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2014 TD Downtown Oakville Jazz Festival: Entertainment Line Up

Close up of hands on a Saxophone | zigazou76  -  Foter  -  CC BY 2.0
Close up of hands on a Saxophone | zigazou76 - Foter - CC BY 2.0

With six stages spanning downtown Oakville this year's TD Jazz Festival promises another weekend of great music from up and coming artists to the classic sounds of the big bands. Come out and enjoy the music and ambiance of downtown Oakville's many great shops, cafes and restaurants. You'll be tapping your toes and swinging your hips before you know it.

Here is the line up of this year's talented musicians:

Alysha Brilla

TD Centennial Stage on August 9th  from: 7:30 to 9:00 PM

2014 Juno nominee Alysha Brilla is a critically acclaimed Tanzanian-Canadian singer, songwriter and producer. She plays guitar, piano and djembe, creating a unique original soul-folk sound which has been featured on stages internationally.

In the summer of 2013, Brilla released her first full length record, "In My Head", available on iTunes. The music video for her Swahili-infused song, "Nobody", won the 2013 Ibiza Music Video Festival Fan Choice Award. Brilla's music has been featured on major network television shows such as "King" and "Degrassi; the Next Generation". She has performed for audiences internationally and been featured on CBC, Global TV and Omni network.

Autorickshaw

Centennial Stage on August 9th  from 10:00 to 11:30 PM

Autorickshaw’s music lies on the cultural cutting edge, as contemporary jazz, funk and folk easily rub shoulders with the classical and popular music of India. Formed in 2003, Autorickshaw is one of the most intriguing acts on the world music and jazz landscapes, garnering 2004 and 2007 JUNO nominations for World Music Album of the Year, winning a

Canadian Independent Music Award in 2005, and a John Lennon Songwriting Competition Grand Prize in World Music and the CAPACOA Touring Artist of the Year award, both in 2008.

Charlie Kert (A children's musical)

Centennial Stage on August 9 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Charlie Kert is an award winning (OAC, Factor) performer, educator and entertainer with over a decade of experience in children’s music. As a music composer, Charlie Kert has written and released three albums of children’s music: ROCKgarden (2008), Playhouse Earth (2004), and Little Fingers Music (2001), the music of which is featured in the play.

He aims to teach the primary school science and literacy curriculum through engaging, fun, cross-curricular musical performance, and to inspire awareness for climate change in his community.

Daryl Stuermer Duo

TD Town Square Stage on August 9th from 8:00 to 9:30 PM

Guitarist for Jean-Luc Ponty, Genesis and Phil Collins, Daryl found inspiration for the duo from his Godin LGXT “electracoustic” guitar; an incredibly versatile instrument that can shift from an electric to acoustic sound with the flip of a switch. Along with his classically trained Russian keyboardist Kostia, Daryl performs his own instrumental compositions as well as some of his favourite Genesis songs.

Dr. Lonnie Smith

TD Towne Square Stage, Friday August 8th from 8:00 to 9:30 PM

Dr. Lonnie Smith is an unparalleled musician, composer, performer and recording artist. An authentic master and guru of the Hammond B-3 organ for over five decades, he has been featured on over seventy albums, and has recorded and performed with a virtual “Who’s Who” of the greatest jazz, blues and R&B giants in the industry.

Consequently, he has often been hailed as a “Legend,” a “Living Musical Icon,” and as the most creative jazz organist by a slew of music publications. Jazz Times magazine describes him as “a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a turban!” Always ahead of the curve, it is no surprise Dr. Smith’s fan-base is truly worldwide.

Frank Horvat Band

Dunn Stage, August 8th from 6:45 to 8:00 PM & 9:15 to 10:30 PM

Formed in 2013 by Canadian composer/pianist Frank Horvat, The Frank Horvat Band’s uncreative name hides a wildly creative sound and a roster of ultra-talented musicians. An indie art rock band with an electronic edge, they create a textured atmospheric sound that envelops you with the sweet and soaring voice of Felicity Williams.

