David Miller, the Mayor of Toronto, center, clearly enjoys the photo op, as he poses with Jeff Healey's father (right) and Hot Five reed player Janet Shaw. Andrej Saradin (Hot Five Jazzmakers cornetist) is trying to get into the act at the back! (Photo: Mary Bradford)

The TD Canada Trust Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival was in full swing late in June. The Climax Jazz Band really entered into the swing of things this year, with 10 spots in the 10-day run of the festival, all of which were at their home base, the Chick n' Deli on Mount Pleasant Rd. The line-up varied between a trio on one day and then quartets mostly, with the full six-piece band playing at the regular Saturday matinee. The personnel varied quite a bit, apart from the Climax's indefatigable leader, Chris Daniels, who played at every show! I counted 16 different musicians appearing under the Climax banner during the run of the festival.

The Swedish Jazz Trio had to cancel its appearance at the festival due to the untimely death of the group's leader, Esbjorn Svensson. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of such a brilliant pianist. Our condolences go out to his family as well as to Dan Berglund and Magnusostrom," said Patrick Taylor, Executive Producer of the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival. Another top line performer, French composer and producer Michel Legrand also had to back out due to health reasons. In this case, however, there was a top-notch replacement -- the John Pizzarelli Quartet, featuring special guest and Canadian legend Peter Appleyard on vibes.

There's sad news from would-be promoter jazz enthusiast Henry Wertman. His Thursday weekly "Hot Jazz Nights" series at Plaza Flamingo, 423 College St., Toronto, has had to be canceled due to lack of support. This ambitious project, which only began on May 15, featured both the Happy Pals and Hot Jazz String quartet, with Drew Jurecka on violin. Despite such great bands and a superb location, the fans stayed away in droves, and another promising venue bit the dust.

Marty Grosz, playing at the Healey event, looked as chipper as ever.  (Photo: Mary Bradford)

The late Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards played their first gig without their beloved leader on Saturday, June 21, when they played an open-air concert in Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, as part of the festival program. According to fans who attended, they put on a fine show.

People are still talking about the jazz band ball held on May 4th to honor the memory of Jeff Healey. It turned out to be a major jazz event. Some 600 people attended, and more than a dozen groups, all playing in the traditional or swing style, donated their services.

The Rainbow Gardens Orchestra, a popular group from awhile back, re-formed specially for the event and kicked off the event, led by bassist Ric Giorgi. Pianist Jack Hutton and banjoist Willie Wilson, both original members, also were in the band. Jim Nevins guested on trombone. Due to the number of groups taking part, each group was allowed only four or five tunes apiece.

In New York State, the Queen City Jazz Society will hold its annual picnic on Sunday, July 13, at Di Tondo's Restaurant, 370 Seneca St., Buffalo. Doors open at 1 p.m. The featured group is the Joe Cavallaro Dixieland Band. For ticket information, phone Bev at (716) 773-1782. The Society has many Canadian members who are good supporters of the organization.

If you have any news of Canadian interest, please contact me at briantowers@msn.com.

The Jazz Wizards: Jessie Barksdale, guitar;  Gary Scriven, drums; Ross Wooldridge, clarinet; Chris Plock,  soprano sax;  Ken Whiteley, trumpet; Drew Jurecka, violin and an unidentified trombone player. Pianist Reide Kaiser is unseen but was definitely heard!  (Photo: Mary Bradford)

July 2008 issue | © 2008 The Mississippi Rag

P.O. Box 19068, Minneapolis, MN 55419.