Another reminder that Toronto isn't New York City after all.
Closed ("temporarily") just five months after opening to much fanfare, Live@Courthouse is now officially dead — leaving Toronto once again without a full-time jazz club that books touring artists over multi-night stands. According to Ashante Infantry's article in the Toronto Star, Nick Di Donato pulled his support from the project. The posh 150-seat club, which operated out of a building owned by Di Donato's Liberty Entertainment Group, was meant to showcase top-flight artists, but never scored a loyal audience.
Coming on the heels of failures by the Bermuda Onion, George's Spaghetti House, the Top o' the Senator and the Montreal Bistro, it raises the question if Toronto has what it takes to support jazz beyond what goes on at the rough-and-tumble Rex and the occasional other local venue. If the rumours prove true, and Toronto fails to draw U.S. attendees in sizable numbers to next January's International Association of Jazz Education conference (the event regularly attracts upwards of 4,500 delegates when it's in New York) the city is likely to develop a real complex.
James, although Ottawa currently has a superior hockey team these days there is no city in Canada that can shake a stick at Toronto and its arts scene.
ReplyDeleteAs I am often found repeating; you can go out seven nights a week in T.O. and hear artists that live in Toronto in any artistic discipline you choose and experience world class work that has a character unique to Toronto.
I think the lack of a jazz club that features touring artists is more a sign of the times than a reflection of how things are in Toronto.
Posgate
Hi James,
ReplyDeleteHere's some info that might be of interest:
(Toronto) - A Syncopated Caffeinated Beating!!! Star drummer, Jason Marsalis to open Organic Coffee & Jazz Concert Series
Announcing: The www.TorontoJazzBuzz.blogspot.com Fair Trade Organic Coffee & Jazz Concert Series - (Jan thru Dec 2008)
Featuring: New York, New Orleans, Toronto Jazz Greats – associated with Connick, Krall, Marsalis’, Juno…
Fri. Jan 11th, 2008: famed drummer / vibraphonist, Jason Marsalis performs twice (two bands) at series inaugural - 8pm / 10:15pm at Trane Studio, Toronto. Ellis Marsalis-trained trumpeter, William Sperandei is guest.
Sat. Jan 12th, 2008: Marsalis (with Sperandei, and Juno winner, David Braid), to host noon drum workshop at Long & McQuade, (Bloor & Ossington store), Toronto.
Fair Trade Organic Coffee will be brewed on site (at concerts, not clinics). The sale or auction of small, old master styled realist paintings by event producer, Keita Hopkinson will accompany some concerts to help fund series.
More info: www.TorontoJazzBuzz.blogspot.com
Contact: khopkinson@yahoo.com
Hi James,
ReplyDeleteHere's some info that might be of interest:
(Toronto) - A Syncopated Caffeinated Beating!!! Star drummer, Jason Marsalis to open Organic Coffee & Jazz Concert Series
Announcing: The www.TorontoJazzBuzz.blogspot.com Fair Trade Organic Coffee & Jazz Concert Series - (Jan thru Dec 2008)
Featuring: New York, New Orleans, Toronto Jazz Greats – associated with Connick, Krall, Marsalis’, Juno…
Fri. Jan 11th, 2008: famed drummer / vibraphonist, Jason Marsalis performs twice (two bands) at series inaugural - 8pm / 10:15pm at Trane Studio, Toronto. Ellis Marsalis-trained trumpeter, William Sperandei is guest.
Sat. Jan 12th, 2008: Marsalis (with Sperandei, and Juno winner, David Braid), to host noon drum workshop at Long & McQuade, (Bloor & Ossington store), Toronto.
Fair Trade Organic Coffee will be brewed on site (at concerts, not clinics). The sale or auction of small, old master styled realist paintings by event producer, Keita Hopkinson will accompany some concerts to help fund series.
More info: www.TorontoJazzBuzz.blogspot.com
Contact: khopkinson@yahoo.com
kd lang is playing at The Courthouse on February 21st, just a few weeks after her new cd "Watershed" is released on February 5th. Can't wait!
ReplyDelete