Jazz

**This show was rescheduled from Friday, April 3rd, 2020. All tickets purchased for the previously scheduled performance will be valid for this performance and have been reissued** Multi award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter, pianist and CBC Music national radio host Laila Biali has headlined festivals and venues spanning five continents from New York City's Carnegie Hall to Beijing's National Centre for the Performing Arts, and supported international icon Sting. In 2019, Laila’s eponymous release won her a JUNO for "Vocal Jazz Album of the Year.” The year before that, she was awarded top prize at the Canadian Songwriting Competition in the Jazz category. Laila was also the youngest-ever double winner at Canada’s National Jazz Awards when she was named "SOCAN Composer of the Year" and "Keyboardist of the Year.” She received her first JUNO nomination for Tracing Light (2011), and her Live in Concert (2013) album was recognized by DownBeat Magazine as one of the "Best Albums of the Year." In September of 2017, Laila was brought on as the host for CBC Music's national radio show, Saturday Night Jazz, a weekly show broadcast to listeners across Canada. While Laila continues to earn high honours in the Jazz world, her signature sound transcends genre as she "masterfully mixes jazz and pop, bringing virtuosity and unpredictability to songs that are concise and catchy" (Washington Post). Laila's highly anticipated album, Out of Dust, which features multiple GRAMMY nominees and winners including Lisa Fisher, Alan Ferber, John Ellis, and Larnell Lewis, will be released on March 27, 2020, and her concert at The Aeolian under the TD Sunfest banner will celebrate the new album’s release.

COVID PREPAREDNESS

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU Safety Measures Welcome back Aeolian Hall patrons! It has been tough, but we are so thrilled to be able to present live music to a live audience once again! To keep everyone safe when attending our concerts, we are doing the following:

• We are complying the requirements and recommendations from federal, provincial, and local health authorities to enhance the safety of our facility
• In addition, we are requiring that all patrons be double vaccinated before attending a concert, except for patrons who, for medical reasons, are not vaccinated and children 12 years old or younger
• We are requiring that clean well-fitted masks (such as a single use surgical mask) be worn indoors and that the current guidelines of 2 metre (6 feet) safe-distancing be followed
• We have placed hand sanitizer stations are placed throughout the building. Please sanitize your hands upon entering the building, and wash your hands after using the restrooms
• Our upgraded HVAC system ensures the air you breath is fresh and filtered
• We thoroughly clean the Hall before concerts and sanitize before, during and after the concerts.

London's finest jazz musicians gather to pay tribute to local living legend of jazz, pianist John Noubarian.  Special guests Rebecca Noelle and Amy Noubarian join an incredible line up of vocalists and musicians, including Sonja Gustafson, Jennifer Thorpe, Charlie Rallo, Steve Holowitz, Larry Smith, Chris Norley, Ben Heywood, Peter Hysen, Barry Usher, Darryl Stacey, Larry Ernewein, Sandy MacKay, Todd Lafraniere and more!

John's incredible career includes backing jazz greats like Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins and Carmen McRae at the Iroquois Hotel and Campbells.  He has performed at major jazz festivals, including the Montreal Dumaurier, Ottawa, and Beaches festivals. He has recorded with many artists and enjoyed national radio play.  His album, 'J.J.D.' was praised by Peter Appleyard as, "first class... performed by three great Canadian jazz artists."

On February 27th, his friends come together to honour the many years of John's jazz performance and mentorship!

Join Take 3 & Company (Jenny Nauta, Theresa Wallis & Ron Nauta) for "A Salute to Burt Bacharach!"

Jenny, Ron and Theresa with now-retired member Dave Williams had a long successful run as Take 4, our own locally grown close-harmony jazz quartet.  They released three CDs;  After Four and More,  After Four…Takes Five, and An After Four Christmas.  They have worked with Canadian legends Peter Appleyard, Phil Nimmons and Juno award-winning producer Kevin Doyle and performed with many local jazz & classical musicians in South Western Ontario.

Take 3 captures much of the enthusiasm and vocal range of the larger group; still focusing on high quality harmonic vocals with their own arrangements.  Plans for a new disc for Take 3 & Company are underway.

Supporting Take 3 in this program are; Ms. Jennifer Lee on back-up vocals and flute; Larry Ernewein on double bass and drummer / percussionist Greg Mainprize.

 

[caption id="attachment_4478" align="alignleft" width="136"] Burt and Dionne[/caption]

Burt Bacharach, a major American composer, songwriter, record producer, pianist, and singer has composed hundreds of popular hit songs from the late 1950s through the 1980s, many in collaboration with popular lyricist Hal David and sung by Dionne Warwick.

