Concerts and Documentaries

Music To Listen To Jazz By: Year-End Edition

On New Years Eve a special edition of Ross Porter's show Music To Listen to Jazz By was aired. Included in the episode were JAZZ.FM91 hosts picks for their top albums of 2011. You can now hear the show in its entirety right here! Given the varied and widespread forms of jazz it is no surprise that these lists are diverse in their own right and will give you a great overview of what was released last year.

Have a listen you may find your new favourite song!

The Heavyweights Brass Band Live from the Long & McQuade Performance Hall

On Wednesday December 14, 2011 The Heavyweights Brass Band invaded the Long & McQuade Performace Hall for a very special Live-to-Air. The Heavyweights have taken the Toronto jazz scene by storm this past year. With a number of high profile gigs (including an opening spot for Trombone Shorty) and the release of their debut record "Don't Bring Me Down" things are looking up for the band. Sperately the band is made up of Chris Butcher, Jon Challoner, Paul Metcalfe, Rob Teehan and Lowell Whitty, together they make one of the more exciting jazz acts in Toronto right now. But don't take our word for it. Discover this amazing band for yourself by listening to this amazing concert, presented here for your enjoyment!

Molly Johnson Live from Long & McQuade Performance Hall

On Tuesday, November 29th from 7:00PM to 8:00PM, Juno Award winning vocalist, Molly Johnson was live-to-air from JAZZ.FM91's Long & McQuade Performance Hall!

This LIVE, intimate performance was in celebration of Molly's new record "The Molly Johnson Songbook." This new album is "a collection of Molly’s most beloved and well-known recordings from her 4 studio albums during the period of 2000 -2011. The record features Molly’s distinctive voice – a unique mixture of soul and jazz - via her luscious interpretations of jazz standards & originals such as 'Lush Life', 'Ode To Billie Joe', 'Melody” & “Rain'."

Now, for your listening enjoyment, here is the entire concert. Check it out!

Sophie Milman Live from the Long and McQuade Performance Hall

Four albums in, Sophie Milman has cemented her place as Canadian jazz royalty.

Netting a Juno for Jazz Vocal Album of the year for her 2007 release "Make Someone Happy" and impressing audiences the world over, Sophie has developed a style of which the L.A. Times said ""Not the next Ella or Sarah but the first Sophie Milman...she is one of a kind," and the New York Times saying ""She could remake a T-Pain come-on into a Carmen McRae entreaty."

Her new album "In The Moonlight" released September 27, 2011 on E1, takes the style that she has honed and makes it bigger. "In The Moonlight" adds lush string-orchestration to her repetoire lending a new sensibility to her work.

About the record Milman says:

"The way this record is different is I think the scope of it. I have strings, every instrument imaginable soloing and guesting and lending colors. It was extremely exciting and made it feel way bigger than anything I've ever done."

Sophie was in our Long and McQuade Performance Hall on Tuesday, September 27 (the day of the album's release) and played a fantastic live-to-air set.

Bucky Pizzarelli and the JAZZ.FM91 Youth Big Band at the Old Mill Inn

John 'Bucky' Pizzarelli (1926) began his professional career in 1943 at 17 years old playing in the Vaughn Monroe dance band. He toured and recorded with Monroe through 1951, and in 1952 he joined NBC as a staff musician. At NBC, for many years, he played in the Doc Severinson Band on the Tonight Show. He also toured and recorded with Benny Goodman into the 1980's.

In New York, Pizzarelli worked mainly as a freelance musician in the studios and he appeared on many recordings as part of the rhythm section. One of the era's most solid rhythm players, Pizzarelli was in high demand to provide propulsion and background for other musicians.

His recordings as leader began to appear in the 1970's with recordings like Green Guitar Blues. On this recording Pizzarelli established a pattern he repeated throughout his career. That is, playing and recording some of the great historic guitar compositions from the 1930's. On this recording he pays homage to Carl Kress and Dick McDonough by including Chicken A La Swing. A few years later he paid tribute to these two guitarists again on his Guitar Quintet LP. On April Kisses from 1999, he includes original music by Carl Kress, George Van Eps and George M. Smith.

On November 15, 2010, as part of our Sound Of Jazz concert series at the Old Mill Inn Bucky played with the JAZZ.FM91 Youth Big Band.

Dominick Farinacci Live from the Long and McQuade Performance Hall at JAZZ.FM91

28-year-old NYC-based jazz trumpeter Dominick Farinacci, recipient of the International New Star Award (along with Diana Krall & Christian McBride), the Disney New Star Award, and first place honors in the Carmine Caruso International Trumpet Competition, is touring in support of his 2nd U.S. release, Dawn of Goodbye (Eone Music), following 7 critically acclaimed CD’s as a leader in Japan.

We had the pleasure of having Dominick in our Long & McQuade Performance hall in January.

Have a listen!

