Toronto Jazz Festival Day One

Day one of the 2013 edition of the TD Toronto Jazz Festival is in the books! Nathan Philips Square was at capacity for the Free For All Friday performance by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas and later, Smokey Robinson.

I decided to check out some of the other venues instead of weebling through this crowd and headed over to the Rex Hotel. This place was packed too! So, I needed a fix and I got that over at the Jazz Bistro on Victoria street where Molly Johnson was singing to a attentive audience. Beautiful voice and real smooth jazz, nice stuff.

Molly returns again tonight to the Bistro for two sets @ 8pm and 10:30pm.

After that, it was a short walk up to Monarch’s pub in the Delta Chelsea Hotel to see Groove Corporation. A horn-blastin, funk lovin, R&B band up from the Hammer (Hamilton). These guys, and girl, where a tight unit. Their endings were particularly impressive.

All in all, a good Day 1. Today I’m off to catch Lighthouse for a early 12:30 show at Nathan Philips, and later tonight, Mavis Staples & Dr John! Should be a blast! Stay tuned!

for all times/locations etc check out www.torontojazz.com