TORONTO, March 4, 2008 -- York University’s Music Department welcomes spring in time-honoured tradition with a four-day Jazz Festival running March 17 to 20 as part of the third annual York Fine Arts Festival. The talented young artists in Canada's oldest and largest university jazz program will melt away the winter blues in six concerts, directed by leading lights of the Canadian jazz scene.
Performances feature the 19-piece York U Jazz Orchestra led by Al Henderson and Mike Cadó, four jazz choirs directed by Bob Hamper and Mim Adams, and 15 jazz combos – trios, quartets and quintets – directed by the likes of Mike Murley, Lorne Lofsky, Kelly Jefferson and Mark Eisenman.
All Jazz Fest performances are free. The large ensembles take the stage in the Tribute Communities Recital Hall, while the small instrumental and vocal ensembles entertain audiences in the informal, club-like setting of the Accolade East Lounge. There are shows nightly starting at 7:30pm plus a one-hour midday concert on March 19 at 12:30pm.
March 17 in the ACE Lounge, 219 Accolade East
7:30pm Jazz Combos led by Artie Roth, Frank Falco, Kelly Jefferson, Mark Eisenman, Mike Murley
March 18 in the Tribute Communities Recital Hall
7:30pm York U Jazz Choirs directed by Bob Hamper & Mim Adams
March 18 in the ACE Lounge, 219 Accolade East
8:15pm Jazz Combos led by Kevin Turcotte, Roy Patterson, Lorne Lofsky, Kelly Jefferson
March 19 in the ACE Lounge, 219 Accolade East
12:30pm Vocal Jazz Ensembles directed by Richard Whiteman & Mike Cadó
7:30pm Jazz Combos led by Anthony Michelli, Kevin Turcotte, Lorne Lofsky, Mark Eisenman, Jim Vivian, Mike Malone
March 20 in the Tribute Communities Recital Hall
7:30pm York U Jazz Orchestra directed by Al Henderson & Mike Cadó
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Currently helmed by nationally renowned bassist, composer and bandleader Al Henderson, York’s jazz program has helped launch a generation of leading Canadian jazz artists. Former students include: internationally acclaimed flautist and saxophonist Jane Bunnett; Gemini and Juno Award-winning composer and pianist Aaron Davis (Holly Cole Trio); pianist, arranger, music director and CBC broadcaster Andrew Craig; multiple Juno Award-winning saxophonist Mike Murley; pianist Mark Eisenman; Juno Award-winning R & B vocalist Saskia Garel; pianist and bandleader Frank Falco; composer and saxophonist Nic Gotham; drummer Stich Wynston of The Shuffle Demons; pianist and composer Steve Koven; guitarist Michael Occhipinti and pianist Paul Neufeld, co-founders and leaders of the Juno Award-winning big band NOJO; pianist, composer and recording artist Marilyn Lerner; guitarist, composer and bandleader Tim Posgate; pianist and composer Gordon Sheard (Manteca, Montuno Police); and two-time National Guitar champion and recording artist Don Ross.
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What: York U Jazz Festival
When: March 17 to 20 at 7:30pm nightly plus March 18 at 8:15pm & March 19 at 12:30pm
Where: Accolade East Building, York University, 4700 Keele St. [Map]
Admission: Free
Information: www.yorku.ca/finearts/festival
The Faculty of Fine Arts at York University spotlights its resident talent in a three-week festival packed with 40 exciting and entertaining events. Running March 11 to 31, the York Fine Arts Festival features exhibitions and films, theatre and dance productions, and a wide variety of classical, jazz and world music concerts. Events take place in state-of-the-art facilities at York University’s Keele campus.
York’s Faculty of Fine Arts is one of North America’s leading and largest centres for fine arts education. A vibrant community of some 280 faculty and 3,300 undergraduate and graduate students, it offers academic studies and professional training in all the fine arts. For more than 35 years, York Fine Arts has been a premier launching pad for outstanding young talent and a major contributor to the arts and cultural scene in Toronto, Canada and beyond.
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Media contact:
Amy Stewart, Communications, Faculty of Fine Arts, York U
416.736.2100 ext. 20421 | amy.stewart@yorku.ca
