FRANCINE HAILMAN'S FRANK SINATRA TRIBUTE AT MUSIDEUM

On December 12, 2015, it will be the 100^th birthday of one of the most iconic, enigmatic, and popular vocalists to have ever lived, the late great Frank Sinatra.   He conquered the worlds of music and film, and has left behind a body of work that was the epitome of collected cool and class.

This past Sunday afternoon, I had the pleasure of listening to the beautiful and talented lovely voice of Francine Hailman.  This chanteuse is a Toronto Jazz Singer/Songwriter/Recording Artist and performed a tribute to Frank Sinatra concert for a packed audience on June 28^th 2015.   Francine paired up with her tasteful and complimentary accompanist, pianist Rick Maltese, and the firm yet steady bassist Abbey Sholzberg, celebrating Frank’s life and timeless music in their own interpretive, sweet way.     There were happy and melancholy moments, yet both moods capture the sheer complexity and range of emotions that defined Sinatra and his personality, which Francine performed with her musicians.

To start, the trio opened with a spirited take on “Fly Me To The Moon”, with a soaring, beautiful vocal by Francine Hailman and spirited soloing by the pianist and bassist.   Things got hot & steamy through Francine’s stunning performance of “Body and Soul”, which was well assured, full of emotion, and echoes a longing soul in search of love.

A highlight of the concert was the less performed and obscure jazz standard Sinatra recorded, “Prisoner of Love” on the 1962 “Sinatra and Strings” album.   Francine treated the song as a show stopping performance only a diva could achieve, and the arrangement was majestic and full of romantic optimism.

Francine’s Sinatra concert had something for everyone, whether it is toe-tapping swing, groovy bossa nova, or ballads to cuddle with your lover.  She covered a symphony of well known Sinatra songs and took us down memory lane including “All or Nothing At All”, which was the title of the recent HBO documentary made of Frank’s life, “New York New York”, “That’s Life”, and ending with Francine’s dynamic  rendition of “My Way”.

The receptive audience was drawn in on Francine’s soothing, expressive song delivery which also included delightful background stories highlighting some of the tunes.

This songstress is becoming a dynamic force in the Toronto vocal jazz scene, and after coming from a near death experience and some positive health changes, she is really living life to the fullest by doing what she does best.  

Definitely catch Francine Hailman whenever you can when she performs as she certainly delivers an honest and passionate performance.

OFFICIAL FRANCINE HAILMAN WEB SITE

http://www.francinehailman.com

FRANCINE HAILMAN’S  YOUTUBE CHANNEL:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDObqvUzt9Z6K_hsLYZ-m5Q

BROWNMAN + 2 AT MUSIDEUM (PART OF THE TD TORONTO JAZZ FESTIVAL)

From its inception, jazz has been a unique musical language that has the ability to cross cultures, genres, generations, and gaps that transcend the ideas of time and space.   Over the years we have seen jazz journey from ragtime, smoky boogie-woogie, swing, bebop, cool, modal, avant-garde, and jazz modernism.  There are many cross pollinated idioms now in jazz, and many artists interested in exploring various facets of this rich lineage.

Trinidadian born multiple award-winning trumpet player Brownman Ali (recently nominated for a 2015 Black Canadian Award for “Jazz Artist of the Year”) is precisely one of those artists invested in crossing all boundaries while staying true to the aesthetic spirit of jazz music.    In what was one of his fourteen appearances at the Toronto Jazz Festival, Brownman does something way out of the ordinary in this performance pulling together a unique trio that featured acoustic piano, synthesizer and trumpet with effects.  They took on standard American Songbook repertoire while delving into the ethereal regions of the 21st century.

Accompanying Brown’s quest into the unknown is the  dependable, consistent, and grounded acoustic pianist David Restivo (5x winner of the National Jazz Award for “piano player of the year”), and appearing on synthesizers is a young, fresh and invigorating 24 year old pianist and composer named Nick MacLean.  Nick is definitely an artist to look out for who has an intelligent, firm grasp of jazz music coupled with a strong theoretical, conceptual approach to his playing, improvising, and composing.  His work on synth is adept, bringing interplay, bass lines, and rhythmic counterpoint between trumpeter and the pianist.   Dave brings a rich harmonic language to the trio that roots itself in the tradition while taking it into the future.   And Brown – grounding everything -  is his usual dark-toned adventurous, exploratory self, knowing exactly how to employ highly developed techniques of control and release that engage both musicians and audiences alike as he takes us all on his explorative improvisational journeys.

