Volume 21 Issue 4 - December 2015/January 2016

Beat by Beat | Mainly

Beat by Beat | Mainly Clubs, Mostly Jazz! One of my friends told me afterwards that they had a Dixieland jam on Saturdays, and that it was poppin’. So, I went; and, oh my goodness, it popped so much. I have rarely seen so many people in a jazz club – and never for a weekly thing. Residency gigs and the like are often, too often, sparsely attended. This jam, on the other hand, was full almost to the point of being a fire hazard. Usually, when I see a jazz club that full, it’s for a trendy band that attracts people of one age group almost exclusively. But here, there were quite literally toddlers and octogenarians on the same dance floor. The best thing about the jam was its overwhelming and palpable positivity. Nobody was isolated from anyone. Everyone danced together. Unprompted, folks introduced themselves to me. One woman was putting her index finger on people’s heads and spinning them like tops. The band was authentic, as far as I could tell. I’m not a Dixieland scholar – which made it a little intimidating when I was called up. Patrick Tevlin, the leader of the house band, the Happy Pals, asked me quite abruptly before I came on stage: “You ever play old style?” I gave him the shortest honest answer that I could: “I can.” I was fairly confident that if I kept it simple, I could get across the vibe that I’d heard on records and shows but never really steeped myself in. I made another mental note. To do: listen to more “old style.” Tevlin sits in a chair in the centre of the stage with his horn and mic within reach, horn players and guitarists seated on either side. Charismatic and relaxed, he sings the tunes like he was born singing them. When he introduced the band, he included the names of guests. It’s apparent that he thinks of the Happy Pals as a big, everexpanding family. The jam culminated in a parade of musicians – with the house rhythm section still on the stage, playing the changes to When the Saints Go Marching In, the horn players – guests included – marched in a circle around the venue. People moved out of the way as they cheered and sang along. The Happy Pals Dixieland Jazz Jam has been happening at Grossman’s every Saturday for more than 45 years, and shows no signs of slowing down or stopping - certainly not this month. So come on down! Bring an instrument! Just...don’t expect to find a seat. Bob Ben is The WholeNote’s jazz listings editor. He can be reached at jazz@thewholenote.com. D. In the Clubs (Mostly Jazz) Season .50(adv)/(door). December 17 China Crisis .50(adv)/(door). December 18 Foggy Hogtown Boys Christmas .50(adv)/(door). December 19 Craig Cardiff (adv)/.50(door). December 20 1pm The Ault Sisters Celebrate the Season – Matinee Performance (adv)/.50(door). December 23 Have a Bluesy Christmas (adv)/(door). December 27 Don Ross .50(adv)/(door). December 30 Suzie Vinnick .50(adv)/(door). December 31 9:30pm New Year’s Eve with Chris Whiteley & Diana Braithwaite and their All Star Band – Special guest Sam Broverman (adv)/(door). Jazz Bistro, The 251 Victoria St. 416-363-5299 jazzbistro.ca December 1 8pm Rob Tardik – CD Release Evening for ‘Moments’ . December 5 9pm Sophia Perlman & The Vipers . December 6 7:30pm Sam Broverman: A Jewish Boy’s Christmas . December 10 9pm Julie Michels . December 13 7pm The Nathan Hiltz Trio plays Richard Rogers . December 15 9pm Cocktails & Candy Canes Cabaret . December 19 9pm Hilario Duran and Robi Botos . December 20 11:59am The Canadian Men’s Chorus. December 31 10pm New Year’s Eve with the Jeanine Mackie Band. Jazz Room, The Located in the Huether Hotel, 59 King St. N., Waterloo. 