On The Beat

Luminato Sounds

The multi-media extravaganza that is Luminato boasts an impressive musical component this year. The North American premiere of Prima Donna, an opera by the somewhat over-rated RUFUS WAINWRIGHT, will likely grab most of the media attention, but here at OTB, we’re more excited by the world music series to take place on June 12 and 19. The Saturday afternoon concert is entitled Rock The Casbah, as it features North African and Arabic-themed music from top-notch artists from France, Canada, and Algeria. These include LO’ JO, Toronto’s own MARYEM TOLLAR ENSEMBLE, KARIM SAADA, and headlining rai star, RACHID TAHA. An African Prom is the theme that evening. A killer bill includes MR. SOMETHING SOMETHING, Afrobeat pioneer TONY ALLEN (not to be missed) and BELA FLECK/THE AFRICA PROJECT, featuring violin virtuoso Fleck and Mali’s BASSEKOU KOUYATE & NGONI BA.. A week later, the afternoon concert, Global Divas, features RUPA AND THE APRIL FISHES (U.S.), Toronto’s rising star ALEJANDRA RIBERA, CARMEN SOUZA (Cape Verde) and KATENEN DIOUBATE (Canada/Guinea). We can highly recommend Souza, based on her fine new CD, Protegid (on GEMA). It’s an eclectic work, mixing jazz, soul and world music, and her phrasing sometimes recalls that of our own MOLLY JOHNSON. “World soul music for the 21st century” is how DAVID SYLVIAN described her sound. The evening Global Blues lineup comprises MEZCLA (Cuba), RAZIA SAID and MADAGASCAR SLIM (Madagascar), and Mali’s world music superstar SALIF KEITA. All this superb music comes free too. Our congratulations to Luminato programmers for a great lineup.
DAVID MYLES: This singer/songwriter has quickly become a favourite in folk music circles, and has just released a strong new album, Turn Time Off (produced by JOEL PLASKETT). His recent Hugh’s Room gig showed what the fuss is about, as he and his skilled band played two crowd-pleasing sets. Highlights included CBC Radio favourite “Driving Through” and the new CDs opening and closing songs, “Out Of Love” and “I Will Love You.” Myles delivered witty repartee between songs, talking about falling for the charm of a Jonas Brother at the Much Music Video Awards, believe it or not. Myles has pretty irresistible charm himself, and the crowd (many of them follow Maritimers) responded warmly. East Coast musical peers spied at the gig included KIM STOCKWOOD and DAMHNAIT DOYLE. Myles promised plenty more Toronto gigs (“I’m going to crack this market,” he joked), and that’s welcome news. One already announced is at North By Northeast (NXNE), June 18 at The Dakota.
OLD MILL JAZZ: Nice to see this lovely old venue continue its jazz booking policy. They’ve just announced the lineup for their June Thursday Night Jazz Club series, featuring leading national and international jazz stars. On June 10, saxophone giants PAT LABARBERA and KIRK MACDONALD join forces in a tribute to the music of JOHN COLTRANE, accompanied by three of the city’s best sidemen. In a novel concept, the June 17 performance by THE ROBI BOTOS B SIDE BAND features five top players on instruments other than those for which they’ve become known. Piano master Botos, for instance, plays drums. On June 24, the TD Toronto Jazz Festival presents a show by THE ROB MCCONNELL TENTET, in tribute to bandleader McConnell, who died recently. The venue then presents six consecutive nights of TJF action, with the likes of HEATHER BAMBRICK, JACKIE RICHARDSON, CAROL WELSMAN, the great GUIDO BASSO, and DENZAL SINCLAIRE featured. For the full schedule, go to www. theoldmilltoronto.com
DAN HILL: After a long period away from the spotlight, this internationally famed Toronto singer/songwriter has become more active in performance. He will next appear at Hugh’s Room on June 8 in A Salute To Father’s Day. This will see Hill performing songs and stories of fathers and sons, alongside other love songs. The theme is appropriate, given that Hill’s recent bestselling debut as an author, I Am My Father’s Son, is a memoir that traces his relationship with his late father. This subject also infuses his recent album, Intimate.
UPCOMING: One of the freshest new voices on the world music scene is Australian aboriginal singer/songwriter GEOFFREY ‘GURRUMUL’ YUNUPINGU. He makes his Canadian debut at Harbourfront’s Enwave Theatre on June 24. His sparse and hauntingly beautiful sound will make this a concert to remember. Acclaimed Canadian singer/songwriter BASIA BULAT has been touring Europe, supporting new CD Heart Of My Own, but is back for a concert at The Phoenix on June 4.

Publication Date: 2010-06-06
Story Location: http://www.tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=10232