Brownman is at Musideum once a month doing his Brownman+1 sessions.  If you ever manage to catch a “plus”, you will be in for a real musical treat.   Expect the unexpected, release your inhibitions, and allow Brown and his chosen musical partners to take you on a roller coaster ride to the moon and back with his always eclectic and electric approach to jazz improvisation.

OFFICIAL BROWNMAN WEB SITE

www.brownman.com

NICK MACLEAN WEB SITE

www.NicholasMaclean.com

DAVE RESTIVO BIO

www.torontojazz.com/artist/dave-restivo

MUSIDEUM

www.Musideum.com

AN OPEN LETTER TO JOSH DUGGAR

Dear Josh,

I bid you greetings, peace and joy in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

First off, I just want to be the one to say thanks for your honesty, boldness, courage, and the tact to admit of your sin and seeking the steps necessary to achieve forgiveness, redemption and restitution.   You are a living example to what the gospel message ought to be, if everyone acknowledges the content and the meaning that has the ability to transform lives.

From what I gather about you Josh, you are a person that is full of vision, integrity, and has a cause worth fighting and standing for.    At the same time, despite a scandal that has rocked your family, you didn’t deny, lie or back down in the face of accusation or opposition.   You took charge, you faced that Goliath hands down, and I must say that because of this you have the markings of a REAL godly man.

I was criticized for taking the road less travelled and Biblically received you as a Christian back to fellowship and in God’s good standing after your ordeal.   Again, what you and your family went through is NOT a race issue.   It is simply an issue about one’s integrity and character and from how you handled it, you passed with flying colours.

Now may the God of peace be with you, time and time again,

Conrad Gayle.

GEORGE CLINTON AND PARLIAMENT/FUNKADELIC AT THE TD TORONTO JAZZ FESTIVAL

From 9 on the dot until just after 11, I probably witnessed and experienced one of the most electric, mind-blowing, and otherworldly concert experiences in the many years I have attended this festival.   The concert happens to be the Parliament/Funkadelic collective led by the brilliant mastermind of singer, songwriter and producer George Clinton.

The entire night was probably a complete and utter smorgasbord of various musical styles and genres rolled into an atmosphere that was made to dance, groove, make friends, and for me maybe the only time I experience a club like atmosphere while going home at a decent time.  

The band started off with a blend of hip-hop and heavy metal, then rolled into deep cuts of funk with hits such as “One Nation Under A Groove” and “Tear the Roof Off The Sucker (Give Up The Funk)”.   Especially the latter, when the song was sung and played, everybody sung in unison and grooved at the same time.   It was also significant since that was the music of my childhood growing up.   It was my pop music.   In those days pop music had a lot of quality, polish, and substance, something that pop producers and musicians of today could definitely seek to benefit from.

Overall, the free Parliament/Funkadelic show was one of the most illest, dope concerts I have ever been to in my life, and it was a great way to kick off the jazz festival.

GEORGE CLINTON OFFICIAL WEB SITE:

http://www,.georgeclinton.com

THE JAKE KOFFMAN QUARTET AT THE REX HOTEL

Another millennial saxophone player that is making a huge splash in the Toronto jazz scene and beyond is alto saxophonist Jake Koffman.

Jake, whom not only went to Humber College to study jazz performance, also shares a unique historic connection to the Toronto jazz scene by being the grandson of the great saxophonist and composer Moe Koffman.   As Moe conquered the 20^th century with his forays into jazz, classical, and studio music, Jake is well on his way to following his footsteps and carving out a name for himself as a force to be reckoned with in the jazz world.

It also helps to have in the band pianist Bernie Senensky, a longtime family friend of Moe’s, to help out the next generation star in his jazz exploits.  He would supply effective support behind Jake to either swing softly, or drive hard into the groove.    Jake’s friend Morgan Childs happens to be one of the most strong, consistent, and creative bebop drummers produced in Canada, providing ample support to the playfulness of the group.   With Kieran Overs in the bass chair, it supplies the anchor needed to drive a steady groove from beginning to end.

The choice of repertoire that I heard in this evening are tried and tested true standards which never seem out of date or style.   Love for Sale.   On the Sunny Side of the Street.   Groovin’ High.    And much more.

Jake Koffman is an artist to look out for since he is truly a cool cat who can really swing.