Duke Ellington And The Suite; City Concert, Canzona 17th ...

Presented by:

Canzona Chamber Players

Event Details

Colleen Allen 

Alberta born Colleen Allen plays all saxes, flute, and clarinet. She is a top call in Toronto for live shows, festivals, and recording projects. Recent performances include sessionsx recordings with Gospel legend Carvin Winans, featuring Michael MacDonald, Take 6 and Martha Reeves. She has performed extensively with Molly Johnson, David Clayton Thomas, Holly Cole, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Marc Jordan, Heather Bambrick, Shakura S’Aida, Jackie Richardson, Cirque Du Soleil, SoulPepper Theatre, Brian Barlow’s Big Band and is a proud member of the Women’s Blues Review Band. She is a member of Manteca, one of Canada’s premier fusion jazz big bands, and has recently been in the studio with them to record a new album, her second with the group. She was also the Artist in Residence for the Steel City Jazz Festival in Hamilton last fall. Her first CD, “Colleen Allen,” is a beautiful collection of nine tracks displaying her many talents as instrumentalist, arranger, band leader and producer. Her sophomore disc features bassist George Koller, guitarist Rob Piltch and Snarky Puppy drummer, Larnell Lewis. Whether touring with the celebrated Molly Johnson, or teaching in Humber College’s esteemed Jazz Studies Program, Colleen is considered one of the most cherished musicians on the Canadian music scene. A dynamic solo performer and flawless ensemble musician, Colleen is known for her gorgeous warm tone, soulful style, and brilliant soloing. Colleen is a world-class musician whose musical talents have touched many audiences around the globe.

Fern Lindzon

JUNO Award Nominee, Fern Lindzon is a multi-faceted pianist/vocalist/arranger. Fern possesses a technique WholeNote Magazine called ‘breathtakingly beautiful’, respected jazz critic Mark Miller wrote ‘is secure in her sense of herself, her art, and her craft’, New Canadian Music described as ‘one of the most adventurous and accomplished vocalists, pianists, and songwriters on the T.O. jazz scene’, and Montreal critic Irwin Block lauded as ‘a rare and fascinating talent’. Fern’s three CDs move comfortably and creatively through a highly-personal repertoire of her own arrangements of jazz standards, contemporary Israeli and Yiddish music and original compositions. Her second CD, Two Kites received a JUNO Nomination as Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. Fern has also been an active member of several klezmer bands, composes and performs silent film scores and also is a Musical Director for live theatrical productions.  http://www.fernlindzon.com/

George Koller

George Koller has accumulated hundreds of wildly diverse performing and recording credits in his expansive musical career: The Shuffle Demons, Phil Woods, Peter Gabriel, Loreena McKennitt, Bruce Cockburn, Holly Cole, Ian Tyson, to name only a few. Recognized primarily as a bass player, George plays a variety of instruments; many featured on his award-winning(HMV “fresh blood” grand prize) solo CD,” Music for Plants, Animals, and Humans”. He has performance and/or producer credits on on over 500 cds . George has toured for 11 years with Holly Cole. He has also toured and recorded with Sharlene Wallace, Julie Michels, Joe Sealy, Carol Welsman, Valdy, and many others. He has also produced artists such as (Amanda Martinez, Deanna Knight, Andree Bernard,Julie Michels, Patricia O’Callaghan and The Toronto Tabla Ensemble) George is continually composing new music (guitar, voice chants), and appearing on many new recordings. Having written dozens of songs over the years, George is now recording and preparing releases of new material featuring his guitar and vocals. Most recently, he has also produced music for Yoga, and Indian Classical music artists. His playing of Indianstringed Instruments: Sitar, Sarode, Tanpura, and the violin-like Esraj and Dilbrubaare featured in the motion pictures “Such a long Journey” and “PossibleWorlds”, and on Loreena McKennitt, Jane Siberry and Bruce Cockburn recordings. Recent activities include touring Canada with Joe Sealy and Cindy Church, withtheir recording “The Nearness of You... the Songs of Hoagy Carmichael”. He continues to produce concerts and recordings in the jazz, world and Indian Classical music styles, and is composing new east-west fusion music.

Ethan Ardelli

Drummer and composer Ethan Ardelli has been one of Canada’s most acclaimed jazz musicians for more than a decade. Always a cultural omnivore, Ardelli has sought out inspiration in a wide variety of places, from art house films to classical composition and music from around the world, in particular the music of Cuba. After playing in many notable Canadian bands (David Virelles, Brian Dickinson, Nancy Walker, and Darren Sigesmund), Ardelli was primed to become a bandleader. Since 2014, Ethan has been leading his own ensemble showcasing his original compositions. The quartet features saxophonist Luis Deniz, pianist Chris Donnelly, and bassist Devon Henderson. His debut album, The Island of Form, is a showcase for Ardelli’s highly developed compositional skills and drumming prowess. The album was recorded by James Farber, the engineer behind many touchstone jazz recordings,including works by Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano, and Brad Mehldau. As well as leading his own ensemble, Ethan is a member of the Darren Sigesmund Quintet, Nancy Walker Quintet, Alexander Brown Sextet, Brian Dickinson Trio, and the Harley Card Quintet. Ethan is on faculty at the University of Toronto as well as the Humber College Community Music Program.

City Concert

Monday, February 3, 7:30 PM St. George the Martyr Church 197 John Street, Toronto Tickets $30

Island Concert  (Go to Island Concert page)

Sunday, February 2, 2:00 PM Brunch at 12:30 PM
St. Andrew-by-the-Lake Church Toronto Island

• Tickets $30
• Brunch $20

- Please note Brunch reservations are required –
Email: reservations@canzona.org
Or call/text Jonathan Krehm: (416) 822-0613
Or for Toronto Islanders, please call Roger Sharp: (416) 203-2416

Featured Program

Duke Ellington

Night Creature

Billy Strayhorn/Duke Ellington

Nutcracker Suite

Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn

Peer Gynt

Fern Lindzon

Las Meniñas

View program booklet