Toronto Jazz Festival
Music festivals always bring out the fun and excitement that not only attracts people from all over the world, but also create lifetime memories. Each year Toronto plays host to the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, one of the biggest jazz festivals in the world, which takes place in June and stretches over 10 days filled with laughter, happiness and, of course, great music.
The Jazz Festival is now recognized by jazz fans all over the world. It has taken place each year since 1987 and some of the biggest names in music have performed here. Past greats include Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Harry Connick Jr., Etta James, Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, The Roots, Macy Gray and many, many more. The festival features a blend of all jazz styles from classic to fusions to modern with R&B and hip hop influences. In other words, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
The 2014 Festival will begin starting June 19th and go on for 10 days until June 28th. It is expected to be attended by over half a million people from all over the world who will be able to see over 350 musical performances by over 1,500 artists. There will always be a show near you as all of the events will not be taking place in a single area.
Instead, 40 venues stretched out over the entire Greater Toronto Area will play hosts to all of the musicians coming here to entertain music lovers.The heart of the festival will be located at the Nathan Phillips Square right in downtown Toronto where the Mainstage Marquee will seat 1,200 and also where numerous events will take place during the festival free of charge for everyone to enjoy. While many events are free, tickets for headline performers can from 0 to $65 depending on how many events each person plans on attending
People who will go to the festival this year can expect a blend of old and new in terms of the music they will hear. Classics such as Earth, Wind & Fire will be there, as will some of the most renowned and most experimental jazz musicians today such as Japanese sensation Hiromi, trumpeter David Buchbinder and Afro-Spanish singer Buika.
Of course, the world of jazz stretches past music and incorporates other activities which will be present at the festival. The Big Band Slam makes its return from previous years where high school jazz ensembles from all over the Greater Toronto Area meet up to go head to head. Renowned Toronto aerosol artists Elicser and Mediah will operate an art workshop titled Groove & Graffiti with their own unique spin on it
These are just a few samples of what to expect from the 2014 TD Toronto Jazz Festival.
