roots - Part 8

Festival Season is upon us here in Toronto!

And It Starts This Weekend!
Scott McCord and the Bonafide Truth

First off, this weekend (June 1 – 3) we have the Waterfront Blues Festival held at Woodbine Park. Some acts I want to see are Monkey Junk, Lionel Young Band and Shakura S’Aida. Check out their site for the full line up. www.waterfrontblues.ca

The Lionel Young Band

Later in June, the Toronto Jazz Festival, a universally known premier jazz festival. Held at various venues around town, running from June 22nd thru July 1st. An another exceptional lineup of acts, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Spectrum Road, Mike Stern Band, Janelle Monae, Soul Rebels, the list goes on and on. There appears to be something for every persons taste in music. Check out www.torontojazz.com for all the info!
Alan Evans-Soulive

Spanish Harlem Orchestra

After a short lull, but probably filled with other festivals I haven’t been to yet, starts the Beaches International Jazz Festival on July 20th, running until July 29th. A completely free outdoor festival with workshops, seminars, great laidback music venues, the famous street festival, latin and Big Band stages, you name it! check out www.beachesjazz.com

KC Roberts and the Live Revolution

The Lionel Young Band

Red Baarat

Paul Reddick Band

Hey all, been havin’ a blast going thru pix from this past weekends 10th anniversary of the Winterfolk Blues & Roots festival held in Toronto. A lot of amazing musicians and songwriters all in one place and all at one time, workshops on song writing, smokin’ guitars, exceptional talent, both new and old, a great fest, one for the ‘books!

Wow,—okay—- cool down, take a breath………. it was a very good weekend for music lovers…… that’s good…….. breath…… yeah……ah….

ok, I’m good…

I had the great pleasure as a volunteer at the festival to do ‘sound’ for a few of the performers, it was an exceptional listening experience. One, because I was doing sound and I know what I like to hear in a performance, and two, because of the amazing and inspirational song writing that I heard from our local talent and is developing within our school system. Song Writing Programs I could have only dreamed of when I was in college.

here are a few hi-lite pix from the main gallery, check out winterfolk.com for bios and updates for next year. Main gallery link below these images.

Please leave a comment about the pix or your experience at the festival in the comments section below, enjoy!

Jory Nash