Commentary by Bill King, Artistic Director - Season 23

…of big music, big crowds and big smiles!  We start each year with a blank slate, a wish list, and this season, with over two hundred and fifty applications submitted, we never have enough performance spots to address the many fine musicians looking to sound off.  As we review each application, we keep in mind that the BIJF is an outdoor event where bands must reach beyond the stage and connect with our diverse audience, their expectations and desires.  This is why we mix it up.  A lot of jazz, a bit of blues, funk, Caribbean, and other sounds that all meld and intertwine, leaving the listener with a sense that they’ve experienced a unique blend of sounds that defines this Festival.

Last summer at the Woodbine Park concert venue, Trombone Shorty gave us a hint of how superb this locale can be.  10,000 people stood dancing and moving to the infectious rhythms of Shorty’s New Orleans.  The lit up bandstand under a penetrating urban night sky was breathtaking!  This summer, we’re hitting opening night with some funk, old school and big salsa happenings.  The Mighty Pope with special guests Fergus Hambleton and Elisa Gold get the opening slot at 6PM followed by Toronto legend Carol Pope and Rough Trade and then at 9PM it’s our Latin dance party featuring the big band of Luis Mario Ochoa & Cimarrón.  Saturday, violinist Anne Lindsay gets the day rolling with her virtuoso band from Montreal, an excellent Cuban/jazz ensemble led by pianist Yoel Diaz; followed by blues favourites Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley; big band blues sounds of Raoul and the Big Time Big Band; the funky Planet Earth; and then another hard core night of New Orleans greasy funk with Big Sam’s Funky Nation.  Sunday it’s Blues Express with Kal David & the Real Deal featuring Laurie Bono and the ever popular Andy Kim.

A word about our Youth and New Generation Stages at Woodbine Park.  They highlight the next generation of jazz musicians.  Over 75 high school age musicians featured on the Youth Stage, including the Festival sponsored Honour Combos.  From jazz to funk to rock, the New Generation stage features the talents of Quincy Bullen, Larra Skye, Heavyweight Brass, Michael Schatte and up-and-comer JP Saxe

Talk about contrasting styles, our Kew Gardens stage is what we call the “listening post”.  The bands that inhabit this main stage all come with a story to tell.  This year’s collection covers a large territory beginning with the absolutely brilliant conga player Jorge Torres Papiosco and his Cuban compatriots Ìroko; followed by singer songwriters Marc Jordan and Amy Sky; world beat powerhouse Pavlo; blues legend Duke Robillard and his band.  From way down south we also have the soulful charm of the Lionel Young Band and I’ll be back with Stacey Bulmer, Neil Chapman, Jim Casson and the Rockit 88 Band.  The day will end with a rousing “Punjabi funk” band from New York City - Red Baraat.  Led by dholi Sunny Jain, Red Baraat is the first and only dhol n’ brass band in North America melding infectious North Indian rhythm Bhangra with brass funk, improv and a powerful live sound.

Kew Gardens is part of our "Jazz Triangle" that also includes our Latin and Big Band stages located south of Kew, July 22 to 24.  The Latin Square stage bridges jazz with Caribbean salsa, meringue, cumbia.  It’s a non-stop dance party featuring the likes of Dominican band, El Swing de Azuris, led by Bladimir Azuris de Jesus, and others. The Big Band Stage celebrates the Golden Era of Big Bands by featuring a range of big band sounds, from the classics inspired Swing Shift Big Band to the Jazz Mechanics Big Band with their modern sounding arrangements, to the Big Smoke Big Band with their uniquely aggressive mix of contemporary jazz, funk, rhythm & blues and rock.

Then there’s our three nights of 50 plus bands giving their all as part of our signature Queen Street East event, “StreetFest”.

Check out our free workshops too.  We offer Comedy Improv, thanks to Second City; a Vocal bootcamp with the lovely Heather Bambrick; salsa, meringue and swing dance classes; a Ukelele workshop (back by popular demand) and more.

What’s a Festival without some great photography immortalizing those magical jazz moments!  We continue our tribute to jazz photography with our Jazz in Motion Juried Photography Exhibition.

For all of our visitors, tourists and locals alike in need of some extra TLC, we offer customized Jazz Experience Tour Packages.  Otherwise just come and experience the Beach neighbourhood’s hospitality, great food and merchandize offerings.

Bill King
Artistic Director