MICHAEL G STEWART Beat by Beat | Mainly Clubs, Mostly Jazz! Sheila’s Back in Town! BOB BEN Sheila Jordan. Is it April 1 or April 2 as you are reading this? If so, you should be calling Jazz Bistro to make reservations for tonight for Sheila Jordan’s first appearance in Toronto in, if I’m not missing anything, two years. Almost exactly, in fact: it was near the end of March 2014 when Jordan appeared for three consecutive nights at Chalkers Pub. For two nights she performed accompanied by Don Thompson on piano and Neil Swainson on bass, and on the third night she led a vocal workshop, accompanied by Thompson alone. I was in attendance at all three events, having volunteered, way ahead of time, for door duties. Sheila Jordan comes across on and off stage as a warm and caring person. You can always tell whether someone has any genuine interest in Sheila Jordan what other people are saying, or whether they’re waiting for their own turn to talk. Sheila belongs to the former camp. She cares about people. She loves the world. She has a sense of humour and a sense of wonder, and all that is on display when she performs. When she performs, she’s equal parts singer and storyteller – both during and in between songs. Her songs are both deliberate and spontaneous – rehearsed and subject to change. Each time you hear her sing, it is worth hearing. As the concerts grow chronologically further away, my memories of them become fuzzier. But almost a year ago, I wrote that “In addition to being a genuine and adventurous performer, [Sheila is] one of the sweetest, most infectiously charming people I’ve ever spoken with.” I stand by that. I bought two CDs while I was there – one of Jordan’s, Yesterdays, which is a duo album with bassist Harvie Swartz, and the Thompson/ Swainson duo album, Tranquility, both of which I will recommend wholeheartedly, and the latter of which was reviewed for The WholeNote by the late Jim Galloway earlier that year. These concerts will take place at Jazz Bistro on April 1 and 2; the cover charge is and dinner reservations are, as I write this, still available. Nathan Hiltz: The following day, April 3, at the same venue, you can check out Nathan Hiltz’s trio, with Pat Collins on bass and Morgan Childs on drums, playing tunes by one of my favourite jazz composers, and by very far my favourite jazz lyricist, Cole Porter. On some tunes, those lyrics will be delivered by Ori Dagan, in whose mouth those lyrics can be said to be in good hands. Or, around good teeth – whatever you like. I know I’ve taken up all this space talking about a couple of shows which, more likely than not, are in the past as you read this, so before signing off, I want to direct your attention to a weekly engagement which shows no signs of stopping. If you dig or dug Hiltz’s guitar playing in a trio setting, you may dig him in the organ jazz quartet Organic, which generally features Bernie Senensky on the organ, Hiltz on guitar, Childs on drums, and Ryan Oliver on sax. The band has been together since its genesis over a decade ago, Oliver’s brainchild, and their effortless chemistry makes that more than apparent. They play weekly on Sundays at Joe Mama’s. There is no cover or tip jar, so you can take the money you saved on that and buy more drinks at the bar than you normally would. Musideum: You’ll notice, if you thumb through the listings this month, that Musideum is conspicuously absent. Early last month, Musideum owner and founder, Donald Quan, announced that the end of March would mark the end of Musideum as a venue for the foreseeable future. Quan is indefinitely – but not necessarily permanently – closing Musideum to focus on other understandably indispensable aspects of his life: his health, his family, his friends and his own musicianship. Musideum was a remarkable venue, an intimate space in which to interact with other people: as a performer to an audience, as an audience to a performer, or artist to artist to artist. It will