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Tuesday June 3
David Virelles and Adrean Farrugia
9:00 p.m. $10
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David Virelles
David Virelles has been nicknamed "the marvel" for his brilliant technique, and many believe he is destined to become one of jazz piano's greats. At only 15, Virelles won the first prize at the Concurso Jojazz in Havana, Cuba. The competition was adjudicated by several of the most prestigious jazz musicians in Cuba. In 1999, David met Canadian Jazz flautist/ saxophonist Jane Bunnett, soon she would play a pivotal role in David's career and musical evolution. At 16, Virelles came to Canada as Bunnett's protégé. David toured with Bunnett's band Spirits of Havana throughout the USA, Canada, Western Europe and Cuba, playing major jazz festivals including a performance at the Toronto Arts Awards. His contribution to Bunnett's band can be heard on Cuban Odyessey, Red Dragonfly, Alma de Santiago and Radio Guantanamo. These albums all gained much attention, Cuban Odyssey winning Jazz Journalists Award in 2003, and Radio Guantanamo winning a Juno Award in 2006. Virelles currently plays with a quintet under his own name, featuring Luis Deniz on alto saxophone, Devon Henderson on upright bass, Ethan Ardelli on drums and Luis Orbegoso on percussions. Their outstanding talent was recognized and in 2006 they won the Grand Prix de Jazz General Motors, the highest distinction given out at the Montréal Jazz Festival. The quintet opened for Dave Brubeck before receiving the award. The same year, Virelles was nominated for the Canadian National Jazz Awards in the category of Best Latin Jazz Artist, and he won the CBC Galaxy Award for Rising Star. In October of 2003, he was chosen as the recipient of the first Oscar Peterson Prize. The Canadian jazz master himself presented this award to Virelles. In 2007, the David Virelles Quintet released their debut album, Motion. This intelligent recording highlights David's virtuosity and his bold endeavour to break free from predictable music forms. Indeed, Virelles' compositions are marked by relatively loose structures and an artful use of irregular time signatures and rhythmic superimpositions. Nevertheless, the quintet's improvisations are always well organized and the music is highly listenable.
www.myspace.com/davidvirellesquintet
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Adrean Farrugia
Adrian Farrugia began piano studies at age 12. After extensive classical studies an interest in composition and improvisation led to jazz studies after highschool. Adrean studied at Mohawk College and University of Toronto. Adrean now resides in Toronto, Ontario where he is busy as both a performer and educator. He has performed and/or recorded with many prominent artists. Adrean has performed on cross Canada tours with Juno Award winner Rich Underhill as well as the Jefferson/Grant Quintet. Adrean has also performed at Chicago's historic Green Mill with trumpet virtuoso Brad Goode's Quartet as well as concert dates in Paris, France with a trio led by bassist and longtime friend Chris Jennings. Adrean currently teaches jazz piano and improvisation at Mohawk College of Arts and Technology and York University and leads several bands including Trio Music and a quartet w/ Canadian guitar legend Lorne Lofsky.
www.myspace.com/adreanfarrugia
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Wednesday June 4
Thompson Egbo Egbo and Dave Restivo
9:00 p.m. $10
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Thompson Egbo Egbo
Thompson Egbo-Egbo has been playing piano from the tender age six. The Nigerian born pianist has graced the presence of figures such as Quincy Jones, H.R.H. Prince Phillip and many others. Thompson was the only student invited to perform at the Toronto Olympic Bid Gala Fund-raiser. He performed for H.R.H. Prince Charles at a Celebration of Canadian Artists. Hillary Weston, and for H.R.H. Prince Philip at a Duke of Edinburgh Award reception and once again at the Carlu for another evening hosted by the Weston's. He was also invited to play for H.R.H. Prince Edward at a dinner/reception held at a private Forest Hill residence. Thompson was the 1998 inaugural recipient of the Hagood Hardy Protégé Award and was a recipient of a bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh Award. In addition, he won the Alliance for Canadian New Music, Clifford Elliot Scholarship for his composition Improv in Variations, and received another scholarship from the Cabbagetown Arts Association to continue his education at Humber College. He received an additional scholarship from the Minstrel Foundation to also continue with his studies at Humber College.
