TORONTO, March 16, 2004 -- York University’s jazz artists celebrate the end of term in time-honoured tradition with three days and nights of hot riffs and cool licks in the Jazz Festival, running March 23 to 25.
This year’s festival marks the 30th anniversary of the jazz program at York, which pioneered university-level jazz studies in Canada and continues to enjoy a national reputation as one of the country’s leading jazz schools.
Many of the leading lights of Canada’s jazz scene are York alumni. They include multiple Juno Award-winning saxophonist Mike Murley; Aaron Davis, composer and pianist with the Holly Cole Trio; guitarist Michael Occhipinti and pianist Paul Neufeld, leaders of the award-winning big band NOJO; National Guitar champion Don Ross; and Time Warp co-leader, bassist and composer Al Henderson, to name just a few.
Directed by some of Canada’s most celebrated jazz musicians – many of whom studied at York – the bi-annual Jazz Festival showcases some of the exceptional emerging talent in York’s Music Department.
The lineup features instrumentalists and vocalists in small combos, large ensembles and solos, performing standards and original compositions. There are six shows, with midday and evening performances each day.
Tues. March 23
12:30 pm: Jazz Ensembles directed by Mike Cado, Mark Eisenman, Barry Elmes, Frank Falco, Al Henderson, Lorne Lofsky, Mike Malone, Anthony Michelli, Mike Murley, Roy Patterson and Sundar Viswanathan.
7:30 pm: Jazz Orchestra directed by Al Henderson & Jazz Vocalists from the studios of Rita di Ghent, Lynn McDonald, Suba Sankaran, Sundar Viswanathan and Sacha Williamson, directed by Richard Whiteman and Bob Fenton.
Wed. March 24
12:30 pm: Jazz Choirs directed by Bob Hamper and Mim Adams.
7:30 pm: Jazz Ensembles
Thurs. March 25
12:30 pm: Jazz Ensembles
7:30 pm: Jazz Vocalists & Ensembles
The public is invited to detour from the Top O’ The Senator to the "Top O’ The Allen" to catch the jazz stars of tomorrow.
The Jazz Festival will be held in the McLaughlin Performance Hall at York University, 4700 Keele St. Midday concerts are free, while admission for the evening shows is $10 and $5 for students. For more information, contact the music department at 416-736-5186.
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Media Contact:
Mary-Lou Schagena
Communications, Faculty of Fine Arts
York University
416-736-2100 ext. 20421
schagena@yorku.ca
