Covering African, world & roots music
Photos, events, news & comment from in and around Toronto
Website & photos by John Leeson.  email:
info@to-music.ca

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Some selective UPCOMING EVENTS  (updated July 28/10)

To stay in touch with new & notable events, subscribe to the T.O. Music Pix newsletter. Click here for info or past issues.
 

In case of late event changes, please check with the venue or promoter (links or phone numbers are normally included in most event listings).

NEW/UPDATED LISTINGS:  Events that are new or updated in the past week or so have been marked in red.

Jul. 29: "The Road to Kashgar" in the Toronto Music Garden

Vancouver's Orchid Ensemble performs on ancient traditional musical instruments from China and elsewhere, to play traditional and contemporary music from China and around the world. Free. More details here.

 

Updated: Jul. 28
Jul. 30-Aug. 2: Caribana weekend in Toronto

For parade & festival info see http://www.caribanatoronto.com/. Some other related events include:

Jul. 30: Humble at Yonge Dundas Square

Winner of the 2009 Juno Award for Reggae Recording of the Year as well as Best Artist in the Reggae Achievement Awards. Part of Global Grooves, free Friday concerts through Sep. 3, 8pm.

Updated: Jul. 28
Jul. 30-Aug. 2: "Island Soul"
at Harbourfront Centre

Caribbean culture: music, food and art through Caribana weekend. All free. A couple of notable highlights:

Fri. Jul 30:
Lord Nelson: 79 year old calypso legend This performance has been CANCELLED
Roy Cape and the Kaiso All-Stars: one of the world's top calypso bands. 8pm. Info

Sat. Jul. 31: Roots/reggae singer Queen Ifrica, 9:30.

NEW: Jul. 28
Jul. 30-Aug. 2: Irie Music Festival
at three locations

Yonge-Dundas Square, Nathan Phillips Square and Queen's Park. See festival website for performers and schedules

 

Aug. 2: Seu Jorge at the Phoenix

Brazilian singer and actor (City of God, The Life Aquatic). $30adv, Tickets, info, audio & video clips on Small World Music website. Also see Union Events.

 

Aug. 3: Shelby Lynne at Hugh’s Room

Wonderful singer of soulful country, rock, blues,... . She won a Grammy as best new artist for her 2000 album I Am Shelby Lynne, she's just released Tears, Lies and Alibis. Here's a video taste of her doing "Leavin'" $40/$42

 

Aug. 4: The Holmes Brothers at Hugh’s Room

The trio has been performing gospel, blues, soul & R&B for over 30 years, have won multiple Blues Music Awards, and have performed and recorded with a huge list of musicians including Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen, Levon Helm, Odetta, Merle Haggard and many others. $35/$40

 

Aug. 5: Nagata Sachu at the Toronto Music Garden

Toronto's top Japanese taiko drumming group (formerly the Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble) has been playing since 1988. 7pm, Free. Details here.

 

NEW: Jul. 30
Aug. 5: One Hundred Dollars at the Horseshoe

Toronto alt-country band. Michelle McAdorey & guests open. $12

 

Aug. 6: Kobo Town at the Gladstone Hotel

The Toronto group, founded by Drew Gonsalves, draws its music from Trinidad's traditional calypso, roots reggae and dub poetry. Part of the monthly “Gladstone World” series, sponsored by the Gladstone and Batuki Music Society, on the first Friday of each month.. 7-10pm in the Melody Bar. Free

 

New: Jul. 30
Aug. 6:  J.D. Souther
at Hugh's Room

A key part of the southern California country-rock sound of the 80's, he wrote numerous songs for the Eagles & Linda Ronstadt. Video here. $30/$32.50.

 

NEW: Jul. 14
Aug. 6: Mamaya Concert at the Centre Matonge

The kick-off to the annual Mamaya Festival (a Guinean tradition), hosted by Toronto-based Guinean griot, Katenen "Cheka" Dioubaté (see Aug. 8). Featuring Cheka and her band the Snow Griots (Kobena Aquaa-Harrison, Kassoum Diamoutene, Tamsir Seck). with guest performer, singer and kora player Amadou Sodia. Tickets $25.  224 Parliament St at Shuter. Doors 8, show 8:30.