 

Included in this program are many of Burt's biggest hits; Walk On By, You'll Never Get To Heaven, Alfie, One Less Bell To Answer, I'll Never Fall In Love Again, Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on my Head, I Say and Little Prayer  and more.

This concert will take you back to the greatest music of the 60s and 70s.  Settle back in your chair and let Take 3 take you away...

Emilie-Claire Barlow is a critically acclaimed Canadian jazz singer, arranger, record producer and voice actress. She is known for her inspired re-imaginings and affectionate treatment of both classic pop and jazz songs, delivered with polished demeanor, charming humour and a voice of unforgettable beauty. Emilie-Claire has spent the last 20 years in search of her "perfect band" and her current lineup is a who’s who of Canadian musicians. Recording her first album at the age of 22, EC now has a dozen releases to her credit, many of which have garnered award nominations – several with Félix and JUNO wins.  They range from the 1960s themed The Beat Goes On to the all-francophone Seule ce soir.  Her latest offering, the seasonal Lumières d'hiver, was released in November 2017.  Never one to rest on past accomplishments Ms. Barlow continues to grow as an artist and numerous tours across the globe – taking her from Toronto’s storied Montreal Bistro to the Montreal Jazz Festival (seven dates) and Tokyo’s Cotton Club – have honed her stage presence and voice to a peak of control and expression, wowing audiences with a combination of vocal prowess and relaxed energy.  She appears regularly at London’s Aeolian Hall as part of the TD Sunfest World Music & Jazz Series. Her new show, Emilie-Claire Barlow: 20 Year Retrospective Tour, brings to the stage a tour-de-force performance of songs – including her most popular hits and a few forgotten gems –   spanning the entire career of a major talent at her peak.

Argentinian pianist and composer Gabriel Palatchi is one of jazz’s most exciting young lions whose music embodies a complex flavour of genres and has been described as “a constant stream of new colours” (World Music Report).  Starting from a deep core in Latin jazz, his songs represent the many cultures that have influenced him. Born in Buenos Aires in 1982, Gabriel spent his formative years studying classical piano and being mentored by some of the great maestros of blues, tango, jazz and Latin jazz.  After graduating from Berklee international School, Argentina, he spent several months in Cuba working with master musician “Chucho” Valdez. Gabriel subsequently became a composer when he moved to Tulum, Mexico in 2008, and his life experiences up to that point influenced the composition and production of his first solo album Diario de Viaje (Travel Diary, 2010).  His debut disc received critical acclaim from music industry journals and was chosen one of the best Latin Jazz albums of the year by JAZZ.FM91 Toronto.  Gabriel went on to record three more albums that cemented his unique sound, culminating in his 4th and latest, Made in Canada (2018), which also happens to be his first live recording.  His third album, Trivolution (2015), achieved Top Ten status in the 2015 Global Music Awards and was also featured in the Emerging Artists section of the April 2016 issue of Billboard Magazine. For the past eight years, the Gabriel Palatchi Jazz Trio (with Sarah Thawer on drums and Marc Decho on bass) has been performing at major international music festivals throughout Mexico, Canada and Europe.

Join us on Wednesday, August 21st for an intimate concert in The Aeolian's Dave Southen Lounge, featuring the incredible Bryan Gloyd with Sonja Gust!

The Aeolian's Save Our Stage Concert Series happens on Wednesday nights throughout August and will feature some amazing local performers!

These concerts are being held to help raise money for some much needed stage repairs, as we get ready to launch our 2019-2020 season!

Save Our Stage Concert Series: Bryan Gloyd
Wednesday, August 21st
Dave Southen Lounge, Aeolian Hall
7pm (Doors at 6:30pm)
$20 + Eventbrite Fee

----------------

BRYAN GLOYD

Bryan Gloyd's musical career has many facets including working as a church musician, recording artist and jazz pianist. Bryan has accompanied many local musicians and organized jazz programming at The Aeolian. He has also accompanied two-time Grammy Winner Matt Alber, the legendary songwriter Marc Jordan and the Canadian National Jazz Award Winner Denzal Sinclaire.

SONJA GUSTAFSON

Music has been an integral part of Sonja’s life since childhood. Growing up with a music historian and a classically trained soprano as parents exposed her to a great deal of classical repertoire. Sonja spent much of her youth singing in choirs and playing the violin. In her late teens, she was presented with the opportunity to audition for the world reknowned Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan. She decided to audition for the voice department, where room was available for one more student.

