Category Archives: festival

Stanley Clarke Band, Mehliana, Laura Hubert Band, Irene Torres & the Sugar Devils, Tara Davidson Trio at the 2014 Toronto Jazz festival

The last day of the 2014 Toronto Jazz festival had a full roster, with shows starting before noon and continuing straight through to the wee hours of Sunday morning. I had to pace myself by starting a little later so I got my first thurst quencher at the Rex for the afternoon set of the Laura Hubert Band.

Laura Hubert Band

Laura Hubert Band

 

The Tara Davidson Trio drew an appreciative crowd to the Acoustic Stage at Nathan Phillips Square. In this part of the square you can browse the craft and gift vendors while listening to some great jazz.

Tara Davidson Trio

Tara Davidson Trio

 

8pm: Showtime under the tent on the Mainstage started with Mehliana featuring Brad Mehldau & Mark Guiliana.

Mehliana

Mehliana

 

The Stanley Clarke Band was closing the festival out this year, and what a finale! Stanley, along with Beka Gochiashvili on piano & rhoades, and  Mike Mitchell on the kit, put on one hell of a show.

Stanley Clarke Band

Stanley Clarke Band

Stanley Clarke Band

Stanley Clarke Band

Stanley Clarke Band

Stanley Clarke Band

Stanley Clarke Band

 

Afterwards, it was a great night for the short trek up Yonge to Monarch’s Pub in the Eaton Chelsea Hotel on Gerrard to catch the last set of Irene Torres & the Sugar Devils. Irene & the devils have a full schedule of festival shows this summer here in Toronto after this one. Waterfront Blues and the Beaches International Jazz Festival in July. I highly recommend seeing them perform.

Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils

Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils

Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils

Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils

Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils

That was a very busy night! a lot of great music. To see the dedicated gallery to this last day of the festival and more images click here 2014 Toronto Jazz Festival Gallery III

PRISM + the John Scofield Uberjam Band at the 2014 Toronto Jazz Festival

Dave Holland on bass, Kevin Eubanks on guitar, Craig Taborn on the Fender Rhodes and Grand Piano and Eric Harland holding it together on the kit, make up a ground-breaking quartet called PRISM. An amazing show of talent by the Grammy award winning Dave Holland and this supergroup. Awesome!

Prism

Prism

Prism

Prism

Prism

Prism

Prism

 

John Scofield, a legend in the jazz world, brought his newest project ‘Uberjam’ to the Toronto Jazz Festival this year. Featuring John on guitar, Andy Hess on bass, Tony Mason on drums and Avi Bortnick on guitar and samples/effects.

John Scofield Uberjam Band

John Scofield Uberjam Band

John Scofield Uberjam Band

John Scofield Uberjam Band

John Scofield Uberjam Band

John Scofield Uberjam Band

John Scofield Uberjam Band

John Scofield Uberjam Band

As a guitarist myself, these two bands gave me a lot to ponder. From Kevin Eubanks fluid finger-picked solo’s to John’s masterful virtuosity in all things jazz-guitar, I was inspired to go home, lock the door and not come out until I had practiced my guitar for two months straight! And that wouldn’t be enough.

To see all the images from this show, and others, here is the main gallery link

Toronto Jazz Festival Gallery II