Now in its second year, the GRANDMASTERS Series, presented by Panasonic, is dedicated to highlighting artists who have made significant contributions to jazz throughout the course of their careers. Creative geniuses, innovators, legends and true musicianship, these are the hallmarks of a grandmaster.
Oliver Jones / Ahmad Jamal - June 23, Nathan Phillips Square
A double bill featuring Oliver Jones and Ahmad Jamal will transform Nathan Phillips Square into an intimate concert hall allowing patrons a rare and up-close glimpse of two piano titans. Oliver Jones is one of the country's finest pianists. His career is inextricably linked with the proud history of jazz in his native Montreal. Awarded both the Order of Canada and The Governor General's Award, Jones is one of Canada's most beloved pianists and shows no signs of slowing down. At almost 78 years old, Ahmad Jamal has had an impressive career that spans over six decades. A chief architect of the modern piano trio and a great influence on the legendary Miles Davis, Jamal is one of the last living giants of jazz's Golden Era.
Michel Legrand Trio w/ Phil Woods - June 28, Four Seasons Centre
As a jazz and classical pianist, arranger, conductor and composer, Michel Legrand is the epitome of musicianship. The recipient of 3 Oscars, 5 Grammys and an Emmy nomination, the accolades are commensurate with that of a true virtuoso. A child prodigy who started playing the piano at the tender age of 4, Legrand has recorded with many of the greats including Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Sarah Vaughan. His body of work today is an extensive catalogue that combines jazz, orchestral music and over 200 film and television scores. Legrand is truly a man whose creativity knows no boundaries. Quartetto Guido Basso will open.
Dave Brubeck Quartet w/ Toronto Jazz Festival Orchestra - July 2, Four Seasons Centre Returning for a third consecutive year, festival favourite Dave Brubeck has been a giant of American jazz for over fifty years. From jazz to classical music, Brubeck has always enjoyed experimenting with nontraditional time signatures. In 1959, his milestone album Time Out, produced the first million selling jazz record in modern jazz history with the single, Take Five. That single remains a standard to this day.
Voted Canada's Best Jazz Festival in Canada for the last two years, more than 1,500 musicians will entertain as the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival gets underway this summer, running June 20-June 29, 2008. From bop to swing, cool to fusion and all musical points in between, Toronto will play host to a musical celebration like no other. Soak up the cool sounds of jazz as more than 350 concerts across 40 locations take over the city!
TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival
Grandmasters Series
All performances begin at 8pm
Tickets on sale now.
Ticketmaster 416.870.8000 or ticketmaster.ca
For more information contact All About Jazz.
