HIT THE PARK ONE LAST TIME WITH JAZZ SUDBURY

Just when you thought the cooler weather was here to stay, Jazz Sudbury is here to heat things up at Bell Park on last time this season! Running September 4-8^th the festival is kicking things off mid-week with club shows at the Townehouse Tavern and The Alibi Room. Weekend main stage performances will round out the festival and their fan favourite downtown Jazz Walk on Saturday afternoon is definitely something to look forward to. The 2019 edition of Jazz Sudbury will feature performances by; Sudbury Jazz Orchestra, Paul Marinaro, Alison Young, Micah Barnes & Jackie Richardson, Moonchild, The Ian McGimpsey Quartet, Rebecca Noelle, Robi Botos, and Carol Welsman. Read on to learn more about the acts you can check out right here in Sudbury this weekend!

Moonchild

Alternative R&B band Moonchild is known for their spaced-out, Soulquarians-inspired grooves and the wispy, at-ease vocals of Amber Navran (also a saxophonist and flutist) with fellow multi-instrumentalists Max Bryk (keyboards, saxophone, and clarinet) and Andris Mattson (keyboards, trumpet, synth bass). Moonchild is a Los Angeles-based trio that met at the University of Southern California and debuted the

year of their formation with the self-released Be Free (2012). They continued to refine their sound with Please Rewind (2015) and Voyageur (2017), the latter of which added harp and other stringed instrumentation to their blissed-out compositions. The discography has garnered them accolades such as Jazz FM’s Soul Act of the Year 2018 and an NPR Music feature listing their Voyageur album in the “Five R&B Albums You Slept On In 2017”.

Carol Welsman

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. Carol is 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.

Micah Barnes & Jackie Richardson

Micah Barnes cut his teeth in the cabarets and jazz clubs of Toronto while still a teenager. Micah became a well-loved singer-songwriter on the Queen Street scene before joining The Nylons and touring the world. Recording with the A Capella Pop act brought Micah into the global music scene and landed him in Venice Beach, California where he launched a solo career touring the U.S. which led to his #1 international club hit “Welcome to My Head” and coverage in Rolling Stone Magazine as “an Indie artist to watch”. Micah is currently recording a new album which will transport the listener back to the days of legendary Vegas showrooms when the world’s top entertainers worked the strip. Micah is also a highly respected vocal coach who has coached on CBC TV’s “How to Solve a Problem like Maria”.

Jackie Richardson was born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S., but made her home in Toronto from a very young age. She grew up in Richmond Hill, Ontario. At the age of 16, she began performing professionally for the first time with ‘The Tiaras’ Quartet, later performing frequently at Canadian Armed Forces bases across Canada, throughout the South Pacific, and the Far East. She has since become one of Canada’s most highly regarded stars of gospel, jazz, and blues. She is also well known for her off stage, screen, and studio work. Jackie possesses a powerful and supple voice that is a perfect match for her vibrant stage presence. The awards and nominations for Jackie’s four-decade-long body of work include JUNOs, Geminis, Jessie and Bessie’s, Maple Blues and a Canadian Black Achievement Award for the Arts.

Robi Botos

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. Robi is joined by some familiar faces, including long-time collaborators Mike Downes on bass and Larnell Lewis (of Snarky Puppy) on drums, as well as Seamus Blake on saxophone. His most recent album “Old Soul” (2019 Juno-award winner for Jazz Album of the Year in the solo category) pays tribute to his homeland in Hungary as he takes you down memory lane with visions of his childhood neighbourhood and through some of his favourite spots. This record makes you feel like you have a personal connection with one of the most diverse and eclectic artists of our time.

Alison Young

Born and raised in Ottawa, saxophonist and composer Alison Young discovered jazz at an early age, gravitating towards the exuberance and melodicism of Sonny Rollins and Cannonball Adderley, who continue to influence her to this day. As well as being featured in the National Youth Jazz Ensemble at the Ottawa Jazz Festival in 2001 and 2002, she began playing professionally as a teenager, developing an affinity for Soul and R&B as well as Jazz genres. Since moving to Toronto in the early 2000s to study music at the University of Toronto, Alison has been an active presence on the jazz scene, performing regularly in venues such as The Rex, The Jazz Bistro and The Reservoir Lounge, among others, with a variety of projects.

Rebecca Noelle

Rebecca Noelle has been blessed with a searing three-octave vocal range. But it’s her natural affinity for soul that has set this stunning singer apart. With a velvety voice that is simply unforgettable, Noelle brings to mind some of the artists of whom she has been influenced by over the years – Etta James, Jamiroquai, and K.D. Lang. After making waves as the 1st runner-up on TVA’s La Voix (The Voice: Canada), Rebecca was invited by The Jacksons to make a guest appearance at their sold-out Canadian date in Montreal. Now, backed by her 10-piece ensemble, Rebecca brings you on an honest lyrical journey, infectious bass lines, sizzling brass, and flawless harmonies that will conjure up memories of Motown, while the subject matter reflects an honesty that nurtures the connection between audience and artist.

Jazz Sudbury kicks off Wednesday, September 4^th and runs until Saturday the 8^th with shows happening downtown as well as at Bell Park over the weekend. This might be your last weekend to enjoy at the park for the season! Tickets are still available for the Jazz Sudbury, you can grab yours by visiting www.jazzsudbury.com. Weekend passes are currently $90 and individual day passes run at $50. Tickets are also available at La Fromagerie (80 Elgin), A&J Home Hardware, and Jett Landry Music.