Sonja graduated from Interlochen with flying colours and returned home to Canada to continue studying voice at the Don Wright Faculty of Music at The University of Western Ontario. As part of her studies at UWO, Sonja performed in several operas to gain more experience on the stage. She also took up the position of soprano soloist at First St. Andrew’s United Church, which is widely recognized for its fine music program.

Simultaneously, a close friend encouraged her to try Jazz. Her initiation into the Jazz world was a New Year’s Eve gig at a local restaurant. That night proved to be a trial by fire as Sonja spent the evening entertaining the crowd with Jazz standards she’d only just learned (and more than a few which she had to sight-read!). Finding it to be an exhilirating experience, Sonja continued to work on expanding her jazz repertoire and finding a vocal technique that lent itself better to jazz than opera.

Following graduation, Sonja found herself performing more and more Jazz at local restaurants, clubs and private functions. She also worked full-time as a waitress, performing for enthusiastic crowds on nights and weekends. She collaborated with many of London’s very talented Jazz musicians, learning the skills of jazz musicianship as she went. Their mentoring of her singing paid off and in 2005, Sonja was recognized with a London Music Award for Most Popular Jazz Performer.

It was at this time that a life-changing opportunity arose. At the prompting of her mother, she sent an audition CD to the producers of a new television reality/documentary series entitled Bathroom Divas. Chosen from hundreds of CDs to come and audition live, she earned a spot on the show as one of six finalists that would attend a three week Opera ‘Boot Camp’ in Toronto. Having gone six years without any voice lessons, this was the ultimate opportunity for Sonja to receive not only training, but invaluable feedback from some of Canada’s top operatic performers and trainers. The experience was incredibly valuable and renewed her interest in the classical and operatic repertoire, as well as her confidence in her operatic capabilities.

After three weeks of boot camp and a second-place finish, Sonja decided to continue the process of musical growth by returning to her classical music studies at UWO, where she obtained the degree of Master of Music under the tutelage of Mary Lou Fallis, one of the instructors and producers of Bathroom Divas. During her studies Sonja kept a busy performing schedule, which included roles in several operatic productions with UWOpera and Orchestra London. She also released her self-produced debut jazz CD, which has been met with great enthusiasm from her fans and the arts community in London and the surrounding area and led to an invitation to perform at London's highly successful summer music festival, Sunfest in 2008. Sonja was the only local performer to take the stage in the festival's jazz village, performing two shows for enthusiastic crowds.

On the classical side of things, Sonja was pleased to be a featured soloist with Orchestra London, the Victoria Symphony and the Vancouver Island Symphony in a Christmas Pops show written and arranged for her and conducted by fellow Jazz musician and UWO grad, Jeff Christmas. Hence, she has become a regular guest performer in the Orchestra London Pops series.

Desiring to create more opportunities for herself and other UWO music grads in the London area, she formed her own production company, Diva Lounge Productions, which is busy developing several original works in collaboration with local London composers. In addition to these many accomplishments, Sonja was also honoured to win several awards, scholarships and competitions for both her jazz and classical performing.

Whether crooning jazz standards with her band, singing with the symphony or performing on the operatic stage, Sonja's passion for music is evident in her presence and attitude. It is this passion coupled with her consummate musicianship, sparkling voice and versatility that make her a performer to remember and enjoy!

2019 JUNO Award Winner of Jazz Album of the Year: Solo for OLD SOUL

ROBI BOTOS has been hailed as one of the most diverse multi-instrumentalists  of this generation. From the hard-bop style of Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock, to the swing of Oscar Peterson and the heartfelt melodic expression of Mulgrew Miller and Cedar Walton, Robi has managed to master the technique of his idols, all while showcasing his musical expressions in a voice that is purely his own. While Robi is known for being a strong player in the traditional jazz and funk fields, he always incorporates an element of the music he grew up listening to into his playing. Says organist, trumpeter and pianist Joey Defrancesco: “Robi is one of the most swingin’, soulful, funky, world class players I’ve ever heard, and he has a technique like you can’t believe. Definitely one of my very favorite players!!!”

Born of Romani descent in Hungary, Robi taught himself first to play drums as a young child, and got his first taste of being a professional musician working throughout Budapest. Robi was first introduced to the piano when he was 7 years old, and never looked back. He continued to perform throughout Hungary and when he turned 20, decided to move his wife and children to Canada, to further pursue the career he was born for. Now 20 years later, Robi has solidified himself as one of the most sought-after pianists in the country.

