With or without Peter Hill, Laura Hubert is Jazz festival worthy

\TORONTO DOWNTOWN\

I’m fairly certain that Peter Hill, keyboard wiz and longtime accompanist to Jazz singer Laura Hubert, won’t be back in TO in time to be part of her 3:30-6:30 gig this afternoon at The Rex as part of this year’s Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival.

Earlier in the week he told me he was in Medicine Hat —where, believe it or not, they also have an annual Jazz festival that began June 22 and runs till Sunday— and would be back in town “next week.” Among the artists featured on the bill are Alex Pangman, for whom he’s also been a regular accompanist, and Brandi Disterheft, who’s been a mainstay bass player in his own Peter Hill Quintet for many years, so I think it unlikely he’s going to want to leave that city before the festivities wrap up.

It’ll be unfortunate if he’s not able to be part of Laura’s festival show today (although he did already perform with her at an earlier one on June 19) but it won’t be the end of the world for the feisty singer, who knows probably every quality musician in the city and could pretty easily gather an all-star crew at the drop of a hat, I’m sure.

In addition to a rotating crew of solid drummers that includes sticks ace Paul Brennan, she has, for example a couple of gifted sax players at her disposal, namely Shawn Nykwist and Jim Bish, both highly versatile and more than able to provide mood and colour to enhance her performance.

Not that she needs much musical support. Laura’s commanding yet relaxed stage presence (she has a very earthy girl-next-door persona that also, however, contains elements of the devil-next-door) and her unique voice (that somehow expresses both a sense of vulnerability and of empowerment) means she’ll have no problem impressing the Jazz aficionados in the house, whoever’s backing her with whatever instruments.

Whether or not Peter makes it back, it’s definitely worth your while to get to this show –and pick up one of her three cd albums, which include Live At The Rex, recorded at this very venue at 194 Queen St. W., a trio of spits west of University Avenue.

-Gary 17, www.torontomoon.ca

LISTINGS:

Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. (Double asterisk indicates repeating event with different hosts/guest/etc.). Admission prices followed by a slash and minus (/-) after the amount indicates door charge with availability of cheaper rates for some purchases. /+ indicates stated price is minimum.

Names of subscribers appear in bold, are underlined and, where applicable, include a live link to their websites. Advertisers’ listings are in larger type, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

TDJF = Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival; cover charge/pass entry for most shows except where specified otherwise by $0 in listing.

10:40 a.m.> Mark Yan & Barry Mulcahy outside Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Lane, Brampton ~Pop Rock

*12-3> Julian Fauth’s Blues Brunch @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Blues

Noon-10pm> Troy Harmer & The Persuaders; LeE HARVeY OsMOND; Andrea Romolo; Harlan Pepper; Tim Gibbons; The Done Four & more for “It’s Your Festival” @ Gage Park, Hamilton

12:30-2:30> Christine Gaides @ Humble Beginnings, 3109 Dundas St. W., TO West ~acoustic Roots/Blues/Pop

*2-6> jam w. Tom Finocchio @ Sam’s Place, Barton-Chestnut Sts., Hamilton

**2-6> Saturday Blues Sermon with James Anthony & special guest Mark Bird Stafford @ Black Swan Pub Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington ~Blues

*3-6> Michael Keys & Company @ Blue Goose, 1 Blue Goose St., Etobicoke South ~R&B/Pop/Jazz

*3-7> jam with Michelle Deneault & Redder @ Port Credit Legion, 35 Front St., Port Credit

3-5> Songwriters Circus with Amy Campbell & friends @ Tranzac Club (Tiki Lounge), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

3> The Hot Five Jazzmakers @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E., TO ~traditional Jazz; $5

*3-7> open stage jam @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville; $2

*3:30-6:30> Climax Jazz Band @ Seven44, 744 Bayview Ave., TO North ~Jazz; $

3:30> TDJF: Laura Hubert Band @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

3:30> Frank Botos Quartet @ The Pilot, 22 Cumberland St., TO ~Jazz

*4-8> The Bear Band & guests @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd. W. Etobicoke South ~Rock-R&B

*4-7:30> Ronnie Hayward Trio @ McQueen’s, 993 Queen St. E., TO E. ~Blues/Roots

*4-8> The Meteors with special guest George Olliver @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Blues/Rock/R&B

*4> Mogens @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St., Oshawa ~Blues

