Beat by Beat | In the ClubsC. In the Clubs (Mostly Jazz)GREG KINGcareer and her playing is similar, it always sounds fresh. She is likelythe most important musician after Dizzy Gillespie in fusing elementsfrom Afro-Cuban music with jazz. This cultural collaboration is reallyinteresting to us.”The Brasstronomical CD release concert takes place at Lula Loungeon Thursday March 6.Back to Chalkers Pub and Lisa Particelli, who is excited to bepresenting NYC-based jazz master Sheila Jordan for the second time.Jordan has called herself a late bloomer; inspired by Charlie “Bird”Parker, she sang throughout her teens but recorded her first album atthe age of 32. It wasn’t until she was 58 that she quit her day job. Anunderground sensation, she continued to record throughout the 1970sand 80s and today has over 25 albums to her credit. Since the 1990s,Jordan’s career has really picked up and she has toured this earthmany times over. Now 85, this sweet and brilliant little woman is awonder of the jazz world.The two evening concerts at Chalkers will find Jordan infine musical company: Don Thompson on piano and NeilSwainson on bass.“I have worked with Don and Neil before and it’s a real joy to be ableto sing with them again. Don is a fantastic accompanist, and being alover of the bass I am thrilled to be singing with Neil. Great guys whoput their heart and soul into the music. How lucky can I get?”Recently named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment of theArts for her contributions as a performer and educator, Jordan hasbeen teaching jazz since the 1970s. She will be giving a Sunday afternoonvocal jazz workshop for singers of all levels; there are limitedspots to participate but ample seating for auditors.“I was first able to observe Sheila teach during an Art of Jazz workshopand was impressed at her warmth and insights as she carefullylistened to each student participate,” recalls Particelli. “She handledevery singer with warmth, gentle care and keen observations coupledwith super advice. This woman’s wisdom, heart, positive attitude,great ears and genuine passion to spread the message of jazz is contagious.Sheila sings from the heart, and she teaches from there, too.”Don’t be surprised if Jordan drops by the Wednesday night jazz jamat Chalkers on March 19 — she sings GNO’s praises:“I am so happy that Lisa’s jam session is still happening,” saysJordan. “I believe that jam sessions are the most important part of thejazz tradition. Singers can learn all these wonderful tunes from theirteachers but if you don’t have a place to try out what you’ve learnedand a place to take chances what does it all mean? We need places totry out tunes; even if we fall on our faces we can pick ourselves up andstart all over again like the song says! With jam sessions like this one,all of this is possible. We need more Lisa Particellis on the jazz scene.”Sheila Jordan appears at Chalkers Friday March 21, 7-10pm,Saturday March 22, 6-9pm and the workshop is Sunday March 23from 2-6pm. Tickets are available at TicketWeb.ca.Ori Dagan is a Toronto-based jazz vocalist, voiceactor and entertainment journalist. He can becontacted at jazz@thewholenote.comSHEILA JORDAN &DON THOMPSON& Soul Every Thu/Fri/Sat 6pm YoungArtist Series. No Cover.Mar 1 9pm Adrean Farrugia Quintet .Mar 2 12:30pm Peter Cavanagh Duo. PWYC.Mar 5 8pm Havana to Toronto Safari feat.Horacio Hernandez . Mar 6, 7, 8 9pmGrant Stewart-Bernie Senensky Quartet(Thu/Fri); (Sat). Mar 9 12:30pm and7pm Canadian Men’s Chorus . Mar 118pm The Ault Sisters: “Timeless” CD Release. Mar 12 8pm Soul Nannies . Mar 13,14, 15 Colin Hunter & Joe Sealy Quartet. NoCover (Thu); (Fri/Sat). Mar 16 12:30pmWIBI; 7pm Josh White Jr. /(adv).Mar 19 8pm Patricia Cano . Mar 20, 21,22 9pm Amy McConnell & William Sperandei(Thu/Fri); (Sat). Mar 23 12:30pmand 7pm Countermeasure . Mar 25 7pmAndrea Superstein /(st). Mar 26 8pmSoul Nannies . Mar 27, 28, 29 9pm Broadsway. Mar 30 12:30pm FreePlay Duo; 7pm Lara Solnicki: “Whose Shadow” CDRelease .Jazz Room, TheLocated in the Huether Hotel, 59 King St. N.,Waterloo. 