remain open as a store for the first few days of April, so I’d encourage anyone who still has the chance to, go now and check it out. And I hope to see you all soon, in one club or another. Check the listings! Bob Ben is The WholeNote’s jazz listings editor. He can be reached at jazz@thewholenote.com. D. In the Clubs (Mostly Jazz) Laliberté Jazz & Flamenco Trio. April 15 5pm Sam Broverman Jazz Duo; 9pm Jacob Gorzhatssan Quintet feat. Kyla Charter. April 16 5pm Bill Heffernan and His Friends; 9pm Sweet Derrick Blues Band. April 17 5pm Jeff Taylor and The SLT; 9pm Josh Lane: Toronto Jazz Collective. April 18 5pm Thomas Williams Jazz Trio; 9pm Linda Carone Vintage Jazz n’ Blues. April 19 5pm Sarah Kennedy and Matt Pines Jazz Duo; 9pm Heather Luckhart: Blues/Roots/Jazz Band. April 20 5pm Rick Maltese: Rick’s Three in One; 9pm Julian Fauth Blues Night. April21 5pm Concord Jazz Quintet; 9pm Tiffany Hanus Jazz Band. April 22 5pm Carter Brodkorb Jazz Quintet; 9pm Fraser Melvin Blues Band. April 23 5pm Bill Heffernan and His Friends; 9pm John Deehan Jazz Band feat. Zoe Chilco. April 24 5pm Six Points Jazz Orchestra; 9pm Ben Walker Jazz Trio. April 25 5pm Mark Rainey Jazz Band; 9pm Chelsea McBride Jazz Trio. April 26 5pm Kevin Bolger Jazz Trio; 9pm Kalya Ramu Jazz Band. April 27 5pm L.A.Turcotte: Sultants of Soul; 9pm Julian Fauth Blues Night. April 28 5pm G Street Jazz Trio; 9pm Kristin Lindell Jazz Band. April 29 5pm Lisa Patterson and The Roam Project; 9pm Jacob Gorzhatssan Quintet feat. Donovan Locke. April 30 5pm Bill Heffernan and His Friends; 9pm Donné Roberts Band. Grossman’s Tavern 379 Spadina Ave. 416-977-7000 grossmanstavern.com (full schedule) All shows: No cover (unless otherwise noted). Every Sat The Happy Pals Dixieland jazz jam. Harlem Restaurant 67 Richmond St. E. 416-368-1920 harlemrestaurant.com (full schedule) All shows: 7:30-11pm (unless otherwise noted). Call for cover charge info. April 1 Gyles. April 2 Jazzbiscuit. April 8 The Sean Stanley Trio & Sokhna-Dior. April 9 Simone Morris Trio. April 23 Gib & Tam. April 29 Madette. April 30 Kristen Fung. Hirut Cafe and Restaurant 2050 Danforth Ave. 416-551-7560 Every Sun 3pm Open Mic with Nicola Vaughan: folk/country/jazz/world/r&b PWYC. April 5, 19 8pm Finger Style Guitar Association PWYC. April 8 8pm Don Naduriak (piano) Quintet with Bob Rice (trumpet), John ‘JJ’ Johnson (sax), George Koller (bass), Joaquin Hidalgo (drums) PWYC. April 29 9pm Hirut Hoot Cabaret: 4 year anniversary . Home Smith Bar – See Old Mill, The Hugh’s Room 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604 hughsroom.com All shows: 8:30pm (unless otherwise noted). Every Sun 12pm Michael Johnston Music Studio presents 9th Annual Student Recital & Spring Celebration (adults)/.50(kids). April 1 Ken Whiteley’s Freedom Blues CD Release Concert (adv)/.50(door). April 2 Connie Kaldor .50(adv)/(door). April 5 10am Toronto Ravel . April 6 8pm The JAZZ. FM91 Songwriters Series – We Insist! Jazz Songs of Protest . April 8 Jack de Keyzer .50(adv)/(door). April 9 Seems Like Only Yesterday – A Tribute to Jesse Winchester (adv)/.50(door). April 10 Heather Nova (adv)/.50(door). April 11 Little Miss Higgins and The Winnipeg Five .50(adv)/(door). April 13, 14 Old Man Luedecke and Tim O’Brien .50(adv)/(door). April 15 Martyn Joseph .50(adv)/(door). April 16 Tom Rush with Matt Nakoa (adv)/(door). April 17 NEeMA – CD Release .50(adv)/(door). April 20 Double Bill – Emm Gryner – CD Release and Sarah Smith (adv)/(door). April21 Dave Gunning with Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys (adv)/.50(door). April 22 Dark Angel: The Music of Roy Orbison featuring Patrick Brealey .50(adv)/(door). 60 | April 1, 2016 - May 7, 2016 thewholenote.com
