Watch Paul Desmond with Ed Bickert on CBC-TV's Take 30 in 1975

Watch saxophone great Paul Desmond perform with Ed Bickert, Don Thompson and Jerry Fuller on Take 30 with hosts Paul Soles and Mary Lou Finlay.

Paul Desmond with Ed Bickert, Don Thompson & Jerry Fuller on Take 30

Shot for CBC-TV's long-running news and entertainment program Take 30 in the fall of 1975, this rare performance and interview footage of alto saxophonist Paul Desmond – who composed the jazz standard "Take Five" while a member of  the Dave Brubeck Quartet and played the unforgettable saxophone part on the band's classic 1959 recording for the album of the same name – features an all-star support cast of Toronto-based musicians, including guitarist Ed Bickert, bassist Don Thompson and drummer Jerry Fuller.  

Not only is the clip a rare CBC-TV document of Canadian jazz aces at their peak, it's also historically important for capturing Desmond in action,  commanding as ever, less than two years prior to his death from lung cancer on May 30, 1977 at the age of 52. Desmond, who was a chain-smoker and known to enjoy a tipple as well, maintained his famously dry sense of humour even in the darkest moments. Upon receiving his terminal diagnosis, Desmond responded that he was delighted to hear that his liver was in tip-top condition. Unfortunately, the footage isn't the best quality but until the CBC does a proper release of the Take 30 broadcast from '75,  a rough video transfer will have to suffice. 

  

Lenny Breau and Don Francks gab about jazz in 1963

A young Lenny Breau, Don Francks and Eon Henstridge are captured in this great Toronto jazz scene footage from 1963. 

Happy Birthday Reg Schwager!

Celebrating the birthday of guitarist Reg Schwager with his tasteful support of Diana Panton with Don Thompson. 

Watch Sonny Greenwich play "Epiphany" and sit in with the DT Big Band

Cheers to Hamilton guitar great Sonny Greenwich on his birthday! Here's "Epiphany" and some 1964 footage w/ The DT Big Band. 

Don Thompson Quartet vs.Buddy DeFranco's band

Don Thompson came up with an ace vibes-led arrangement of Bernie Senensky's "Lolito's Theme" for his Secret Love album.

Diana Panton receives vocal jazz Juno nomination for 'Blue'

Cheers to Hamilton's Diana Panton whose independently released 'Blue' is up for the Juno in the Vocal Jazz Album category. 

Find out more about Diana Panton and her latest album 'Blue' from her site right here.

Listen to a Diana Panton Trio session with Don Thompson & Reg Schwager

Since it's Don's birthday today, here's a 'Fan's Choice' live session with the fab Diana Panton Trio worth checking. 

Diana Panton announces release of her 10th album 'blue' on October 28th

Hamilton-based jazz vocal stylist Diana Panton's 'blue' completes the three-album narrative arc that began with 2009's pink.

Writes Diana...

"After three years of powering through pandemic constraints, I'm sooo pleased to announce the release of our 10th album, blue, on October 28th.

"blue is the final instalment in the trilogy which began with pink and later RED.  

"Don Thompson wrote exquisite arrangements to showcase spectacular playing by Phil Dwyer, Reg Schwager, Jim Vivian and The Penderecki Quartet.  Of course, Don is exemplary in his piano-playing as well.  Sonic superiority delivered by master engineer Chad Irschick at Inception Sound Studios.

"Lovely album photos care of Jose Crespo.

"I hope you are as excited about hearing this new music as we are to present it to you.

"A sincere thanks in advance for your continued support of our musical endeavours,"

Diana

You can get a digital version of blue from your favourite platform right here: https://lnk.to/DPblue with a hard copy version available on October 28th. Further details about 'blue' will soon be posted on Diana Panton's site: https://www.dianapanton.com. 

For more on Diana Panton's 'blue' album, read Michael Major's article for Broadway World right here. 

Check out the audio clip for "The Trouble With Hello Is Goodbye" followed by Diana's "Love Songs" instalment from her Live Studio Concert Series with Reg Schwager and Don Thompson. 

 

 

Happy Birthday Diana Panton!

Celebrating the birthday of fabulous Canadian jazz singer Diana Panton with a live trio session tonight at 7pm. See link below. 

Here's the backstory on Diana's Live in Session Concert Series:

Last March was the last time our trio had the opportunity to play together. It was mere days before I was scheduled to board a plane for the JUNOs in Saskatoon (Reg too) and then on to Paris for March Break, but co-vid had other plans...

We had hoped to record a new album in August 2019, but the loss of those dear, along with co-vid protocols, postponed that project. Since then, given my pandemic circumstances, there has been little music in my days until these sessions we present to you now.

