BWW Preview: Get Ready for the TD Toronto Jazz Festival

Showcasing the very best in jazz this summer, the TD Toronto Jazz Festival runs from June 23rd to July 2nd, 2017. In its 31st year, the festival includes performances from more than 1500 musicians and over 100 free concerts in Yorkville across 10 days. Headliners for this year's festival include Aretha Franklin, Joss Stone, Mavis Staples, Randy Bachman, Caravan Palace and more.

This year's festival marks a return to Yorkville and a re-opening of the iconic Concert Hall (formerly the Masonic Temple). The Concert Hall played host to many famous names including Led Zeppelin's first Toronto concert, the Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra and more.

There's something for everyone. Broadway World will be checking out the following performances, so make sure you keep an eye out for the reviews:

DJ Medicineman/Caravan Palace

Monday June 26, 9pm - Phoenix Concert Theatre

One of Canada's top DJs, DJ Medicineman is the host of Toronto's NO MAN'S LAND, a weekly show on CIUT Radio which earned him a DJ Stylus Award nomination. From genre-bending Indo-Arabic dub to Afro-Latin funk, DJ Medicineman's sets flow seamlessly from soothing ancient rhythms and textures through rippling primitive & progressive beats.

All the way from Paris, Caravan Palace are a seven-piece electro swing band known for their jazz influenced jams. Their self-titled studio debut included the wildly popular single "Jolie Coquine", gracing the top album charts in many European countries - especially in it's native France.

Caravan Palace released their third studio album in 2015 - "the electro-pioneers fuse hedonistic house and old school jazz to glorious effect ... they're capable of tearing the roof off of any venue."

Hiromi Duet: Featuring Edmar Castaneda

Wednesday June 28, 8pm - Koerner Hall

Edmar Castaneda is a Colombian harpist who lives and performs in New York City. "His hands, seemingly powered by two different people, produce a totally unique, symphonic fullness of sound, a rapid-fire of chords, balance of melodic figures and drive, served with euphoric Latin American rhythms." - Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Joining Castaneda is the virtuosic genius of the keys, Hiromi. The jazz composer and pianist is famous for her electric energy, eclectic stage presence and tremendous ability to fuse rock, classical and jazz together in her compositions.

"I don't want to put a name on my music. Other people can put a name on what I do. It's just the union of what I've been listening to and what I've been learning. It has some elements of classical music, it has some rock, it has some jazz, but I don't want to give it a name." - Hiromi

If you haven't experienced Hiromi - look her up. Any video of any live performance will be enough to persuade you to check her out in person.

4 By Monk By 4

Sunday July 2, 8pm - The Concert Hall

Four sensational pianists will present four different musical points of view on Monk. The show pays tribute to the legendary Thelonious Monk in celebration of his 100th birthday.

Kenny Barron, Cyrus Chestnut, Benny Green and Gerald Clayton unite to honour one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time.

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The TD Toronto Jazz Festival runs from June 23 - July 2nd, 2017

With so many amazing performances, you'll want to plan your week now.

Visit http://torontojazz.com/ for more information and a full schedule of events.

Tickets are on sale now at ticketpro.ca or by calling 1.888.655.9090

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