Jazz

Banjo, Bob Dylan, Canada, Events, Experimental, Festivals, Jazz, Metallica, Music Industry (Trade), Prince, Punk, Rock 'N Roll, Rolling Stones, Toronto November 30, 2024

He helped bring the Ramones, the Police and the B-52’s to Toronto for the first time. Nearly 50 years later, he’s being celebrated in a new book

Nearly 100 key players, including performers, scenesters and other promoters, were interviewed for “He Hijacked My Brain: Gary Topp’s Toronto.”  By Nick Krewen Special to the Star In a career that has lasted nearly five decades and involved thousands of concerts, eminent Toronto promoter Gary Topp has but a few regrets. One of his biggest involved an act he and partner Gary Cormier (known collectively as the Garys) tried to book…

Read More

Arranger, BeBop, Big Band, Composer, Events, Grammy, Jazz, New York, Orchestra, Saxophone, United States May 9, 2024

A Toronto concert offers jazz great John Coltrane’s music in a rare format: arranged for symphony orchestra

“He was a passionate player that was always looking forward,” says saxophonist Joe Lovano, featured soloist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in world premiere “John Coltrane: Legacy.” By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Get ready to hear the music of John Coltrane in a whole new context. While the legendary repertoire of the late jazz sax colossus has been performed in many configurations over the last 75 years or so,…

Award Winners, Bass, Composer, Experimental, Festivals, Grammy, Jazz, Pop, Producer, Reggae, Rock, Rock 'N Roll Hall Of Fame, Songwriter, United Kingdom December 28, 2023

‘I’m still a student of music’ — Sting reflects on his long career ahead of his Toronto show

The solo artist and former Police frontman on his history with Toronto, his “unlikely pairing” with Shaggy and his ongoing love of touring. By Nick Krewen Whether it was with The Police or on his own as a solo performer, Sting has always had a special relationship with Toronto. The man born Gordon Sumner in Wallsend, England – and who will be appearing at Budweiser Stage on September 5  – has…

Arranger, Composer, Jazz, New York, Piano, San Francisco, United States, Voice October 16, 2023

She’s the daughter of Bobby ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’ McFerrin, but she’s forging her own path in music

With her debut album now out, Madison McFerrin brings her world tour to Toronto’s TD Music Hall. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star If the name Madison McFerrin is familiar, it’s because she’s the daughter of Mr. “Don’t Worry Be Happy” himself, 10-time Grammy winner Bobby McFerrin. So one would assume that the elder McFerrin would be forthcoming in offering his 31-year-old daughter advice on tricks of the trade. They…

Adult Contemporary, Grammy, In Memoriam, Jazz, k.d. lang, New York, Pop, United States, Voice July 21, 2023

How singer Tony Bennett embodied a life well-lived

Tony Bennett, who won 19 Grammys, died on Friday at age 96. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Few artists are lucky to have the type of career that was afforded beloved Italian crooner Tony Bennett. Bennett, who died Friday two weeks shy of  his 97th birthday, may be best remembered for his golden standard “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” and as the peerless interpreter of the Great American Songbook,…