Beaches Jazz Festival 2017
In a year that’s seen several music festivals fold due to rising costs, a weak dollar and heavy competition for frontline acts, Beaches International Jazz Festival remains on solid ground.
Nearly thirty years have passed since I took a bike ride along the Martin Goodman Trail in search of a suitable location for a potential new jazz festival. Then it was co-producer Bruce Davidson of my nationally-syndicated Jazz Report Radio Network who suggested Amstel Beer was looking to back a festival. It just happened I found myself in Kew Gardens, just east of Woodbine Avenue, down in front of a rickety bandstand and an all-women trad band playing under a hot July sun. I notified Bruce of my discovery and he took it from there.
The Amstel thing never panned out but a chance meeting with Beaches International Jazz Festival founder Lido Chilelli, who had already obtained permits to stage a jazz festival in Kew, has led to a long, professional, hugely popular community summer event destination and compatible working relationship. A few summers back MSNBC ranked BIJF seventh in the world's top jazz events.
The years between have been a rollicking ride.
The BIJF has served as a blue-print for many a community festival the past twenty-nine years. Yes, it’s never been a jazz purist's dream; it was never meant to be! It’s about music – the roots of popular culture – the sounds that bind us together and speak of our city and our diversity. We come from away – far away and all over. Examine the faces of those who attend and their children.
Many have played, play now and will perform in the future. How about a couple of current Grammy Award recipients? – drummer Larnell Lewis of Snarky Puppy and Alex Cuba – both played the street scene – Larnell on many occasions as he worked his way through high school.
What’s it like to serve as the artistic director?
Pretty fine! I love listening to music and assembling the big picture – that complex puzzle of bands and personalities. Much has to do with working with a small budget and painting the event as if it’s a sky high canvas. It’s always been about our community of talent with a few international acts to sweeten the pot.
The Fabulous Thunderbirds, New York Voices, Matt Dusk, Jesse Cook, Trombone Shorty, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Johnny Pacheco, - big bold blues, jazz orchestras, roots reggae, smokin’ salsa, jump blues, gospel, and that funky soul music. That’s who we are! We always remind those jazz-heads who want an intimate encounter, - we’re outdoors and must book sounds that translate and reflect summer fun. Clubs are where it’s at for serious listening – parks are about entertainment and activity.
This year’s event is shaping up to be one of our finest. We caught a break landing Indo/American Red Baraat – described as a “gut-busting fusion of jazz, hip-hop beats, rock muscle, funky go-go, and scalding hot bhangra.” To commemorate Canada 150 – The Last Waltz – a celebration of the Band, Canada’s greatest gift to the world of music, led by keyboardist and music archivist Lance Anderson.
Read bandleader’s Robbie Robertson’s great recollections – Testimony - of Toronto in the late '50s and '60s – at least a hundred pages of detailed history of nightlife and working downtown clubs.
Award winning blues from Monkey Junk – some barrelhouse piano from Jeni Thai – young seventeen-year-old guitar sensation – Niagara’s Spencer MacKenzie, ska from The Arsenals, -Son De Cuba Orchestra, Jane Bunnett & Maqueque, Cuban quartet OKAN, five-time Juno winner for reggae, Exco Levi– African sounds from Montreal’s Lorraine Klaasen, jump blues with the Saturday Nite Fish Fry.
Slaight Music has come on this year as a sponsor showcasing a few of their artists; Kayla Diamond, Sam Drysdale and Tomi Swick. Also, forty bands covering a 2.5 km stretch of Queen Street East located between Woodbine Avenue to the west and Beech Avenue to the east – July 27 – 29.
TD Mainstage in Woodbine Park, A Cappella Stage and Urban Stage.
It all kicks off July 7, 8, 9 - Sounds of Leslieville and Riverside in Jimmy Simpson Park – July 14, 15, 16 – Beaches Jazz Latin Carnival in Woodbine Park, then the big shows – TD Mainstage July 21, 22 and 23 in Woodbine Park, then Streetfest – July 27, 28, 29 and OLG presents – July 28, 29, and 30th in Woodbine.
There are workshops, food, and big fun in store. Reserve your spot now – it’s all free!
Bill King
Artistic Director