Immediately after coming to Canada, Robi immersed himself into both the Canadian and international jazz scene. In 2004, he traveled to Montreux to compete in the Montreux Jazz Festival’s solo piano competition, where he placed first. His prize? Returning the following year to open for one of the headlining artists. That artists happened to be one of Robi’s idols - Oscar Peterson. Unknowingly to Robi, Peterson sat in the wings as Robi performed and upon their return to Canada, the two would form a friendship that resulted in Robi being one of OP’s final mentees. Over the next few years, Robi would continue to participate in and win global prizes and awards including the International “Jazz Hoeilaart” band competition in Belgium, the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) award in California, and the “Martial Solal Piano Competition” in Paris. In 2006, Robi would receive his first JUNO Award nomination for his participation in the ALMA Records release, “One Take.”

Since moving to Canada, Robi has been given the chance to work with many of the greats in his industry including Al Jarreau, Branford Marsalis, Christian McBride, Terri Lyne Carrington, Joey Defrancesco, Steve Gadd and Chaka Khan and has participated in projects with Michel Legrand, Chick Corea, Bill Charlap, Benny Green,  and Kenny Barron. Robi wasted no time laying down roots in Toronto. He has been the pianist of choice for Officer of the Order of Canada, Molly Johnson, for close to 15 years and has worked extensively with some of Canada’s most celebrated players including Dave Young, Phil Dwyer, Archie Alleyne, Oliver Jones, Renee Rosnes, Sophie Milman, Paul Novotny, Carol Welsman and more.

Along with being a first-call pianist for some of the top artists around the world, as well as leading his own groups in sold-out shows nationwide, Robi is also a highly sought-after composer. In 2013, Robi composed the score for a film that was deeply personal to him. Aaron Yeger’s “A People Uncounted” tells the story of the rich culture and history of the Romani people (commonly refered to as ‘Gypsies’) in Europe. The film specifically focuses on the mistreatment and devastation of the Romani people during the Holocaust. This moving project was nominated for a Producer’s Guild Award in 2014. Since then, Robi’s music can also be heard on Stella Meghie’s 2016 film “Jean of the Joneses,” which received 2 nominations at the Canadian Screen Awards. Robi also contributed to the soundtrack of the 2013 Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon film “Arbitrage”.

In 2015, Robi released his highly anticipated sophomore album for A440 Entertainment, “Movin’ Forward,” which brought him a 2016 JUNO Award win for Solo Jazz Album of the Year. This would be Robi’s 5th nomination and 2nd win for Canada’s highest award in music. “Movin’ Forward” featured Seamus Blake on tenor saxophone, Robert Hurst on bass, and Jeff “Tain” Watts on drums. After rave reviews and countless sold-out shows in support of this record, Robi went back into the studio in summer 2016 to record his next album.

In 2018, Robi released a brand-new record that pays homage to his Hungarian upbringing, the early days of his career, and the music that he has dedicated his life to. “OLD SOUL” sees Robi not only venturing into a number of different genres (jazz, funk, soul, gospel and more!), but he also plays on a number of different instruments including the Harpejji, which he was inspired to learn and incorporate into his sound by Stevie Wonder. Robi is joined by some familiar faces such as longtime collaborators Mike Downes on bass and Larnell Lewis on drums, as well as Seamus Blake on saxophone. Also joining them for the first time is Cory Henry (Snarky Puppy, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Garrett) on the Hammond B3, Ingrid Jensen (Clark Terry, Maria Schneider, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Billy Taylor) on trumpet, and Lionel Loueke (Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Wayne Shorter) on guitar. Robi’s ability as a composer is once again highlighted on this record, with a majority of the tracks being his original material. “Old Soul” pays tribute to his homeland as he takes you down memory lane with visions of his childhood neighbourhood and through some of his favourite spots in his hometown. This record makes you feel like you have a personal connection with one of the most diverse and eclectic artists of our time.

Carol Welsman, a six-time Juno Award Nominee, is an internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist and pianist whose expressive vocal styling and dynamic stage presence have captivated audiences around the world.

Her recordings have earned her high critical acclaim, including being named one of the Top 5 albums of the year by USA Today (for her album “I Like Men: Reflections of Miss Peggy Lee”).