226-476-1565 kwjazzroom.com (full schedule) All shows: 8:30pm-11:30pm unless otherwise indicated. Attendees must be 19+. December 4 Joni NehRita Band . December 5 Steve Wallace’s Lesterdays . December 11 Rebecca Binnendyk . December 12 Ted’s Warren Commission . December 13 4pm Barbra Lica CD Release Party . December 18 Tom Nagy’s Christmas Experience – The Jazz Awakens! . December 19 Randy Lyght . December 26 Jazz Meets Soul Music: Dave Young & Michael Dunston Boxing Day Party . December 27 4pm Alysha Brilla Sextet . Joe Mama’s 317 King St. W 416-340-6469 joemamas.ca Every Tue 6pm Jeff Eager. Every Wed 6pm Thomas Reynolds & Geoff Torrn. Every Thurs 9pm Blackburn. Every Fri 10pm The Grind. Every Sat 10pm Shugga. Every Sun 6:30pm Organic: Nathan Hiltz (guitar); Bernie Senensky (organ); Ryan Oliver (sax), Morgan Childs (drums). KAMA 214 King St. W. 416-599-5262 kamaindia.com (full schedule) All shows: 5pm-8pm. La Revolucion 2848 Dundas St. W 416-766-0746 restaurantlarevolucion.com (full schedule) Local Gest, The 424 Parliament St. 416-961-9425 Lula Lounge 1585 Dundas St. W. 416-588-0307 lula.ca (full schedule) Manhattans Pizza Bistro & Music Club 951 Gordon St., Guelph 519-767-2440 manhattans.ca (full schedule) All shows: PWYC. December 1, 13, 24, 29 Paul Taylor & Jamie ‘Giggles’ Mitges. December 5 Steve Koven Trio. December 6, 16, 30 John Zadro. December 8, 22 Brad Halls. December 15, 20 David Hollingshead, Tues solo, Sunday with Jena Lampman + Isaiah Farahbakhsh. December 18 Ambre Mclean. December 19 ¡DO! – Drums and Organ. December 23 Jokela/Vogan/ Cooley. December 27 Stan Chang. December 31 Soulphonic. Mezzetta Restaurant 681 St. Clair Ave. W 416-658-5687 mezzettarestaurant.com (full schedule) All shows: 9pm, (unless otherwise noted). December 2 8pm Flamenco show, performers TBA No cover. December 9 Ron Davis (piano) & RJ Satchithananthan (trombone, bass). December 16 Klezmology: Jonno Lightstone (clarinet), Nick Fraser (percussion), David Mott (baritone sax) . Monarch Tavern 12 Clinton St. 416-531-5833 themonarchtavern.com (full schedule) December 14 7:30pm Martin Loomer & His Orange Devils Orchestra . Monarchs Pub At the Eaton Chelsea Hotel 33 Gerrard St. W. 416-585-4352 monarchspub.ca (full schedule) Wednesday shows: 7pm. Thursday shows: 8pm. All shows: No cover. December 2 David Rubel. December 3 Jerome Godboo. December 10 The Distillery. December 16 Brownman Akoustic. December 17 Wild T & The Spirit. December 18 9pm Turbo Street Funk. December 31 Jack de Keyzer. Morgans on the Danforth 1282 Danforth Ave. 416-461-3020 morgansonthedanforth.com (full schedule) All shows: 2pm-5pm. No cover. December 27 Lisa Particelli’s ‘Girls Night Out’ Jazz Jam. Musideum 401 Richmond St. W., Main Floor 416-599- 7323 musideum.com (full schedule) December 1 8pm Chrystelle Maechler’s SOA . December 4 8pm Coleman Tinsley . December 5 8pm Rose Stella . December 17 8pm Steve Koven . Nawlins 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 Jim Heineman Trio. Every Thu 8pm Nothin’ But the Blues w/ guest vocalists. Every Fri 8:30pm All Star Bourbon St. Band. Every Sat 6:30pm Sam Heinman; 9pm All Star Bourbon St. Band. Every Sun 7pm Brooke Blackburn. Nice Bistro, The 117 Brock St. N., Whitby. 