 

Updated: Jul. 28
Aug. 6-8: "What is Classical?"
at Harbourfront Centre

"The evolution of classical music". This weekend is becoming one of Harbourfront's most interesting summer festivals. Some musical performances include: (all FREE)

Aug 6: A triple bill:

8pm: Vidushi Sumitra Guha - Indian classical singer of Hindustani and Carnatic music. Info

9pm: "The Tabla Guy" (Gurpreet Chana) & Mason Bach use their classical training in tabla and violin and explore genres like tech house, drum 'n' bass, dubstep and more.

9:30: Harry Manx with The Tabla Guy, Vidushi Sumitra Guha and Hans Christian. Manx, who studied for five years with the Rajasthani musician, VM Bhatt, Manx combines blues, pop and Indian classical music on guitar, slide guitar, and Bhatt's own invention, a 20-string sitar/guitar hybrid, the Mohan Veena.
 

Aug 7:

"A Global Tour": a musical tour of the world, 2pm. Info
Djoumbush & Warhol Dervish Quartet. A mix of Turkish, Roma, baroque and classical music. The performance will include workshops fin Turkish and Egyptian styles of Oriental dance throughout the performance. 6pm. Info

Orchestra Piazza Vittorio: (Their Canadian première). An ensemble formed with new immigrants to Italy from 11 countries, including Brazil, Cuba, Hungary, Ecuador, Senegal, Tunisia, and others) speaking 8 languages. The group comes highly recommended by Ken Stowar of CIUT's "Global Rhythms" They can be seen three times this day:

  • Open rehearsal, 3:30pm
  • Film: The Orchestra of Piazza Vittorio: documentary about the birth of this orchestra (Studio Theatre). Info
  • Concert: An adaption of Mozart's opera, The Magic Flute. 8pm. Info. NOTE: The concert will be broadcast live on CIUT-FM, 89.5
     

Aug. 8:

Gamelan Gong Sabrang & Seka Rat Nadi. Javanese concert and dance music. 1pm
"A Global Tour": a musical tour of the world, 2pm. Info
Djoumbush & Warhol Dervish Quartet workshop 3pm. Info

 

Updated: Jul. 28
Aug 6-7: Tamsir Seck's Senegalese Xawaré

Senegalese griot, drummer and dancer Tamsir Seck holds his third annual "Soirée Senegalese". The meaning of "Xawaré" is a party event, organized by the royal elite of Senegalese Kingdoms centuries ago, as a way to entertain their guests and invitees. There are two nights to this event this year:

Aug. 6 Sabar workshops at 25 Cecil St. (Steelworkers Hall, near Spadina & College):

  • 7pm: Sabar drumming workshop by Tamsir Seck. $15
  • 8-9:30: Sabar dance class workshop, by Papa Ndiaye (from New York). $20
     

Aug 7: Gala International Afro Canadian night at 237 Sackville. Performers (besides Tamsir) include Thiokh Diagne, Papa Ndiaye, Elage Mbaye, El hadj Diouf, many more. Tickets $20adv, $25 door. For info, call Marc 647 686-3549 or Orkaia 647 834-2191.

 

Aug. 7-8: Toronto Turkish Festival at Yonge Dundas Square

Two days, 10am-10pm, of music, exhibitions, arts, crafts, dance and food, all free. Program schedule is here

 

NEW: Jul.  28
Aug. 8: An Evening of Indian Classical Music at the Meadowvale Theatre (Mississauga)

Featuring Abhik Kumar Sarkar on Sarod (Senior Disciple of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan) from New Delhi and Ramneek Singh-Vocal (Disciple of Pt. Baldev Raj Verma, Indore Gharana) fromToronto. 6pm. Presented by the Jhankar Centre of Performing Arts. For information and tickets, contact Karanjeet Singh, jhankar.centerofperformingarts@gmail.com, 416 899 0843. 6315 Montevideo Rd

