Music Niagara delivering big band sounds and Stompin’ Tom
From swingin’ big band to incredible piano man, Music Niagara soars into its fourth week.
The rapid pace of the Niagara-onthe-Lake festival’s concert schedule continues unabated, with seven diverse performances packed into a four-day period, Friday to Monday. From classical to big band to the late, great Stompin’ Tom, there’s music to suit all tastes.
First up, Music Niagara presents Whiskey Jack, a band that aims to keep the music of Stompin’ Tom Connors alive and vibrant in a feelgood Friday event at The Market at the Village (111 Garrison Village Dr.) starting 6 p.m. The band’s musicians played with Stompin’ Tom in hundreds of concerts, and they plan to delight his loyal fans and create new ones in this family-friendly performance.
On Saturday Music Niagara celebrates Rossini in an evening that combines his music with his gusto for good food. St. Mark’s Church (41 Byron St.) is the place to be at 6 p.m. to enjoy Rossini: Eat, Hear and Be Merry, starring Juno Awardwinning contrabassist Joel Quarrington, and featuring Carole Sirois on cello. The audience will revel in the music and have a chance during intermission to sample a Rossini cocktail along with a snack the maestro himself would have relished.
At 9:30 p.m., the patio at Epicurean Bistro (84 Queen St.) will ring with jazz by The Ken Taylor Trio, with a re-imagining of well-loved classics, spiced up with a few avantgarde works, too.
A summer weekend wouldn’t be complete without a free, noon-hour Music Niagara outing in Simcoe Park. On Sunday folks of all ages will enjoy listening to Alana and Leigh Cline as they play Celtic melodies and the occasional Balkan tune on fiddle and guitar.
Also on Sunday, Music Niagara salutes Canada’s sesquicentennial anniversary with Confederation Celebration, featuring music by French and British composers, including Debussy, Ravel and Elgar, along with Canada’s Healey Willan. This concert will take place at St. Mark’s Church at 4 p.m., and will feature violinist Jonathan Crow and pianist Philip Chiu, with a special introduction by James Wegg.
On the holiday Monday, at 2 p.m., pianist Robert Silverman will take command of the St. Mark’s ivories as he tackles a virtuosic program, including two Beethoven sonatas and the fiendishly difficult series of Chopin Scherzi.
The dynamic young musicians of the Toronto All-Star Big Band will bop and swing at Ravine Estates Winery (1366 York Rd., St. Davids) at 7:30 p.m. Monday. This sold-out show will have audience members swaying to the beat of the glorious big band music of the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s.
For tickets, visit musicniagara. org, shawfest.com or call 905-4682172. Depending on sell-out rates, tickets may be available at the door, 30 minutes prior to concert starts.