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| Toronto Downtown Jazz: 20th Anniversary Concert Series Toronto Downtown Jazz, in association with GMP Productions, introduces a series of concerts this winter to kick off the jazz festival's 20th Anniversary Season. This series, presented by JAZZ.FM91, boasts a lineup that will appeal to both the neophyte and jazz connoisseur, offering a little something to whet every appetite. From Randy Weston's African Rhythms to the Cuban-based grooves of Cubanismo!, this Anniversary Series will get the city in the mood for jazz come June when the TD Canada Trust Toronto Downtown Jazz takes over from June 23 - July 2, 2006. In honor of celebrating twenty years of great jazz music, Toronto Downtown Jazz is committed to presenting jazz year round, beginning with this series and including more concerts to be announced in the fall of 2006. Playing throughout the city from February to April, the Anniversary Series features some exciting performances: The Bad Plus - February 8. This group rewrites the rules, busting up any and all preconceived notions of what an acoustic jazz trio should be. With their classic cover songs of Nirvana's “Smell's Like Teen Spirit” or Blondie's “Heart of Glass”, experience the sound that is The Bad Plus. The Worst Pop Band Ever will be opening for The Bad Plus. Chris Potter - February 15. Labeled as one of the finest saxophonists of his generation, this Grammy nominated artist plays a powerful tone full of stylistic twists. Charlie Hunter - February 22. With his unique 8-string guitar (3 bass strings and 5 guitar strings), Hunter plays a mix of funk, hip-hop, modern jazz and folk creating a sound he calls antacid jazz. Experimenting with different variations of improvised music, Hunter leads the pack of alternative musicians. Cubanismo! - March 6. Their sound is inspired by the horn driven Cuban big bands of the 1940s with a kick of fresh, modern style. Led by Jess Alemay and his 15-piece band, they are the tightest and most dynamic sound to come out of Cuba in a long time. Randy Weston - March 10. Incorporating the vast rhythmic heritage of Africa in his sound, Weston is often cited with bringing the music of Africa to the fore in jazz. This pianist is a true innovator and visionary. Russ Little - April 3. Trombonist, composer, arranger and conductor, Little has been a mainstay in the Canadian jazz scene for years. As a member of Lighthouse and The Boss Brass in the early days, he now leads his own group. write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Jazz News :: home page |