 

NEW: Jul. 14
Aug. 8: Mamaya Festival at Metro Hall

The fourth annual festival, a Guinean tradition, founded and hosted in Toronto by Guinean griot, Katenen "Cheka" Dioubaté. The festival, as always, is free. Musicians include Cheka and her band the Snow Griots (Kobèna Aquaa-Harrison, Kassoum Diamoutene, Tamsir Seck), along with Richard Brown, plus Davide Mobio & group; Mohamed Diaby & Manding Foli Kan Don; Kasoum Gnamountenen; Baro Dounoumba; Aboulaye Cone Bolokan, Michel deQuevedo Drum & Percussion, "and more".  55 John St. at King St. W. 1-9:30pm..

 

Aug. 9: David "Honeyboy" Edwards at Hugh's Room

One of the original Delta acoustic blues performers (he's now 95 years old), $28.50/$32.50. Video here.

 

Aug. 9: Adam Solomon at Highway 61

African blues from the "Professor", also a member of the African Guitar Summit and his own band, Tikisa. 7pm.

 

Aug. 11-12: Ramblin' Jack Elliott at Hugh' Room

A legend, indeed. $37.50/$40.

 

Aug. 13: Les Gitans de Sarajevo at Yonge-Dundas Square

Part of Global Grooves, free Friday concerts through Sep. 3, 8pm.

 

Updated: Jul. 28
Aug. 13-15: "Hot & Spicy Food Festival"
at Harbourfront Centre

One of Harbourfront's longest-running summer traditions. Hot music, hot food, and an overall spicy weekend.  Below are a few musical highlights, but there is much more going on there over the weekend. Check the link above.

Aug. 13:

Film: Spread The Word: A Persuasions Documentary. 6pm, Studio Theatre. Info. The group performs live at 9:30

Hilario Duran: Toronto-based, Havana-born, pianist Duran is one of Canada's greatest Cuban musicians.

The Persuasions: One of the greatest -- and longest surviving - -a capella groups in the world. (They were discovered by Frank Zappa in 1968). 9:30. Info
 

Aug. 14:

"Square Dancing to an African beat" with Stan Dueck and Madagascar Slim. 6:30. Who needs to say more? But more info is here

Delhi 2 Dublin. Bhangra, Celtic, dub and electronica. 9:30. Info here.

 

NEW: Jul. 28
Aug. 15: Toronto African Dance Festival
at Nathan Phillips Square

The 8th annual “celebration of African dance, music and culture”. Performers: Moto Kapia du Congo, Akwaba Cultural Exchange, Aya Dance Collective, Kintana Gasy (Madagascar), Manding Foli Kan Don, the Esan Mudia Association and more.  1-5pm, Free.

 

Aug. 18: Buckwheat Zyedeco at the Horseshoe

$20/$25. Tickets at the Horseshoe, Rotate This, Soundscapes, Ticketmaster

 

Aug. 19: Aruna Narayan at the Toronto Music Garden

Originally from Mumbai, Aruna plays the Sarangi, an ancient North Indian bowed instrument, one which is considered one of the most difficult to play. She is the daughter of Pandit Ram Narayan, one of the instruments great masters. 7pm, free. Details here.

 

Aug. 20: Eliades Ochoa at the Lula Lounge

This is a show not to be missed -- see the guitarist with the Buena Vista Social Club (and before that with Cuarteto Patria) in an intimate club setting!  Earlier this year, he sold out (or close to), two nights at the Royal Theatre on College. $45. Info here

Later this fall, he'll be touring with AfroCubism, along with Djelimady Tounkara, Bassekou Kouyaté, Toumani Diabaté and Kasse Mady Diabaté. No sign of Toronto... but they are playing in Montreal, Nov. 5 at the Metropolis. Watch for the CD too.

 

Aug. 20: Roberto Lopez Project at Yonge Dundas Square

His Nu Afro Latin style mixes Afro-Columbian and Afro_Cuban music with Hip-Hop, Boogaloo, Jazz and Electronica. Part of Global Grooves, free Friday concerts through Sep. 3, 8pm.