226-476-1565kwjazzroom.com (full schedule)Attendees must be 19+, shows 8:30-11:30pmMar 1 8:30pm Greg Runions Quintet .Mar 5 8pm Gilad Hekselman . Mar 68pm St. John’s Jam. Mar 14 8:30pm HarleyCard Quintet . Mar 15 8:30pm Gray Matterfeat. Ingrid Jensen . Mar 21 8:30pmDave O’Neil Quartet . Mar 22 8:30pmAlex Dean Quintet . Mar 28 8:30pm DaveWiffen Quartet . Mar 29 8:30pm AllisonAu Quartet .Joe Mama’s317 King St. W. 416-340-6469Live music every night; All shows: No Cover.Every Mon 7:30-11:30pm Soul Mondays.Every Tue 7-11pm Blue Angels.Every Wed 8pm-12am Blackburn. EveryThu 8:30pm-12:30am Blackburn. EveryFri 10pm-2am The Grind. Every Sat 10pm-2am Shugga. Every Sun 6-10pm Organic:Nathan Hiltz (guitar); Bernie Senensky(organ); Ryan Oliver (saxophone); MorganChilds (drums).KAMA214 King St. W. 416-599-5262All shows: 5-8pm. No Cover, food/beverageminimum.Every Thu Thursdays at Five: Members of theCanadian Jazz Quartet: Frank Wright (vibraphone);Duncan Hopkins (bass); Don Vickery(drums) and special guests: Mar 6 RichardUnderhill (saxophone); Ted Quinlan (guitar).Mar 13 Denny Christianson (trumpet);Andrew Scott (guitar). Mar 20, 27 TBA.Local Gest, The424 Parliament St. 416-961-9425Jazz Sundays 4:30-7:30pm. No Cover, food/beverage minimum.Lula Lounge1585 Dundas St. W. 416-588-0307lula.ca (full schedule)Mar 6 8pm Heavyweights Brass Band:“Brasstronomical” CD Release / withCD. Mar 7 8pm Carlos Bernardo Trio .Mar 14 8pm Jay Danley Ethio-Jazz Project. Mar 19 8pm Ron Davis: Symphronica. Mar 27 8:30pm Motown Madness .Manhattans Pizza Bistro & Music Club951 Gordon St., Guelph 519-767-2440manhattans.caAll shows: PWYCMAY Cafe876 Dundas St. W. 416-568-5510maytoronto.com (full schedule)Mar 14, 15 9pm Ori Dagan Quintet featBrownman: Cole Porter Tribute .Mezzetta Restaurant681 St. Clair Ave. W. 416-658-5687mezzettarestaurant.comSets at 9pm and 10:15pm. Jazz Series: Cover-.Monarchs PubAt the Delta Chelsea Hotel33 Gerrard St. W. 416-585-4352monarchspub.ca (full schedule)All shows: 8pm-midnight. No Cover.Mar 5 Michael Bell. Mar 6 Jerome Godboo.Mar 12 Chuck Jackson. Mar 13 J.W. JonesBand. Mar 19 Melissa Boyce. Mar 20 The Distillery.Mar 26 Michael Danckert Quartet.Mar 27 Jack de Keyzer Band.Morgans on the Danforth1282 Danforth Ave. 416-461-3020morgansonthedanforth.comSunday Brunch, 2-5pm, No CoverMar 2 Thyron Lee Whyte. Mar 9 JordanaTalsky. Mar 16 Lisa Particelli’s Girls NightOut Jam. Mar 23 Pat Murray. Mar 30 AllysonMorris.Musideum401 Richmond St. W., Main Floor416-599-7323musideum.comNawlins Jazz Bar & Dining299 King St. W. 416-595-1958nawlins.caEvery Tue Stacie McGregor; Every Wed JimHeineman Trio. Every Thu Nothin’ But theBlues w/ guest vocalists. Every Fri/Sat AllStar Bourbon St. Band; Every Sun BrookeBlackburn.Nice Bistro, The117 Brock St. N., Whitby. 905-668-8839nicebistro.comMar 26 7-9pm Zoey Adams .99 (includesdinner).Old Mill, The21 Old Mill Rd. 416-236-2641oldmilltoronto.comThe Home Smith Bar: No Reservations. NoCover. food/drink minimum. All shows:7:30-10:30pm unless noted otherwise.Mar 1 Bernie Senensky Trio. Mar 6 CarolMcCartney Quartet. Mar 7 Brigham PhillipsTrio. Mar 8 Joe Sealy/Paul NovotnyDuo. Mar 13 Faith Amour Trio. Mar 14 JohnSherwood Duo. Mar 15 Mark EisenmanTrio. Mar 20 Luis Mario Ochoa Quartet.Mar 21 Richard Whiteman Trio.Mar 22 Bruce Harvey. Mar 27 Michele MeleTrio. Mar 28 Brian Barlow Trio. Mar 29 JohnSherwood Duo.46 | March 1 – April 7, 2014 thewholenote.com
Paintbox Bistro555 Dundas St. E. 647-748-0555paintboxbistro.caPilot Tavern, The22 Cumberland Ave. 416-923-5716thepilot.ca All shows: 3:30pm. No Cover.Mar 1 Ted Quinlan Quartet. Mar 8 SugarDaddies Sextet. Mar 15 Darryl Orr Quartet.Mar 22 Chris Butcher Quartet. Mar 29 DaveYoung Quartet.Poetry Jazz Café224 Augusta Ave. 416-599-5299poetryjazzcafe.com (full schedule)Reposado Bar & Lounge136 Ossington Ave. 416-532-6474reposadobar.com All shows: PWYC.Every Wed 9:30pm Spy vs Sly vs Spy. EveryThu, Fri 10pm The Reposadists Quartet.Reservoir Lounge, The52 Wellington St. E. 416-955-0887reservoirlounge.com (full schedule).Every Tue 7-9pm Apres Work Series;9:45pm Tyler Yarema and his Rhythm. EveryWed 7-9pm Apres Work Series; 9:45pm Bradleyand the Bouncers. Every Thu 7-9pm ApresWork Series (Mar 6 Alex Pangman) 9:45pmMary McKay. Every Fri 9:45pm Dee Dee andthe Dirty Martinis. Every Sat 9:45pm TylerYarema and his Rhythm.Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar, The194 Queen St. W. 416-598-2475therex.ca (call for cover charge info)Mar 1 12pm Danny Marks & Friends; 3:30pmT.J.O. Big Band; 7:30pm Bacchus Collective;9:45pm David Buchbinder’s Odessa. Mar 212pm Excelsior Dixieland Jazz; 3:30pm ClubDjango; 7pm Richard Whiteman; 9:30pm SeanBray Trio. Mar 3 6:30pm U of T Student JazzEnsembles; 9:30pm Humber College StudentEnsembles. Mar 4 6:30pm David HutchisonQuartet; 9:30pm Classic Rex Jazz Jam.Mar 5 6:30pm Griffith/Hiltz; 9:30pm MyriadTrio. Mar 6 7pm Israeli Jazz Showcase: DavidBuchbinder, Gilad Hekselman, Shai Maestro.Mar 7 4pm Hogtown Syncopators; 6:30pmSara Dell; 9:45pm Al Henderson. Mar 8 12pmDanny Marks & Friends; 3:30pm Swing ShiftBig Band; 7:30pm Bacchus Collective; 9:45pmGia & the Unpredictable. Mar 9 12pm ExcelsiorDixieland Jazz; 3:30pm Red Hot Ramble;7pm Richard Whiteman; 9:30pm AminaFigarova. Mar 10 6:30pm U of T Student JazzEnsembles; 9:30pm Humber College StudentJazz Ensembles. Mar 11 6:30pm David HutchisonQuartet; 9:30pm Classic Rex Jazz Jam.Mar 12 6:30pm Griffith/Hiltz Trio; 9:30pmAlex Goodman/Jon Challoner. Mar 13 6:30pmKevin Quain; 9:45pm Ingrid Jensen w/ GrayMatter. Mar 14 4pm Hogtown Syncopators;6:30pm Sara Dell; 9:45pm Ingrid Jensen w/Gray Matter. Mar 15 12pm Danny Marks &Friends; 3:30pm The Mojo Stars; 7:30pm BacchusCollective; 9:45pm Mike Downes Quartet.Mar 16 12pm Excelsior Dixieland Jazz;3:30pm Dr. Nick Blues; 7pm Richard Whiteman;9:30pm Strictly From Prehistoric.Mar 17 6:30pm U of T Student Jazz Ensembles;9:30pm Humber College Student JazzEnsembles. Mar 18 6:30pm David HutchisonQuartet; 9:30pm Tomas Janzon Quartet.Mar 19 6:30pm Griffith/Hiltz Trio; 9:30pmMax Senitt Trio. Mar 20 6:30pm Kevin Quain;9:45pm Barry Elmes Quintet. Mar 21 4pmHogtown Syncopators; 6:30pm Sara Dell;9:45pm Barry Elmes Quintet. Mar 22 12pmDanny Marks & Friends; 3:30pm Jerome Godboo;7:30pm Bacchus Collective; 9:45pmJake Chisholm. Mar 23 12pm Excelsior DixielandJazz; 3:30pm Satin Dolls; 7pm RichardWhiteman; 9:30pm Trombone Summit.Mar 24 6:30pm U of T Student Jazz Ensembles;9:30pm John Cheesman Jazz Orchestra.Mar 25 6:30pm David Hutchison Quartet;9:30pm Dave Young. Mar 26 6:30pm Griffith/HiltzTrio; 9:30pm Paul DeLong’s Bucketof Fish Orchestra. Mar 27 6:30pm Fabio RagnelliTrio; 9:45pm Mark Eisenman Quintet.Mar 28 4pm Hogtown Syncopators; 6:30pmSara Dell; 9:45pm Mark Eisenman Quintet.Mar 29 12pm Danny Marks & Friends; 3:30pmLaura Hubert Band; 7:30pm Bacchus Collective;9:45pm Kollage. Mar 30 12pm ExcelsiorDixieland Jazz; 3:30pm Freeway DixielandJazz; 7pm Richard Whiteman; 9:30pm AimeeButcher.Salty Dog Bar & Grill, The1980 Queen St. E. 416-849-5064saltydogbarandgrill.caAll shows 7-10pm, No Cover.Mar 4, 18 Greg Pilo Quartet.Seven44(Formerly Chick n’ Deli/The People’s Chicken)744 Mount Pleasant Rd. 416-489-7931seven44.com (full schedule)Every Sat 4-7pm Climax Jazz Band . EveryMon 7:30pm Big Band Night. No Cover.Statlers487 Church St. 416-922-0487All Shows: No Cover/PWYCEvery Mon 9:30pm-1am SINGular Sensation:Musical Theatre Open Mic w/ JenniferWalls, Donovan LeNabat & Jamie Bird. EveryTue 10pm Top Star Tuesday: Talent Night.Every Wed 6-10pm Kendall Partington. EveryThu 9:30pm Open Mic w/ Donovan LeNabat& Jamie Bird. Every Sat 10pm-1:30am KendallPartington.Tranzac292 Brunswick Ave. 416-923-8137tranzac.org (full schedule)3-4 shows daily, various styles. Mostly PWYC.Every Mon 7pm This is Awesome; 10pm OpenMic. Every Fri 5pm The Foolish Things. EverySat 3pm Jamzac. This month’s shows include:Mar 2 5pm Monk’s Music. Mar 4 10pm PeripheralVision. Mar 7 10pm Jim Lewis & DOGEnsemble. Mar 9 10pm Lina Allemano Four.Mar 11 7:30pm The Aurochs; 10pm Stop Time.Mar 12 10pm Jay Danley’s Ethio-Jazz Project.Mar 18 10pm Ken McDonald Quartet. Mar 2110pm Ryan Driver Quartet. Mar 25 10pm NickFraser Presents. Mar 28 10pm Ryan DriverQuartet. Mar 30 10pm Steve Ward Presents.Victory Café, The581 Markham St. 416-516-5787Every Wed 9:30pm-12am Hot Jazz StringQuartet: Drew Jurecka (violin); Jesse Barksdale(guitar); Chris Bezant (guitar); ChrisBanks (bass). Every Sun 9pm Open Mic.Zipperz72 Carlton St. 416-921-0066All shows: No Cover/PWYC.Every Tue 10-12am Effervescence w/ DonavonLeNabat & Natasha Buckeridge. EveryFri 7-9pm Roxxie Terrain w/ Adam Weinmann.GALAS & FUNDRAISERS●●Mar 29, 7:00: Mariposa in the Schools/Echo Women’s Choir. Night Songs. Livemusic, wine tasting, food, silent auction andprizes. Performances by Jowi Taylor, TheDovercourts, Melanie Doane, Echo, and GurpreetChana. Fundraiser to benefit Mariposain the Schools and Echo Women’s Choir andcelebrate Earth Day. Church of the Holy Trinity,10 Trinity Square. 