905-668-8839 nicebistro.com (full schedule) Old Mill, The 21 Old Mill Rd. 416-236-2641 oldmilltoronto.com The Home Smith Bar: No reservations. No cover. food/drink minimum. All shows: 7:30pm-10:30pm December 3 Yvette Tollar (voice) Trio with David Restivo (piano), George Koller (bass). December 4 Allison Au (sax) Quartet with Todd Pentney (piano), Jon Maharaj (bass), Ethan Ardelli (drums). December 5 Dave Field (bass) Trio with David Braid (piano), Pat LaBarbera (sax). December 10 Alex Samaras (voice) Trio with Harley Card (guitar), Jon Maharaj (bass). December 11 Chris Butcher (trombone) 4 with Jeremy Ledbetter (piano), Artie Roth (bass), Lowell Whitty (drums). December 12 Gord Sheard (piano) Trio with Kieran Overs (bass), Mark Kelso (drums). December 17 Andrew Scott (guitar) Trio with Jake Wilkinson (trumpet, piano), Jon Meyer (bass). December 18 Paul Novotny (bass) with Robi Botos (piano). December 19 Dana LaCroix (voice, guitar) Trio with David Restivo (piano), Jakob Rostboll (drums). Only Café, The 972 Danforth Ave. 416-463-7843 theonlycafe.com (full schedule) All shows: 8pm unless otherwise indicated. December 9, 23 Lazersuzan. December 16, 30 Conrad Gayle. Paintbox Bistro 555 Dundas St. E. 647-748-0555 paintboxbistro.ca (Full schedule) Pilot Tavern, The 22 Cumberland Ave. 416-923-5716 thepilot.ca All shows: 3:30pm. No cover. December 5 Alto Madness with PJ Perry, Luis Deniz (alto saxes), Reg Schwager (guitar), Neil Swainson (bass), Ethan Ardelli (drums). December 12 Women in Jazz with Alison Young (tenor sax), Stacey McGregor (keys), Neil Swainson (bass), Greg Pilo (drums). December 19 Sugar Daddies. December 26 Donald Palmer Quartet. Poetry Jazz Café 224 Augusta Ave. 416-599-5299 poetryjazzcafe.com (full schedule) All shows: 9pm 60 | December 1 2015 - February 7, 2016 thewholenote.com

Reposado Bar & Lounge 136 Ossington Ave. 416-532-6474 reposadobar.com (full schedule) Every Wed Spy vs. Sly vs. Spy. Every Thurs, Fri 10pm Reposadists Quartet: Tim Hamel (trumpet), Jon Meyer (bass), Jeff Halischuck (drums), Roberto Rosenman (guitar). Reservoir Lounge, The 52 Wellington St. E. 416-955-0887 reservoirlounge.com (full schedule). Every Tue 9:45pm Tyler Yarema and his Rhythm. Every Wed 9:45pm Bradley and the Bouncers. Every Thu 9:45pm Mary McKay. Every Fri 9:45pm Dee Dee and the Dirty Martinis. Every Sat 9:45pm Tyler Yarema and his Rhythm. Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar, The 194 Queen St. W. 416-598-2475 therex.ca (full schedule) Call for cover charge info. December 1 6:30pm Kieran Overs Quartet; 9:30pm Classic Rex Jam hosted by Chris Gale. December 2 6:30pm Worst Pop Band Ever; 9:30pm New York’s Vincent Herring with Derek Gray Quintet. December 3 6:30pm Ashley St. Pierre Trio; 9:30pm New York’s Vincent Herring with Derek Gray Quintet. December 4 4pm Hogtown Syncopators; 6:30pm Mark Godfrey Trio; 9:45pm David Braid with Mike Milligan Quartet. December 5 12pm The Sinners Choir; 3:30pm Swing Shift Big Band; 7:30pm Nick Teehan Group; 9:45pm New York’s Mark McLean. December 6 12pm Excelsior Dixieland Jazz Band; 3:30pm Dr. Nick & The Rollercoaster; 7pm Autobahn; 9:30pm Greg DeDenus Trio. December 7 6:30pm University of Toronto