 

Aug. 20-22: "Fortune Cooking Food Festival" at Harbourfront Centre

Performances include the Canadian Tibetan Traditional Performing Arts Group.

 

NEW: Jul. 15
Aug. 21: Michèzo Festival, Hanlan's Point (Toronto Islands)

The annual event where you can "get to Africa in 15 minutes". Featuring African Island Village, Soccer on the Savannah, plus live music, workshops, drumming dancing and games.

Hanlan's Point, Toronto Island Park. Take the Hanlan's Point ferry,  NOT the Centre Island ferry from the ferry terminal at the foot of Bay St (Ferries leave the city at 15 minutes after and to the hour).

1-9pm.  Details TBA (see Michèzo link above).

 

Aug. 26: Maryem Tollar Ensemble at Nathan Phillips Square (noon)

Egyptian-Canadian singer, composer and musician, and former member of Maza Meze. Noon-2pm. Part of the "Tasty Thursday" weekly event at City Hall featuring concerts and foods from local restaurants. Free.

 

Aug. 27: Souljazz Orchestra at Yonge Dundas Square

Ottawa-based Afrobeat big band. Part of Global Grooves, free Friday concerts through Sep. 3, 8pm.

 

Aug. 27-29: TaiwanFest: Crossover at Harbourfront Centre

 

Aug. 28: Adam Solomon at Highway 61

African blues from the "Professor", also a member of the African Guitar Summit and his own band, Tikisa. 8pm.

 

NEW: Jul. 28
Sep. 1: The Sojourners
at Hugh’s Room

Blues singer Jim Byrnes joins gospel singer Marcus Mosely and others in a new project. Watch video here.  $18/$20

 

Sep. 3: House of David Gang at the Gladstone Hotel

Classic reggae sounds from the 70's and early 80's, the group was founded in Toronto over 15 years ago, and is fronted by King Selah. Part of the monthly “Gladstone World” series, sponsored by the Gladstone and Batuki Music Society, on the first Friday of each month.. 7-10pm in the Melody Bar. Free

 

Sep. 3-6: Ashkenaz at Harbourfront Centre

The 15th annual festival. See link above for more details; one of the musical highlights is Balkan Beat Box, Sep. 5, 9:00pm

 

Sep. 7: Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women at Hugh's Room

A great night for fans of Americana music. Check some of his sounds in the link above.  $34.50/$37.

 

NEW: Jul. 28
Sep. 15: Lynn Hanson
at Hugh’s Room

Canadian country/roots singer. Watch video here.

 

Sep. 17 & 19:  Raul Malo at Hugh's Room:

Former member of The Mavericks, his sold-out show in May was cancelled following the serious flooding in Nashville. Video here. $29.50/$32.50

 

NEW: Jul. 28
Sep. 18:
Rita Chiarelli at Hugh's Room

$30/$32.50

 

Sep. 23-Oct. 3: The annual Small World Music Festival.

Details TBA

 

NEW: Jul. 15
Sep. 26: "World Jazz for Haiti"
at Hugh's Room

Featuring John McDermott, Laila Biali, Aaron Davis, Mike Janzen, Luanda Jones, Maninho Costa, Mark Mosca, DK Ibomeka, Shuffle Demons, Andre Roy, Tom Reynolds Trio, Jane Bunnett and more TBA. Musical direcdtor, George Koller. $22.50/$25. Proceeds to the Canadian Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund

 

Sep. 29: Van Dyke Parks at the Music Gallery

Singer, songwriter, arranger and producer Parks certainly deserves the much-abused term "legendary", from his work co-writing lyrics to the Beach Boys' Smile LP, to his own critically-acclaimed (but poorly selling) 1968 Song Cycle, called "an audacious and occasionally brilliant attempt to mount a fully orchestrated, classically minded work within the context of contemporary pop, he has continued to work, producing, arranging or playing on albums by a huge range of artists, as well as scoring a number of films. $30. Details here.