Pioneering a new post-Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Bjork sound, TFHB is pop, poetry and modern expression in a beautifully pained existence. Their music takes you through a journey of all-encompassing sounds from soft ambience to aggressive repetition.

Ginger St. James & the Grinders

Allan Stage August 9th from 8:30 to 9:30 PM & 10:30 to 11:30 PM

As her name would suggest, Ginger St. James is a red-hot singer with looks that could thrill and who teases and tantalizes her way through a performance with brazen reckless abandon. She ain't no saint; she's a sinning singer who's having a whole lot of fun. With a potent cocktail of vaudeville, cabaret, and rock and roll filled with double-entendres and rhythms that tease, Ginger live is a party in the name of good fun.

Gone Fission

Thomas Stage, August 8th from 6:30 to 7:45 PM and 9:00 to 10:15 PM

Gone Fission was formed by Grant Crawford in 1991 and consists of 3 of the 4 original members of the critically acclaimed Toronto progressive rock group "Tibet." Joining forces with David Pleasance (keys, base) and his brother Brent Crawford (drums, percussion) has proven to be a real crowd pleaser at dozens of Jazz festivals as well as radio and television appearances over the past two decades. Gone Fission has recorded six full length CDs with their newest CD "Lean Into It" garnering immediate response including recent distribution and regular air play. The band has the great pleasure of performing with Steve Sherman (The Steve Sherman Project & the 4th original member of Tibet) for all live concerts and performances. The most recent addition to Gone Fission's live band is percussionist extraordinaire Ian Collins.

Griffith Hiltz Trio

Allan Stage, August 8th from 8:30 to 9:30 PM & 10:30 to 11:30 PM

Forward-leaning, nail-biting jazz, addressed with bold innovation, excitement and originality; delivered by a trio of brazen musicians with boundless talent, and genre-spiraling ideas. Hardly the types of cats you’d observe in the ‘musical gym’ ambling around, sneaking peeks at themselves in the mirrors lining the walls. Putting honest spit and shine to the awareness that good jazz always will be appealing, Griffith Hiltz Trio finds a dynamic ‘collective voice’ that departs from the mainstream to establish a sonic footprint of melody, harmony, and form, more redolent of a well-honed sextet; a more accurate descriptor, in light of Johnny Griffith’s fearsome multi-instrumental dexterity, plus Nathan Hiltz’s electric guitar wizardry, and simultaneous ‘sleight of foot’ bass pedals; and the indispensable purveyor of precise timing, drummer Sly Juhas. A group of seekers unified by a cooperative of extraordinary composing skills, forged into a solid brand intent on establishing singular cutting edge status.

Hailee Rose

Allan Stage on August 8th from 6:30 to 7:30 PM

Singer/songwriter Hailee Rose began her professional performing career at a very young age. With her start in commercials and film, she quickly excelled to professional theatre. Before booking the leading role of Young Nala in Disney's 'The Lion King' (Princess of Wales Theatre), Hailee Rose had, by the age of 10, been entertaining for half of her life. And that was only the beginning.

With musical influences of Jazz, R&B, Rock, Soul and Motown, Hailee covers it all. She has been featured at such festivals as: The CNE's Milk Festival, Oakville's Midnight Madness, The Oakville Jazz Festival, The Six Nations Festival, and most recently performed an opening set at Port Credit's very own South Side Shuffle.

High Rendition Jazz

TD Centennial Stage on August 9th from 3:00 to 4:30 PM

Founded in 2008, this not-for-profit band consists of talented musicians between the ages of 14 and 19, from various high schools in the Burlington, Oakville and surrounding Halton area. High Rendition Jazz operates under the musical direction of Carmen Gassi. High Rendition Jazz has repeatedly won Gold at both the Regional and National levels, in the Instrumental Jazz Division at the Golden Horseshoe MusicFest and MusicFest Canada.

