Beat by Beat | Mainly Clubs. Mostly Jazz.new album this month, with promo tour dates in downtown Toronto,Kitchener-Waterloo and Montreal. The album includes, according toBotos, “many influences from Hungarian Romany music, to straightahead jazz, to funk.” Robi, a former student and friend of OscarPeterson, will be joined on the album, and the tour dates, by SeamusBlake on sax, Robert Hurst on bass, and Jeff “Tain” Watts on drums.On a personal note, Robi was one of the first jazz pianists I heardlive, and he remains one of my favourites. I have spent many eveningsat Chalkers Pub watching Robi’s hands glide across the keyboard oftheir beautiful Shigeru Kawai concert grand, trying to put a name towhat exactly it is that makes Robi sound so good. I haven’t found thatname yet, so the only way to find out is to go out and see for yourself!I don’t know about you, Toronto, but I can barely contain my excitementfor this month’s lineup. See you In the Clubs!D. In the Clubs (Mostly Jazz)120 Diner120 Church St. 416-792-7725102diner.com (full schedule)March 27 6pm Voice, Bass, & Sax: Ori Dagan,Jordan O’Connor, & Allison Young PWYC.80 Gladstone80 Gladstone Ave. 416-516-719980gladstone.com (full schedule)March 14 8pm Larnell Lewis: Solo drum performance / (st).Alleycatz2409 Yonge St. 416-481-6865alleycatz.caAll shows: 9pm unless otherwise indicated.Call for cover.Every Mon 8pm Salsa Night w/ Frank Bischunand free lessons. Every Tue 8:30pmBachata Night w/ DJ Frank Bischun andfree lessons. Every Wed 8:30pm CarloBerardinucci Band. No Cover. March 5 JimDan Dee. March 6 Nine Times Band. March12 Jazz Biscuit. March 14 Jamesking. March19 Wild “T” Tony Springer. March 20, 21, 27,28 Lady Kane.Annette Studios566 Annette St. 647-880-8378annettestudios.comEvery Mon 9:30pm Jazz Jam w/ Jared GoldmanQuintet. Suggested donation /(st).Artword Artbar15 Colbourne St., Hamilton. 905-543-8512artword.net (full schedule)March 6 8pm Mike DeiCont (bass) withMike Rajna (drums), Chris Platt (guitar), andfeatured guests Cover TBA. March 7 8pmColina Phillips (voice) & Stacie McGregor(piano) . March 12 8pm The Worst PopBand Ever: Adrean Farrugia (piano), ChrisGale (sax), Drew Birston (bass), Tim Shia(drums) . March 20 8pm KAIZEN: WayneJanus (guitar, voice), David Carrillo (drums),Shane Lannigan (bass). . March 27 8pmOphelia Syndrome: Josh Kohler (bass), TrinaNadeau (cello), Deanna Wells (keys, voice),Andrew Barbisan (drums) . March 288:30 Hat & Beard: Ken Aldcroft (guitar), DaveClark (drums) / (st).Blakbird, The812b Bloor St. West 647-344-7225theblakbird.com/ (full schedule)Bloom2315 Bloor St. W. 416-767-1315bloomrestaurant.comAll shows: No minors. Call for reservations.March 7 7pm Louis Simao Fade Trio (withdinner). March 26 7pm Alex Pangman (with dinner).Boat Restaurant, The158 Augusta Ave. 416-593-9218theboatkensington.com (full schedule)Castro’s Lounge2116e Queen St. E 416-699-8272castroslounge.com (full schedule)All shows: No cover/PWYCEvery Wed 6pm The Mediterranean Stars.Every Saturday 