Stratford February 28--Many of the greatest jazz and blues musicians in Central Ontario will take to bandstands throughout Stratford between March 21-23 in support of liver disease research and public education.
Funds raised from performances at the 1st Annual Stratford Jazz & Blues Weekend will support the Canadian Liver Foundation during the Foundation's flagship month.
Since 1969, March has been "Help Fight Liver Disease Month" across the country.
Musicians scheduled to perform include Paul Fleming, Kingtone, Glenn and Keith Murch, The Colin Taylor Blues Band, Kevin Muir, Chris Chown and many more.
Performances will take place at The Stratford Hotel, Gallery Stratford, Down The Street, The Festival Inn, Tapuz, Foster's Inn and Madam T's Coffee House.
"Stratford is rich in musical talent so it just made sense to showcase it,"
said Steve Smith, Canadian Liver Foundation Regional Manager and event organizer.
"However, without the very generous support of the establishments who are hosting the music, the Jazz & Blues weekend would not be possible. The Liver Foundation is grateful for their support, especially in the event's first year."
"Everybody who loves good music will find something exceptional to listen to over the course of our Weekend," Smith said, adding that the Jazz & Blues Weekend will become an annual happening to which the community can look forward.
The Botos Brothers, a well known jazz piano trio from Toronto, will open the Jazz & Blues Weekend with a performance at the Stratford Hotel on Thursday, March 21, 8-10 p.m. The group has been featured on CBC television and has recorded a CD with Toronto jazz greats Don Thompson and Pat Labarbera. Tickets are $15 each or $30 for ticket and CD "The Botos Brothers" and are available at The Stratford Hotel, Gallery Stratford, The Wandering Minstrel and Elizagoth.
A quartet led by Stratford Festival bassist Kevin Muir will perform at Gallery Stratford on Saturday, March 23, 2-4 p.m. The quartet features Ron Shirm (trombone), Fritz Boegli (piano, vibraphone) and Michael Wood (drums, vibraphone). Tickets are $10 each and are available at the above locations. Some tickets may be available at the door but seating is limited.
Entry to all other musical performances over the Jazz & Blues Weekend will be through $10 cover charge - this portion goes directly to liver disease research and education.
Friday, March 22 features a quadruple bill at The Stratford Hotel. Upstairs, Stratford's "Songbird of Swing", Gail Selkirk, performs with Andrew Hussy and Jack Hudson, Jr., at 5 p.m. Alto saxophone legend Paul Fleming performs with Charlie Rallo (piano) and Ben Heywood (bass) from 7 to 10:30 p.m. At 11 p.m., Glenn and Keith Murch (guitars) take to the bandstand with Kevin Muir (bass) and Dave Lewis (drums). Downstairs at The Stratford Hotel, Chris Chown, blues guitarist from London, performs at 9 p.m.. Chown has performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival and has recently released his CD "The Chris Chown Band". The Festival Inn features The Laughton Brothers, Foster's Inn presents Nylon Grooves and Madam T's Coffee House presents The Ed Toast Band all at 9 p.m.
Three bands will perform at The Stratford Hotel on Saturday, March 23. Stratford area blues band Kingtone performs between 6-8 p.m., followed by The Colin Taylor Blues Band at 9 p.m. Downstairs, Goderich-based jazz musicians Kim Ladd (bass, guitar), Lauri Ladd (vocals) and Ian Burbidge (saxophone, keyboards) perform at 9 p.m. The TLC Jazz Trio from Toronto appears at Down the Street, the Andy Klaehn Quartet appears at the Festival Inn, Nylon Grooves performs at Foster's Inn and Madam T's Coffee House features an Acid Jazz DJ Dance with Mister Bill. All evening performances begin at 9 p.m.
The Canadian Liver Foundation works to reduce the incidence and impact of all liver diseases. Liver disease is the number four killer of Canadians by disease and there are more than one hundred known types of liver disease - only one of which is related to alcohol.
For further information about the Jazz & Blues Weekend, contact the Canadian Liver Foundation at 519-276-9619 or clfcor@cyg.net.
Editors: for further information about the Jazz & Blues Weekend, contact Steve Smith, Regional Manager, Central Ontario, Canadian Liver Foundation, 519-276-9619 or email clfcor@cyg.net