Jazz

Acclaimed musician Gary Burton on his partners through life, including Chick Corea

Gary Burton, vibraphonist and more, hits Koerner Hall on Dec. 5. By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Wed Dec 05 2012 Gary Burton and Chick Corea have proven to be one of jazz music’s more enduring partnerships. Including 1972’s introductory Crystal Silence, the American vibraphone-and-piano duo has recorded seven albums together and netted themselves five Grammy Awards, as they’ve explored everything from fusion and chamber music to…


Donald Fagen and friends cruise into new band

By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Fri Aug 10 2012 Ready for some retro soul, man? When the Dukes of September Rhythm Revue convenes at Molson Amphitheatre this Sunday led by the stellar trio of Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen, ex-Doobie Brother Michael McDonald and “Lido Shuffle” hitmaker Boz Scaggs, they’ll be mixing it up for the masses. While it’s not too much of a stretch to assume…


Norah Jones musically solid but lacking in charisma

The Grammy Winner got in 12 songs from her new album Little Broken Hearts but seemed most at home playing country standards.   Norah Jones performs at Massey Hall in Toronto on Friday evening.   Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Sat Jul 07 2012 Ever since she exploded onto the mainstream pop scene with her jazzy multiple Grammy-winning album Come Away With Me, Norah Jones has been…


Lawrence Hill’s The Book Of Negroes leaps from the page

Lawrence Hill’s The Book of Negroes leaps from the page | Toronto Star Lawrence Hill will read from his bestselling The Book of Negroes accompanied by live music in concert at Koerner Hall. By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Sun Feb 12 2012 Bestselling novel The Book of Negroes is going multimedia. On Valentine’s Day, the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, led by founder and artistic director Brainerd Blyden-Taylor, is teaming up with author Lawrence…


David Bromberg: Gifted guitarist keeps ’em guessing

Entertainment / Music Spontaneity and fun keep the road vital for axeman at Hugh’s Room Sunday.   Respected guitarist and songwriter David Bromberg plays Hugh’s Room on Sunday. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Fri Dec 16 2011 David Bromberg, the journeyman multi-instrumentalist string wizard who returns to Hugh’s Room on Sunday, is certainly one of a kind. At 66, he’s done it all: as a session and sideman, he’s…