ready. set. - markham jazz festival

www.markhamjazzfestival.com

• ALEXIS BARO• SPY JAZZ WITH JUNE GARBER + IRENE TORRES, HOSTED BY JAYMZ BEE

• DONOVAN LOCKE• TANIKA CHARLES• MARK KELSO• MONEKA ARABIC JAZZ

AND MORE AMAZING MUSICIANS!

Ready.Set.

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Fall / Winter Live+Virtual Concert Series

September 2020 – March 2021

WELLNESS, THE NEW LUXURY BY KYLEMORE.

Mindfully focusing on wellness in the homes and communities we shape. To register for upcoming communities visit KylemoreCommunities.com

Different times indeed! Amid so much change, it’s comforting to turn to our friends and our community. The team at the TD Markham Jazz Festival has been busy sharing tunes and talk-ing, spreading the word about online jazz performances, hearing new works by artists we love, and continuing to support jazz in Canada.

Although we couldn’t celebrate our festival in the usual ways this year, our mandate to bring people together through our shared love of jazz is as vital now as ever. So, we are thrilled to bring you this Live + Virtual Concert Series!

We’re embracing the virtual landscape while we ease back into a world where we can gather and enjoy live music in person. With the aid of a local recording studio – and the support of outstanding sponsors – we are bringing fabulous live jazz right to the comfort of your home. Each concert will take place in a unique venue around Markham and be live-streamed through our website. When it’s safe to do so, we will offer ways to attend in person.

Either way, you’re invited to enjoy an exciting mix of musical experiences with us. From now through next March, discover the brightest talent of our diverse Canadian jazz scene.

This series is meant to lift your spirits. It’s a reminder that we are a community and, though seemingly far apart, we’re together when we share the music we love.

Be well, stay safe and happy jazz!

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23RD ANN IV ERSARY markhamjazzfestival.com

WELCOME Welcome to the 23rd Annual TD Markham Jazz Festival’s Live + Virtual Concert Series! Message from the Artistic Director

Sarah Kim TurnbullArtistic Director, TD Markham Jazz Festival

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markhamjazzfestival.com 23RD ANN IV ERSARY

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR September 2020

Frank Scarpitti

Mayor

The Corporation of the City of Markham, Anthony Roman Centre, 101 Town Centre Boulevard, Markham, Ontario L3R 9W3

Tel: 905.475.4872 Fax: 905.479.7775 [email protected] www.markham.ca

September 2020

MESSAGE FROM MAYOR FRANK SCARPITTI

On behalf of Members of Council and the City of Markham, I am pleased to extend a warm and

sincere welcome to everyone attending the 23rd Annual TD Markham Jazz Festival.

This marquee event continues to be one of the finer community jazz festivals in Canada that

attracts diverse, eclectic and talented performers. Life in our community is enriched when we

celebrate the arts and come together to enjoy moving performances, especially during these

challenging times.

I would like to commend the team at TD Markham Jazz Festival for organizing this prestigious

festival. We sincerely appreciate your ongoing dedication and commitment to providing a platform

for jazz artists to showcase their talents and we thank you for keeping us connected by creating an

environment for all to enjoy.

As the Mayor of Markham, I would like to extend my appreciation to TD Bank, Board and

Committee Members, all the jazz artists and volunteers who have made this event possible. Best

wishes for a successful festival.

Sincerely,

Frank Scarpitti

Mayor

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markhamjazzfestival.com

Frank Scarpitti

Mayor

The Corporation of the City of Markham, Anthony Roman Centre, 101 Town Centre Boulevard, Markham, Ontario L3R 9W3

Tel: 905.475.4872 Fax: 905.479.7775 [email protected] www.markham.ca

September 2020

MESSAGE FROM MAYOR FRANK SCARPITTI

On behalf of Members of Council and the City of Markham, I am pleased to extend a warm and

sincere welcome to everyone attending the 23rd Annual TD Markham Jazz Festival.

This marquee event continues to be one of the finer community jazz festivals in Canada that

attracts diverse, eclectic and talented performers. Life in our community is enriched when we

celebrate the arts and come together to enjoy moving performances, especially during these

challenging times.