www.egbo.ca
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Dave Restivo
Dave Restivo is one of Canada's most respected and influential jazz artists who is a 3-time winner of the National Jazz Awards' Pianist of the Year Award. He is well known for his work with Rob McConnell's Boss Brass and Tentet, the Mike Murley Quintet, and legendary songwriter Marc Jordan, and has also performed and recorded with a numerous amount of well known jazz artists throughout his career. Quoted by Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal, "...quite simply one of the most exceptional jazz pianists of his generation that Canada has produced..."
www.myspace.com/daverestivo
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Thursday June 5
Robi Botos (solo) and Trio
9:00 p.m. $10
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Robi Botos
It was at age seven when Robbie first took up piano, the instrument he has since mastered and with which he has made his mark. Robi's notable performances include: Concert at the Long Beach convention and entertainment centre. Opening concert for Bela Fleck, Stanley Clark, and Jean Luc Ponty, at the 2005 International Downtown Toronto Jazz Festival on the main stage. As well in the same year Robi opened for Oscar Peterson at the prestigious Stravinsky hall in Montreaux Switzerland. Since immigrating to Canada in 1998, Robi has made great contributions to Canada's jazz scene. He has been featured with many local and international greats and has been awarded for much of his talent. Some awards being, 2004 First prize and public prize at the International Montreux Jazz Festival's solo piano competition. 2006 JUNO Nomination for "contemporary jazz album of the year" for "One Take". 2007 National Jazz Award for "Keyboardist Of the Year" 2007 NOW award for "Best Jazz Artist" 2008 National Jazz Award Nomination for "Keyboardist Of The Year".
www.myspace.com/robibotosmusic
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Friday June 6
Michael Shand and Nancy Walker
9:30 p.m. $15
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Michael Shand
At 29, Toronto-native Michael Shand has already spent well over half his life playing music. He began piano lessons at the age of 13 and progressed quickly through the Royal Conservatory of Music's classical system. However like so many young players who define this unique generation, raised in an era of unprecedented musical diversity and accessibility, Michael exhibits a creative energy that encompasses many genres. Blues, reggae, hip-hop, funk, house, R&B, soul and Latin music are the raw elements that form his identity as a performer, writer and arranger. But jazz is the common thread that binds them all together. Shortly after leaving York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and the coveted Oscar Peterson Scholarship Award, Michael became pianist and musical director for "Kollage". To have earned their respect at such a young age was no small feat. Destinations and Discoveries Reviews write, "...Michael Shands piano solos are masterful. This is another favourite." Nowadays you will find Michael touring across, Canada, the U.S, and continental Europe with young crooner Matt Dusk (Universal/Decca, Mark Burnett/Foxs, "The Casino").
www.myspace.com/michaelshand
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Nancy Walker
Pianist and composer Nancy Walker has a solid background as a pianist and keyboard player for a variety of international recording and concert acts. Winner of the 2008 National Jazz Awards Keyboardist Of The Year Award and the Montréal International Jazz Festival's prestigious Grand Prix de Jazz, Nancy has also studied in New York City with renowned piano master Fred Hersch. Nancy's album Invitation, released in 1997 was voted one of the year's best by Jazz Canadiana reviewers. Toronto Star critic Geoff Chapman named Luminosity (2000) one of the top jazz recordings of that year. When She Dreams, was released in 2004 on Canada's premier jazz label, Justin Time Records, and shot to the number one position on Canadian campus radio jazz charts. In 2005, Nancy and her quartet (featuring saxophonist Kirk MacDonald, bassist Kieran Overs and drummer Barry Romberg) toured the Canadian Jazz Festivals. That same year Nancy was nominated in four categories at Canada's National Jazz Awards. In 2006, Nancy's recording Rainy Days and Mondays (Somerset/Universal) was nominated for a JUNO award in the "Instrumental Album Of The Year" category. She was also among the Keyboardist Of The Year nominees at the 2006 and 2007 National Jazz Awards. "She's a commanding presence at the piano. Her solos are strong and personal, and she's a wonderful accompanist." Ted O'Reilly, The Whole Note Magazine.