4:30 Big Rude Jake. March 48:30pm Blue Venus.Featuring some of Toronto’s best jazz musicianswith a brief reflection by Jazz Vespers ClergySunday, March 8 at 4:30 pmTRIBUTE TO WES MONTGOMERYNathan Hiltz (guitar), Amanda Tosoff (piano)Steve Wallace (bass), Brian Barlow (drums)Sunday, March 22 at 4:30 pmChase Sanborn (trumpet), Mark Eisenman (piano)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.C’est What67 Front St. E (416) 867-9499cestwhat.com (full schedule)March 7, 21 3pm The Hot Five Jazzmakers Nocover/PWYC. February 14, 28 3pm The BoxcarBoys No cover/PWYC.Chalkers Pub, Billiards & Bistro247 Marlee Ave. 416-789-2531chalkerspub.com (full schedule)Every Wed 8pm-+midnight Girls Night OutJazz Jam w/ host Lisa Particelli. PWYC.March 29 7pm Bartosz Hadala (piano) Triowith Mike Downes (bass), Alan Hetherington(drums) .DeSotos1079 St. Clair Ave. W 416-651-2109desotos.ca (Full schedule)Every Sun 11am-2pm Sunday Live JazzBrunch hosted by Anthony Abbatangeli NoCover.Dominion on Queen500 Queen St. E 416-368-6893dominiononqueen.com (full schedule)Call for cover charge info.Emmet Ray, The924 College St. 416-792-4497theemmetray.com (full schedule)All shows: No Cover/PWYCFlying Beaver Pubaret, The488 Parliament St. 647-347-6567pubaret.com (full schedule)Free Times Cafe320 College St. 416-967-1078freetimescafe.com (full schedule)Gate 403403 Roncesvalles Ave. 416-588-2930gate403.com All shows: PWYC.March 1 5pm Michael Lalonde Jazz Duo; 9pmRosy Cervantes y La Sana Rabia Blues Band.March 2 5pm Mike Daley Jazz Trio; 9pmMichael O’Grady with His Friends. March 35pm Howard Willett Blues Duo; 9pm BruceChapman Blues Duo with featured guests.March 4 5pm Ben Walker Jazz Trio; 9pm JulianFauth Blues Night. March 5 5pm Clair LeeJazz Trio; 9pm Melanie Brûlée’s Band. March6 9pm Fraser Melvin Blues Band. March7 5pm Bill Heffernan and His Friends; 9pmMelissa Boyce Jazz & Blues Band. March 85pm Brad Cheeseman Jazz Trio; 9pm AimeeButcher Jazz Band. March 9 5pm Clela ErringtonRoot Music Duo; 9pm Chris Staig Trio.March 10 5pm Byung-Gul Jung Jazz Band;9pm Brad Harrison Jazz Band. March 115pm Michelle Rumball with Friend; 9pm JulianFauth Blues Night. March 12 5pm Bill Maclean& Brian Stevens: B2-vocal/piano duo;9pm Kevin Laliberté Jazz & Flamenco Trio.March 13 5pm Mike Field Jazz Band; 9pmDenielle Bassels Jazz Band. March 14 5pmBill Heffernan and His Friends; 9pm Reide Kaiser:Doc Barrister’s Harlem Rhythm. March15 5pm Carter Brodkorp Jazz Quintet; 9pmMike Pelletier Jazz Quartet. March 16 5pmAbbey Sholzberg Jazz Trio; 9pm Rob DavisBlues Duo. March 17 5pm Jeffrey Hewer jazzBand; 9pm Toby Hughs Jazz Band. March18 5pm Paul O’Conner: Concord Jazz Quintet;9pm Julian Fauth Blues Night. March19 5pm Roger Chong Jazz Band; 9pm AnnieBonsignore Jazz Duo or Trio. March 20 5pmSam Broverman Jazz Duo; 9pm Tevlin SwingBand. March 21 5pm Bill Heffernan and HisFriends; 9pm Sweet Derrick Blues Band.March 22 5pm Marie Fatima Rudolf JazzBand; 9pm Tiffany Hanus Jazz Band. March23 5pm Cody McMillan Jazz Duo; 