I would like to commend the team at TD Markham Jazz Festival for organizing this prestigious

festival. We sincerely appreciate your ongoing dedication and commitment to providing a platform

for jazz artists to showcase their talents and we thank you for keeping us connected by creating an

environment for all to enjoy.

As the Mayor of Markham, I would like to extend my appreciation to TD Bank, Board and

Committee Members, all the jazz artists and volunteers who have made this event possible. Best

wishes for a successful festival.

Sincerely,

Frank Scarpitti

Mayor

6 markhamjazzfestival.com 23RD ANN IV ERSARY

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In place of our 2020 outdoor festival in historic Unionville, the TD Markham Jazz Festival proudly presents this series of monthly concerts from September 2020 through next March! On the last Sunday afternoon of each month (except December), an amaz-ing line-up of artists will perform in selected venues around Markham and be live-streamed directly to your screens. We’re blending the great energy of bandmates playing together with the safety of the online format. Just tune in and enjoy an hour of exceptional music!

Just before 2 pm (ET) on each concert Sunday, simply go to markhamjazzfestival.com and click on the CONCERT LINK box.

Connecting is easy!

Reinventing live music in Markham!

Special thanks to our performers, title sponsor, presenting and concert sponsors, and technical teams.

Ready. Set.Connect!

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE Just before 2 pm (ET) each concert Sunday

September 27

October 25

November 29

January 31

February 28

March 28

2020

2021

Alexis Baro

Donovan Locke

Tanika Charles

Mark Kelso

Moneka Arabic Jazz

Spy Jazz - June Garber + Irene Torres hosted by Jaymz Bee

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

Fall / Winter Live+Virtual Concert Series


Alexis Baro2:00 – 3:00 pm

Trumpet phenom Alexis Baro kicks off our series with a quintet of award-winning tal-ent! Havana-born Alexis took up the trumpet at age 8 and by 19 was playing lead trumpet for Cuba’s National Radio and Television Orchestra. In Toronto from 2001, he flourished as a writer and member of Kollage, earning nominations for “Best Jazz Trumpeter” by the Canadian National Jazz Awards in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Alexis has performed with Nikki Yanofsky, David Foster, Michael Bublé, Paquito d’Rivera, Hilario Duran, Robi Botos, Andrea Boccelli, and Horacio “el negro” Hernandez, among many, as well as opening for Herbie Hancock, touring globally and releasing six solo albums, including the Juno-nominated “Sandstorm” in 2018. www.alexisbaro.com

CONCERT #1SUNDAY September 27, 2020

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Spy Jazz2:00 – 3:00 pm

Donovan Locke2:00 – 3:00 pm

Spy Jazz, hosted by Jaymz Bee, features an exceptional band – June Garber and Irene Torres on vocals, Eric St. Laurent on guitars, George Koller on bass, Great Bob Scott on drums and percussion, Attila Fias on the keyboard and Alison Young on saxes. June Garber has toured as a singer in Canada, the U.S., Cuba, the Caribbean, Mexico, South America and Australia. • Irene Torres, originally from Peru, has studied under some of the most noteworthy vocal instructors in North America. • JAZZ.FM91 radio personality Jaymz Bee hosts this delightful foray into James Bond theme songs and other favourites from the spy jazz catalogue, plus original material never heard before!

Donovan Locke is a multi-talented vocalist based in Toronto. He started signing in church at a very early age, and in his teens joined the Toronto All-Stars Big Band, with whom he’s performed across Ontario and in the U.S.A. Donovan earned his Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University and his Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University. He has been a part of many Canadian productions, from David Ferry’s “The Postman” to Ann-Marie Donovan’s “Sounding Rituals,” and had the honour of signing with Cleo Laine, John Dankworth and Jackie Richardson, among many.

