Leading the U of T Klezmer Ensemble
"Musicking" Session - Brian Katz

Brian Katz, Solo Guitar. Kensington Market Jazz Festival
Pay What You Can.

Internationally acclaimed guitarist/pianist/composer Brian Katz guides us on an intimate yet “orchestral” journey featuring his trademark evocative compositions and perky free improvisations informed by the worlds of jazz, classical and various world music streams. With special guests, long-time esteemed colleagues, bassist George Koller and Soprano saxist/bansuri flautist, Ernie Tollar. The program will feature Brian in solo, duo and trio settings.

Of Brian’s latest solo guitar recording, “Leaves Will Speak” :

“ Upon first hearing ,one is attracted by the freshness and purity of these musical statements, which succeed in capturing our attention by drawing from a diverse range of sources to form a beautifully coherent program”. Thierry Giard, Culture Jazz, France

“I admit that some of these pieces literally moved me to tears, because they give wordless expression to such intensely felt, absolute, unguarded openness, because the playing is so unobtrusively urgent, so inescapably close…if you want music that speaks — here it is” Alexander Schmitz, noted European jazz journalist, author, Jazz Podium Magazine, Germany.

“The sensitive poet with a flawless classical sound has a special sense of what happens between the notes; a sense from which he develops introspectively lyrical lines and gives the music what it needs: space and time” Jens Hausmann, Akustik Gitarre, Germany

“The whole vibe is Brian’s own blend of classical, medieval, Spanish, Jazz, Blues, finger-picking Folk, Greek, Middle Eastern and Klezmer— you can hear all those threads in the weave of this album’s harmonic fabric. You can enjoy the play of musical intelligence on this album, and dig into a rich horde of experience gathered along the way of Brian’s 30 year international career” Stanley Fefferman, Opus One Review, Canada

“You never feel like you’re being overwhelmed by technique as much as by being won over by a convincing discussion.” George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly, USA

Brian Katz — Classical Guitar, Piano
Ernie Tollar — Soprano Sax/Bansuri Flute/Ney
George Koller — Bass

Links:
www.georgekoller.com
www.onebigsong.com/ernie.html

Free concert as part of Jewish Music Week

Join the KlezFactor Trio for a lively hour of terrific Klezmer! More than just a musical performance -- clarinetist Mike Anklewicz gives historical background to beautifully introduce each tune. KlezFactor’s exciting repertoire is drawn from historical recordings and musical archives. With Brian Katz on guitar and Jim Sexton on bass, this is real Klezmer for music lovers!