Jazz Sudbury Festival 2017

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Northern Ontario’s premier destination for live jazz!

A heavenly weekend of jazz, blues, fusion, R&B, and soul, the 2017 Jazz Sudbury Festival is sure to entertain and get you dancing! September 8th to 10th 2017, the festival features both club performances at local downtown venues leading into the festival and main stage headliner performances at the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre on Friday September 8, 2017 and Saturday September 9, 2017. The jazz will continue into the night with after-hours performances at local downtown venues.

Meet our Main Stage!
Friday Sept 8:
Dan St. Marseille with the Borealis Jazz Quartet:
With roots up here in the North, Dan St. Marseille’s saxophone/clarinet recordings are heard internationally on jazz radio and have been the subject of articles in such publications as Downbeat, Jazztimes, Los Angeles Times, and Jazz Critic among others. Three of St. Marseille’s CDs received four star ratings in the third edition of the All Music Guide To Jazz; The Experts Guide To The Best Jazz Recordings. In addition to local and national tours, Dan has performed in Canada and many jazz clubs and festivals including a headline performance at the prestigious Coleman Hawkins Festival in Topeka, Kansas. He will be accompanied by Sudbury’s own Borealis Quartet to kick off the Festival!

Heather Bambrick:
JUNO-Nominated Heather Bambrick, winner of the National Jazz Award for Vocalist of the Year and Broadcaster of the Year, is in demand as a performer, educator, and host. She has performed and/or recorded with numerous international artists, including Phil Nimmons, Kenny Wheeler, Gene DiNovi, Guido Basso, Darmon Meader, Peter Appleyard, John Lamb, Carol Welsman, Jackie Richardson, Denzal Sinclaire, The Caliban Quartet, Rudy Webb, and the late Rob McConnell.

Tanika Charles:
In a few short years Tanika Charles has transformed from an emerging solo artist to a commanding performer and band leader, a staple of the Canadian soul scene. Both on stage and off, Edmonton-raised Charles presents an immutable charm, at times endearingly abrasive and honest in her vulnerabilities. Her art is inherently autobiographical. If she’s singing it, she’s lived it.
Since 2010 Tanika Charles has been lighting up stages near and far, releasing her critically acclaimed Polaris Prize-nominated debut LP, Soul Run. Backed by her band The Wonderfuls, Charles has played festivals like NXNE, Pop Montreal, CBC Music Fest, TD Toronto Jazz Fest, the AGO Massive Party, the Pan Am Games, and many more and has sang alongside the likes of Emmanuel Jal, Fred Penner, Donna Grantis, Johnny Reid, Bedouin Soundclash, and others.

Brass Transit:
What happens when eight of Canada’s most in-demand musicians and singers gather together out of a common love for one of the most successful pop/rock groups of all time? Brass Transit – a dynamic, crowd-pleasing, studio-tight powerhouse, and the world’s foremost CHICAGO tribute!
Brass Transit was formed in 2008 and brought together 8 of Canada’s most talented, accomplished and award- winning players. Their sole purpose was to pay tribute to the decades-long, multiplatinum songbook of CHICAGO.
Brass Transit goes far beyond just imitating the songs; they embody the music. They recently produced their first (self-titled) album, taking songs by other top artists from the seventies and recording them with horns in the CHICAGO style. The result is a fresh approach to some of the greatest hits of the era. They also recently scored their show for full symphony orchestra with original arrangements that are truly spellbinding.
Brass Transit will bring you back to the most memorable times of your life. Get ready to sing along!

Saturday Sept 10:

Emerging Artist Winners: Jamie Dupuis + Zak Martel
Sudbury’s Guitar Virtuosos hit the main stage as the 2017 Jazz Sudbury Emerging Artists Showcase Champs!

Eric St.Laurent Quartet:
Born and raised in Montreal, St-Laurent studied improvisation in New York before moving to Berlin where he toured with both the big and small names of the German and Scandinavian music scenes. Afro-Cuban rhythms combined with Jazz and Blues elements are the heart of the trio’s music. Infectious grooves, plenty of interaction and a strong taste for adventure round off the picture.

Laila Biali
Contemporary Canadian pianist and vocalist Laila Biali is internationally recognized for her music that traverses pop, rock, classical and soul. A luminous performer, she’s recorded with musical icon Sting and received several awards for her creative compositions. Her deliciously smooth vocals and effortless technique have granted her the prestige of performing at some of the world’s top performance venues.
“She is an exciting and unique talent, and I admire her greatly. ” – Sting

The Souljazz Orchestra:
Since first arriving on the Canadian scene at the turn of the millenium, the Souljazz Orchestra has never stopped pushing the limits of its signature sound: an …explosive clash of Soul, Jazz, Afro, Latin and Caribbean styles, unleashed by blaring majestic horns, dusty vintage keyboards, and an arsenal of earthquaking percussion. With band members having roots right here in the Nickel City, and their second visit to the Jazz Sudbury Festival, this is surely to be an exciting homecoming for all!

Saturday Sept 9th Daytime Programming:
Jazz in the Park
Jazz Sudbury is back with another Free Family afternoon of fun Downtown in Memorial Park! Lineup to come, featuring exciting local talent and exciting guest bands.
Jazz Walk
The Jazz Walk is a separately ticketed event. Get up close and personal with our headlining acts in intimate settings. The Jazz Walk parades audiences between downtown venues led by our very own Dixieland Jazz Band to embrace a unique entertainment experience. Jazz Walk Venues:
1pm Fromagerie Elgin: LU Jazz Combo
2pm Oscar’s Grill: Eric St. Laurent
3pm Sudbury Theatre Centre Cabaret: Laila Biali

Schedule:
Wed Sept 7: 8:30pm-12:30am Hugh Jazz at the Fromagerie
Thurs Sept 8: 8:30pm-12:30am Opening Gala with Dan St.Marseille and Borealis Jazz Quartet

Fri Sept 9 : 6pm – Dan St. Marseille and Borealis Jazz Quartet
7pm- Heather Bambrick
8pm – Tanika Charles
9:15pm- Brass Transit

6pm- Emerging Artist Showcase Winners: Jamie Dupuis + Zak Martel
7pm- Eric St.Laurent Quartet
8pm- Laila Biali
9:15pm- The Souljazz Orchestra