416-462-9400. .COMPETITIONS●●Deadline to Apply: Mar 28: DomenicTroiano Guitar Awards. Three prizes of00 to be awarded to Canadian guitaristsin the categories of Jazz, Multi-genre (rock,blues, country, etc.) and Classical. Submit a 3to 4 minute video on Sonicbids. 416-367-0178.For details: www.domenictroiano.com.LECTURES & SYMPOSIA●●Mar 1, 7:00: Toronto Gilbert and SullivanSociety. Illustrated Talk on Peter Pratt.Canon Michael Burgess highlights the life ofPeter Pratt, principal comedian for the D’OylyCarte Opera Company. St. Andrew’s UnitedChurch, 117 Bloor St. E. 416-763-0832. Free.●●Mar 2, 2:00: Toronto Opera Club. TheUltimate Love-Hate Relationship BetweenOpera and the Recording. Robert Harris, lecturer.Room 330, Edward Johnson Building,80 Queen’s Park. 416-924-3940. .●●Mar 10, 17, 24, 31 and Apr 7, 12:00 noon:Saint Barnabas on the Danforth. Soundingsin the Passions. Listening, lecture and discussionseries on Bach’s St. John and St. MatthewPassions. Bring a lunch; texts provided.Continues weekly until Apr 7. 361 DanforthAve. 416-463-1344. Free.●●Mar 18, 1:30: Opera Appreciation with IainScott. Viva Puccini!: Tosca. Video excerpts ofgreat productions and performances of greatsingers with one of Canada’s foremost operaeducators. Miles Nadal Jewish CommunityCentre, 750 Spadina Ave. 416-924-6211 x115.(full series)/(drop in).●●Mar 21, 7:00: Soundtreams Salon 21.Meet John Farah: SoundMakers Composerin Residence. John Farah discusses his process,with the premiere performance of hisnew work for piano and electronics. GardinerMuseum, 111 Queen’s Park. 416-504-1282. Free.●●Mar 25, 1:30: Opera Appreciation withIain Scott. Viva Puccini!: Madame Butterfly.Video excerpts of great productions and performancesof great singers with one of Canada’sforemost opera educators. Miles NadalJewish Community Centre, 750 Spadina Ave.• in the heart of Yorkville• historical heritage building• Steinway Grand Piano• recital and special events• lighting and sound systems• accomodates caterers• reasonable ratesD. The ETCeterasVenue Rental416-924-6211 x115. (full series)/(dropin).OPERAA P P R E C I A T I O N“ V i v a P u c c i n i ! ”Mar 18 ToscaMar 25 Madame ButterflyApr 1 TurandotTuesdays @ 1:30 pm750 Spadina Ave (at Bloor)416.924.6211www.mnjcc.org●●Apr 1, 1:30: Opera Appreciation with IainScott. Viva Puccini!: Turandot. Video excerptsof great productions and performances ofgreat singers with one of Canada’s foremostopera educators. Miles Nadal Jewish CommunityCentre, 750 Spadina Ave. 416-924-6211x115. (full series)/(drop in).●●Apr 5, 7:00: Toronto Gilbert and SullivanSociety. Evening of Gilbert and SullivanTalk and Song. St. Andrew’s United Church,117 Bloor St. E. 416-763-0832. Free.●●Mar 12, 19 and 26; Apr 2 and 9, 1:00: TheJubilee Living and Learning Lecture Series.From Medieval to Modern – A Listener’s Guideto Classical Music. Dr. Arthur Wenk, lecturer.Mar 12: The Middle Ages and the Renaissance;Mar 19: The Baroque Period; Mar 26:The Classical Period; Apr 2: The RomanticPeriod; Apr 9: The Modern Period. JubileeUnited Church, 40 Underhill Dr. 416-447-6846. (series); (single lecture).MASTERCLASSES●●Mar 9 and Apr 6, 2:00: Singing Studioof Deborah Staiman. Masterclass. Musicaltheatre/audition preparation, using textualanalysis and other interpretative toolsfor the sung monologue. Yonge and Eglintonarea, call for exact location. 416-483-9532.(participant)/(auditor). www.singingstudio.ca.●●Mar 30, 4:30: Horn Day. Horn Day 2014:Tribute to Horn and Opera. Concert in tribute35 Hazelton Avenue, Heliconian Hall416-922-3618 rentals@heliconianclub.orgthewholenote.com March 1 – April 7, 2014 | 47
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Choral Scene: Uncharted territory: three choirs finding paths forward; Music Theatre: Loose Tea on the boil with Alaina Viau’s Dead Reckoning; In with the New: what happens to soundart when climate change meets COVID-19; Call to action: diversity, accountability, and reform in post-secondary jazz studies; 9th Annual TIFF Tips: a filmfest like no other; Remembering: Leon Fleisher; DISCoveries: a NY state of mind; 25th anniversary stroll-through; and more. Online in flip through here, and on stands commencing Tues SEP 1.