April 23 4th Annual Anniversary ‘A Celebration of Levon Helm’ (adv)/(door). April 28 BluesIn’ Toronto presents Double Bill – Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar and Cheryl Lescom & The Tucson Choir Boys (adv)/(door). April 29, 30 Borrowed Tunes – The Music of Neil Young .50(adv)/(door). Jazz Bistro, The 251 Victoria St. 416-363-5299 jazzbistro.ca Every Sun 12pm Piano Brunch with Eli Pasic . April 1, 2 9pm Sheila Jordan with Don Thompson (piano), Kieran Overs (bass) . April 3 7pm Nathan Hiltz Plays Cole Porter . April 5 8pm Chauvet Project Epoque String Quartet (Prague) & David Braid . April 6 7:30pm Andrew Beg Sings Rat Pack Classics . April 7 9pm Gillian Margot’s “Black Butterfly” Project . April 8 9pm Mandy Lagan Sings the Joni Mitchell Songbook and More with Kevin Turcotte (trumpet), Amanda Tosoff (piano), Ted Quinlan (guitar), Andrew Downing (bass), Blair Mackay (percussion) . April 9 9pm Joel Miller (sax)/ Geoff Keezer (piano) Quartet with Fraser Hollins (bass), Greg Ritchie (drums) . April 14 8pm Grandmothers Partnering with Africa – In Support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation with The Heavyweights Brass Band and guest vocalists Jackie Richardson and Jay Douglas . April 15, 16 9pm Myriad3 . April 17 7pm Daniela Nardi’s (voice) Espresso Manifesto with Ron Davis (piano), Mike Downes (bass), Kevin Barrett (guitar), Steve Heathcote (drums) . April 19 8pm Concetta Donato. April 20 8pm Morgan Childs Quartet . April21 9pm Howie Silverman (piano) CD Release ‘Duets’ with Pat Collins (bass), Ethan Ardelli (drums), Bill McBirnie (flute), Sarah Silverman (voice) . April 22, 23 9pm Steve Holt (piano) Quartet with Kieran Overs (bass), Barry Elmes (drums), Kevin Turcotte (trumpet on Fri), Chris Gale (sax on Sat) . April 24 7pm Acoustic Version. April 29, 30 9pm Adi Braun sings Kurt Weill with Tom King (piano), Pat Collins (bass), Daniel Barnes (drums) . 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+. April 1 Pram Trio: Jack Bodkin (piano), Mark Godfrey (bass), Eric West (drums) CD Release “Saga 13”″ . April 2 Chris Wallace’s (drums) Many Names Quartet with Jeff King (saxophone), Adrean Farrugia (piano), Dan Fortin (bass). . April 8 Andy Klaehn Group . April 9 6:30pm Mike Anderson (piano) & Joe Brand (bass) opening for Johanna Pavia & Soul Drive . April 10 4pm Joel Miller (Montreal) & Geoff Keezer Quartet (NYC) . April 15 Brent Rowan Group . April 16 NYC’s Alex Goodman (guitar) Quintet with Matt Marantz (sax), Eden Ladin (piano), Rick Rosato (bass), Jimmy Macbride (drums) . April 22 The Worst Pop Band Ever: Dafydd Hughes (piano), Chris Gale (sax), Gordon Mowat (bass), Tim Shia (drums) . April 23 Brian Dickinson Big Band . April 29 Carey West (voice) Quartet with Thomas Hammerton (piano), Tyler Wagler (bass), Dave O’Neil (drums) . April 30 Eric St. Laurent (guitar) Trio with Jordan O’Connor (bass), Michel DeQuevedo (percussion) . Joe Mama’s 317 King St. W 416-340-6469 joemamas.ca Every Tue 6pm Jeff Eager. Every Wed 6pm Thomas Reynolds. 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) Every Wed 5:30pm Jazz with the Kama House Band. Local Gest, The 424 Parliament St. 416-961-9425 April 3 4:30pm Artie Roth Trio. 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. April 1 Eclectic Vinyl Orchestra. April 2 Jazz Meets Blues. April 3, 10 Grace Peters. April 5, 15, 19 Carmen Spada. April 6, 20 Jamie ‘Giggles’ Mitges. April 7 University of Guelph Jazz Ensemble. April 9 Parker Wilson Duo. April 10, 24 Stan Chang & Erick Bruck. April 12, 26 Paul Taylor. April 13, 21 John Zadro. April 14 David Hollingshead & Isaiah Farahbakhsh. April 22 Lara Solnicki Trio. April 23 Joni Nehrita & Jane Lewis. April 27 D Eve Archer. April 29 Gary Beck & Sideways. April 30 ¡DO! - drums and organ. Mezzetta Restaurant 681 St. Clair Ave. W 416-658-5687 mezzettarestaurant.com (full schedule) All shows: 9pm, (unless otherwise noted). Monarch Tavern 12 Clinton St. 416-531-5833 themonarchtavern.com (full schedule) April 11 7:30pm Martin Loomer & His Orange Devils Orchestra . Morgans on the Danforth 1282 Danforth Ave. 416-461-3020 morgansonthedanforth.com (full schedule) All shows: 2pm-5pm. No cover. April 24 Lisa Particelli’s Girls Night Out Jazz Jam. 