From the opening night of the 2008 Jazz en rafale Festival at Montreal's chic and shining Espace Dell'Arte, pianist and composer Yves Léveillé shares the stage with American multi-instrumentist Paul McCandless and an all-star team of experienced sidesmen: saxophonists Frank Lozano and Roberto Murray, trumpeter Aron Doyle, doublebassist Marc Lalonde and percussionist Ugo Di Vito. Who else by Paul McCandless plays oboe, english horn, soprano sax, sopranino sax and bass clarinet all in one night? Add that to the profound compositional talent of Yves Léveillé and voila: an extraordinary synergy that's pure pleasure.
Toronto-born, Montreal-trained, and Vancouver-based vocalist/pianist/composer Denzal Sinclaire is one of Canada's most popular jazz stylists. Lauded for his exquisite delivery, sensitivity to melody and a lyrical imagination, Denzal has performed at numerous high-profile jazz festivals and with various symphony orchestras. For this concert created especially for the 2008 Festi Jazz International de Rimouski in August, he is joined by the St-Germain String Quartet; Fraser Hollins, bass; Joel Miller, saxophone; Richard Irwin, drums; and Marjjolaine Goulet, french horn. From Genesis to Gershwin, this remarkably unique concert features music from his new CD - My One And Only Love.
Jireh Gospel Choir is going places. Led by their inspiring conductor, Carol Bernard, this Montreal choir has performed with Cirque du Soleil and has 3 CDs to its credit. Canada Live caught up with them on the eve of their November 2008 tour of France, and the results are electrifying. This is Gospel at its best - committed, upfront and joyful.
Folk-jazz singer Lullaby Baxter and the Lily String Quartet in an eccentric portrait of Kansas City matrimony.