Following the Goldberg trail from Gould to Lang Lang; Measha Brueggergosman and Edwin Huizinga on face to face collaboration in strange times; diggings into dance as FFDN keeps live alive; "Classical unicorn?" - Luke Welch reflects on life as a Black classical pianist; Debashis Sinha's adventures in sound art; choral lessons from Skagit Valley; and the 21st annual WholeNote Blue Pages (part 1 of 3) in print and online. Here now. And, yes, still in print, with distribution starting Thursday October 1.
Alanis Obomsawin's art of life; fifteen Exquisite Departures; UnCovered re(dis)covered; jazz in the kitchen; three takes on managing record releases in times of plague; baroque for babies; presenter directory (blue pages) part two; and, here at the WholeNote, work in progress on four brick walls (or is it five?). All this and more available in flipthrough HERE, and in print Tuesday Nov 3.
In this issue: Beautiful Exceptions, Sing-Alone Messiahs, Livingston’s Vocal Pleasures, Chamber Beethoven, Online Opera (Plexiglass & All), Playlist for the Winter of our Discontent, The Oud & the Fuzz, Who is Alex Trebek? All this and more available in flipthrough HERE, and in print Friday December 4.
July/August issue is now available in flipthrough HERE, bringing to a close 25 seasons of doing what we do (and plan to continue doing), and on stands early in the week of July 5. Not the usual bucolic parade of music in the summer sun, but lots, we hope, to pass the time: links to online and virtual music; a full slate of record reviews; plenty new in the Listening Room; and a full slate of stories – the future of opera, the plight of small venues, the challenge facing orchestras, the barriers to resumption of choral life, the challenges of isolation for real-time music; the steps some festivals are taking to keep the spirit and substance of what they do alive. And intersecting with all of it, responses to the urgent call for anti-racist action and systemic change.
"COVID's Metamorphoses"? "There's Always Time (Until Suddenly There Isn't)"? "The Writing on the Wall"? It's hard to know WHAT to call this latest chapter in the extraordinary story we are all of a sudden characters in. By whatever name we call it, the MAY/JUNE combined issue of The WholeNote is now available, HERE in flip through format, in print commencing Wednesday May 6, and, in fully interactive form, online at thewholenote.com. Our 18th Annual Choral Canary Pages, scheduled for publication in print and flip through in September is already well underway with the first 50 choirs home to roost and more being added every week online. Community Voices, our cover story, brings to you the thoughts of 30 musical community members, all going through what we are going through (and with many more to come as the feature gets amplified online over the course of the coming months). And our regular writers bring their personal thoughts to the mix. Finally, a full-fledged DISCoveries review section offers cues and clues to recorded music for your solitary solace!
After some doubt that we would be allowed to go to press, in respect to wide-ranging Ontario business closures relating to COVID-19, The WholeNote magazine for April 2020 is now on press, and print distribution – modified to respect community-wide closures and the need for appropriate distancing – starts Monday March 30. Meanwhile the full magazine is right here, digitally, so if you value us PLEASE SHARE THIS LINK AS WIDELY AS YOU CAN. It's the safest way for us to reach the widest possible audience at this time!
FEATURED: Music & Health writer Vivien Fellegi explores music, blindness & the plasticity of perception; David Jaeger digs into Gustavo Gimeno's plans for new music in his upcoming first season as music director at TSO; pianist James Rhodes, here for an early March recital, speaks his mind in a Q&A with Paul Ennis; and Lydia Perovic talks music and more with rising Turkish-Canadian mezzo Beste Kalender. Also, among our columns, Peggy Baker Dance Projects headlines Wende Bartley's In with the New; Steve Wallace's Jazz Notes rushes in definitionally where many fear to tread; ... and more.
Visions of 2020! Sampling from back to front for a change: in Rearview Mirror, Robert Harris on the Beethoven he loves (and loves to hate!); Errol Gay, a most musical life remembered; Luna Pearl Woolf in focus in recordings editor David Olds' "Editor's Corner" and in Jenny Parr's preview of "Jacqueline"; Speranza Scappucci explains how not to reinvent Rossini; The Indigo Project, where "each piece of cloth tells a story"; and, leading it all off, Jully Black makes a giant leap in "Caroline, or Change." And as always, much more. Now online in flip-through format here and on stands starting Thurs Jan 30.
