What a mix of spirit, a joy of life, the gift of humour and a soul that swings. That is Sheila Jordan and she performed an afternoon show that was a delight, with her a wonderful accompanist, Steve Kuhn who also took to the daylight for one incredible set of touching piano reminisces, that was emotionally charged. The songs that Sheila Jordan sang were put out in wonderful fashion with a bebop style, songs with beautiful melodies, "Gentle Thoughts", "Lucky To Be Me" and songs with melancholy

Randy Weston and Billy Harper - Duo Series Randy Weston took to the stage and seemed all about business, he announced the evening’s performance would be dedicated to the blues. He proceeded to hammer out powerful chords that resonated wildly in the dim and dark cavernous Fermenting Cellar of the Historic Distillery District. Billy Harper came on equally as strong with a muscular tenor tone, stirring the soul and captivating the listener with his intensity. The first blues tune was a tradition

The junior jazzers turned out in full force for Jumpin’ at Roy’s a performance at Roy Thompson Hall this past Thursday backing up Jon Hendricks, the master of jazz vocalese. They were also all for helping out The Art of Jazz quintet. The young 240 member group proceeded to serenade an eager audience, whom for the most part, looked to be friends and relatives of these young crooners. The Art of Jazz Community Voices are nearly seasoned pros now, as this is their second big show staged in Toron

There is something fresh and exciting about the Tierney Sutton band and it is captured on their new recording On The Other Side a Telarc release for 2007 and one of my favorites of the year. I jumped at the chance to come out and see the band at one of the most intimate nightclubs in Toronto, The Old Mill Inn. The show, put on by the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival and coinciding with the International Association of Jazz Educators, IAJE conference that took place in Toronto, Jan

The cheers go up on recognition of the first song of the concert, "Don’t Be That Way" a huge sound fills the concert hall, with a gorgeous clarinet tone leading the way and sounding as sweet as can be. The orchestra is playing with passion, layer upon layer of fine silky like tones radiate out towards the smiling faces. A typical big band, a full sound that can’t go wrong? This big band is different, you have your trumpet section, your trombones, but add to that a twenty plus member string secti