Jazz Sudbury has announced the lineup for shows on Sept. 8 and Sept. 9, filled with award-winning sounds starting in La Grande Salle at Place Des Art. The full jazz festival runs from Sept. 8 to Sept. 10.
Opening the festival on Sept. 8 at 7:15 p.m. is the Tevet Sela Quartet with John Roney. The Montreal-based alto saxophonist Tevet Sela brings a wealth of influences to his playing. The post-bopper’s music is often drenched in heavy blues and the Middle Eastern inflections of his Israeli cultural heritage. He has released six albums to date. Tevet will be joined onstage by John Roney (piano), Mike Downes (bass), Mark Kelso (drums).
On Sept. 8, Tio Chorinho performs with Flavia Nascimento, a one-of-a-kind Brazilian music ensemble. This ensemble is the first in Canada dedicated to performing Brazilian choro music, a primarily instrumental style originating in Rio de Janeiro that combines popular and classical European styles with Afro-Brazilian influences. It is the foundation of many modern Brazilian music styles whose infectiousness and universal appeal belies its musical complexity.
Founded over a decade ago, and featuring Brazilian-born, Quebec-based vocalist Flavia Nascimento, the group performs frequently in Toronto and southern Ontario and has toured in the U.S. Their debut album Chora Brazil earned two Canadian Folk Music Awards nominations (World Music Album of the Year and Instrumental Group of the Year).
Rounding out the evening at 9:45 p.m. in the Studio Desjardins is a group of talented local artists, Harvey King & The Grindstone. This eight-piece northern soul rock-and-roll Sudbury-based band is a passion project of vocalist Will Himsl and rhythm guitarist Sam King. Together they assembled the rest of the team, Matt Saroka on lead guitar, Kris Harris on keys, Sean Brouse on bass and Alex Pauzé on drums, Andrea Solski and Cassidy Houston on backup vocals.
Then, Juno nominees Rich Brown & The New Abeng Quartet, ES:MO, and Ernesto’s Cervini’s Juno-Award-winning group, Turboprop, will be performing on Friday, Sept. 9 in La Grande Salle.
Opening the night’s festivities at 7:15 p.m. is Ernesto Cervini’s Turboprop, a Juno Award-winning, Toronto-based ensemble. Turboprop’s sound is reminiscent of the hard swinging Jazz Messenger bands of Art Blakey, although they tackle a wide range of music from Charlie Parker to Claude Debussy to Radiohead, plus originals from all the band members. They have toured across Canada to rave reviews and won the 2020 Juno Award for Jazz Group Album of the Year for their album Abundance.
At 8:30 p.m., festival favorite Elizabeth Shepherd returns with Michael Occhipinti. After years of touring together, decorated Canadian artists Elizabeth Shepherd and Michael Occhipinti have teamed up to create ES:MO, a musical duo focused on genre neutral creativity and exploration. Their album The Weight of Hope was nominated for a Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. It is a collection of re-imagined musical works and atmospheric, compelling original music.
Taking to the stage at 9:45 p.m. is Rich Brown and his ensemble, The New Abeng Quartet. The music of this group utilizes progressive concepts in rhythm, harmony and melody while keeping the listener and the musicians connected and engaged. Drawing upon jazz-funk and jazz-rock influences, the music is also directly inspired by New York-based artists with whom one of the world’s foremost bassists, Rich Brown, has worked over the years. “It is complex music that remains dedicated to the groove and in doing so maintains a level of accessibility that any listener can appreciate without feeling disconnected,” reads a release from Jazz Sudbury.
Rounding out the evening at 11 p.m. in the Studio Desjardins is another festival favorite, The Heavyweights Brass Band.
“This should be an amazing festival this year,” said Louis Simão, festival director. “We want to thank our core audience for staying with us, and we really hope to grow the festival thanks to this new partnership with Place Des Arts. Live jazz is an amazing experience, and we hope people will come out to see these incredible performers.”
Tickets for the Jazz Sudbury Festival can be purchased at the Places des Arts box office. For full details about Jazz Sudbury, visit JazzSudbury.com.