Welcome to our December/January issue as we turn the annual calendar page, halfway through our season for the 25th time, juggling as always, secular stuff, the spirit of the season, new year resolve and winter journeys! Why is Mozart's Handel's Messiah's trumpet a trombone? Why when Laurie Anderson offers to fly you to the moon you should take her up on the invitation. Why messing with Winterreisse can (sometimes) be a very good thing! And a bumper crop of record reviews for your reading (and sometimes listening) pleasure. Available in flipthrough here right now, and on stands commencing Thursday Nov 28. See you on the other side!
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.
Long promised, Vivian Fellegi takes a look at Relaxed Performance practice and how it is bringing concert-going barriers down across the spectrum; Andrew Timar looks at curatorial changes afoot at the Music Gallery; David Jaeger investigates the trumpets of October; the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution (and the 20th Anniversary of our October Blue Pages Presenter profiles) in our Editor's Opener; the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir at 125; Tapestry at 40 and Against the Grain at 10; ringing in the changing season across our features and columns; all this and more, now available in Flip Through format here, and on the stands commencing this coming Friday September 27, 2019. Enjoy.
Vol 1 of our 25th season is now here! And speaking of 25, that's how many films in the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival editor Paul Ennis, in our Eighth Annual TIFF TIPS, has chosen to highlight for their particular musical interest. Also inside: Rob Harris looks through the Rear View Mirror at past and present prognostications about the imminent death of classical music; Mysterious Barricades and Systemic Barriers are Lydia Perović's preoccupations in Art of Song; Andrew Timar reflects on the evolving priorities of the Polaris Prize; and elsewhere, it's chocks away as yet another season creaks or roars (depending on the beat) into motion. Welcome back.
What a range of stuff! A profile of Liz Upchurch, the COC ensemble studio's vocal mentor extraordinaire; a backgrounder on win-win faith/arts centre partnerships and ways of exploring the possibilities; an interview with St. Petersburg-based Eifman Ballet's Boris Eifman; Ana Sokolovic's violin concert Evta finally coming to town; a Love Letter to YouTube, and much more. Plus our 17th annual Canary Pages Choral directory if all you want to do is sing! sing! sing!
Arraymusic, the Music Gallery and Native Women in the Arts join for a mini-festival celebrating the work of composer, performer and installation artist Raven Chacon; Music and Health looks at the role of Healing Arts Ontario in supporting concerts in care facilities; Kingston-based composer Marjan Mozetich's life and work are celebrated in film; "Forest Bathing" recontextualizes Schumann, Shostakovich and Hindemith; in Judy Loman's hands, the harp can sing; Mahler's Resurrection bursts the bounds of symphonic form; Ed Bickert, guitar master remembered. All this and more in our April issue, now online in flip-through here, and on stands commencing Friday March 29.
Something Old, Something New! The Ide(a)s of March are Upon Us! Rob Harris's Rear View Mirror looks forward to a tonal revival; Tafelmusik expands their chronological envelope in two directions, Esprit makes wave after wave; Pax Christi's new oratorio by Barbara Croall catches the attention of our choral and new music columnists; and summer music education is our special focus, right when warm days are once again possible to imagine. All this and more in our March 2019 edition, available in flipthrough here, and on the stands starting Thursday Feb 28.
In this issue: A prize that brings lustre to its laureates (and a laureate who brings lustre to the prize); Edwin Huizinga on the journey of Opera Atelier's "The Angel Speaks" from Versailles to the ROM; Danny Driver on playing piano in the moment; Remembering Neil Crory (a different kind of genius)' Year of the Boar, Indigeneity and Opera; all this and more in Volume 24 #5. Online in flip through, HERE and on the stands commencing Thursday Jan 31.
When is a trumpet like a motorcycle in a dressage event? How many Brunhilde's does it take to change an Elektra? Just two of the many questions you've been dying to ask, to which you will find answers in a 24th annual combined December/January issue – in which our 11 beat columnists sift through what's on offer in the upcoming holiday month, and what they're already circling in their calendars for 2019. Oh, and features too: a klezmer violinist breathing new life into a very old film; two New Music festivals in January, 200 metres apart; a Music & Health story on the restorative powers of a grassroots exercise in collective music-making; even a good reason to go to Winnipeg in the dead of winter. All this and more in Vol 24 No 4, now available in flipthrough format here.
Reluctant arranger! National Ballet Orchestra percussionist Kris Maddigan on creating the JUNO and BAFTA award-winning smash hit Cuphead video game soundtrack; Evergreen by name and by nature, quintessentially Canadian gamelan (Andrew Timar explains); violinist Angèle Dubeau on 20 years and 60 million streams; two children’s choirs where this month remembrance and living history must intersect. And much more, online in our kiosk now, and on the street commencing Thursday November 1.
Presenters, start your engines! With TIFF and "back-to-work" out of the way, the regular concert season rumbles to life, and, if our Editor's Opener can be trusted, "Seeking Synergies" seems to be the name of the game. Denise Williams' constantly evolving "Walk Together Children" touching down at the Toronto Centre for the Arts; the second annual Festival of Arabic Music and Arts expanding its range; a lesson in Jazz Survival with Steve Wallace; the 150 presenter and performer profiles in our 19th annual Blue Pages directory... this is an issue that is definitely more than the sum of its parts.
