Jazz festival blows its horn: ‘Most successful’ edition staged more varied acts than ever
Peter Hum, Citizen Special
From its soggy start hours after Ottawa’s recent earthquake to its sweltering finish on Sunday night, the 30th TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival was the “most successful” edition of the event to date, its executive producer said Sunday night.
As reasons to be pleased, O’Grady cited the co-operative weather this summer compared with the rain that befell most of her 2009 edition, a 25-per-cent increase in pre-event passes sold compared with last year, and much positive feedback she’s received concerning the festival’s mix of shows.
That mix, which cost the festival more than $1 million, was jammed with extra shows compared with previous years, and its mainstage shows offered more pop- and funk-flavoured music than ever.
Read full atory on Ottawa Citizen website: Jazz festival blows its horn
Benson hits the groove where jazz meets soul
Lynn Saxberg, The Ottawa Citizen
The scattered showers and cool temperatures were a minor inconvenience for smooth-jazz master George Benson at Confederation Park on Wednesday. He’s such a pro, he made everyone feel like they were in a cushy seat in a posh casino instead of a damp lawnchair.
“It’s party time, people,” the good-natured musician said at one point. “The rain ain’t gonna get us.”
The 67-year-old singer-guitarist began with a couple of instrumental pieces, Collaboration and Weekend in L.A., that demonstrated his effortlessly fluid style on a hollow-body guitar. Cascades of notes tumbled from his fingers in the form of elegant melodies, showcasing a unique playing style that was flashy but, at the same time, restrained.
Full review on the Ottawa Citizen website: Benson hits the groove where jazz meets soul
Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra preaches to the converted (concert review)
Peter Hum, Jazzblog.ca
Jensen’s orchestra returns to Ottawa on June 26, when it plays the 10:30 p.m. outdoor show in Confederation Park during the TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival.
Read more: Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra preaches to the converted
TD Bank Financial Group renews its commitment to the Ottawa Jazz Festival
The Ottawa Jazz Festival is pleased to announce that its relationship with TD Bank Financial Group as its title sponsor has been renewed through to 2014.
“TD sets a tremendous example for corporate Canada as they continue to support the nation’s major jazz festivals from coast to coast,” said the Ottawa Jazz Festival’s Executive Producer Catherine O’Grady.
“We are very thrilled to extend our partnership with the Ottawa Jazz Festival,” said Gary Dunne, Senior Vice President, Ontario North East region, TD Canada Trust. “Every year, this festival continues to build on the powerful momentum of star musicians and amazing audience and volunteer involvement. This partnership allows us to bring people and communities together through the enjoyment of music and we look forward to continuing to do so.”
“TD’s continuous support allows the Festival to grow and flourish,” explains O’Grady. “Multi-year commitments allow the Festival the opportunity to have a vision for the future and to execute its planning in a timely manner which often includes booking artists well in advance.”
The Ottawa Jazz Festival works very closely with TD as well as its fellow jazz festivals to encourage educational jazz programs for Canada’s youth, while continuing to share its ongoing commitment to the environment.
“We look forward to our continued relationship and TD’s exemplary commitment to music with optimism for a bright future,” added O’Grady.
TD Canada Trust renews its commitment to Jazz in Canada: TD extends corporate sponsorship of major Canadian jazz festivals through 2014
Today, TD Bank Financial Group announced that it has extended its sponsorship of eight major Canadian jazz festivals through to 2014. TD Canada Trust is currently the title sponsor of the Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax jazz festivals and a major sponsor of the Saskatchewan jazz festival. In 2010, TD will assume the role of title sponsor of the Winnipeg and Victoria festivals and as announced in July of 2009, next year marks the year TD becomes presenting sponsor of the renowned Montreal International Jazz Festival.
“We’re excited to extend our partnership with these jazz festivals across Canada and we look forward to playing a bigger role in Victoria, Winnipeg and Montreal next year,” said Tim Hockey, President and CEO, TD Canada Trust. “TD has been supporting jazz in Canada for many years and in that time, millions of fans have enjoyed the performances of thousands of artists at these terrific festivals.”
“We are thrilled to have TD’s continued support at our festivals. Each festival has become the success it is because of our volunteers, community support and TD’s commitment to music,” said Patrick Taylor, Executive Producer & CEO, TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival. “And we’re very pleased to announce that with TD assuming the presenting sponsorship position of the Montreal International Jazz Festival and title sponsor of the Winnipeg and Victoria jazz festivals, it is now one of the biggest supporters of jazz music in the world.”
In addition to their commitment to music, the Canadian jazz festivals will continue to work closely with TD to educate their communities about the environment. In efforts to reduce their carbon footprint, Canadian jazz festivals have launched a range of eco-friendly initiatives like recycling programs, locally sourced organic food options, and sourcing renewable energy to power the stages.
“Music programs, festivals, and talented performers all contribute to keeping our communities culturally vibrant,” continued Hockey. “After years of sponsoring jazz festivals and youth outreach programs across Canada, we have seen firsthand how much music means to Canadians as both an expression of cultural identity and a source of enjoyment.”
About TD Music
TD Bank Financial Group is committed to supporting music across Canada. In addition to supporting eight major jazz festivals across the country over the last seven years, TD Bank Financial Group is committed to various programs and events including Opera Ontario, the Toronto Symphony, National Youth Orchestra and The Nathaniel Dett Chorale who performed during President Obama’s Inauguration. TD also supports a variety of local, regional and national programs across Canada promoting literacy, health, education and the environment.
About TD Bank Financial Group
The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Financial Group. TD Bank Financial Group is the sixth largest bank in North America by branches and serves approximately 17 million customers in four key businesses operating in a number of locations in key financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Canada Trust and TD Insurance; Wealth Management, including TD Waterhouse and an investment in TD Ameritrade; U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking through TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD Bank Financial Group also ranks among the world’s leading online financial services firms, with more than 5.5 million online customers. TD Bank Financial Group had CDN$545 billion in assets on July 31, 2009. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol “TD” on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.
Ottawa Jazz Festival 2009: Days 4-6, June 28-30, 2009
John Kelman | All About Jazz, Philadelphia, PA
As the festival moves into its second quarter, one of its busiest most exciting days was coming up on June 29, with more “can’t miss” shows in one day than anywhere else during the festival. And with two lunchtime “Jazz Matters” panels at the National Arts Centre Fourth Stage kicking off on the same day—featuring journalists and authors including Mark Miller, Ashley Kahn, Ron Sweetman, Jesse Stewart and others—moderated by Ottawa’s own James Hale, there’s the opportunity to sit in on roundtable discussions about modern jazz piano and the seminal year of 1959, when artists including Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Ornette Coleman, Dave Brubeck and Charles Mingus contributed breakthrough works or performances that would change the shape of jazz forever.
Read more of this in-depth coverage and reviews on the All About Jazz website: Ottawa Jazz Festival 2009
Jazzfest goes super-sized
New grants, sponsorships allow festival to beef up its roster of stars
By Peter Hum, The Ottawa Citizen
The first and best word that the Ottawa International Jazz Festival’s executive producer has for her 2009 event is “super-sized.”
Catherine O’Grady has a point. The festival’s artistic budget has grown to nearly $1 million this year, up from about $650,000 last year, thanks to new grants and sponsorships. As a result, the festival, which runs from June 25 to July 5, will pack nine additional shows onto its Confederation Park stage this summer, so that all but one night will feature three concerts instead of the more usual two.
Read full story on the Ottawa Citizen website: Jazzfest goes super-sized