Re-uniting with Reg and Don in this intimate setting gives you a glimpse into what our studio sessions are like (though granted a bit more nerve-wracking with the camera rolling). As per usual, there is little talking and a lot of focus. I am reminded how grateful and blessed I am to work with these two - whom I value both as musicians and human beings. I'm equally thankful for Chad at Inception Sound Studios for all that he does to help us sound our best and to Francois and Jennifer at Leading Pictures for documenting this reunion.

As an independent artist, I normally use revenue from gigs to help finance our upcoming recordings. Of course, this year has meant no performances. I know these have been tough times for so many. As such, we hope these free concerts bring some smiles and solace. If you value the music we create and if you have the means, your donation would be greatly appreciated. Funds raised will help us record our new album this August. For those interested, here's the link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/dianapanton

Most importantly, thank you for lending your ears and your hearts to these musical offerings.

Musically,

Diana

Watch the Diana Panton Trio's Love Songs Session virtual concert followed by the previous Cheerful Session performance below. 

 

Diana Panton Trio live in session, Sunday

Diana Panton launches her Live in Session series with Reg Schwager & Don Thompson tonight at 7pm Eastern. Watch it below.

Here's the backstory on the upcoming Live in Session Concert Series:

Last March was the last time our trio had the opportunity to play together. It was mere days before I was scheduled to board a plane for the JUNOs in Saskatoon (Reg too) and then on to Paris for March Break, but co-vid had other plans...

We had hoped to record a new album in August 2019, but the loss of those dear, along with co-vid protocols, postponed that project. Since then, given my pandemic circumstances, there has been little music in my days until these sessions we present to you now.

Re-uniting with Reg and Don in this intimate setting gives you a glimpse into what our studio sessions are like (though granted a bit more nerve-wracking with the camera rolling). As per usual, there is little talking and a lot of focus. I am reminded how grateful and blessed I am to work with these two - whom I value both as musicians and human beings. I'm equally thankful for Chad at Inception Sound Studios for all that he does to help us sound our best and to Francois and Jennifer at Leading Pictures for documenting this reunion.

As an independent artist, I normally use revenue from gigs to help finance our upcoming recordings. Of course, this year has meant no performances. I know these have been tough times for so many. As such, we hope these free concerts bring some smiles and solace. If you value the music we create and if you have the means, your donation would be greatly appreciated. Funds raised will help us record our new album this August. For those interested, here's the link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/dianapanton

Most importantly, thank you for lending your ears and your hearts to these musical offerings. The first concert will premier this Sunday, 7 pm EDT. 

Musically,

Diana

View the Diana Panton Trio's performance below.

Reg Schwager & Don Thompson launch Ever Now @ Home Smith Bar, August 30

Toronto jazz scene stalwarts Don Thompson & Reg Schwager's new duo disc Ever Now will be available at the show.   

Happy Birthday Michael Stuart!

Toasting Toronto saxophone titan Michael Stuart on his day with his performance on "Earth" from Doug Riley's Dreams. 

Jazz chanteuse Diana Panton stays in season with Solstice/Equinox

Diana Panton's gorgeous rendition of September In The Rain would likely enhance your impression of any sound system.

Brilliant Hamiton jazz singer Diana Panton wins another Juno!

It's going to be even harder for Diana to keep her music career secret after I Believe In Little Things took the children's album Juno.

RIP Michael White, 1930-2016

Remembering violinist Michael White with a virtuosic performance alongside  John Handy in 1965.

Cool Toronto Jazz doc rescued from NFB vault

Don Francks introduces the key players on Toronto's lively jazz scene in 1963. 

    

Diana Panton meets Glenn Gould

It's long overdue, but Toronto jazz fans will finally get to hear what Diana Panton sounds like in a venue built with acoustics in mind when Canada's finest vocal talent makes her Glenn Gould Studio debut tonight.
As always, the well-prepared stylist is selecting the evening's repertoire based on the space, her accompanists, the audience and what she's been working on lately. Since she'll be joined by her recording/performing sidemen of choice – esteemed bassist/pianist Don Thompson and equally tasteful guitarist Reg Schwager – and she won't have to compete with clinking silverware and wine glasses, expect Panton to feature an intimate selection from Pink (www.dianapanton.com) her fabulous recent set of songs based loosely on the theme of new love.
With spring in the air, I can't imagine a better time and place to revel in the purity and richness of Panton's remarkable pipes than the Glenn Gould Studio (250 Front West) tonight (Saturday, May 1) at 8 pm. Admission is $29.50 and while there are apparently a couple of seats still available online, considering the venue's capacity is listed as 341, they won't last long. Panton's all-too-rare Toronto performances have been awesome but this show promises to be the topper – don't miss it.


LINKS
Diana Panton www.dianapanton.com
Don Thompson www.myspace.com/donthompsonjazz
Reg Schwager www.regschwager.com
Glenn Gould Studio www.cbc.ca/glenngould