Student Jazz Ensembles; 9:30pm Josh Grossman’s T.J.O. Big Band. December 8 6:30pm Kieran Overs Quartet; 9:30pm New York’s Alex Graham Quartet. December 9 6:30pm Worst Pop Band Ever; 9:30pm New York’s Pete McCann Quintet CD Release. December 10 6:30pm Ashley St. Pierre Trio; 9:30pm New York’s Pete McCann Quintet CD Release. December 11 4pm Hogtown Syncopators; 6:30pm Mark Godfrey Trio; 9:45pm Brooklyn’s Huntertones. December 12 12pm The Sinners Choir; 3:30pm The Jazz Mechanics; 7:30pm Nick Teehan Group; 9:45pm Brooklyn’s Huntertones. December 13 12pm Excelsior Dixieland Jazz Band; 3:30pm Red Hot Ramble; 7pm Autobahn; 9:30pm Rachel Piscione R&B. December 14 6:30pm University of Toronto Student Jazz Ensembles; 9:30pm Dave Young & Terry Promane Octet. December 15 6:30pm Kieran Overs Quartet; 9:30pm Classic Rex Jam hosted by Chris Gale. December 16 6:30pm Worst Pop Band Ever; 9:30pm Bernie Senensky. December 17 6:30pm Ashley St. Pierre Trio; 9:30pm Italy/New York’s “Step In Trio” with Joe Fonda & Carlo Morena. December 18 4pm Hogtown Syncopators; 6:30pm Mark Godfrey Trio; 9:30pm Italy/New York’s “Step In Trio” with Joe Fonda & Carlo Morena. December 19 12pm The Sinners Choir; 3:30pm Jerome Godboo; 7:30pm Nick Teehan Group; 9:45pm Jake E. The ETCeteras Chisholm blues. December 20 12pm Excelsior Dixieland Jazz Band; 3:30pm Club Django; 7pm Autobahn; 9:30pm Nick Scott Quartet. December 21 6:30pm Peter Hill Quintet; 9:30pm Jake Wilkinson’s Bebop Christmas. December 22 6:30pm Kieran Overs Quartet; 9:30pm Classic Rex Jam hosted by Chris Gale. December 23 6:30pm Worst Pop Band Ever; 9:30pm Leyland Gordon. December 26 8pm The Sinners Choir. December 27 12pm Excelsior Dixieland Jazz Band; 3:30pm Freeway Dixieland; 7pm Autobahn; 9:30pm Three Blind Mice. December 28 6:30pm Peter Hill Quintet; 9:30pm Marie Goudy’s E.M.S.: Emergency Musical Services Big Band. December 29 6:30pm Pete Schmidt - Holiday Blues; 9:30pm Classic Rex Jam hosted by Chris Gale. December 30 6:30pm Worst Pop Band Ever; 9:30pm New York’s Anthony Fung Quartet. December 31 9:30pm Grooveyard. Salty Dog Bar & Grill, The 1980 Queen St. E. 416-849-5064 (full schedule) Sauce on the Danforth 1376 Danforth Ave. 647-748-1376 sauceondanforth.com All shows: No cover. Every Mon 9pm The Out Of Towners: Dirty Organ Jazz. Every Tue 6pm Julian Fauth. Seven44 (Formerly Chick n’ Deli/The People’s Chicken) 744 Mount Pleasant Rd. 416-489-7931 seven44.com (full schedule) December 7 7:30pm Advocats Big Band No cover. December 14 7:30pm Mega City Swing Band No cover. December 21 7:30pm George Lake Big Band No cover. Stori Aperitivo 95 King St. E 416-361-0404 stori.ca (full schedule) Tattoo 567 Queen St. W 416-703-5488 tattooqueenwest.com (full schedule) Toni Bulloni 156 Cumberland St. 416-967-7676 tonibulloni.com (full schedule) No cover. Saturday shows: 9pm. food/ drink minimum. Sunday shows: 6pm. food/drink minimum. Tranzac 292 Brunswick Ave. 416-923-8137 tranzac.org 3-4 shows daily, various styles. Mostly PWYC. Every Mon 10pm Open Mic Mondays. Every Thurs 7:30pm Bluegrass Thursdays: Houndstooth. Every Fri 5pm The Foolish Things (folk). This month’s shows include: December 1 7:30pm Ali Berkok; 10pm Peripheral Vision. December 6 5pm Monk’s Music; 7:30pm Michael Herring. December 8 7:30pm Aurochs; 10pm Bedroom. December 13 10pm The Lina Allemano Four. December 15 10pm The Ken McDonald