For her newly released album For You Carol turned to social media and her fans to choose the 15 tracks to be included in the recording, her first solo/piano vocal release.  Over 5000 votes were tabulated and those who participated in the contest were given an executive producer credit in the liner notes.  The tracks that were selected were originally recorded for an album conceived by renowned jazz promoter/producer Takao Ishizuka based on a  decade of promoting Carol’s tours and witnessing her success in Japan.  Originally titled as This Is Carol, it was released on Muzak Records in October 2016, followed by a sold out 10 concert Japanese tour.  The album was the #1 selling CD at jazz retail in Tokyo for six months and reached #5 on their Jazz charts and remains in the Top 20.

Carol is the granddaughter of Frank S. Welsman, founder and first conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, a “Distinguished Alumnus” of Berklee College of Music in Boston, and in 2010, Carol’s Peggy Lee Tribute CD was voted Top 5 Album of the Year (all genres) in USA Today. She is fluent in English, French, Italian and Spanish, and she sings in all of these languages as well as Portuguese.

In support of the release of her latest album For You  Carol is currently touring as a duo (with guitar) or trio (guitar and bass) to complement the album music., throughout Canada and the U.S.

“Welsman is that rarest of discoveries: a fully formed artist with the musicality, imagination and looks to cruise to the top of the jazz vocal genre.” Audiences and fellow musicians agree, Carol is an extraordinarily talented musician and one of the finer vocalists and pianists on the scene today.
– Don Heckman, The International Review of Music

“Carol Welsman never disappoints.  Once again she wowed her Regina audience as one of the main headliners for the 10th Annual JazzFest Regina 2018.”
– Peter Champagne, JazzFest Regina Artistic Director

Sweet Stolen Hours: An Evening with David Braid and Patricia O’Callaghan

Blending the two worlds of Classical and Jazz, and fresh from their recent JUNO nomination, Braid and O’Callaghan will offer a mixture of pieces ranging from Weill to Cohen, with a core of original repertoire at the heart.

Featuring the crystalline, many-hued voice of O’Callaghan, singing in English, Spanish and French, and the dazzlingly beautiful compositions and improvisations of Braid, this promises to be a moving, eclectic, and powerful evening.

“A jazz genius to call our own.” – MacLeans Magazine

“…refreshingly uncategorizable.” – Paris Transatlantic

“One of the best singers ever to come out of Canada.” – Vivascene

“An exceptional blend of natural expressiveness and masterful coloration.” – Billboard Magazine

"Sophisticated and authentic" – New York Observer
"Refreshingly uncategorizable" – Paris Transatlantic

Hailed in the Canadian press as "one of his country’s true renaissance men when it comes to music" (The Ottawa Citizen), composer and pianist, David Braid is a nine-time Juno nominee, and winner of three Juno Awards for his solo piano recording, "Verge", large-ensemble recording, "The David Braid Sextet Live", and small-ensemble recording, "The North." His debut classical composition, "Corona Divinae Misericordiae" received a Juno Nomination for Classical Album of the Year.

David Braid concertizes his original music and improvisations in the UK, Scandinavia, Europe, Russia, Central Asia, China, Australia, and Canada.

Described as "brilliant" (Montreal Gazette), "enchanting" (The Age, Australia), "une force poétique" (Le Soleil) and "hauntingly beautiful" (The Globe & Mail), Braid’s music combines the discipline of European classical music with the spontaneity of jazz.

David Braid is a Steinway Artist, Composer-in-Residence for Sinfonia UK Collective, Artist-in-Residence at the University of Toronto, Adjunct Professor at the Danish National Conservatory of Music, and faculty member at the International Chamber Music Festival Casalmaggiore, Italy He is a recipient of the Ontario Foundation for the Arts’ prestigious prize: "Paul de Hueck and Norman Walford Career Achievement Award for Keyboard Artistry."

His arrangements and compositions were an integral part of the Chet Baker-inspired film, "Born to Be Blue" and his jazz score received praise for its "contemporary patina without sacrificing period authenticity" (The Times, UK). He also won "Best Original Score" and "Best Original Song" at the 2017 Screen Awards.

"Braid’s tone, touch, chord voicings and imagination make him one of the most interesting new pianists I’ve encountered in a long time." – Doug Ramsey, recipient of Jazz Journalists Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award (USA)

Patricia O’Callaghan is something of a wandering minstrel. Her fifteen-year career has taken her across genres, continents, and a range of disciplines and passions.

Her recording career spans six solo CDs and many interesting guest collaborations. A speaker of French, Spanish, and German, her early recordings focused on European cabaret, and she is considered a specialist in the music of Kurt Weill. Patricia has performed his Threepenny Opera, Seven Deadly Sins, and Kleine Mahagonny with Soulpepper Theatre Company, Edmonton Opera, and Vancouver Opera, to name a few.

