Celebrating local musicians

I had the pleasure of being in the audience at The Rex Hotel yesterday evening for a retirement celebration in honour of Katie Malloch. Katie is retiring in March after a long career as an on-air host with CBC radio. Her most recent tenure was with CBC Radio 2's Tonic, but she has been on the air promoting jazz since the late 1970s. The evening was full of positive energy and gratitude for Katie's commitment to outstanding jazz, and to Canadian jazz musicians in particular. On the bandstand were some of the musicians she featured (and met, and hosted...) over the years: the Barry Elmes Quintet (Barry on drums with trumpeter Kevin Turcotte, saxophonist Mike Murley, guitarist Reg Schwager and bassist Steve Wallace) served as the house band; guests included pianist Mark Eisenman, triple-threat Don Thompson on vibes and piano, and emerging vocalist Diana Panton. In the audience were a variety of the community's top musicians, as well as two jazz dignitaries which earned (deservedly) recognition from the stage: Phil Nimmons and Ed Bickert. The music swung, and a good time was had by all. It served as a good reminder of the vitality of the local community - a community which should be fostered as much as possible.

Over at Toronto Downtown Jazz, we're celebrating some outstanding local musicians with the announcement of this year's successful TDJ Special Projects applicants. The following projects have been selected to receive a variety of marketing support including presence on the torontojazz.com website, mention in a variety of TDJ publicity materials, an interview on JAZZ.FM91, a photo shoot with Tracey Nolan and a $500 bursary:

• Easterween, an Andrew Downing/John Southworth project, and part of the Spectrum concert series, April 4 and 5 at the Lower Ossington Theatre.
• The Thing Is CD release, April 22 at 918 Bathurst Street.
• A concert by the In the Current Ensemble, May 9 at Gallery 345.

The successful applicants were chosen in December from a pool of 12 strong submissions. This year's TDJ Special Projects panel featured Musician and Producer Roberto Occhipinti, JAZZFM91 Music Director and On-Air Host Brad Barker, Music Gallery Artistic Director David Dacks, and Mervon Mehta, Executive Director, Performing Arts, The Royal Conservatory.

I'm excited to see these projects in action and hope that you will join me in celebrating some of the outstanding established and emerging talent which makes up Toronto's jazz community. More information on each concert can be found by following the links above. For more information on the TDJ Special Projects, please go to torontojazz.com/special.

Josh