9pm KaylaRamu Jazz Band. March 24 5pm Danny B andBrian Gauci Blues Duo; 9pm Simone MorrisJazz Trio. March 25 5pm Ed Sweetman withRob Rowe Jazz Duo; 9pm Julian Fauth BluesNight. March 26 5pm G Street Jazz Trio; 9pmCyndi Carleton: At Ease Music. March 27 5pmKen Taylor: Fixin’s Jazz Trio; 9pm Julian FauthBlues Night. March 28 5pm Bill Heffernanand His Friends; 9pm Donné Roberts Band.March 29 5pm Cheryl White Rhythm & BluesBand; 9pm Karl Silverira Jazz Trio. March30 5pm Sarah Kennedy Jazz Duo; 9pm IliosSteryannis Jazz Trio. March 31 5pm SteveAmirault Solo; 9pm Laura Wilson: “Fibralou” -soul/funk/blues music.Grossman’s Tavern379 Spadina Ave. 416-977-7000grossmanstavern.com (full schedule)All shows: No cover (unless otherwise noted.)March 1 4:30pm New Orleans Connection AllStar Jazz Band; 10pm The National Blues Jamwith Brian Cober. March 2 10pm No BandRequired. March 3 9:30pm Django GypsyJam. March 4 10pm Bruce Domoney.Habits Gastropub928 College St. 416-533-7272habitsgastropub.com (full schedule)March 7 9pm Bossa Tres. March 13 9pmThom Mason (guitar) Quartet with PatrickSmith (sax), Nick Arsenau (bass), Mike Rajna(drums). March 14 9pm Brad Cheeseman(bass) Trio with Dan Rougeau (guitar), TBA(drums).Harlem Restaurant67 Richmond St. E. 416-368-1920harlemrestaurant.com (full schedule)All shows: 7:30-11pm (unless otherwisenoted.) Call for cover charge info.March 6, 13, 20, 27 Dave Hutchinson Jazz &Blues Band. March 21 Kristin Fung. March28 Liz Loughrey & Adrian X.Hirut Cafe and Restaurant2050 Danforth Ave. 416-551-7560All shows: PWYC / / Every Sun 3pm Open Mic with NicolaVaughan: folk/country/jazz/world/R&B.Home Smith Bar – See Old Mill, TheHugh’s Room2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604hughsroom.comAll shows: 8:30pm (unless otherwise noted).March 3 10am Toronto Ravel .March 4 The Bombadils CD release:“Grassy Roads, Wandering Feet”(adv)/$20(door). March 6 AnthonyGomes $20(adv)/.50(door). March7 Tribute to Joni Mitchell: Songs are like tattoos(adv)/.50(door). March 8 TheKruger Brothers (adv)/.50(door).March 10 G2R performs the music of Genesis(adv)/.50(door). March 11 DarrellLondon CD release (adv)/$20(door).March 12 8pm The 2015 JAZZ.FM91 Cabaret50 | March 1 - April 7, 2015 thewholenote.com
Series (general)/(students).March 13 Jack de Keyzer’s Voodoo Boogie.50(adv)/(door). March 14 St. Patrick’sDay Celebration with Rant MaggieRant (adv)/.50(door). March16 Martyn Joseph .50(adv)/(door).March 18 Valdy (adv)/(door).March 19 Jeff Healy Tribute: A Grand BirthdayReunion .50(adv)/(door).March 20 A man called Wrycraft presentsDon’t Give Up: A live concert tributeto Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel(adv)/(door). March 21 Stephen Fearing(adv)/.50(door). March 22 TheGrand Slambovians $20(adv)/.50(door).March 24 Jonathan Byrd & the Pickup Cowboys$20(adv)/.50(door). March 258am The 2014/15 JAZZ.FM91 SongwritersSeries – Tribute to the Brill Building(general)/(students). March26 The Johnny Max Band: RoadhouseSoul CD preview .50(adv)/(door).March 28 8am Smooth Sweet Soundsof the 70s (adv)/(door). March29 2pm Ken Whiteley’s Gospel Matinee$20(adv)/.50(door); 8:30pmKatrina (of Katrina & the Waves).50(adv)/(door). March30 The Cobalt Prize Showcase(adv)/.50(door).Jazz Bistro, The251 Victoria St. 416-363-5299jazzbistro.caEvery Sun 12pm Sunday Brunch with PatrickHewan . March 3 7pm JAZZFM91 PianoSeries: Benny Green .50 (tickets purchasedthrough JAZZFM91). March 4 8pmR&B Night w/ Soul Stew: Michael Dunston(lead vocals, percussion), David Gray (guitar,background vocals), Matt Horner (keyboards,background vocals), John Johnson(saxophones), Mark Kelso (drums, backgroundvocals), Robert Occhipinti (bass,background vocals) . March 5, 6, 7 9pmDavid Rubel (sax) and U.K.’s Nat Steele (vibes)with Winston Matsushita (piano), MalcolmConnor (bass), Rob Claxton (drums) .March 10 8pm Alex Pangman (voice) withPeter Hill (piano), Glenn Anderson (drums),Drew Jurecka (violin, sax) . March 11 8pmGeorge Olliver (voice) with Tony Padalino(piano), Peter Mueller (guitar), Eli Eisenburg(bass), Paul Delong (drums) . March 128pm Colin Hunter with the Anthony TerpstraSeventet No cover ( food/drink minimum).March 13, 14 8pm Colin Hunter (voice) withthe Joe Sealy (piano) Quartet: Paul Novotny(bass), Daniel Barnes (drums), Alison Young(saxophone) No cover ( food/drink minimum).March 15 3pm ‘Stage Business’ booklaunch with Gerry Fostaty; 4:15pm “HopingYou’ll Happen” CD release with Lawrence Cotton(voice), Mark Keiswetter (piano), RossMacIntyre (bass), Maxwell Roach (drums).March 17 8pm Steven Taetz . March 188pm Parkside Drive: Megan Parnell (voice),Matthew Giffin (keyboards, voice), DavidBarnes (guitar, voice), Michael Meusel (bass,voice), Joshua Park (drums) . March 19,20, 21 9pm Steve Koven (piano) Trio withAnthony Michelli (drums), Rob Clutton (bass)(Thurs, Fri)/$20(Sat). March 22 8pmChristine Aziz . March 24 8pm Lydia Persaud(voice) with Chris Pruden (piano), JustinGray (bass), Eric West (drums) . March25 9pm Caribbean Jazz Collective: AndrewStewart (bass), Neil Brathwaite (sax), GarethBurgess (steel pan) Eddie Bullen (piano),Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo (percussion) .March 26 8:30 Robi Botos (piano) Quartetwith Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts (drums), Robert Hurst(bass), Seamus Blake (sax): ‘Movin’ Forward’.50(adv)/(door). March 27, 28 9pmMarc Jordan (voice, guitar) with Dave Restivo(piano), Russ Boswell (bass), Mark Lalama(accordion, keyboards), Kevan McKenzie(drums) . March 31 8pm Luke Maxim CDrelease .Jazz Room, TheLocated in the Huether Hotel, 59 King St. N.,Waterloo. 