This Toronto soprano can sing a 100-year-old German tune so lustily that you almost don't need a translation to know that someone's about to get his throat cut or get laid or both. - The National Post

One of Patricia’s most unique talents is the ability blend a variety of languages and musical genres seamlessly together in her concerts, and completely embody whatever style she is singing at any given moment.

O’Callaghan sings her diverse material as if it was always meant to go side-by-side and by the end of the evening, it’s easy to believe her.  - Chart Attack Magazine

She has sung with some of the world’s great ensembles and artists (Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Don Byron Quartet, Bryn Terfel), and has performed in venues that range from London’s Royal Opera House to New York’s Noho cabaret Le Poisson Rouge.

Patricia also writes and co-writes songs and has had the honor of premiering many new compositions, from both the classical and pop worlds.  It has been her great privilege to work with such creators as R. Murray Schafer, David Braid, Dennis Lee, Christos Hatzis, George Aperghis, Steve Reich, and Steven Page, to name a few.

Patricia’s film, theatre and television credits include her own Bravo! special, The CBC produced Ken Finkleman series  Foolish Heart, and the semi autobiographical Rhombus / Westwind film Youkali Hotel, which has won several prizes, including a Golden Sheaf Award to Patricia for best female performance. Ms. O’Callaghan has also received other awards, such as a Chalmer’s Grant from the Ontario Arts Council and a Fleck Fellowship from The Banff Centre for the Arts.

She recently completed a six year stint as a Resident Artist at Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre Company.  Her responsibilities there included conducting, teaching, mentoring young artists, producing, curating and performing in festivals, and developing new work.

Recent projects are Broken Hearts and Madmen; a collaboration with The Gryphon Trio, which blends classical music with traditional songs from Latin America and pop songs from around the world…

Broken Hearts and Madmen is an exquisite piece of work. The result is absolutely breathtaking in its attention to detail, with every note carved from their love of the songs…  - Vivascene and Matador: The Songs of Leonard Cohen

A truly exceptional blend of natural expressiveness and masterful coloration, her tender versions of Cohen's "Take this Waltz" and "Hallelujah" are revelatory. -  Billboard Magazine

And brand new is her first Christmas CD, Deepest December. It’s not a typical holiday album, covering Renaissance to modern, and hurdy gurdy to lap steel guitar. Its beautiful carols, haunting arrangements, and unusual juxtapositions will make you feel at once the icy frost of winter and the warmth of the hearth.

She’s one of the best singers ever to come out of Canada.  - Vivascene

Vancouver bassist and music educator Jodi Proznick is best known as a superbly swinging accompanist with multiple National Jazz Awards and two JUNO nominations to her credit.  One of those nominations was for “Sun Songs” (Cellar Live label), a highly personal 2017 album that demonstrates her immense composing, songwriting and producing abilities.  The genesis for the project occurred a decade earlier when Jodi experienced two opposing life events: the birth of her son and a mother whose health was deteriorating with early-onset dementia (Jodi’s mom died in January 2019).

“It’s really about the two of them,” Proznick explained to Clare Hennig of CBC News.  “Just the polarity of that and the pulling and ripping apart of my heart with the incredible joy of watching my son emerge while my mother was in the fall of her life…I thought to myself, ‘If I were to pass away tomorrow, what would I want my son to know?’”

“Sun Songs” draws on the prodigious talents of Proznick and the rest of her core West Coast band:  husband Tilden Webb (piano), brother-in-law Jesse Cahill (drums) and lifelong friend Steve Kaldestad (tenor saxophone), as well as guest performer and family friend Laila Biali, whose luminous vocals lift the pieces to unparalleled heights.  Jodi’s greatest creative breakthrough on this recording came with the recognition that even when anxiety and grief are at their deepest, “there is grace all the time and there is beauty all the time available to us.  We just have to stop and pay attention to it.”  Inside each Sun Song a radiant beauty echoes and there’s a gateway to the many ways we can light up the sky.

One-half of Jodi Proznick’s May 23rd performance will feature “Sun Songs” while the rest of the evening will spotlight a variety of material from Jodi & Laila’s other projects.  The lineup for her London ensemble is Jodi (bass), Kelly Jefferson (tenor sax), Dave Laing (drums), Dave Restivo (piano) and Laila (vocals). Half of the proceeds from the sale of Jodi’s CDs at this TD Sunfest concert will be donated to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.