Top-Notch Musicians Play Ottawa Jazz Festival: Béla Fleck and Matt Andersen thrill the crowd
Susan Hallett, Epoch Times
Canada Day saw masses of people at Confederation Park in downtown Ottawa. Two boys were swimming in the fountain while three others gathered the pennies people had thrown in for good luck while I strolled past. Mobs of people were licking ice cream cones and eating rotis, sipping beer and enjoying poutine along with the all-day free jazz concerts at the 31st annual TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival.
What we heard on this perfect, star-filled night was an absolutely unique bluegrass-jazz crossover displaying what the festival brochure describes as “a special kinship between the four musicians, a bond forged over 20 years ago in a mutual passion for creativity and artistic advancement.” After playing with various artists and taking a hiatus, Fleck reconvened the original Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, that amazing initial line-up of an incredible combo.
Ottawans and fellow jazz lovers were fortunate to have the opportunity to hear these stars play. It was definitely a night to remember.
Full review on the Epoch Times website: Top-Notch Musicians Play Ottawa Jazz Festival
Jazzfest crosses over: Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, k.d. lang play main stage, jazz names move indoors
Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen
The TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival is betting heavily on rock and pop stars to attract Confederation Parkfilling crowds this summer.
Robert Plant & The Band of Joy kick off the jazz festival on opening night June 23. The next night, Elvis Costello and the Imposters play in Confederation Park. On June 25, the main attraction is k.d. lang and Siss Boom Bang. Other park headliners also depart from the festival’s tradition of putting jazz front and centre on its largest stage.
Meanwhile, leading jazz names such as the duo of Joshua Redman and Brad Mehldau, singer Kurt Elling, pianists Vijay Iyer and Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and trumpeter Kenny Wheeler will be presented indoors, at the National Arts Centre’s Studio or Fourth Stage, playing for several hundred people instead of several thousand.
Full story on the Ottawa Citizen website: Jazzfest crosses over
Jazz Fest announces line-up
Cassandra Trenholme, Centretown News
The TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival has announced its line-up for this year’s event in late June.
Performers include Robert Plant & the Band of Joy, Elvis Costello and the Imposters, k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang, Pink Martini, Return to Forever IV, Youssou N’dour, Paco De Lucia, Lucky Peterson, Béla Fleck & the Original Flecktones, and Daniel Lanois’ Black Dub. They will headline the Concerts Under The Stars series, on the Canal Stage at Confederation Park.
For ticket information, prices and the complete line-up visit www.ottawajazzfestival.com.
Full story on Centretown News Online: Jazz Fest announces line-up
Jazzfest revelations and speculations: Mehldau, Fleck, N’Dour Ottawa-bound this summer
Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen
It’s around this time of year that I and other jazz fans are itching to find out who the TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival will bring to town this summer.
Not that the event wants us to know.
While the lineup has almost certainly been determined for the event’s 31st annual edition, which runs from June 23 to July 3, jazz festival folks are keeping their lips sealed until their April 13 launch.
Read full story: Jazzfest revelations and speculations
Gord Grdina and the East Van Strings take Ottawa by storm
Following a sold out performance at the 2010 TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival, guitar and oud player Gord Grdina returns with a stunning project this Monday, February 21, 2011, 7:30pm at the National Arts Centre Fourth Stage.
“…harnesses progressive energy in ways that most cannot.” – Exclaim
After a 3-year hiatus Grdina will perform with the East Van Strings in this not to be missed concert which includes; violinists Jesse Zubot and Eyvind Kang and cellist Peggy Lee. The Vancouverites are touring in support of their release The Breathing of Statues (Songlines) which has received 5 stars out of 5 on amazon.com. The project led by Grdina is inspired by string quartets of Bartok and Webern, drawing on Arabic and Indian music, free jazz, as well as the music of Phillip Glass.
Grdina has taken the music world by storm with his fiery playing, wide range of influences and versatility, leading groups of the highest calibre with inspired ease. His initial vision back in 2005 was to assemble a dream band of string players making up the members of the East Van Strings. All of these musicians are brilliant improvisers in their own right, deeply respected and sought after for their unique and powerful voices.
General admission: $22 and Students: $15 (Students under 25 years of age with a valid i.d.).
Tickets:
Ottawa Jazz Festival office before 5pm on Friday, February 18: 294 Albert, Suite 602,
613-241-2633 (Fourth Stage concert series is not available through the Jazz Festival website, only by phone)
Ottawa Festivals office: (47 William Street, Ottawa)
Ticketmaster: (613) 755-1111 or www.ticketmaster.ca
At the door: Tickets will be available at the Fourth Stage after 6:30pm on the evening of the concert.
