive musical connection. !! NOV 26, 8PM: Dan McCarthy Quartet, Jazz Bistro. Toronto-born vibraphonist Dan McCarthy returns from New York with a new project and a new album, both of which feature guitarist Ted Quinlan, bassist Pat Collins and drummer Ted Warren. Colin Story is a jazz guitarist, writer and teacher based in Toronto. He can be reached at www.colinstory.com, on Instagram and on Twitter. Book Launches and Record Releases ●●Nov 08 7:00: Canadian Music Centre. Book Launch of They Shot, He Scored: The Life and Music of Eldon Rathburn by James K. Wright with Allyson Rogers. Featuring a performance of The Romance of Improvisation in Canada: The Genius of Eldon Rathburn, with Petr Cancura, Kevin Turcotte, Marianne Trudel, Adrian Vedady and Jim Doxas. 416-961- 6601 x202. $25; (st). ●●Nov 11 8:00: Gathering Sparks. “All That’s Real” CD Release. Eve Goldberg, acoustic guitar/ukulele/vocals; Jane Lewis, piano/ukulele/ accordion/vocals with guest musicians. Niagara Artists Centre, 354 St. Paul St., St. Catharines. 905-641-0331. $25/(adv). ●●Dec 06 8:30: Hugh’s Room Live. Ensemble Vivant: Latin Romance CD Release Concert. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-533-5483. /(adv). Clubs & Groups ●●Nov 02 1:00: Recollectiv. For anyone living with cognitive challenges from Alzheimer’s, dementia, traumatic brain injury, stroke, or PTSD. The group meets weekly to rediscover the joy of making music. Community members and music students are welcome to this fun, rewarding and inter-generational experience. 292 Brunswick Ave. 416-599-8440. Free. Also Nov 9, 16, 23, 30, Dec 7. ●●Nov 10 2:00: Toronto Opera Club. Dvořák’s Bewitching Rusalka. Guest speaker: John Holland, bass-baritone. Edward Johnson Bldg., Faculty of Music, 80 Queens Park, Room 330. 416-924-3940. . ●●Nov 17 2:00: Classical Music Club Toronto. Offenbach Bicentennial Celebration. For further information, visit classicalmusicclubtoronto.org or contact John Sharpe at 416-898-2549 or torontoshi@sympatico.ca. Annual membership: $25(regular); (sr/ st). Free for first-time visitors. Donations accepted for refreshments. ●●Nov 23 7:15: Toronto Gilbert & Sullivan Society. Join us for a sing-through of Trial by Jury, a 35-minute delight and the partnership’s first big success plus a quiz and more! St. Andrew’s United Church, 117 Bloor St. E. Refreshments included. for non-members. ●●Dec 01 2:00: Classical Music Club Toronto. Bach: Christmas Oratorio. For further information, visit classicalmusicclubtoronto.org or contact John Sharpe at 416-898-2549 or torontoshi@sympatico.ca. Annual membership: $25(regular); (sr/st). Free for first-time visitors. Donations accepted for refreshments. Competitions and Applications ●●Nov 29 application deadline: TD Discovery Series Special Projects. Designed to encourage the creation, development and presentation of special projects by local jazz musicians. Provides successful applicants with marketing and public relations support, including a bursary, from Toronto Downtown Jazz. Projects must take place between Jan 15 and Apr 30, 2020, and must fall outside of the usual scope of an artist’s work. For complete details, please visit torontojazz. com/special-projects. ●●Dec 01 application deadline: Toronto Mozart Violin Competition. Further information at mozartproject.ca. ●●Dec 01 application deadline: Toronto Mozart Vocal Competition. Further information at mozartproject.ca. Festivals, Fairs and Festivities ●●Nov 30 10:00am: Aurora Community Band. Eighth Annual Holiday Market. Christmas and holiday favourites by the Aurora Community Band. Enjoy one-of-a-kind gifts from unique local vendors. Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church St., Aurora. auroracommunityband@gmail.com. Free admission. Galas, Tributes and Fundraisers ●●Nov 02 8:00: Roy Thomson Hall. 6th Annual Dream Serenade Benefit Concert. Dream Serenade is a benefit concert and celebration of the Toronto community of children with developmental or physical disabilities and their caregivers. 60 Simcoe St. 416-872-4255. .50-9.50. ●●Nov 22 7:00: High Notes Avante Productions. Mental Health Image-Raiser. Luba Goy, Selardor Duo, and friends. An intimate combination of a concert, social and imageraising event. Selardor Duo plays and sings favourite tunes. Talks by special guests who have been touched by mental illness. Enjoy free appetizers, buy a drink, browse the silent auction, and bid on items in the live auction. Heintzman House, 135 Bay Thorn Dr., Markham. Information at 416-605-8915 or highnotesavante@gmail.com or visit Eventbrite. . ●●Nov 24 5:00. Denise Williams In Concert: A Benefit for Orquesta Sinfónica De Oriente, Santiago de Cuba. Ernesto Lecuona: Lamento Africano and Mi Vida Eres Tu; and works by Handel, Mozart, Bellini and Gershwin. Denise Williams, vocalist; and others. Trinity- St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Boor St. W. cubafundraiser2019.eventbrite.com. ; (st). ●●Nov 30 7:00: Incontra Vocal Ensemble. Creator of the Stars of Night. Advent and Christmas music by Britten, Mendelssohn, Chilcott, and J. Scott Brubacher. Matthew Otto, artistic director/conductor. Knox College Chapel, Fundraiser to support the Institute for Christian Studies. 59 St George St. 416-979-2331 ext. 260 or email: communications@icscanada.edu. . ●●Dec 02 7:30: Casey House Foundation. Voices for World AIDS Day. A fundraising concert for Casey House, Ontario’s HIV/AIDS hospital. A mixed program of classical and jazz for the whole family. Shannon Mercer, soprano; Asitha Tennekoon, tenor; Julie Nasrallah, host; Emily Steinwall Trio; Pearle Harbour, tragicomedienne; and others. Glenn Gould Studio. CBC Building, 250 Front St. W. 416- 962-4040. For further information: caseyhouse.com. Free (suggested donation ). Lectures, Salons and Symposia ●●Nov 16 10:00am: Royal Canadian College of Organists Toronto. The Employment of a Church Musician. Expert panel discussion. Wycliffe College, 5 Hoskin Ave. 416-929-6400. Free and open to the public. Tours ● ● Nov 03 10:30am: Canadian Opera Company. 90-Minute Tour of the Four Seasons Centre. Led by a trained docent. Includes information and access to the Isadore and Rosalie Sharp City Room, the Richard thewholenote.com November 2019 | 71

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)