*4:30-6:30> Big Rude Jake @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E.. TO E. ~Blues/Roots

5-8> G Street Jazz Trio @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. TO West –Rootsy Pop

5-8> tba @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Rootsy Pop

5> Rick & Gailie @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

6-8> Colonel Tom & The American Pour @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~Country

6:30> Scott B. Sympathy @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Roots-Pop

7> TDJF: Sophia Perlman, Terra Hazelton & Julie McGregor with piano/rhythm trio accompaniment @ Paupers Pub, 539 Bloor St. W., TO West ~Jazz; $15

**8> Gary 17’s acoustic showcase & open stage with 9:30 feature by Michael Laderoute + special guest appearance by Rod Fritz from Australia @ King’s Belly, 429 Donlands Ave., TO East ~Roots/Pop

8> David Leask @ The Feathers, 962 Kingston Rd., TO East ~songwriter

8> Whatever Sticks feat. Sue Martin @ Fox & Fiddle York Mills, 865 York Mills Rd., TO North

8> Whitney Rose @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

8> TDJF: Tony Malaby with Kayos Theory @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~NYC Jazz

8-12> GGDC & friends @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville; $7

8:30> Akasha Five @ Tranzac Club (Masin Hall), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

8:30> Organic Balkanic Band @ Free Times Café, 320 College St. TO ~$10

*9-1> karaoke with Rob MacArthur @ Tudor Rose, 700 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax

9-1> Colin Amey @ Black Dog Pub, 87 Island Rd., Scarborough ~acoustic Pop/soft Rock

9-1> Julian Fauth Blues Night @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~ Jazz

9> The Marvilles @ Dora Keogh, 141 Danforth Ave., TO East

9> Steve Gleason @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Folk/Country

9-10> Kristine Schmitt & Her Special Powers @ Bar Radio, 615 College St., TO ~Honky Tonk

9-1> Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils @ Monarchs Pub in Eaton Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard St. W., TO ~

9-1> jam night @ NTB Lounge, 2878 Lakeshore Blvd. W., Etobicoke South ~Pop Rock/Top 40

9> Kristen Hawley Band @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country

9-1> Garden Street Blues @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa ~Blues

9-1> Blueprint @ Oscar’s Roadhouse, 1785 Queen St. E., Brampton ~Pop Rock/Top 40

**9> Niagara Rhythm Section with guest Serena Pryne @ The Old Winery, 2228 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-On-The-Lake ~R&B/Blues

9:30> The Sin City Boys feat. Kevin Jollimore @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Tex Mex/vintage Pop

9:30-11:30> TDJF: Mark Sepic @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Jazz with a twist

9:30-close> Tommy Rocker’s Classic Rock Show @ Centro Pizza, 3406 Kingston Rd., Scarborough ~classic Rock

*9:30-2> karaoke with The English Rose & The Mad Scotsman @ Winners, 2181 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough

9:30> Bad Dog @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Blvd., TO North ~Rock/Top 40

9:30> iheart @ Stone Cottage Pub, 3750 Kingston Rd., Scarborough ~Pop Rock

9:30> Busted Again @ Timothy’s Pub 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Pop Rock/Top 40

9:30> Maple Vodka @ Shakers, 580 Kerr St., Oakville

9:30> Virginia Wolfe @ Gator Ted’s, 1505 Guelph Line, Burlington

9:30> Little Fire/Black Horse All Star Band @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

*9:45> Tyler Yarema & His Rhythm @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~Jazz/Blues

10-2> Captain Snorkel @  Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd. W. Etobicoke South ~Rock/Top 40

10> Ride The Tiger @ Orbit Room, 480 College St. TO ~Funk/Soul

10> Thelonius Hank @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

10> Famous Wildlife Movies @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

10> Noise Locomotive @ Bar Radio, 615 College St., TO ~Bluegrass/Folk

10-2> Hot Wax Meltdown @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~Pop Rock covers

10> TDJF: Torben Walkdorf Group @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~NYC Jazz

10-2> Nine Times @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/Top 40

10:30> The Beggars @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

10:30> The Johnny & Sheri Band @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington ~Pop Rock

11> Everlovin’ Jug Band @ Bar Radio, 615 College St., TO ~Jug band

Copyright © 2014 Toronto Moon Magazine. All Rights Reserved