By Lori Bosworth
It’s another beautiful Toronto weekend and the TD Toronto Jazz Festival is now in full swing, with performances at bars, restaurants, and even churches throughout the city. We’ve rounded up the festival’s live jazz performances for this weekend, June 21-22, 2014, which include featured performances, performances with cover charges, performances with no cover, but will require you to purchase food or drinks, and free performances.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Featured Performances
8 p.m. Toronto Star Stage, Nathan Phillips Square – David Clayton-Thomas with Oakland Stroke opening
The former frontman for Blood, Sweat & Tears, Thomas performs hits from his career.
7:30 p.m. Home Smith Bar, Old Mill Toronto – June Garber & Friends featuring the Russ Little Quartet with Amanda Martinez
One of Canada’s most well-known jazz singers performs in a homecoming series
8 p.m. Jazz Bistro (251 Victoria Street) – Mark McLean featuring Wade O. Brown, $30
McLean is an accomplished studio and touring drummer in jazz, R&B and pop
Cover Charge
8 p.m. – The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar (194 Queen Street West) – Manuel Valera Trio, Cover charge
9 p.m. – Paintbox Bistro (555 Dundas Street East) – Hilario Duran Trio, $30
9:45 p.m. – Reservoir Lounge (52 Wellington Street East) – Tyler Yarema and His Rhythm, Cover charge
10 p.m. – The Rex Jaxx & Blues Bar – Kandinsky Effect, Cover charge
10 p.m. – Joe Mama’s (317 King Street West) – Shugga, $10 Cover
No Cover
12 p.m. – The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar – Danny Marks & Friends
3:30 p.m. – The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar – Swing Shift Big Band
4 p.m. – Dominion on Queen (500 Queen Street East), Bruce Cassidy’s Hotfest Orchestra
6:30 p.m. – N’Awlins Jazz Bar & Dining (299 King Street West) – Sam Heineman
9 p.m. – N’Awlins Jazz Bar & Dining – All Star Band
9 p.m. – Dominion on Queen, Que Isso? With Kyle McGyle
9 p.m. – Monarch’s Pub (Eaton Chelsea Hotel) Groove Corporation
Free
12:30 p.m. – Toronto Star Stage, Nathan Phillips Square – Lighthouse, Canada’s 10-piece fusion rock band
2 p.m. – Shops at Don Mills (1090 Don Mills Road) – Wagner Petrilli Sextet
2:30 p.m – Nathan Phillips Square, Acoustic Stage – Rehan Dalal, singer-songwriter and soul musician
5 p.m. – Shops at Don Mills (1090 Don Mills Road) – Our Old School
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Featured Performances
8 p.m. – Toronto Star Stage, Nathan Phillips Square – Kenny Wayne Shepherd / Robert Randolph & The Family Band
Shepherd, a talented blues guitarists and pedal steel virtuoso Randolph mix blues-rock with funk and soul.
8 p.m. – Music Gallery (197 John Street) – Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society
A jazz big band for the 21st century
8 p.m. – Jazz Bistro (251 Victoria Street) – Bill Mays, solo piano, $30 cover
A sideman and session player who is now embracing a solo career
Cover Charge
8 p.m. – The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar – Joe Bowden’s “Voices In My Head”, cover charge
10 p.m. – The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar – Jeff Coffin with Triodes, cover charge
No Cover
12 p.m. – The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar – New Excelsior Dixieland Band
1 p.m. – Dominion on Queen – York Jazz Ensemble
3:30 p.m. – The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar – Red Hot Ramble
5 p.m. – Domionion on Queen – San Murata, Tony Quarrington & Beverly Taft
6:30 p.m. – Joe Mama’s – Organic
7 p.m. – N’Awlins Jazz Bar – Brooke Blackburn
9 p.m. – Bruce Cassidy’s Mbaqanga South African Township Jazz
Free
12 p.m. – Shops at Don Mills (1090 Don Mills Road) – David Buchbinder’s Odessa/Havana
Winner of this year’s JUNO! An explosive Jewish / Cuban musical evolution
12:30 p.m. – Toronto Star Stage, Nathan Phillips Square – Toronto Mass Choir
Dominating the Canadian gospel music scene
2:30 p.m. – Acoustic Stage, Nathan Phillips Square – Organic
Their B3 jazz blends hard bop and blues with original compositions and improvisation
3 p.m. – Shops at Don Mills (1090 Don Mills Road) – Lorraine Klaasen Group
An eclectic South African performer presenting her latest project, featuring the music of Miriam Makeba