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/ Joe Bowden (drums) and featured vocalists. Every Fri, Sat 8:30pm N’awlins All Star Band. Every Sun 7pm Brooke Blackburn. Nice Bistro, The 117 Brock St. N., Whitby. 905-668-8839 nicebistro.com (full schedule) April 20 Zoé Chilco Duo .99 (dinner included). 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 April 1 Canadian Jazz Quartet & Friends: Frank Wright (vibraphone), Ted Quinlan (guitar), Pat Collins (bass), Don Vickery (drums), feat. Alex Dean (sax). April 2 Chris Gale (sax) Trio with Amanda Tosoff (piano), Jon Maharaj (bass). April 5 In Concert and Conversation with Gene DiNovi. April 7 Tara Davidson (sax) Quartet with Mike Murley (sax), Michael Davidson (vibes), Andrew Downing (bass). April 8 Lenny Solomon (violin) Trio with Bernie Senensky (piano), Shelly Berger (bass). April 9 Ilana Waldston’s (voice) Jazz ‘n’ Laughs Trio with Mark Kieswetter (piano), Ross MacIntyre (bass). April 14 Roberto Occhipinti (bass) Trio with James Hill (piano), Ian Wright (drums). April 15 Ori Dagan (voice) Trio with Mark Kieswetter (piano), Jordan O’Connor (bass). April 16 Lou Pomanti (piano) Trio with Marc Rogers (bass), Mark Kelso (drums). April21 Lara Solnicki (voice) Trio with Ted Quinlan (guitar), Andrew Downing (bass). April 22 Bernie Senensky (piano) Trio with Steve Wallace (bass), Terry Clarke (drums). April 23 Luis Mario Ochoa (voice, guitar) Quartet with Hilario Duran (piano), Louis Simao (bass), Luis Orbegoso (percussion). April 28 Rob Piltch (guitar) Trio with Neil Swainson (bass), Davide DiRenzo (drums). April 29 Jocelyn Barth (voice) Trio with Bernie Senensky (piano), Jon MacMurchy (sax). April 30 Bruce Cassidy (trumpet, flugelhorn, EVI) Trio with Tom Szczesniak (piano), Ted Quinlan (guitar). Only Café, The 972 Danforth Ave. 416-463-7843 theonlycafe.com (full schedule) All shows: 8pm unless otherwise indicated. April 13, 27 Lazersuzan. 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. April 2 Pat Labarbera Quartet. April 9 Alison Young Quartet. April 16 Turboprop: Kelly Jefferson (alto & soprano saxes), Shirantha Beddage (tenor & soprano saxes), William Carn (trombone), Adrean Farrugia (piano), Jim Vivian (bass), Ernesto Cervini (drums). April 23 Mike Murley Quartet. April 30 Bob Brough (sax) Quartet with Adrean Farrugia (piano), Artie Roth (bass), Terry Clarke (drums). Poetry Jazz Café 224 Augusta Ave. 416-599-5299 poetryjazzcafe.com (full schedule) Reposado Bar & Lounge 136 Ossington Ave. 416-532-6474 reposadobar.com (full schedule) 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). All shows: 9:45 Every Tue, Sat Tyler Yarema and his Rhythm. Every Wed The Digs. Every Thu Stacey Kaniuk. Every Fri Dee Dee and the Dirty Martinis. Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar, The 194 Queen St. W. 416-598-2475 therex.ca (full schedule) Call for cover charge info. April 1 4pm Hogtown Syncopators; 6:30pm Artie Roth Quartet; 9:45pm Kelly Jefferson St. Philip’s Anglican Church Featuring some of Toronto’s best jazz musicians with a brief reflection by Jazz Vespers Clergy Sunday, April 3, 4:00 pm | Jazz Vespers: Tribute to Duke Ellington | Mike Murley (saxophone), Mark Eisenman (piano), Pat Collins (bass), Barry Elmes (drums) Sunday, April 17, 4:00 pm | Jazz Vespers for Jaymz Bee’s Birthday | Genevieve Marentette, Alex Pangman and Joyce Barth (vocals), Robert Scott (piano) St. Philip’s Anglican Church | Etobicoke 25 St. Phillips Road (near Royal York + Dixon) 416-247-5181 • stphilips.net • free will offering Sunday, May 8 at 4:30 pm Lenny Solomon, violin; Bernie Senensky, piano Sunday, April 3 at 4:30 pm MARK EISENMAN TRIO – Mark Eisenman, piano Steve Wallace, bass; John Sumner, drums Sunday, April 17 at 4:30 pm ALISON YOUNG QUARTET Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge St. 416-920-5211 (north of St. Clair at Heath St.) www.thereslifehere.org Admission is free; donations are welcome. thewholenote.com April 1, 2016 - May 7, 2016 | 61