Dick Hyman Live from the Long and McQuade Performance Hall at JAZZ.FM91

Throughout a busy musical career that got underway in the early '50s, Dick Hyman has functioned as pianist, organist, arranger, music director, and composer. His versatility in all of these areas has resulted in film scores, orchestral compositions, concert appearances and well over 100 albums recorded under his own name. While developing a masterful facility for improvisation in his own piano style, Mr. Hyman has also investigated ragtime and the earliest periods of jazz and has researched and recorded the piano music of Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, James P. Johnson, Zez Confrey, Eubie Blake and Fats Waller, which he often features in his frequent recitals. Other solo recordings include the music of Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers and Duke Ellington. Some of his recordings with combos are From The Age Of Swing, Swing Is Here, Cheek To Cheek, and If Bix Played Gershwin, plus numerous duet albums with Ruby Braff, Ralph Sutton, Shelly Berg, Ken Peplowski and others. In a different vein, Mr. Hyman was one of the first to record on the Moog synthesizer, and his “Minotaur” landed on the Billboard charts.

Dick was in our Long & McQuade Performance Hall in March of this year to present "The History of Jazz Piano"

Cadence Live from the Long and McQuade Performance Hall at JAZZ.FM91

Four men. Four microphones. No instruments. This is the formula for Canada’s celebrated vocal band, Cadence.

Combining the lyricism of Stan Getz, the sophisticated harmonies of the Count Basie Big Band and the devil-may-care attitude of Louis Prima, this fabulous foursome has been entertaining audiences worldwide for over a decade with their innovative jazz arrangements, genre-hopping covers and eclectic originals. With an infectious energy and a good measure of wild stage antics, this cool cat rat pack of musical misfits is guaranteed to leave you shouting out for more. “One of the finest quartets to make an appearance in the a cappella scene,” Cadence continues to thrill its fans night after night by pushing a cappella music to new heights and demonstrating that the human voice has no limits.

Cadence were with us at the Long & McQuade performance hall at JAZZ.FM91 for an exclusive live performance on January 20, 2011

Have a listen!

Bill Charlap Live from the Long and McQuade Performance Hall at JAZZ.FM91

Recently pianist Bill Charlap joined us in our Long and McQuade performance hall for an intimate live-to-air concert.

One of the world’s premier jazz pianists, Bill Charlap has performed and recorded with many leading artists of our time, ranging from jazz masters Phil Woods and Wynton Marsalis to singers Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand.

Since 1997, he has led the Bill Charlap Trio with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington, now recognized as one of the leading groups in jazz. Charlap is the artistic director of New York City’s Jazz in July Festival at the 92nd Street Y, and he has produced concerts for Jazz at Lincoln Center, the JVC Jazz Festival and the Hollywood Bowl. A two-time Grammy nominee, Charlap is married to renowned jazz pianist Renee Rosnes. In the Spring of 2010, Charlap and Rosnes released Double Portrait, a duo piano recording on the Blue Note label.

Here, for your listening pleasure is the complete concert!

Robi Botos Live from the Long and McQuade Performance Hall at JAZZ.FM91

Recently, celebrated pianist and composer Robi Botos, was Live-to-Air from the Long and McQuade Performance Hall at JAZZ.FM91. The exclusive, intimate concert was hosted by JAZZ.FM91 President and CEO, Ross Porter. Robi featured songs from his new album "Place To Place".

Now presented for your enjoyment is the full concert, available only here on JAZZ.FM91.

Karrin Allyson Live from Long and Mcquade Performance Hall

Karrin Allyson was one of this years stars on JAZZ LIVES. Before her showcase performance she played a ‘live to air’ gig exclusively for our JAZZ.FM 91 audience from the Long and McQUADE studio. Hear this great soulful performance again right now.

Ian Shaw at the Old Mill Inn

Ian Shaw is one of the most gifted jazz entertainers in the world. He loves a wide range of music by such contemporary artists like Joni Michell and Joe Jackson to name a few. On this show you’ll hear this great British Jazz icon at the top of his game. Let’s go back now and relive this spectacular performance from Toronto’s famous Old Mill Inn.

Jim Hall & Ron Carter Live From The Blue Note Jazz Club

Listen to a podcast of JAZZ.FM91's live broadcast of Jim Hall/Ron Carter Duo: Alone Together, Again live from The Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City. Recorded on Monday, June 6th, this concert is hosted by JAZZ.FM91 President and CEO, Ross Porter.

"Alone Together", their first duo album was recorded in 1972 at The Playboy Club in New York City. Ten years later they re-created the live duo recording experience at a small nightclub in New York's Greenwich Village, "Live at The Village West". Two years later a reprise - "Telephone", was recorded live at the Concord Jazz Festival.

This show was recorded as part of the Blue Note Jazz Festival which began this year to celebrate the historic Blue Note's 30th anniversary. Since opening its doors in 1981 The Blue Note has been known as one of the top jazz venues in the world and this festival brings its music to the rest of New York city. This year brings many of the world's best jazz musicians to the big apple including Dave Brubeck, Bill Frisell, McCoy Tyner and Chaka Khan.

For all the information on the festival Check out http://bluenotejazzfestival.com/

Jill Barber Live from Long & Mcquade Performance Hall

Sunday, June 19th, celebrated singer-songwriter Jill Barber, was Live-to-Air with a special Father's Day concert from the Long and McQuade Performance Hall at JAZZ.FM91. This exclusive, intimate concert, hosted by JAZZ.FM91 President and CEO, Ross Porter is only available right here on JAZZ.FM91