The Toronto Jazz Festival just announced some of the line-up for its 24th edition this summer. While Montreal holds the uncontested title of jazz fest central in Canada, Toronto is attracting more and more internationally renowned names.
Toronto can boast the presence of crooner Harry Connick Jr., a charming singer who has made his mark in music as well as on the big screen. His film biography includes roles in Little Man Tate, Independence Day and P.S. I Love You.
Connick Jr. will be performing at the Canon Theatre on June 27.
Herbie Hancock is another big name making a stop at the festival. He will perform on June 26.
Other names coming to the fest that will surely please Canadian jazz lovers are virtuoso bassist Stanley Clark, trumpeter Dave Douglas, Angélique Kidjo and guitarist John Scofield accompanied by the Piety Street Band. There is also the Keith Jarrett Trio, David Sanborn, the Dave Brubeck Quartet and the Roy Hargrove Big Band. The Roots will be playing for a younger audience.
The Toronto Jazz Festival runs from June 25 to July 4. The G20 meeting of world leaders is taking place in Huntsville, north of Toronto, on the same weekend the festival begins.