226-476-1565kwjazzroom.com (full schedule)All shows: 8:30-11:30. Attendees must be 19+.March 13 Jaron Freeman-Fox and theOpposite of Everything: Jaron Freeman-Fox(5-string violin), Daniel Stadnicki (drums),Alan Mackie (upright bass), Frank Evans(banjo), Edwin Sheard (sax) $20. March14 Canadian Jazz Quartet: Frank Wright(vibraphone), Ted Quinlan (guitar), Pat Collins(bass), Don Vickery (drums) . March19 Aviva: Joel Schwartz (guitar), Ernie Tollar(flute), Sundar Viswanathan (sax, voice),Aaron Lightstone (oud, sax, sitar), RakeshTewari (percussion), Nabil Amarshi (bass)General: $20(adv)/(door); Student:(adv)/(door). March 20 The Murley-Braid-NordicProject: Mike Murley (sax),David Braid (piano), Anders Mogenson(drums), Johnny Aman (bass) $20. March21 Gray Matter: Justin Gray (bass), DerekGray (drums), with Eli Bennett (sax), IngridJensen (trumpet) $20. March 27 Alysha BrillaSextet .March 28 Robi Botos Quartet UniversalMusic CD release /(st).Joe Mama’s317 King St. W 416-340-6469joemamas.caEvery Tue 6pm Jeff Eager. Every Wed 6pmThomas Reynolds & Geoff Torrn. Every Thurs9pm Blackburn. Every Fri 10pm The Grind.Every Sat 10pm Shugga. Every Sun 6:30pmOrganic: Nathan Hiltz (guitar); BernieSenensky (organ); Ryan Oliver (sax), MorganChilds (drums).KAMA214 King St. W. 416-599-5262kamaindia.com (full schedule)All shows: 5-8pm.Local Gest, The424 Parliament St. 416-961-9425 (call for concertschedule)Jazz Sundays 4:30-7:30pm. No Cover.March 1 Samantha Clayton & Steven Cole.March 8 Diane Roblin and Friends.Lula Lounge1585 Dundas St. W. 416-588-0307lula.ca (full schedule)March 1 7pm SHINE! Fundraiser: Big Tobacco& the Pickers, Andrew Cash, and New CountryRehab . March 5 8pm Zeynep Ozbilen- World Premiere Album Release Concert. March 6 7:30pm Jim Heinman (sax) Triowith Sam Heinman (piano), Rick Donaldson(drums) Free before 8pm; 10:30pm Yani Borrell, free for women before 10pm. March7 10:30pm Lula All Stars . March 137:30pm Adis Rodriguez (voice)Trio with ElmerFerrer (guitar), Amhed Mitchel (drums);10:30 Son Ache , free for women before10pm. March 14 10:30pm La gran Colombia. March 20 7:30pm Diane Roblin’sReconnect Free before 8pm; 10pm El Quinto, free for women before 10pm. March 2110:30pm Orquesta Fantasia . March 258pm Alexander Brown Quintet . March27 7:30pm Amhed Mitchel Trio Free before8pm; 10:30pm Changui Havana , free forwomen before 10pm. March 28 10:30pmConjunto Lacalu .Manhattans Pizza Bistro & Music Club951 Gordon St., Guelph 519-767-2440manhattans.ca (full schedule)All shows: PWYCMarch 21 Klaude Walters & Bartosz Hadala.Mezzetta Restaurant681 St. Clair Ave. W 416-658-5687mezzettarestaurant.com (full schedule)All shows: 9pm, unless otherwise noted.March 4 Lorne Lofsky and Rob Piltch (guitarduet). March 11 8pm Dino Toledo (guitar)and Fernando Gallego (vocals) No cover.March 18 Richard Whiteman (bass) and RegSchwager (guitar). March 25 Ted Quinlan(guitar) and Mike Downes (bass).Mod Club, The722 College St. 416-588-4663themodclub.comMarch 25 7:30 Andrea Simone & ‘Those Guys’(adv)/$20(door).Monarch Tavern12 Clinton St. 416-531-5833themonarchtavern.com (full schedule)March 9 7:30pm Martin Loomer & HisOrange Devils Orchestra .Monarchs PubAt the Eaton Chelsea Hotel33 Gerrard St. W. 416-585-4352monarchspub.ca (full schedule)All shows: 8pm-midnight. No Cover.Every Wed Jazz Wednesdays with featuredartists. Every Thurs Blues Thursdays withfeatured artists.Morgans