Manteca

TD Town Square Stage on August 9th from 10:15 to 11:45 PM

The Jazz World Orchestra Manteca has sold over 100,000 records around the world and shared stages with Miles Davis, Ella, Van Morrison and many others, from the Hollywood Bowl to the North Sea Jazz Festival. Manteca is one of Canada's best-known and original instrumental artists. In 34 years of playing and recording they've been called an institution.

The reality is Manteca is new world jazz for the new world .a nine member artist collective based in Toronto that has created a unique and enduring highly original sound with building blocks from jazz, world, funk, folk and contemporary orchestral music.

Miray

Allan Stage on August 9th from 6:30 to 7:30 PM

Like her multicultural background it is quite difficult to label Miray’s music into a single category. Her style fuses elements of 70’s and 80’s motown and synthpop, cleverly calling her songs as ‘Mopop.’ Miray’s creative approach in songwriting reflects the interesting environment she was raised in, for her artistic expression combines the beauty and subtle nuance of the east, with the bold excitement of the west. Although Miray’s upbringing has certainly been unique, her idea of “sense of belonging” has always been a challenging theme throughout her life. In her music, Miray wishes to share her experience —in both English and Japanese—and her global mindset in the hope that she will connect with a wide range of audiences around the world, while representing herself as an artist without borders.

Mitch Frohman Latin Jazz Quartet

TD Centennial Stage on August 8th from 10:00 to 11:30 PM

Mitch Frohman, is one of the top saxophonist/flutists in the music scene. For 25 years he was the sax and flute soloist with The TITO PUENTE ORCHESTRA & LATIN-JAZZ ENSEMBLE & also was a steady member of the MONGO SANTAMARIA band for many years. Currently, besides leading the critically acclaimed latin-jazz and salsa dance band THE BRONX HORNS & leading EDDIE TORRES' MAMBO KINGS Dance/Show Orchestra, Mitch is touring the world as the sax/flute soloist with the grammy award winning SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA. And last (but not least), his signature solo sound can be heard somewhere in the world, every day, as he is the saxophone soloist on the THEME SONG of the mega-hit T.V. show SEX & THE CITY.

Roger Chong

Dunn Stage on August 9th from 6:45 to 8:00 PM & 9:15 to 10:30 PM

This Hong Kong born and Canadian raised jazz guitarist and composer, now resides in Toronto, Canada. Chong’s days are filled with either teaching or mentoring students, and his nights are filled with rehearsing or performing at venues such as the prestigious Rex Hotel Jazz and Blues Bar. Chong found that in his early years, under the influence of albums such as Eric Clapton and B.B. King’s “Riding With The King”, that rhythm and blues is where he wants to be. However, with the formal musical training at York University and direction of jazz notables, Al Henderson, Matt Brubeck, Roy Patterson, and Mike Cadó, jazz is where Chong set his focus on. Roger Chong’s remarkable talent and creativity have gained him praises from some of Canada’s most notable musicians. As he moves forward, his fans wait and anticipate where his sounds will take us next. Everyone is excited for the future of this rising Canadian jazz guitarist/composer.

Ruthie Foster

TD Towne Square on August 8th from 10:15 to 11:45 PM

Those who have followed Ruthie Foster’s eclectic musical history know that she can burn down any stage with her combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk and gospel. And when Grammy Award-winning producer John Chelew suggested she record an album in New Orleans — with support handpicked from the Crescent City’s overflowing pool of talent — it was an opportunity for Ruthie to infuse fresh spices into her already rich sonic gumbo. The result is Let It Burn, a recording that smolders, sizzles and ignites with an intensity born from her vibrant voice and indelible presence. Ruthie’s astonishing voice has taken her on an amazing ride. She came from humble church choir beginnings in rural Texas, followed by a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy Band, and ended up in New York City with a major-label development deal that went sour. After she moved back to Texas to care for her ailing mother, Foster took a break from singing professionally for a couple of years. When she resumed her music career in Austin, she became a regular nominee at the Austin Music Awards, winning Best Folk Artist in 2004-05 and Best Female Vocalist in 2007-08.