Quartet. December 20 7:30pm Diane Roblin. Galas and Fundraisers ●●Dec 06 2:00: Elmer Iseler Singers. Sherry and Shortbread. Join us and relax in elegant and gracious surroundings, participate in the silent auction and enjoy music of the holiday season. Albany Club, 91 King St. E. For details: 416-217-0537. Competitions ●●Feb 02 10:00am: Royal Conservatory of Music. Glenn Gould School Concerto Competition Finals. Solo performers compete for the opportunity to perform a concerto with the Royal Conservatory Orchestra during the 2016-17 season. Koerner Hall, Telus Centre, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208. Free (ticket required). ●●Orchestra Toronto. Marta Hidy Concerto Competition 2016. This year’s prize awarded to a percussionist. For Canadian virtuosos aged 23 and younger. Prize includes a scholarship of ,000 and an opportunity to perform as a soloist with Orchestra Toronto at its December 2016 youth-oriented concert at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. For full history and registration form: www.orchestratoronto.ca Deadline for mailing the application form and registration fee: February 1 2016. Lectures, Salons, Symposia ●●Jan 12, Jan 29: Oakville Opera Guild. Jan 12 1:30: Rusalka, Dvořák’s great opera. Lecture by John Holland, musician and president of the Canadian Institute for Czech music (Oakville Public Library Central Branch, 120 Navy St. Oakville).Jan 29 8:00: Puccini’s Myth/ Adventure, Turandot. Lecture by Iain Scott, noted opera lecturer and opera tour guide. Please contact for location details. 905-827- 5678; Oakville.Opera.Guild@outlook.com. Each lecture (proceeds go towards our scholarship fund, to be awarded to a student attending the Faculty of Music at the U of Toronto, and support our annual donation to the Canadian Opera Company). ●●Jan 12, Jan 13: Don Wright Faculty of Music. Jan 12 7:00: Magnificent Movie Music! Beethoven Goes to Hollywood (With Dr. Rachel Franklin). Jan 13 7:00: Magnificent Movie Music! Five of the Great Masterpiece Movie Scores. Talbot College, Western University, 1151 Richmond St. N., London. 519- 661-3767. Free. ●●Jan 19, Jan 26, Jan 28; Feb 2: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. Jan 19 10:30am: Barbara Hannigan, Show and Share: Living and Surviving as a Singing Artist. Barbara Hannigan, the John R. Stratton Visitor in Music, is known worldwide as a soprano of vital expressive force directed by exceptional technique, as well as a conductor and champion of new music.(Walter Hall); Jan 26 7:00: Michael Colgrass, Wilma and Clifford Smith Visitor in Music. Michael Colgrass is a composer, jazz percussionist and Pulitzer Prize winner for Music. He is an associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre in Toronto. (Room 330);Jan 27 7:00: Geiger- Torel Lecture Series: Atom Egoyan – How Far Is Too Far? Film and stage director, Atom Egoyan, discusses his directorial interpretation in selected opera productions. (Walter Hall); Jan 28 3:30: Kenneth H. Peacock Lecture, Scott Burnham. Scott Burnham, Canadian Children’s Opera Company Be a Part of the Magic Accepting new members in January Ages 3-19 featuring The Hobbit by Dean Burry canadianchildrensopera.com And appearing in the Canadian Opera Company production of Carmen 416-366-0467 photo: Michael Cooper thewholenote.com December 1 2015 - February 7, 2016 | 61