on the Danforth1282 Danforth Ave. 416-461-3020morgansonthedanforth.com (full schedule)All shows: 2-5pm, no cover.March 1 Thyron Lee Whyte with David Restivo& Robert Whyte. March 8 Yvette Tollar &David Restivo. March 15 Gina Pennesi & ScottMetcalfe. March 22 Jordana Talsky. March29 Lisa Particelli’s ‘Girls’ Night Out’ Jazz Jam.Musideum401 Richmond St. W., Main FloorSt. Philip’s Anglican Church416-599-7323musideum.com (Full schedule)Nawlins Jazz Bar & Dining299 King St. W. 416-595-1958nawlins.caAll shows: No cover/PWYCEvery Tue 6:30pm Stacie McGregor. EveryWed 7pm Jim Heineman Trio. Every Thu 8pmNothin’ But the Blues w/ guest vocalists.Every Fri 8:30pm All Star Bourbon St. Band.Every Sat 6:30pm Sam Heinman; 9pm AllStar Bourbon St. Band. Every Sun 7pmBrooke Blackburn.Nice Bistro, The117 Brock St. N., Whitby. 905-668-8839nicebistro.com (full schedule)Old Mill, The21 Old Mill Rd. 416-236-2641oldmilltoronto.comThe Home Smith Bar: No Reservations. NoCover. $20 food/drink minimum. All shows:7:30-10:30pmMarch 5 Richard Whiteman (piano) Trio withKurt Nielsen (bass), Morgan Childs (drums).March 6 Carol McCartney (voice) Quartetwith Brian Dickinson (piano), Kieran Overs(bass), Chris Robinson (sax). March 7 Pat Collins(bass) Trio with Tom Szczesniak (piano),Reg Schwager (guitar). March 12 JulieMichels (voice) Trio with Ted Quinlan (guitar),Kieran Overs (bass). March 13 Alexis Baro(trumpet) Quartet with Stan Fomin (piano),Yoser Rodriguez (bass), Amhed Mitchel(drums). March 14 Jake Koffman (sax) Triowith Bernie Senensky (piano), Neil Swainson(bass). March 19 Patricia Murray (voice) Triowith Robi Botos (piano), Jordan O’Connor(bass). March 20 Mike Downes (bass) Triowith Robi Botos (piano), Ted Quinlan (guitar).March 21 Colleen Allen (sax) Trio withMark Hukezalie (piano), Peter Telford (bass).March 26 Ori Dagan (voice) Trio with MarkKieswetter (piano), Jordan O’Connor (bass).March 27 Chris Gale (sax) Trio with AmandaTosoff (piano), Jon Maharaj (bass). March28 Brian Barlow (drums) Trio with Gary Williamson(piano), Scott Alexander (bass).Paintbox Bistro555 Dundas St. E. 647-748-0555paintboxbistro.ca (Full schedule)Pilot Tavern, The22 Cumberland Ave. 416-923-5716thepilot.ca All shows: 3:30pm. No Cover.March 7 Jake Koffman (sax) Quartet withNeil Swainson (bass), Morgan Childs (drums),Bernie Senensky (piano). March 14 ChrisGale (sax) Quartet with Amanda TosoffSunday, March 8, 4:00 PM | Jazz VespersBarry Livingston Group with Barry (piano),Colleen Allen (sax/flute), Suba Sankaran (voice),Kobi Hass (bass) & Paul Fitterer (drums)Sunday, March 22, 4:00 PM | Jazz VespersMurley/Braid Nordic Projectwith Mike Murley (saxophone), David Braid (piano),Johnny Åman (bass), & Anders Mogenson (drums)St. Philip’s Anglican Church | Etobicoke25 St. Phillips Road (near Royal York + Dixon)416-247-5181 • stphilips.net • free will offeringthewholenote.com March 1 - April 7, 2015 | 51
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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!).