Broadening her sound by blending blues and soul aspects into her folk roots, Ruthie added a Grammy nomination to her list of achievements (Best Contemporary Blues Album for her last studio release, 2009’s The Truth According to Ruthie Foster). And, in a nod to her astounding range, she then won seemingly contradictory Blues Music Association awards for both Best Traditional and Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist in back-to-back years.

Subourbon Street

TD Towne Square Stage on August 9th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM

Bringing "New Orleans" Jazz to Ontario, Subourbon Street is making a name for itself as one of the few bands in this area to offer the energetic and authentic instrumentation of the world-renowned style often referred to as "Dixieland". The members have a passion to keep traditional jazz music alive and thriving. Subourbon Street has enjoyed entertaining audiences since 2005 at regional Jazz Festivals, as well as in far away and unique places like Lake Nipissing (on a boat!) and the Mardi Gras Parade at the Canadian National Exhibition in 2011.

The Hogtown Syncopators

TD Towne Square Stage on August 8th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM

The Hogtown Syncopators, a five-piece vocal and instrumental jazz ensemble, have been delighting crowds in the Toronto area for three years. A versatile band, their infectious rhythm, virtuosic playing, and dynamic ensemble vocals will thrill your guests. The members of this band are all experienced musicians who work in a variety of genres, and have worked with artists such as Jeff Healey, Dave Brubeck, Dianah Krall, Chantal Kreviazuk and many others.

The Soul Motivators

TD Centennial Stage on August 8th from 7:30 to 9:00 PM

Spread the word – The Soul Motivators are here to restore your faith in funk. This tight 9-piece ensemble digs deep, mines a rare groove and elevates your soul. Imagine a movin’, groovin’ record collection packed with sounds from across the spectrum – a solid soul review, afrobeat, the roots of funk and classic hip-hop breaks. That’s just for starters. Let the rolling bass and fatback drums move you to the dance floor while you immerse yourself in the chanking guitar riffs, crisp horns and screaming B3. Then be sure to listen up to the raw, mamas-no-messin’ vocal style. With a packed schedule taking in clubs, theatres and festivals across Canada, as well as regular rotation on CBC Radio, there’s always an opportunity to grab a slice of the funk energy.

ZIMZUM

Thomas Stage on August 8th from 6:30 to 7:45 PM & 9:00 to 10:15 PM

ZIMZUM's influences start with the melodic jazz funk of Weather Report, Spirogyra and Pat Metheny. Combining the joy of that music with a harder edge influenced by the modal explorations of Coltrane, Herbie Hancock and Dave Holland gives them the freedom to delve deeper into their own musical journeys.

Additional Acts & Venues

Fresh faces with incredible talent will be featured on the Merriam Music Stage located at Reynolds & Lakeshore Road. This is going to be next big stars, so you will not want to miss the music.

A number of local restaurants, cafes and shops will also be featuring live music. One of those is Jonathan's & J Bistro will running Larry Bodner & Curtis Ray Smith on Friday from 8:00 to 12:00 AM, and on Saturday August 9th they will be featuring the Rob Reed Trio and Melissa Bel from 8:00 to 1:00 AM.

Parking

Lakeshore Road East from Navy to Allan will be closed to traffic on Friday and Saturday evenings. There is parking off Church street, as well as a few small lots on Robinson, and a parking structure at Church Street & Reynolds. The other option is parking at the Oakville GO Station and either walking down to town or hoping on Oakville Transit. However, the most convenient way is riding your bike.

Sponsors

None of this would be possible with out the incredible support of local business, who really understand the importance of great music and community spirit. Let's give a big round of applause to TD Bank, Budds' Chevrolet, Bell Canada, Merriam School of Music, Khachi Design Group, Great Gulf Homes, Pratt & Whitney Canada, The Invidiata Team RE/MAX Aboutowne, Jacox Harley-Davidson, and the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Other funding provided by: Celebrate Ontario and the Ontario Lottery & Gaming (OLG).


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