What: The Toronto Jazz Festival
Where: Mainstage at Nathan Phillips Square, other concerts at the   Four Seasons Centre, the Rex, the Old Mill, Supermarket, The Pilot, and more
When: June 26-July 5th
More Info: http://www.tojazz.com/

Here you can find BlogUT’s picks for the must-see shows at this year’s festival. Check back for updates with reviews and festival coverage as the festival progresses.

Friday, June 26th @ 8PM (reserved seating) : Sonny Rollins at the Four Seasons Centre
The epitome of cool, even at age 79, the great jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins graces the stage at the beautiful Four Seasons Centre concert hall, for what should be an amazing show. He’s been making it out to Toronto every two years or so, with reasonable consistency, and I haven’t missed a show yet. His albums are amazing, but nothing rivals the sheer energy he brings to his live shows, which make you want to tap your foot, swing your shoulders, and maybe even get up to dance.

Monday, June 29th & Tuesday, June 30th @ 9PM: Chris Potter’s Underground at the Pilot
Tickets: $28 from Ticketmaster (buy online to be safe!), general admission seating

Saxophonist Chris Potter has been taking the jazz world by storm, with his great performances and innovative playing. His recordings are good, seen live he’s much better. A must see at the Festival.

Wednesday, July 1st @ 8PM : Dave Brubeck Quartet and Brandi Disterheft at Nathan Phillips Square
Tickets: $55 from Ticketmaster, general admission seating outdoors

Up-and-coming bassist and composer Brandi Disterheft and her group open for one of the great jazzmasters, Dave Brubeck. He’s not walking or talking too much, but boy can he ever play. Brubeck brought us such great hits as “Take Five” and “Crepuscule for Nellie”, always playing with uncommon and tough time signatures and timing in his music. Brubeck was at the festival last year, too. See BlogUT’s coverage of his performance.

Friday, July 3rd @ 8PM: Branford Marsalis and Dave Holland at Nathan Phillips Square
Tickets: $40 from Ticketmaster, general admission seating outdoors

Two great musicians in one night. Saxophonist Branford Marsalis (one of the best ones out there) and prog jazz bassist Dave Holland each perform with their respective groups, for what looks to be one of the greatest highlights of the festival. I believe this is Marsalis’s first appearance in Toronto in years, the last time being a small club concert at Top of the Senator, back when it was still around, when he gave a stellar performance. I saw Dave Holland (with Chris Potter, actually) play the prog jazz fest in Toronto several years back and it was fabulous.

Saturday, July 4th @ 8PM: Eliane Elias at Nathan Phillips Square
Tickets: $35 from Ticketmaster, general admission seating outdoors

She sings, she plays the piano, she composes, and she’s darn good at it, too. This show might be slightly more under-the-radar, but it’s definitely worth checking out. I saw her perform in NYC a few years back and it was a great performance.

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