Daily listings for the 30 June – 2 July weekend at the jazz fest.
Friday, June 30
FEATURED PERFORMANCES
Bokanté | Larnell Lewis Band opens
8 p.m. | The Concert Hall (888 Yonge St.)
From the creative mind of Michael League, leader of Snarky Puppy, comes a new multi-lingual, multi-cultural, multi-generational ensemble featuring members of Snarky Puppy, with Malika Tirolien on lead vocals. Larnell Lewis, winner of this year’s Emerging Jazz Artist award from the Toronto Arts Foundation, opens.
7 p.m. | 10 p.m. | Jazz Bistro (251 Victoria St.)
An internationally acclaimed singer and pianist whose expressive vocal styling and dynamic stage presence have captivated audiences around the world
Heather Bambrick & Friends with the Russ Little Quartet feat. Amanda Martinez
7:30 p.m. | Home Smith Bar at The Old Mill Toronto
A festival within the Festival, JUNO nominated vocalist Heather Bambrick is joined by Amanda Martinez known for her spirited Latin Jazz and world music mastery
FREE PERFORMANCES
12 p.m. | OLG Stage on Cumberland
Showcasing the best students in middle school and high school from around the city
1:30 p.m. | OLG Stage on Hazelton
A gypsy blues band born of the wild rose foothills of Alberta
2:30 p.m. | OLG Stage on Cumberland
Bringing calypso, reggae, zouk, mazurka and salsa to her performances on steel pan. Standards from jazz and other traditions mixed with original compositions
4 p.m. | OLG Stage on Hazelton
Redefining West Coast avant-pop music with songs that focus on vocal harmonies, as they try to take over the traditionally grounding role of the keyboards, bass and drums
5:30 p.m. | OLG Stage on Cumberland
As part of The Berklee Global Jazz Institute (BGJI), a performance program designed to foster creativity and musicianship through various musical disciplines
7 p.m. | Church of the Redeemer
Celebrating their 40th anniversary of playing together, they set the gold standard for innovative small-group interplay
7 p.m. | Heliconian Hall (35 Hazelton Ave.)
8 p.m. | OLG Stage on Hazelton
From the Yukon, performing alternative folk, roots, country and traditional Aboriginal music deeply rooted in her Indigenous world view
8:30 p.m. | OLG Stage on Cumberland
A guaranteed good time that honours the Cajun music tradition
Mill Street Late-Night Jam with Jason Palmer Berklee Septet
10 p.m. | InterContinental Toronto Yorkville Hotel
Saturday, July 1
FEATURED PERFORMANCES
Heather Bambrick & Friends with the Russ Little Quartet feat. Micah Barnes
7:30 p.m. | Home Smith Bar at The Old Mill Toronto
A festival within the Festival, JUNO nominated vocalist Heather Bambrick is joined Micah Barnes who reflects an abiding love of New York’s rich musical history
FREE PERFORMANCES
12 p.m. | The Rex
Featuring the National Youth Jazz Combo, Jason Palmer Berklee Septet and Canaan
Jorge Miguel Flamenco Ensemble
12 p.m. | OLG Stage on Cumberland
Energy, intensity and outstanding musicality from a full ensemble, complete with a Flamenco dancer
1:30 p.m. | OLG Stage on Hazelton
Respected across the national jazz scene for nearly three decades
2:30 p.m. | OLG Stage on Cumberland
“Canada’s emerging Latin music queen” – 680 News
John MacMurchy’s Art of Breath
4 p.m. | OLG Stage on Hazelton
A musical journey that crosses borders and musical traditions; deep grooves, Brazilian rhythms, and straight-ahead jazz
5:30 p.m. | OLG Stage on Cumberland
Identified by many as an artist to watch
7 p.m. | Heliconian Hall (35 Hazelton Ave.)
Swinging yet quirky, the mix of music will resonate with jazz and creative music fans alike
Laurent Coulondre – Gravity Zero
8 p.m. | OLG Stage on Hazelton
8:30 p.m. | OLG Stage on Cumberland
A no holds barred performance that feature wild romps in the crowd, free jazz moments, danceable funk, poetry, killer solos and more.
Mill Street Late-Night Jam with Humber Faculty Trio
10 p.m. | InterContinental Toronto Yorkville Hotel
Sunday, July 2
FEATURED PERFORMANCES
4 By Monk By 4: Kenny Barron, Cyrus Chestnut, Benny Green & Gerald Clayton
8 p.m. | The Concert Hall (888 Yonge St.)
Honouring the 100th anniversary of Monk, the night features four pianists and two pianos performing solos, duets and then together all in honour of Monk
FREE PERFORMANCES
Canaan – Thelma Yellin School for the Arts Combo
12 p.m. | OLG Stage on Cumberland
Canaan is an ensemble of five students from the Jazz Department at the Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts in Givatayim, Israel
1:30 p.m. | OLG Stage on Hazelton
Plays music inspired by the hard bop traditions of Art Blakey, Horace Silver and others
Joel Visentin’s Boogaloo Squad
2:30 p.m. | OLG Stage on Cumberland
With an extensive repertoire of classics from the soul hits of Stax and Motown as well as their own original music no two concerts with JV’s Boogaloo Squad are alike
4 p.m. | OLG Stage on Hazelton
Vocalist Jill Peacock performs standards and originals with a unique soul bent
Roberto Occhipinti New Quintet feat. Manuel Valera
5:30 p.m. | OLG Stage on Cumberland
Gathering some of the most highly accomplished young players on the scene for the debut of a new quintet – Andrew McAnsh (trumpet), Jeff La Rochelle (sax), James Hill (piano) and Ian Wright (drums) and Roberto Occhipinti (bass)
Michael Occhipinti Quartet feat Pilar
7 p.m. | Heliconian Hall (35 Hazelton Ave.)
An all-star quartet with special guest vocalist Pilar. Expect jazz and a dose of traditional Italian songs, performed brilliantly
8 p.m. | OLG Stage on Hazelton
A disco outfit that is 100% party
8:30 p.m. | OLG Stage on Cumberland
The Toronto debut of BC-born, NYC-based trumpeter AND vocalist Bria Skonberg. Winner of the 2017 JUNO Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year and building on a foundation of traditional jazz, Bria performs a refreshing mix of jazz standards and original compositions
Mill Street Late-Night Jam with Humber Faculty Trio
10 p.m. | InterContinental Toronto Yorkville Hotel
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