Here it is the first full day of summer and, guess what,
it’s also the first day of the Toronto Jazz Festival. Coincidence? I think not.
This year promises to be every bit as great as the Festival
last year – and last year’s line up had been the best yet (IMHO). Some familiar faces from 2006 return, such as Dave Brubeck
and Medeski Scofield Martin and Wood, while very many more of the 2007 roster
haven’t played the festival in years – if ever. Personally, I’m greatly looking forward to Mainstage acts
Roy Hargrove (June 28) and Joshua Redman (June 29). Hargrove, I anticipate,
will be heavy on groove – which, got to admit it, I’m big on that. Redman will
be interesting to me as I saw his septuagenarian dad Dewey play in Montreal
just a few years ago. That was a terrific show full of humour and energy, and
I’m curious to know just how far the apple (Josh) has fallen from the tree.
The Grandmaster Series, as it is called, features three
piano giants: Brubeck, Oscar Peterson, and Keith Jarrett with Jack DeJohnette
and Gary Peacock. Anyone who has grown up with jazz in the house knows and no
doubt appreciates their respective massive contributions to the art form. And
the second star of each show will undoubtedly be the new opera house
(corporately called the FourSeasons Centre for the Performing Arts), which,
from everything I’ve heard is acoustically amazing.
Tons
to hear, June 22 – July 1.