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Saturday
| PERFORMERS - KEW Gardens Main Stage |
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| Richard Underhill Sextet |
| Hilario Duran |
| Rita Chirelli |
| Downchild Blues |
| D'Talle |
Sunday
| PERFORMERS - KEW Gardens Main Stage |
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| Heart To Heart |
| Heather Bambrick |
Bernard Primeau
and the Montreal Jazz Ensemble |
Rockit 88 Band
Saturday Nite Fish Fry |
| Darrell Nulisch |
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The BIJF has become one of the unique cultural events in Canada since it’s inception in 1989. Since day one the focus has been on providing a significant showcase for the most active and talented jazz – jazz/blues and Latin jazz artists from all regions of the country.
Before Canadian artists began frequenting the main stage in Kew Gardens there were few venues offering homegrown talent a forum in which to present themselves before a sizeable appreciative audience. The original version of the Toronto Jazz Festival virtually ignored Canadian musicians. The hostility between the organization and artists was an ongoing concern. Not until the BIJF became an established reputable event did the other festivals begin to soften and respect the depth of musicianship in their own communities.
If you look at the number of satellite festivals operating beyond Toronto; The Markham Jazz Festival, Waterloo, Oakville, Port Hope, and on – you’ll recognize the blue print. You will also see most areas of the country have outgrown their prejudice towards hiring their own.
We’ve had a clear vision since day one to build a festival in magnificent surroundings accessible both musically and physically. One that draws families – the young the old, those who have immigrated from a far- those who enjoy music but need a persuasive introduction to jazz – those who have earned a few days and nights away from the office to unwind during the short summer months and those devout jazz fans who get a opportunity to meet, listen and purchase music directly from their favorite artists.
Looking back at the main stage and the numerous artists who have garnered national exposure the past 15 years – the BIJF can rightfully take credit for raising the stature of many bands and artists. Early on Rogers Cable partnered with us creating ten to twelve episodes that ran throughout Southern Ontario for five or six years. I hosted those shows. The number of people who watched the performances is beyond calculating.
Bands like Jane Bunnett, Brian Hughes, Time Warp, Joe Sealy, Carol Welsman were invited to play all over the country. Other Canadian jazz musicians and ensembles still active today that have played the main stage – Phil Dwyer, Doug Riley, Lee Ping Ming, Hilario Duran, Ingrid Jensen, Tyler Yarema, Jesse Cook, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Susie Arioli, John Stetch, Pat LaBarbera, Krik MacDonald, Chris Mitchell, Alain Caron, David Braid, Dave Restivo, Molly Johnson, Brian Dickinson, Denny Christianson, Sonny Greenwich, Ranee Lee, Dave McMurdo, Peter Leitch, Russ Little, Archie Alleyne, Kollage, Memo Acevedo, Michael Kaeshammer, Nojo, Kevin Breit, Francois Bourassa, Lorraine Desmarais, Metalwood – the list is endless.
The BIJF is second only to Montreal in attendance. During the four days a half million plus walk the streets – listen and participate in one of best music buyers markets in North America. Bands that strike a chord with the public not only sell their independent recordings but also find employment throughout the year – whether other jazz related activities or private functions. The BIJF does not take a commission off of these situations.
There is also strict artistic control over the publicized featured artists. Most are chosen not only for the caliber of music that’s presented but on impact and perseverance. For those having worked diligently to produce an individual sound and recording the BIJF can be the perfect showcase. We are here to broaden the outreach – raise awareness and provide the best circumstances under which to perform. I listened closely each year for artists determined to further their careers and the quiet unknown - those extremely talented individuals just out of range of the public who merit being heard and programmed on main stage. In the in it still comes down to dollars. I can only present that which I we can afford.
This coming summer we’ll be entering our fifteenth year and plan to do a retrospective of past years. We have looked closely at the best of the Canadian and affordable international bands and have booked accordingly.
We are featuring two Juno nominated ensembles; the Richard Underhill Sextet and Montreal’s Benard Primreau Sextet. There are two extremely talented Cuban units. One led by world-class pianist Hilario Duran and the other - the wonderfully entertaining ten piece all women salsa band Groupo D’Talle. There’s plenty of frontline blues with the award winning Rita Chiarelli Band, Downchild Blues Band, The Rockit 88 /Saturday Nite Fish Fry revue and W.C. Handy Award winner Darrell Nulisch band.
Vocals are always at the heart of the festival and this year we have some dandies. Heather Bambrick’s ‘It’s About Time’ riding high on her debut and for the first time the sun will beam Sunday above the gospel choir Heart To Heart.
We are now and will always be a populous festival drawing strictly from the heart and soul of jazz, blues and Latin; Kansas City, New Orleans, New York, Chicago – bebop, hard bop, Latin jazz, blues influenced – Louis, Ella, Prez, Coltrane, Miles, Metheny, Monk, Basie far away from the fringe which represents one per cent of one per cent of the audience. The roots of jazz and blues are firm and the history is undeniable. Buddy Bolden beget King Oliver who beget Louis Armstrong who beget Dizzy Gillespie who beget Miles Davis who beget Roy Hargrove, Wynton Marsalis, Wallace Roney.
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