Jazz and music lovers have much to look forward to in 2015. The Ottawa Jazz Festival will present the 4th TD Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival this February over two weekends from Feb. 6 – 7 and Feb. 13 – 15.
The first weekend features a remarkable array of Canadian and international jazz heavyweights. The second weekend showcases unique projects and collaborations with a consummate gathering of remarkable jazz artistry culminating in Shows in Sacred Spaces and a Leonard Cohen 80th birthday tribute.
The Festival is also pleased to announce TD, who has sponsored the summer TD Ottawa Jazz Festival for more than ten years, will now also be the title sponsor of the Winter Jazz Festival.
First weekend from Feb. 6 – 7:Friday, Feb. 6 at the National Arts Centre’s Fourth Stage:
5pm - Ottawa’s Megan Jerome (wurlitzer and voice) will perform her new project with the Together Ensemble including; Fred Guignion (electric guitar and lap steel), Don Cummings (Hammond b3) and Mike Essoudry (drums). Tickets are $18.
7pm - After two years pianist Nancy Walker is back with her new project 'Til Now Is Secret (Addo Records). Nancy will perform with Shirantha Beddage (saxophones and bass clarinet), Ted Quinlan (guitar), Kieran Overs (bass), Jim Doxas (drums). Tickets are $25.
9pm - The Festival is very happy to welcome back the prolific and extraordinary seven and eight-string guitarist Charlie Hunter along with trombonist Curtis Fowlkes and drummer Bobby Previte. Tickets are $25.
Saturday, Feb. 7 at the National Arts Centre’s Fourth Stage:
5pm - Selected from the submissions to the Ottawa Jazz Festival’s Special Project Initiative posted this past October, FET.NAT was selected to be a part of this year’s TD Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival. Using fractured rhythms, grooves, atypical melodies, dislocated forms and improvisation FET.NAT creates a sound of their own. Tickets are $18.
7pm - French ex-pat Jean-Michel Pilc (piano) moved to New York City almost 20 years ago and formed a trio with Or Bareket (bass) and Jerad Lippi on drums. The trio has become a popular fixture in Big Apple venues such as Blue Note, Iridium, Knitting Factory, and Sweet Basil. Tickets are $25.
9pm - New York based drummer and GRAMMY nominee Matt Wilson is universally recognized for his musical and melodic drumming style, as well as being a gifted composer, bandleader, producer, and teaching artist. Matt is joined by Jeff Lederer (saxophone), Kirk Knuffke (cornet) and John Geggie (bass). Tickets are $25.
Sunday, Feb. 8 at Dominion-Chalmers United Church:
7pm - In honour of Black History Month one of Africa’s musical giants and Zimbabwe’s most successful artist and national treasure Oliver Mtukudzi will perform songs that reflect on the daily life and struggles of his people. Tuku, as he is known, is a guitarist, vocalist with a deep and gusty voice, performer and composer. He will be joined by Tendai Samson Mashingireni Mataure – drummer, Enock Piroro - bass/vocalist, Alice Tarisayi Muringayi - vocalist/percussion and Munyaradzi Mataruse - guitarist/vocalist. Tickets are $35.
Second weekend from Feb. 13 – 15:Friday, Feb. 13 at Dominion-Chalmers United Church:
As a great fan of the iconic jazz musician Kenny Wheeler, who recently passed away, guitarist Roddy Ellias pays tribute in this very personal project. Rather than cover versions of Wheeler’s music, Roddy arranges the music to suit the musician and instrumentation of the ensemble, very much in the spirit of Wheeler’s own approach. Roddy will be joined Bill Mahar (trumpet and flugelhorn), Mark Ferguson (trombone), Christine Fagan (voice), Peter Hum (piano), John Geggie (bass), and Jim Doxas (drums).
Elizabeth Shepherd (lead vocals, keyboards and laptop) is a popular young jazz musician bringing the art form to a new generation of music fans. Her latest CD, The Signal, is doing extremely well. After repeated invitations, the Festival is delighted that she will be making her first appearance! She is joined by the renowned Michael Occhipinti (guitar and vocals), Scott Kemp (electric bass and vocals), Colin Kingsmore (drums and vocals) and Tara Kannangara (trumpet and vocals).
Esmerineis a Canadian modern chamber music group that incorporates genres such as drone music, post punk, and Turkish folk. Founded in Montreal in 2000 by Bruce Cawdron (drums) and Beckie Foon (cello), current members also include percussionist Jamie Thompson (drums, percussion) and multi-instrumentalist Brian Sanderson. The band has released four solo albums, and their latest, Dalmak, was awarded Instrumental Album of the Year at the JUNO Awards of 2014.
By exercising remarkable musicianship, heavenly vocals and creative arrangements, The Lost Fingers is a Canadian gypsy jazz quartet with a keen sense of humor and eccentric fashion. Transforming pop/rock music classics performed in a Django gypsy jazz style with a hint of blue grass, this show will take you on a musical journey.
: This is the ideal way to celebrate an exciting and unique Valentine’s Day! Small
features the five artists listed below in their own unique shows throughout various smaller spaces inside Dominion-Chalmers United Church. Later that evening inside the Sanctuary each artist will perform 3 songs in one breath-taking musical tribute to Canadian legend singer songwriter
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For his birthday, a friend bought Scott Helman some time in a studio to record a couple of demos. The studio owner loved what he heard and offered Scott free time to record some more songs. Those demos led Scott to a performance in the offices at Warner Music Canada where, sitting on a stool with his guitar in his lap, he filled the room with a voice that stunned all that were there.
Calgary's Reuben and the Dark is a collection of five multi-instrumentalists and vocalists led by Reuben Bullock. The group makes chilling, emotive folk and soul driven by dark, introspective lyrics that explore the duality of misery and joy.
Canadian singer, songwriter Jay Malinowski & the Deadcoast perform a musical adventure featuring the story of Malinowski’s French Huguenot ancestor, Charles Martel who watched his mother beheaded in Lyon for her protestant convictions.
With an undeniable voice and an arsenal of powerful songs, Martha Wainwright is a beguiling performer and a refreshingly different force in music. As the daughter of folk legends, Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright III, music was a pivotal part of her childhood and adolescence and often performed on stage with her parents and the entire McGarrigle family.
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Canadian cellist Peggy Lee is joined by singer-songwriter Mary Margaret O’Hara in an improvisational collaboration with guitarist Aidan Closs.
Times for the second weekend TBA early January 2015. Ticket prices for the second weekend range from $25 - $50. Passes for the second weekend range from $52 - $102. Single tickets are available at www.ottawajazzfestival.com/winter or at the Festival office, 602-294 Albert St during regular office hours. Announcements about the
line-up will be made in early spring 2015! For more information, artist bios, and tickets please visit ottawajazzfestival.com or contact: Suzan Zilahi Director of Marketing & Partnerships W: (613) 241-2633, x. 102 or suzan@ottawajazzfestival.com
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