In this issue: The WholeNote's 7th Annual TIFF TIPS guide to festival films with musical clout; soprano Erin Wall in conversation with Art of Song columnist Lydia Perovic, about more than the art of song; a summer's worth of recordings reviewed; Toronto Chamber Choir at 50 (is a few close friends all it takes?); and much more, as the 2018/19 season gets under way.
PLANTING NOT PAVING! In this JUNE / JULY /AUGUST combined issue: Farewell interviews with TSO's Peter Oundjian and Stratford Summer Music's John Miller, along with "going places" chats with Luminato's Josephine Ridge, TD Jazz's Josh Grossman and Charm of Finches' Terry Lim. ) Plus a summer's worth of fruitful festival inquiry, in the city and on the road, in a feast of stories and our annual GREEN PAGES summer Directory.
In this issue: our sixteenth annual Choral Canary Pages; coverage of 21C, Estonian Music Week and the 3rd Toronto Bach Festival (three festivals that aren’t waiting for summer!); and features galore: “Final Finales” for Larry Beckwith’s Toronto Masque Theatre and for David Fallis as artistic director of Toronto Consort; four conductors on the challenges of choral conducting; operatic Hockey Noir; violinist Stephen Sitarski’s perspective on addressing depression; remembering bandleader, composer and saxophonist Paul Cram. These and other stories, in our May 2018 edition of the magazine.
In this issue: we talk with jazz pianist Thompson Egbo-Egbo about growing up in Toronto, building a musical career, and being adaptive to change; pianist Eve Egoyan prepares for her upcoming Luminato project and for the next stage in her long-term collaborative relationship with Spanish-German composer Maria de Alvear; jazz violinist Aline Homzy, halfway through preparing for a concert featuring standout women bandleaders, talks about social equity in the world of improvised music; and the local choral community celebrates the life and work of choral conductor Elmer Iseler, 20 years after his passing.
In this issue: Canadian Stage, Tapestry Opera and Vancouver Opera collaborate to take Gogol’s short story The Overcoat to the operatic stage; Montreal-based Sam Shalabi brings his ensemble Land of Kush, and his newest composition, to Toronto; Five Canadian composers, each with a different CBC connection, are nominated for JUNOs; and The WholeNote team presents its annual Summer Music Education Directory, a directory of summer music camps, programs and courses across the province and beyond.
In this issue: composer Nicole Lizée talks about her love for analogue equipment, and the music that “glitching” evokes; Richard Rose, artistic director at the Tarragon Theatre, gives us insights into their a rock-and-roll Hamlet, now entering production; Toronto prepares for a mini-revival of Schoenberg’s music, with three upcoming shows at New Music Concerts; and the local music theatre community remembers and celebrates the life and work of Mi’kmaq playwright and performer Cathy Elliott . These and other stories, in our double-issue December/January edition of the magazine.
In this issue: conversations (of one kind or another) galore! Daniela Nardi on taking the reins at "best-kept secret" venue, 918 Bathurst; composer Jeff Ryan on his "Afghanistan" Requiem for a Generation" partnership with war poet, Susan Steele; lutenist Ben Stein on seventeenth century jazz; collaborative pianist Philip Chiu on going solo; Barbara Hannigan on her upcoming Viennese "Second School" recital at Koerner; Tina Pearson on Pauline Oliveros; and as always a whole lot more!
In this issue: several local artists reflect on the memory of composer Claude Vivier, as they prepare to perform his music; Vancouver gets ready to host international festival ISCM World New Music Days, which is coming to Canada for the second time since its inception in 1923; one of the founders of Artword Artbar, one of Hamilton’s staple music venues, on the eve of the 5th annual Steel City Jazz Festival, muses on keeping urban music venues alive; and a conversation with pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, as he prepares for an ambitious recital in Toronto. These and other stories, in our October 2017 issue of the magazine.
In this issue: a look at why musicians experience stage fright, and how to combat it; an inside look at the second Kensington Market Jazz Festival, which zeros in on one of Toronto’s true ‘music villages’; an in-depth interview with Elisa Citterio, new music director of Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra; and The WholeNote’s guide to TIFF, with suggestions for the 20 most musical films at this year’s festival. These and other stories, in our September 2017 issue of the magazine!
CBC Radio's Lost Horizon; Pinocchio as Po-Mo Operatic Poster Boy; Meet the Curators (Crow, Bernstein, Ridge); a Global Music Orchestra is born; and festivals, festivals, festivals in our 13th annual summer music Green Pages. All this and more in our three-month June-through August summer special issue, now available in flipthrough HERE and on the stands commencing Thursday June 1.
From science fact in "Integral Man: Music and the Movies," to science fiction in the editor's opener; from World Fiddle Day at the Aga Khan Museum to three Canadians at the Cliburn; from wanting to sashay across the 401 to Chamberfest in Montreal to exploring the Continuum of Jumblies Theatre's 20-year commitment to the Community Play (there's a pun in there somewhere!).
In this issue: Our podcast ramps up with interviews in March with fight director Jenny Parr, countertenor Daniel Taylor, and baritone Russell Braun; two views of composer John Beckwith at 90; how music’s connection to memory can assist with the care of patients with Alzheimer’s; musical celebrations in film and jazz, at National Canadian Film Day and Jazz Day; and a preview of Louis Riel, which opens this month at the COC. These and other stories, in our April 2017 issue of the magazine!
On our cover: Owen Pallett's musical palette on display at New Creations. Spring brings thoughts of summer music education! (It's never too late.). For Marc-Andre Hamelin the score is king. Ella at 100 has the tributes happening. All; this and more.
