Bruce Cockburn with Music Director Colin Linden (on guitar), rehearsing for Canadian Songbook
PERFORMANCES
The Canadian Songbook: 40 Years of Bruce Cockburn (Wednesday): Can we just talk about how awesome the line-up is for this event? Not only will Bruce Cockburn himself perform, we’ll also hear from Amelia Curran, Barenaked Ladies, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Buck 65, Hawksley Workman, Jason Fowler, Michael Occhipinti, Sylvia Tyson, and The Wailin’ Jennys. Oh, and as if that wasn’t enough, Jian Ghomeshi hosts. Check out this article from the Toronto Star to get the inside scoop on how Cockburn feels about the fete.
TSO Goes Late Night (Saturday): This week, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra performs Beethoven Symphony No. 9 and to mix it up, they are featuring one very special late night performance of the symphony on Saturday starting at 11pm. PLUS: stick around after the concert for a fantastic party in the Lobby!
CONTINUE READING >
Anthony Bourdain,Bruce Cockburn,Canada Walk Of Fame,Canadian Songbook,Charlie Cutts,Communicator Awards,David Sedaris,Glenn Gould Studio,Lyle Lovett,Royal Wood,The Xx,TSO,TSO Goes Late Night
When listeners ask about my next gig in TO and I mention the Glenn Gould Studio, the response is one of reverence for the hall’s fine acoustics, as well as its intimacy. This is something I truly look forward to, as I sit here contemplating the set list for the show on May 1. I have always felt that the venue plays an important part in the overall mood of a concert. Never having performed or attended a concert at the Glenn Gould studio, I have tried to visualize the performance space based on listener accounts and then pick my songs for the night accordingly.
It has been awhile since I played in a venue that was built with music in mind. Given the intimate nature of the space, audience members can expect to hear songs that include subtle nuances that otherwise might get overlooked in a venue with lesser acoustics. The soiree on May 1 will include the very fine accompaniment of Don Thompson and Reg Schwager – two musicians of the highest calibre that thrive on subtlety of expression. Don likes to select his chords based on the emotional quality of a song. In his capable hands, a sad song can be transformed into a devastating lament. Reg is the backbone of the trio – his accompaniment is a combination of melody and rhythm. With the utmost restraint, he nonetheless makes our trio sound like a whole orchestra. Listeners tell me this is the perfect setting for this trio and I look forward to a special performance here.
Guest contributor Diana Panton performs at Glenn Gould Studio on May 1, 2010
Acoustics,Diana Panton,Don Thompson,Glenn Gould Studio,Reg Schwager
There are many hundreds of languages spoken throughout the world, and of all those hundreds, none has the ability to break down barriers and communicate like the language of music. One does not need words in order to share the experience of music with others. Music is indeed a universal language. Many parents from all cultures are anxious that their children have at least some music education in their background. They understand that music enhances learning and also helps children increase self–esteem and confidence.
CONTINUE READING >
Anne Yardley,education,Glenn Gould Studio,University Settlement
Elizabeth Shepherd
By Elizabeth Shepherd
It’s just over a week since we got back from Japan – what a fantastic trip. It was our third time over there, and I have to say: we never actually get to see much of Tokyo given how busy the schedule is, but… we did manage to eat the freshest sashimi ever (over 7 courses in total), paired with a beautiful vintage Sake from a rice field 400 km north of Tokyo (yes, I’m a foodie). But back to the shows – we played 6 sold-out nights at the Cotton Club, joined by DJ Shacho of Soil and Pimp Sessions who spun some fantastic Soul-Jazz vinyl from the 60s and 70s to feed our ears in between sets. We did a live in-studio session and interview with the lovely and charming Andy – host of J-Wave’s International Music Show, Modaista (J-Wave is Japan’s national radio station). J-Wave has always been good to us, and this time was no exception; J-Wave listeners voted my first single, Seven Bucks, onto the “Tokyo Hot 100″ pop chart. Last time I checked it had climbed up to #38 and was in the company of some pretty big names. CONTINUE READING >
CBC,Elizabeth Shepherd,Glenn Gould Studio,J-Wave,Matt Galloway,Tokyo
Backstage at The Today Show with Jo Lawry, Lisa Fischer and Liali BIali, Sting Promo Tour in 2009
After two years of intermittently touring with New York based artists Paula Cole and Suzanne Vega, I figured an official move to NYC was imminent. In 2008, I was issued a study grant by the Canada Council for the Arts that finally brought me here, leading to what I now like to call my own “Tale of Two Cities” – Toronto and NYC.
After about a year of toughing it out in the Big City, I figured it might be time to resume full-time life and work back in Toronto. Then Sting called. Well, okay, it wasn’t actually Sting who called, it was one of his singers, Lisa Fischer, and later his producer, Robert Sadin. With a day’s notice, I was asked to show up at the famous midtown Clinton Studios, (where Ol’ Blue Eyes (Sinatra) once recorded many moons ago), to audition for a spot on Sting’s next DVD release, “A Winter’s Night: Live from Durham Cathedral.” After a few sessions with various other hopeful crooners, I got the email:
The first line read, “Sting would like to invite you to participate…” I didn’t even finish reading the first line before literally leaping off my stool and dancing around my tiny Brooklyn apartment, screaming with delight and near hysteria. Clichés aside, this was a dream come true.
CONTINUE READING >
Glenn Gould Studio,Laila Biali,Sting
Royal Wood
Here at the Halls we pride ourselves on having an ear for talent. Now that we have started presenting shows at the Glenn Gould Studio (capacity: approximately 300) as well as our larger venues, we are able to introduce even more up and coming Canadian and international artists to Toronto audiences, nurturing them earlier in their careers. We love to be the ones bringing you your next favourite artist; here are some that we think will make it big in 2010:
- Royal Wood 2009 brought the self-taught multi-instrumentalist to a huge number of venues across Canada with his unique breed of melodic pop. This spring he’ll be coming to the Glenn Gould Studio, and follow it up with a jaunt to Europe to promote his newest release, the acclaimed Lost and Found EP. Be sure to check him out in an intimate setting while you can!
- Brooklyn Rider This Brooklyn-based, genre-defying string quartet is creating quite a stir. With members who perform as part of Yo-Yo Ma’s CONTINUE READING >
Brooklyn Rider,Diana Panton,Glenn Gould Studio,Royal Wood
The Bad Plus
This week we are all about Glenn Gould Studio. After presenting a number of concerts there last season, we’re thrilled to have increased our offerings for the 09 | 10 Season in this great space. Bringing shows to places like Glenn Gould Studio (and the beautiful new Koerner Hall) means that we get to see emerging acts while they’re still young and small, and then watch them grow up and into the big rooms of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall. Glenn Gould Studio is a pretty fantastic place — if you haven’t yet been, we’ve found some great reasons for you to give it a whirl.
Skydiggers just released a twenty-year retrospective album, The Truth About Us, and it’s pretty stellar. After years of gaining valuable expertise playing the club scene, they’ll be performing in the intimate environment of the Gould this fall.
In the winter we’re bringing back fan-favourite The Bad Plus in February, for two shows on one night. The Bad Plus last played Glenn Gould Studio in June 2008, but Ethan Iverson (the band’s pianist), made an appearance last season, performing for two nights with Charlie Haden at the Gould.
CONTINUE READING >
Brooklyn Rider,Catherine MacLellan,Ethan Iverson,Glenn Gould Studio,Harry Manx,Skydiggers,The Bad Plus
