The headline concert of the festival, a double bill by John Zorn featuring his bands, The Dreamers and Electric Masada. John Zorn’s role in the Dreamers was primarily as conductor, although he played alto saxophone on a couple of numbers. The Dreamers is comprised of Marc Ribot (guitar), Jamie Saft (piano), Kenny Wollesen (vibes), Trevor Dunn (bass), Cyro Baptista (percussion) and Joey Barron (drums). The show started with a tune that featured the guitar playing of Ribot sounding very similar

I enjoy all different types of music, jazz being one of my favorites, classical being another of my favorites. When jazz meets classical with an eye for discovery, experimentation and reaching outside the box, it is a wonderful thing. The concert at the Youth Music Centre in Guelph, an intimate performance theatre with fine acoustics, featured three excellent musicians, Barry Guy acoustic bassist, Maya Homburger, violinist and Jeff Reilly, bass clarinetist. The material that they presented was e

Michael Kaeshammer seems to be on a mission, he is driven, charismatic, talented and determined. Blessed with boyish good looks, charm and oozing a vibrant personality he transfers this zest for life to his attentive audience. His performance is an attack on your senses, you have no choice but to like this guy. It helps that his piano playing and singing are very good. Stage presence in abundance, anyone else on the stage becomes a near distraction. Michael Kaeshammer comes on fast, a little

The Huntsville Jazz Festival now in its second year and with the backing of a major sponsor, TD Canada Trust, is booking international acts and big name Canadian talent. I am very happy that I came across this festival, it takes place in one of my favorite places and it features my kind of entertainment. The lineup for the festival, Hilario Duran Trio, Marcus Belgrave Septet, Michael Kaeshammer, Dionne Taylor and Manteca. Hilario Duran trio started the festival Wednesday evening. I didn’t wit

Age, experience, the sage like qualities of a master musician all translated into a performance of perfection by octogenarian alto player Red Holloway. He set the bar very high for his younger summit attendees at this Toronto Jazz Fest Alto Summit. His younger alto saxophone band mates, Bobby Watson, Donald Harrison and Greg Osby, specialists each and everyone, have amassed a wealth of experience playing with a whose who of musicians. The spokesman of the group, the energy igniter for the eve