 

Oct. 1: K'naan at The Kool Haus

The Somali-born hip-hop poet has come a long, long way over the past few years.  $34.50. Details here.

 

Updated: Jul. 28
Oct. 1: Elito Revé y su Charangon
at the Courthouse

First time in Toronto for the band that has been one of the roots of Cuban salsa for over 50 years, and has produced many of the stars of Cuban music including Chucho Valdez, Los Van Van and more. $35/$40. ($30 before Sep. 6). Doors 8:30, first of two sets, 10:30. More info here; Ticket info here

 

NEW: Jul. 28
Oct. 2: Jimmy Webb
at Hugh’s Room

 

NEW: Jul. 28
Oct. 5: Strawbs
at Hugh’s Room

 

NEW: Jul. 28
Oct. 13: One Hundred Dollars
at Yonge-Dundas Square

Toronto alt-country band.  Part of “Serenades in the Square”. Free, 12:30pm

 

Oct. 13: Jayme Stone CD Release at Hugh's Room

 

NEW: Jul. 28
Oct. 14: Alex Pangman
CD Release at
Hugh's Room

 

Oct. 15: Justin Townes Earle at the Horseshoe

 

NEW: Jul. 28
Oct. 16: Tom Paxton
at Hugh's Room

 

NEW: Jul. 28
Oct. 16: Buika
at Koerner Hall

The Spanish singer performs flamenco, jazz, gypsy rumba, and Afro-Cuban music (her parents were from Equatorial Guinea).  She has been drawing a lot of international attention over the last couple of years. This is her Canadian debut. $30-$60. Details and some video here.

 

NEW: Jul. 28
Oct. 20: Mambuco
at Koerner Hall

The Mexican percussion group performs with four Canadian singers.  Presented by Soundstreams Canada.  $15-$60. Details here.

 

NEW: Jul. 28
Oct. 23: Hugh Masekela
at Koerner Hall

The great South African trumpet player and singer.  $25-$65. Details and some video here.

 

Oct. 24-25:  Tom Rush  at Hugh's Room

 

Updated: Jul. 28
Nov. 27: Los Van Van
at the Sound Academy

This will be the place for Cuban music fans that night. Doors 8:30, performance (opening acts) 10pm. $40/$50. ($35 until Oct. 5). VIP tickets also available. More info here. Ticket info here

 

NEW: Jul. 28
Nov. 27: “New Orleans Nights”
at Koerner Hall

Featuring Allen Toussaint, Nicholas Payton and the Joe Krown Trio. The musicians reflect a lot of New Orleans jazz and R&B heritage. $35-$60. Details and some video here.

 

NEW: Jul. 28
Jan. 22: Kiran Ahluwalia & Rhythm of Rajasthan
at Koerner Hall

$30-$50. Details and some video here. Presented with Small World Music

 

NEW: Jul. 28
Mar. 6: “Acoustic Africa”
at Koerner Hall

This promises to be a special show, featuring rare acoustic performances by three of Africa’s top musicians: Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi from Zimbabwe, and Habib Koité and Afel Bocoum both from Mali. While Tuku is finally becoming a regular visitor to town with his band the Black Spirits, Habib has only played here twice, and Afel (nephew of, and former band member of Ali Farka Touré) has, I believe, only performed here once on his own, about 10 years ago.  $30-$50. Details and some video here. Presented with Small World Music

 

NEW: Jul. 28
Mar. 11: Kodo Drummers of Japan at the Sony Centre

 

NEW: Jul. 28
Apr. 13: Johnny Clegg Band at Koerner Hall

“Singer, songwriter, dancer, anthropologist, and musical activist”, he is well known for his musical mix of South African Zulu and Western pop musics. He’s sold over 5 million albums over his 30 year career. $30-$60. Details and some video here.

 

For more on live music in Toronto, check these websites:


Check NOW's extensive world, folk, country & blues music listings
 


Music Africa:
Producers
of Afrofest & many other African music events.




The spot for Latin music, plus other roots music.
 


Small World Music
Eclectic music performances from around the world
 


Hugh's Room: Folk & roots music club