SUNDAY October 25, 2020

SUNDAY November 29, 2020

CONCERT #2

CONCERT #3


Tanika Charles2:00 – 3:00 pm

No longer the best-kept secret in soul music, Toronto-based singer Tanika Charles has become a staple of the scene at home and abroad. The twice Juno Award-nominated and twice Polaris Prize long-listed singer continues to win audi-ences over one stream, one Shazam and one encore at a time. Backed by her band The Wonderfuls, Tanika has embarked on five international tours across nine countries since releasing “Soul Run,” including 70+ headlining performances. She moves seamlessly between faithful recreations of her studio recordings and cross-genre nods to rock, gospel and country influences. In 2019, she had the honour of being named the inaugural Polaris artist-in-residence for 2020 at the Studio Bell National Music Centre. www.tanikacharles.com

CONCERT #4SUNDAY January 31, 2021

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Moneka Arabic Jazz2:00 – 3:00 pm

Mark Kelso2:00 – 3:00 pm

Originally hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Canadian drummer Mark Kelso is a skilled percussion musician, singer, producer and composer. Mark has earned four Juno awards as a sideman and been nominated as a leader with his own two groups, the Jazz Exiles (2016) and the Chronicles of Fezziwig Project (2020). He’s served as Artistic Director for the Jazz Room in Waterloo since 2016 and head of Percussion in the Humber College music program since 2005. As a sought-after drummer and all-around player, Mark has worked and recorded with a vast range of artists, from Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Michael Bublé and David Clayton-Thomas to Olivia Newton John, Bonnie Raitt, Chaka Khan, Pat LaBarbera, John Scofield, Ron Sexsmith, Molly Johnson, Laila Biali and Carol Welsman, among many. www.groovydrums.com

SUNDAY March 28, 2021

CONCERT #5

CONCERT #6

SUNDAY February 28, 2021

Rooted in jazz and blues, Moneka Arabic Jazz draws from leader Ahmed Moneka’s Afro-Iraqi heritage and influences, flavoured by Toronto’s multicultural mix, to create a distinct, funky and unique sound. Ahmed’s work has led to collaborations with the Canadian Opera Company, Aga Khan Museum, Tafelmusik, Koerner Hall, Modern Times Stage, and Jaberi Dance Theatre, among others. He has been an artist-in-residence with Driftwood Theatre Group, was a Stingray Rising Stars winner at the 2019 TD Toronto Jazz Festival,

and founded Moneka Arabic Jazz in part to reflect the stories and songs of his background. The group’s repertoire introduces maqam and weaves African identity and influences into its music. Each of the six talented musicians contributes to a sound that embodies the great diversity of Torontoin 2020.

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We are all connected!The Markham Jazz Festival Committee sends its deepest thanks to the many frontline and support workers who have helped our communities cope with the difficulties of this extraordinary year, and our thoughts to the families who have lost loved ones. Let’s keep protecting each other!

Markham Jazz Festival Committee

Mailing Address: Markham Jazz Festival 4261 A-14 Hwy #7, Suite 281, Unionville, ON L3R 9W6

MJF Hotline: 905-471-JAZZ (5299)

General inquiries: [email protected]

markhamjazzfestival@markhamjazzfest #markhamjazz#markhamjazzfestival

THE MARKHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION OPERATED BY A VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS. © 2020

Theme illustration developed by Giacomo Pincin/Robert Hyland © MJF/RH+A. Event photography provided by Robert Hyland, Larry Fruitman.

HONORARY CHAIR Councillor Jack Heath

PRESIDENT & MARKETING CHAIR Linda Briggs*

VICE PRESIDENT & SOCIAL MEDIA CHAIR Mark Lemieux*

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Christie Day

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Sarah Kim Turnbull

SECRETARY/TREASURER Michael Clarke*

PAST PRESIDENT Dave Coutts*

SPONSORSHIP CHAIR Tammy Mang*

SPONSORSHIP Michael Rijkenberg* Wendy Kadlovski*

VOLUNTEERS Tim Henry

LEGAL ADVISOR Alan Direnfeld

WEBMASTER Marc Mousseau

COMMITTEE Yolla Krob Neil Archer Alison Skeels Heather McPherson

GRAPHIC DESIGN Robert Hyland + Associates

* Denotes Director

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Thank you for supporting live music in Markham!

TITLE SPONSOR

PRESENTING SPONSORS

MEDIA & TECHNICAL PARTNERS

COMMUNITY SPONSORS

GOVERNMENT PARTNERS & FOUNDATIONS

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23RD ANN IV ERSARY markhamjazzfestival.com

Music brings us together.Proud to support TD Markham Jazz Festival and other virtual music festivals.

ready. set. - markham jazz festival

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