Sutherland all jazzed up to play Toronto
Actor joins Sarah McLachlan, Chick Corea for festival’s 30th anniversary season
“There is something satisfying about being able to look back on my own life, good times and bad, and express those sentiments in music.” KIEFER SUTHERLAND
Actor Kiefer Sutherland returns to his hometown this summer to take the stage at the Horseshoe Tavern as part of the TD Toronto Jazz Festival’s 30th anniversary season.
He will play the songs from his debut album, Down In A Hole, which are a form of diary of his life. Sutherland caught the public’s eye in the breakout movie Stand by Me in 1986 and most recently starred in television series 24. In early 2015, he collaborated with music partner Jude Cole to create the 11-track album.
“There is something satisfying about being able to look back on my own life, good times and bad, and express those sentiments in music,” he said in a press release Tuesday.
The festival runs June 24 to July 3 in many locations across the city.
Opening night performer Sarah McLachlan plays at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts while other headliners will be in Koerner Hall or at Nathan Phillips Square.
More than1,500 musicians will perform throughout the 10-day festival in venues that include jazz clubs and, for the first time this year, a Second Cup coffee shop.
Other big names include Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, Christian McBride and Brian Blade, Ramsey Lewis and cabaret performer Meow Meow.
There is a strong Canadian contingent with Oliver Jones, Molly Johnson and Jane Bunnett headlining, along with Sutherland and MacLachlan. Music from Born to be Blue will feature David Braid and others July 1 at the Jazz Bistro.
Josh Grossman, festival artistic director, says the festival is a mix of stars and emerging artists.
“We try to make sure there are new faces,” he says, citing Grace Potter, Allen Stone and Jarrod Lawson. “We need to balance the veterans with emerging talent. We have such an incredible jazz scene.”
Many events are free and ticket sales only account for up to 40 per cent of the budget of under $3 million. All three levels of government support the festival, which draws an audience of 400,000 annually.
New this year is a late night jam session, beginning at 1a.m. at the Rex Hotel, where musicians can get together casually and play until 3 a.m.
It’s an opportunity for them “to hang out and play a little music,” Grossman says. He’s also added residencies where artists stay at one venue for a number of nights with different guests. Robi Botos is at the Jazz Bistro for three nights, including a “two pianos” evening with Hilario Duran. Heather Bambrick is at the Home Smith Bar at the Old Mill with guests.