Sunday, August 18, 2019

Brandi Disterheft

Millennium Bandstand Sunday, August 18, 2019 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm www.brandidisterheft.com Bassist, singer, composer Brandi Disterheft has been under the apprenticeship of Miles Davis’s bassist, Ron Carter, since she relocated to NYC from Vancouver. It’s not only her fiery bass playing, it’s also her innovative live shows as she sings in both English and French, showcasing her ambient, dreamy voice. Winning a JUNO for her “Debut” album, Brandi has performed with Benny Green, Cyrus Chestnut, Jeremy Pelt and Renee Rosnes to name a few. Brandi is a Canadian staple of the NYC jazz scene. Presented by Minken Employment Lawyers

Bywater Call

McKay Stage/Garden Sunday, August 18, 2019 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm www.bywatercall.com Harnessing the sounds of southern soul, gospel and blues -- highly successful and Toronto-based -- Bywater Call is a 7-piece band featuring raw, powerful lead vocals and soulful slide guitar. In 2018, the band was named Toronto Blues Society Talent Search Winner, and placed runner-up in the Road to Memphis competition to represent Toronto at the International Blues Challenge. Following a busy summer festival season, and the fall ’19 release of their debut album, Bywater Call will be heading out on an early-2020, 2-month European tour.

Heather Bambrick

Millennium Bandstand Sunday, August 18, 2019 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm www.heatherbambrick.ca Heather Bambrick is a JUNO-nominated vocalist who’s collaborated with Phil Nimmons, Fred Hirsch, Gene DiNovi, Guido Basso, Rob McConnell, Peter Appleyard, Toronto Symphony Orch., Newfoundland Symphony Orch. and many more. She’s released three recordings to date, and her latest Fine State is being released June,’19. You’ll recognize Heather from being the award-winning host on JAZZ.FM91 and recently co-founder of JAZZCAST, an internet-based Jazz station. Heather is also one of Canada’s top voice actors, a highly sought after music educator, and sits on the Advisory Council for Music Canada.

Hector Quartet

McKay Stage/Garden Sunday, August 18, 2019 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Hector is the new project by Chris Gale, Toronto-based soxophonist, composer, producer, educator, leader and side-man. His driving style, rich tone and soulful approach have impressed crowds locally and around the world. He’s performed with the likes of Randy Brecker, Jeff Healy, The Arkells, Colin James, Blue Rodeo, The Shuffle Demons, the Powder Blues Band and many more. Long-standing member of The Worst Pop Band Ever, Chris is also co-founder of Hector Quartet – a soulful, energetic collective of Toronto all-star musicians.

Kollage

Millennium Bandstand Sunday, August 18, 2019 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm www.kollage.ca Award-winning “hard-bop” sextet Kollage was originally formed in 1999 -- as Toronto’s legendary drummer and Order of Canada recipient, Archie Alleyne, joined forces with Doug Richardson -- to create a band that preserves the tradition and importance of jazz born of the Blue Note Records era 50’s and 60’s. Since then, Kollage has been one of Canada’s most influential jazz bands, developing some of Canada’s best known jazz musicians. In 2013, the now late Alleyne, and last founding band member, passed the band’s leadership onto Musical Director Stacie McGregor. In 2017, Kollage released a recording of original compositions titled, No Fuss, No Muss.

Kristin Fung

Varley Gallery Patio Sunday, August 18, 2019 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm www.kristinfung.com A creative spirit and soulful innovator, Kristin Fung is an unusually refreshing and infectiously joyful voice on the Canadian music scene. Her dynamic and versatile performances as a vocalist, keyboardist, ukuleleist and composer cross multiple musical landscapes, from lyrical groovy R&B originals (as on her debut EP, Massive Stride) to experimental opera (Anthony Braxton) to soulful jazz. Kristin has performed at Roulette (NYC), Vancouver Inter. Jazz Festival, and several of Toronto’s top concert venues.

The Jerome Tucker Band

McKay Stage/Garden Sunday, August 18, 2019 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm www.jerometuckerband.com Philadelphia’s Jerome Tucker is a lead vocalist and bassist who joined the US Navy, ending-up in the Gulf Coast and moonlighting for various Blues and Cajun artists. Following the Navy, he co-wrote songs with Ivan Neville, moved to Chicago and performed with the city’s greats. Today, Toronto is home, featuring his own band: Carl Harvey (guitar), Unionville’s Rob Christian (sax, flute & keys), Kingsley Etienne (B3), Neil Brathwaite (sax) and Rich Greenspoon (drums) - resulting in a polished explosion of funky soulful blues.

Viper’s Cloud

Varley Gallery Patio Sunday, August 18, 2019 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Viper’s Cloud is a Toronto based Gypsy Jazz collective curating traditional Eastern European music, 1940’s hot jazz and swing music in the style of famous Romani-French jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. The group ranges from a duo arrangement all the way up to an 8 piece band featuring Violin, Clarinet, Double bass, Manouche guitar and Trumpet.

Virginia MacDonald

Varley Gallery Patio Sunday, August 18, 2019 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm www.lowdownbrassband.com At twenty-four years of age, clarinetist, composer Virginia MacDonald is already established as a sought after musician on the Toronto jazz scene; she’s performed as a leader and side woman with a veritable who’s who of artists, at venues and festivals across the GTA. Recipient of the prestigious Yamaha Music scholarship in both ’18/’19, and judiciously selected to attend the exclusive ’18 Berklee Coll. of Music workshop with Grammy winner Terri Lyne Carrington. Virginia will be joined by Lucian Gray (guitar) and Jonathan Chapman (bass).