www.nancywalkerjazz.com
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Saturday June 7
John Kameel Farah and Bernie Senensky
9:30 p.m. $15
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John Kameel Farah
John Kameel Farah is a Toronto composer, pianist, electronic musician and visual artist, fusing the music worlds of renaissance and baroque counterpoint, free improvisation, Middle-Eastern texture, ambient minimalism, techno and electroacoustics, to synthesize an entirely original sound. A virtuosic keyboardist simultaneously using piano, laptop sound sculpture and sequencing , synthesizer and at times even harpsichord and organ, his creative efforts are fueled by exchanges of physical, spiritual and emotional energies on both a macrocosmic and microscopic level. In an effort to see the larger picture, his music draws upon an interest in history, mythology, painting and drawing to help deepen his understanding of life and the human condition. Toronto's NOW Magazine named his as Best Pianist 2006. He studied music composition and piano at the University of Toronto, winning the Glenn Gould Composition Scholarship in 1993 and 1994. Farah now focuses primarily on his own creative hybrid of improvisation, composition and electronic music. The influences of classical and modern composers such as Byrd, Bach, Schoenberg, Messiaen, Stockhausen and Shostakovich whose works he studied and performed can be felt in his music, mixing with forays into Arabic scales (which use microtonal tunings), free jazz, ambient minimalism, musique concréte, free improvisation and forms of electronic dance music such as Drum&Bass, come together into a unique musical voice. Farah performs regularly in Toronto acclaimed venues ranging from The Gladstone hotel to multiple outdoor festivals. He has performed internationally in Paris, Boston, Mexico and Palestine, having performed at the Edward Said National Conservatory in Ramallah in 1999, and in 2002 giving performances and masterclasses in Ramallah, East Jerusalem and Bethlehem, witnessing the effects of art under occupation.
www.myspace.com/jkfarah
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Bernie Senensky
Bernie Senensky has earned the reputation of being one of Canada's premier jazz artists. His playing has been featured internationally in many jazz festivals, and he is recognized and respected as one of the foremost jazz pianists in the world. He was the only Canadian guest on "Oscar Peterson Presents", a CTV National TV series. He has also been a guest on Marian McPartland's renowned public radio show "Piano Jazz". In addition, Senensky has been featured on CBC radio and TV, and many of his concerts have been recorded by CBC (Jazz Beat), JAZZFM91.1 (The Jazz Scene, Sound Of Toronto Jazz), Global-TV (Sounds Impressive) & Cool TV. He was featured on the BRAVO TV production "In The Key Of EH!-Canadian Jazz Piano" along with Renee Rosnes and Paul Bley. He was twice voted "Best Acoustic Pianist" in the Jazz Report Awards, and he won the SOCAN award for "Best Jazz Composition" for his "BLUES FOR CLIFFORD". He has quietly compiled a track record of 12 albums as a leader (three of which have received Juno nominations). Clarinetist Buddy DeFranco described him as "The best of the best", while Bill Evans once said: "I could just sit and listen to him play all day!"
www.myspace.com/berniesenensky
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Sunday June 8
Tiki Mercury-Clark
8:30 p.m. $10
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Tiki Mercury Clark
A multi-talented singer-pianist, storyteller, lyricist, composer, and writer, Tiki began singing professionally at the age of 16, this performer and creative artist has continued to appear on stage, TV, and film, in nightclub and concert settings, over a career span which has now reached 30 plus years. She has produced a storytelling performance for "The Reading Train", and worked with a major Canadian broadcasting company in creating music for "Changing Futures". Tiki plays a major role in Canadian Gospel Music by working as chair of the JUNOS' Gospel Music Advisory Committee, initiating and developing the gospel music category for the JUNOS.
She has performed as a singer and singer-pianist in exclusive nightclubs in Singapore, Malaysia and Qatar with her special blend of dynamic and moving jazz. Tiki's professional diversity - her rich, melodic voice, her talent as a pianist and her flair for narration. These productions demonstrate that her "artistic prowess is spellbinding.
www.kakuyonstronghold.com
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