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| Toronto bassist Paul Novotny – as heard on the Cuphead video game – is joined by a stellar cast at Hirut on Thursday & Friday at 8 pm. |
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| The cover charge for the Paul Novotny Quartet's shows at Hirut Café (2050 Danforth) is $20 each night... more info here. |
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| Toronto jazz guitar aces Lorne Lofsky and Reg Schwager trade licks at Hirut Café tonight at 8 pm. $20 cash cover. |
Reg Schwager's mostly improvised new album Intuit features saxophonist Brodie West and drummer Michel Lambert.
Here's the scoop from Reg Schwager...
"I’m releasing a new album on BandCamp called “Intuit”, recorded with two great musicians - Brodie West and Michel Lambert. Most of it is improvised, but we’ve included a version of the old chestnut “Ain’t She Sweet”. We recorded two sessions, in 2016 and 2019, both times during the week between Christmas and the New Year. One thing the three of us share is having studied composition in Amsterdam with the great Dutch master Misha Mengelberg. I think about Misha a lot when we play together.
Listen to some audio clips from Intuit and get a copy via Bandcamp right here.
Reg Schwager - guitar
Michel Lambert - drums
Brodie West - alto saxophone
recorded in Toronto on December 29, 2016 (tracks 1-5)
and December 31, 2019 (tracks 6-11)
recorded, mixed and mastered by Reg Schwager.
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| Ace guitarists Alex Goodman and Reg Schwager get together at Hirut Café (2050 Danforth) tonight from 8pm to 10pm. $15 cover. |
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| Pianist Dave Restivo gets down with his guitarist pal Reg Schwager at the Rex Hotel this evening from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. |
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| Toronto guitar slinger Reg Schwager will be joined by Amanda Tosoff & Lauren Falls at Hirut Cafe on Sunday from 4pm to 6pm. |
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| Celebrating the birthday of Jamaican-born, Toronto based saxophonist Michael Stuart with a few recordings worth checking. |
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| Guitarist Reg Schwager joins saxophonist Brodie West and pals Nick Fraser & Josh Cole in reworking some bebop moves. |
Here's the scoop from Brodie West...
"Next Wednesday (July 10) the Donna Lee Quartet returns to the Tranzac (292 Brunswick) from 7pm to 10 pm. You will hear Reg Schwager guitar, Josh Cole bass, Nick Fraser drums and Brodie West alto saxophone. Okay, supposedly Charlie Parker didn't write the tune, Miles Davis did. But he didn't name it. Such complicated history. We'll try to simplify things with our lengthy, in depth exploration of the composition. See you there!"
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| Celebrating the birthday of guitarist Reg Schwager with his tasteful support of Diana Panton with Don Thompson. |
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| Cheers to Hamilton's Diana Panton whose independently released 'Blue' is up for the Juno in the Vocal Jazz Album category. |
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| Find out more about Diana Panton and her latest album 'Blue' from her site right here. |
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| Since it's Don's birthday today, here's a 'Fan's Choice' live session with the fab Diana Panton Trio worth checking. |
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| Hamilton-based jazz vocal stylist Diana Panton's 'blue' completes the three-album narrative arc that began with 2009's pink. |
"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.
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| Celebrating the birthday of fabulous Canadian jazz singer Diana Panton with a live trio session tonight at 7pm. See link below. |
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.
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| 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.
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| Cheers to Jamaican-born, Toronto-based saxophone great Michael Stuart on his birthday. |
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| Toronto jazz scene stalwarts Don Thompson & Reg Schwager's new duo disc Ever Now will be available at the show. |
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| Diana Panton's gorgeous rendition of September In The Rain would likely enhance your impression of any sound system. |
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| Reg will be joined by his collaborators John Alcorn, Luanda Jones and Jeannette Lambert at 120 Church from 6-8 pm. |
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| 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. |
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| Bass boss Brendan Davis is joined by guitarist Reg Schwager & drummer Morgan Childs tonight from 7-10pm. |
