Nikki Yanofsky headlines 2011 Toronto Jazz Festival

From June 24 - July 3, 2011, the 25th edition of the TD Toronto Jazz Festival never gets tired of announcing new concerts, free shows, homegrown talent and a few more venues. This year line up includes: Aretha Franklin, Jordan John & The Blues Angels, Dave Brubeck Quartet, Jessye Norman, Paco De Lucia, Average White Band, Youssou N'Dour, Robert Cray Band, Branford Marsalis, The Roots, Bela Fleck, the Flecktones, and singing sensation Nikki Yanofsky.

Nikki Yanofsky is the youngest singer to ever record on Verve. We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song was released in 2008. Following that she has performed with artists including: Herbie Hancock and Wyclef Jean.

Nikki Yanofsky will be playing the Mainstage Marquee at Metro Square, Sunday, July 3. One of the country’s fastest rising young superstars, Yanofsky has been a Festival favourite for several years. She returns to help close off the Jazz Festival season with an undeniable talent and poise that belies her age. Opening for Yanofksy will be the Robi Botos Trio. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster: 1.855.985.5000 or visit www.ticketmaster.ca.

 
The Festival is also pleased to announce the addition of the historic Distillery District as a venue, with two Festival stages hosting an array of local and international talent.  The Boiler House patio will see artists such as Mike Francis & Neal Davis, Jesse Barksdale, Shannon Butcher / Ross MacIntyre Duo, and the Berklee Global Jazz Institute Quartet.  At the foot of the Distillery District, the Festival will host the Margaret Stowe Trio, Paul Neufeld’s Rhythm & Truth, Les Doigts de L’Homme, Mezcla, Alex Pangman Quintet and many more.  All streets point right to the stage, making it a local (and free!) showcase that is hard to miss.

Other featured acts at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival include:

Friday, June 24
Marg Stowe Trio - Distillery District 6pm
Danny Marks – Boiler House Patio, Distillery District 6pm
Canadian Jazz Quartet w. Featured Guest Harry Allen - Quotes Bar & Grill 5pm
Jam w. Richard Whiteman Trio – Quotes Bar & Grill 10:30pm

Saturday, June 25
Mike Francis & Neal Davis - Boiler House Patio, Distillery District 12 Noon
Paul Neufeld’s Rhythm & Truth – Distillery District 2:15pm
Denis Keldie Duo - Boiler House Patio, Distillery District 3pm
Les Doigts de L’Homme – Distillery District 6pm
Shannon Butcher / Ross McIntyre Duo - Boiler House Patio, Distillery District 6pm
Gord Sheard’s Brazilian Jazz Experience with Featured Guest Luanda Jones – Quotes Bar & Grill 5pm
Jam w. Stacie McGregor Trio – Quotes Bar & Grill 10:30pm

Sunday, June 26
Brian Blain – Boiler House Patio, Distillery District 12 Noon
Ed Vokurka Jazz Violin Ensemble – Distillery District 12 Noon
Tom Szczesniak Trio – Boiler House Patio, Distillery District 3pm
Bradley & The Bouncers – Distillery District 3pm

Monday, June 27
Berklee Global Jazz Institute Quartet - Boiler House Patio, Distillery District 5:30pm
Canadian Jazz Quartet w. Scott Hamilton – Quotes Bar & Grill 5pm
Jam w. Stacie McGregor Trio – Quotes Bar & Grill 10:30pm

Tuesday, June 28
Canadian Jazz Quartet w. Guido Basso & Scott Hamilton – Quotes Bar & Grill 5pm
Jam w. Stacie McGregor Trio – Quotes Bar & Grill 10:30pm

Wednesday, June 29
Gord Sheard’s Brazilian Experience with Featured Guest Reg Schwager - Quotes Bar & Grill 5pm
Lester McLean Duo – Boiler House Patio, Distillery District 6pm
Jam w. Stacie McGregor Trio – Quotes Bar & Grill 10:30pm

Thursday, June 30
Shannon Butcher / Ross McIntyre Duo - Boiler House Patio, Distillery District 6pm
Jim Galloway Trio – Distillery District 6pm
Canadian Jazz Quartet w. Featured Guest Randy Sandke - Quotes Bar & Grill 5pm
Jam w. Stacie McGregor Trio – Quotes Bar & Grill 10:30pm

Saturday, July 2
Andrea Ramolo - Boiler House Patio, Distillery District 12 Noon
Paul Neufeld’s Rhythm & Truth – Distillery District 12 Noon
Brian Blain Trio – Distillery District 3pm
Malik Yoba – Boiler House Patio, Distillery Boiler House, Distillery District 3pm
Gord Sheard’s Brazilian Jazz Experience with Featured Guest Bill McBirnie – Quotes Bar & Grill 5pm
Jesse Barksdale Duo - Boiler House Patio, Distillery District 6pm
Mezcla – Distillery District 6pm

Sunday, July 3
Jim Galloway Trio – Distillery District 12 Noon
The Groovemeisters – Boiler House Patio, Distillery District 3pm
Alex Pangman Quintet – Distillery District 3pm
Tom Szczesniak Duo - Boiler House Patio, Distillery District 3pm

The 2011 TD Toronto Jazz Festival is sure to be bigger and better this year with 350 concerts, 1,500 musicians, 40 locations and 500,000 people all jammed into 10 eventful days.

For more information and the complete line-up visit www.torontojazz.com