Toronto Warming Up with literature and Music

Literature & Young Musicians at Jazz Fest usher winter in

 By William Doyle-Marshall
It seems as though we are just about arriving at the spring cycle of our world despite winter’s efforts to hang onto us. Some of our major festivals are announcing plans to keep us entertained and shift our minds from the sub-zero season we experienced – the worst in forty years, specialists have been telling us. Our authors are releasing their latest works and book launches are taking place so that we could get a chance to be first at reading their offerings. For instance Shani Mootoo of Trinidad and Tobago heritage appeared at Harbourfront early in April to read from her book “”Moving Forward Sideways Like A Crab” And literary enthusiasts were cordially invited by Trinidad and Tobago’s Consul General to the launching of the books “Curry Cascadoo” by Kamalo Dean and “Taste of Tobago-Blue Food Recipe Book” by Yzanne Williams-Chance to be hosted by Dr. Vidhya Tota-Maharaj, Consul General.

  Another sign of warmer weather being on the horizon is the lineup for the 28^th anniversary of the TD Toronto Jazz Festival that was unveiled earlier this month. It includes legendary R&B vocalist, Chaka Khan who opens the festivities on Thursday, June 19 at the Sony Center downtown Toronto. According to organizers it is the launching pad for summer, as half a million music lovers unite for one of the city’s largest music festivals. More than 1,500 musicians will be exhibiting their latest creations and delve into some of their past hits in over 50 locations around the city
  Whether it is uptown or downtown, Roncesvalles or the Danforth, the festival will have it covered when it takes over this summer from June 19 –June 28. In a rare solo performance, Keith Jarrett, one of the world’s greatest virtuoso pianists, will perform on Wednesday, June 25. He and Chaka Khan are joining previously announced Earth, Wind & Fire among the headliners for this year. June Garber & Friends featuring Russ Little Quartet with Toronto’s own diva Jackie Richardson  are scheduled to appear at the Home Smith Bar, Old Mill Toronto, June 20 at 7:30pm. Members of the award winning Toronto Mass Choir and Organic will appear June 22 at Nathan Phillips Square in two free concerts. Toronto Mass Choir will be on stage at 12:30pm and Organic performs two hours later. South African born energetic and creative Lorraine Klaasen Group will be entertain music lovers at Shops at Don Mills at 3pm.
  Canadians who still remember the mega hit “Don’t Worry Be Happy” will see its creator Bobby McFerrin in a performance titled “spirityouall” 8:00 pm. Friday, June 27 at Nathan Phillips Square. Opening act will be Soul Nannies. That same night Oliver Jones Trio, another award winning Canadian musician appears at the Jazz Bistro at 8pm and 10:30pm.
   Torontonians are being urged to explore the TD Toronto Jazz Festival for free with activities and performances the whole family can enjoy. Whether it is the classic sounds of Lighthouse, the gospel of Toronto Mass Choir, the Youth Jazz Showcase or Juno Award winner Laila Biali, the Festival offers music lovers the chance to explore live jazz at no cost. New for this year at Nathan Phillip’s Square will be a variety of interactive activities that will engage and provide unlimited fun.
   The Big Band Slam sponsored by the Ken Page Memorial Trust features four Greater Toronto Area high school big bands in concert at The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar June 26, from 2 to 5 p.m. This afternoon of trumpet blasting, trombone sliding, sax squealing excitement will highlight some outstanding music being made by Toronto high school students. Saxophonist, composer and conductor Mark Promane is this year’s guest artist, performing with each ensemble.
  With the focus still on high schools and education, the Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Foundation presented its 2014 Citizenship Award and Scholarship to recipients at its annual Reception earlier this month. The Foundation doubled its scholarship awards this year with scholarships valued at $60,000 to teenagers across Canada. To date, the foundation’s Citizenship Award and Scholarship Program has given more than $600,000 in scholarships.
  Students were selected from educational institutions across Canada. They included Rammya Ilankannan -- David and Mary Thompson Collegiate Institute; Nivetha Chandran SATEC @ W.A. Porter Collegiate Institute; Zameer Bharwani of Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute; Jessica Cao Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute -- Toronto District School Board; Sabrina Haji Sandalwood Heights Secondary School Peel District School Board; Roya Abdmoulaie Vaughan Secondary School York Region District School Board; Yasaman Badakhshi Langstaff Secondary School also of York Region District School Board; Natalie Cheng, St. Robert Catholic High School -- York Catholic District School Board. Kyle Bimm Atikokan High School Rainy River District School Board.
   Also among the list of winners were Stephanie Bertolo Westmount Secondary School Hamilton Wentworth District School Board; Fatima Boulmalf Vanier College Quebec Public CEGEP Quebec; Sydney Brown-Charles, AB Lucas Secondary School --Thames Valley District School Board and Sukhi Dhindsa -- L.A. Matheson Secondary School, Surrey, British Columbia
The Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1987 by Dr. Herb Carnegie, an ace hockey player who was denied the opportunity to play with the Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey team because of his African heritage.