Kurt Elling to perform at Ottawa Jazz Festival’s benefit auction fundraiser!
“The jazz stand-out male vocalist of our time…” – New York Times
Ottawa (Monday, November 29, 2010) – Join us in a rare opportunity to see and hear one of the world’s most celebrated jazz vocalists in an intimate setting! GRAMMY winning vocalist Kurt Elling will perform in concert after the Ottawa Jazz Festival’s annual benefit auction on Monday, December 13, 2010 at the Library and Archives Canada auditorium (395 Wellington St.).
Alan Neal, host of All in a Day on CBC Radio One (91.5 FM), will officiate as emcee and auctioneer. Admission is $50 and includes appetizers (cash bar is available) at 6pm and the live auction at 7pm. Kurt Elling’s performance will highlight the evening after the auction. Read more
After blowing out the candles, the TD OTTAWA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL ‘Blows its own horn’ after celebrating the most artistically successful Festival ever in 30 years!
From its roots as a weekend-long Dixieland bash to its current status as one of the National Capital Region’s largest annual events, the Festival has been thrilling music fans for 30 summers. Just over 290,000 attended the Festival’s most successful year in its 30-year history in 2010, up by 28,000 from 2009! On Canada Day more than 92,000 attended free concerts, performed by some of the most innovative and cutting-edge Canadian artists at Confederation Park.
More than 850 artists performed in 250 concerts, in 10 different series and in 8 different venues located in the heart of the Nation’s Capital.
“In an industry where success often depends on things beyond organizers’ control, the festival took major risks this year to build for the future, and everything it added worked according to plan.” – Ottawa Sun
Besides the star-studded line-up on the Main Stage there were gems to be found in the successful OLG Stage, Improv Invitational, Friends and the Late Night Jam Sessions at the Crowne Plaza.
“This year, the festival introduced the OLG Tent, a new stage in Confederation Park. Its eclectic, late-night shows were very successful, easily drawing listeners from mainstage concerts that had just concluded. The tent could not hold all who wanted to hear acts such as Bonobo or Gypsophilia.” – Ottawa Citizen
“the Improv Invitational series, experienced the best overall attendance in its five-year history, with some of its best programming to boot.” – Ottawa Sun
“The festival’s nightly jam sessions, run by Ottawa bassist John Geggie, were consistently impressive, with visiting stars such as the saxophonists Joshua Redman and Joe Lovano sitting in to play. An hour or so after the big band of Roy Hargrove finished playing in Confederation Park, the trumpeter and many of his musicians staged a benevolent takeover of the festival jam.” – Ottawa Citizen
Join us next year from June 22 – July 3 as we celebrate the 31st edition of the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival.
Nostalgia need not apply: James Farm gives listeners a taste of the cutting edge of jazz
Peter Hum, The Ottawa Citizen
Over the last week, the TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival’s headliners in Confederation Park usually had the power of nostalgia going for them, winning listeners to their side.
That wasn’t the case with the co-op band James Farm, which played the park Friday night.
Unlike the groups of Herbie Hancock or John Scofield or Roy Hargrove, the quartet, whose frontman was the celebrated saxophonist Joshua Redman, didn’t play covers of classic tunes or harken back to jazz of decades ago.
Instead of nostalgia, the group stressed the here and now, with finely wrought, moody, original music.
And the Confederation Park crowd was entranced by the music just the same.
Full review: Nostalgia need not apply
Ottawa: Your perfect destination
KEITH CARMAN FOR METRO OTTAWA
Yet while all of this is draining our potential fun time, there is an alluring, inexpensive and geographically ideal vacation locale for everyone from teenagers to seniors: Ottawa. As fiduciary responsibilities grow, the stay-cation becomes an enticingly sound option, reducing drain of every sort and compelling us to explore our own neighbourhoods.
Many hotels offer their own promotional campaigns, but one of the quickest and easiest methods of arranging a no-frills leave is as simple as contacting Capital Tickets (ottawatourism.ca/888-688-2928), the official booking agent for Ottawa Tourism.
Chatting with their representatives reveals an endless array of personalized getaways literally steps from our front door. With booking options for all surrounding hotels, events (Bluesfest, Jazzfest, Tulip Festival and more), shows (concerts, musicals, theatre), restaurants and government attractions (Art Gallery, War Museum, Museum Of Canada) with rates subject to availability/package choice, planning a miniscule holiday couldn’t be easier.
Full article: Ottawa: Your perfect destination
Note: Ottawa Festivals is now a ticket outlet for CapitalTickets. You can find us right in the ByWard Market at 47 William Street.
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.