In this issue: an interview with composer/vocalist Jeremy Dutcher, on his upcoming debut album and unique compositional voice; a conversation with Boston Symphony hornist James Sommerville, as as the BSO gets ready to come to his hometown; Stuart Hamilton, fondly remembered; and an inside look at Hugh’s Room, as it enters a complicated chapter in the story of its life in the complex fabric of our musical city. These and other stories, as we celebrate the past and look forward to the rest of 2016/17, the first glimpses of 2017/18, and beyond!
In this issue: a conversation with pianist Stewart Goodyear, in advance of his upcoming show at Koerner Hall; a preview of the annual New Year’s phenomenon that is Bravissimo!/Salute to Vienna; an inside look at music performance in Toronto’s health-care centres; and a reflection on the incredible life and lasting influence of the late Pauline Oliveros. These and more, in a special December/January combined issue!
In this issue: David Jaeger and Alex Pauk’s most memorable R. Murray Schafer collabs, in this month’s installment of Jaeger’s CBC Radio Two: The Living Legacy; an interview with flutist Claire Chase, who brings new music and mindset to Toronto this month; an investigation into the strange coincidence of three simultaneous Mendelssohn Elijahs this Nov 5; and of course, our annual Blue Pages, a who’s who of southern Ontario’s live music scene- a community as prolific and multifaceted as ever. These and more, as we move full-force into the 2016/17 concert season- all aboard!
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.
It's combined June/July/August summer issue time with, we hope, enough between the covers to keep you dipping into it all through the coming lazy, hazy days. From Jazz Vans racing round "The Island" delivering pop-up brass breakouts at the roadside, to Bach flute ambushes strolling "The Grove, " to dozens of reasons to stay in the city. May yours be a summer where you find undiscovered musical treasures, and, better still, when, unexpectedly, the music finds you.
INSIDE: The Canaries Are Here! 116 choirs to choose from, so take the plunge! The Nylons hit the road after one last SING! Fling. Jazz writer Steve Wallace wonders "Watts Goode" rather than "what's new?" Paul Ennis has the musical picks of the HotDocs crop. David Jaeger's CBC Radio continues golden for a little while yet. Douglas McNabney is Music's Child. Leipzig meets Damascus in Alison Mackay's fertile imagination. And "C" is for KRONOS in Wende Bartley's koverage of the third annual 21C Festival. All this and as usual much much more. Enjoy.
From 30 camp profiles to spark thoughts of being your summer musical best, to testing LUDWIG as you while away the rest of so-called winter; from Scottish Opera and the Danish Midtvest, to a first Toronto recital appearance by violin superstar Maxim Vengerov; from musings on New Creations and new creation, to the boy who made a habit of crying Beowulf; it's a month of merry meetings and rousing recordings reviewed, all here to discover in The WholeNote.
2016 is off to a flying start! We chronicle the Artful Times of Andrew Burashko, the violistic versatility of Teng Li, the ageless ebullience of jazz pianist Gene DiNovi and the ninetieth birthday of trumpeter Johnny Cowell. Jaeger remembers Boulez; Waxman recalls Bley's influence, and Olds finds Bowie haunting Editor's Corner. Oh, and did we mention there's all that music? Hello (and goodbye) to the February blues, and here's to swinging through the musical vines of the Year of the Monkey.
What's a vinyl renaissance? What happens when Handel's Messiah runs afoul of the rumba rhythm setting on a (gasp!) Hammond organ? What work does Marc-Andre Hamelin say he would be content to have on every recital program he plays? What are Steve Wallace's favourite fifty Christmas recordings? Why is violinist Daniel Hope celebrating Yehudi Menuhin's 100th birthday at Koerner Hall January 28? Answers to all these questions (and a whole lot more) in the Dec/Jan issue of The WholeNote.
"Come" seems to be the verb that knits this month's issue together. Sondra Radvanovsky comes to Koerner, William Norris comes to Tafel as their new GM, opera comes to Canadian Stage; and (a long time coming!) Jane Bunnett's musicianship and mentorship are honoured with the Premier's award for excellence; plus David Jaeger's ongoing series on the golden years of CBC Radio Two, Andrew Timar on hybridity, a bumper crop of record reviews and much much more. Come on in!
Vol 21 No 2 is now available for your viewing pleasure, and it's a bumper crop, right at the harvest moon. First ever Canadian opera on the Four Seasons Centre main stage gets double coverage with Wende Bartley interviewing Pyramus and Thisbe composer Barbara Monk Feldman and Chris Hoile connecting with director Christopher Alden; Paul Ennis digs into the musical mind of pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, and pianist Eve Egoyan is "On the Record" in conversation with publisher David Perlman ahead of the Oct release concert for her tenth recording. And at the heart of it all the 16th edition of our annual BLUE PAGES directory of presenters profile the season now well and truly under way.
Paul Ennis's annual TIFF TIPS (27 festival films of potential particular musical interest); Wu Man, Yo-Yo Ma and Jeffrey Beecher on the Silk Road; David Jaeger on CBC Radio Music in the days it was committed to commissioning; the LISTENING ROOM continues to grow on line; DISCoveries is back, bigger than ever; and Mary Lou Fallis says Trinity-St. Paul's is Just the Spot (especially this coming Sept 25!).