Hartzedike-Lider (Heartsongs) concert with Brian Katz & Allan Merovitz and special guest, Jane Bunnett.
Premieres October 31st.
In July 2021, Ashkenaz presented its first official concerts with a live audience since the global pandemic began. The performances took place in the barn at Bela Farm, a beautiful property one hour northwest of Toronto. For all of the artists too, this was their first opportunity to perform for a live audience in over 18 months. The thrill and excitement of the artists and the small socially-distanced audiences was palpable. This magical week of concerts was documented with multiple cameras and mics and will be streamed in four episodes, on Sundays at 8pm ET throughout October.
The concert will stay up on the Ashkenaz YouTube channel | Ashkenaz Facebook Page
CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19
Join us for a live music performance by Brian Katz (guitar/piano/vocals) and Ernie Tollar (sax/bansuri flute/ney). KatzTollar performs original compositions in the “world jazz” genre. Their music is rooted in the modern jazz tradition and extends outwards to embrace elements of Middle Eastern, klezmer, East Indian, classical, and various world music traditions.
The Lightstone/Katz duo have been performing their fresh Klezmer-Jazz sounds for over 20 years, delighting audiences at festivals such as Ashkenaz and international jazz festivals.
- The concert follows 5 PM Mincha and Havdallah service and dinner (reservations required).
- Admission is free to the concert. Dinner $25/each
- Contact Mari Lynne Rusak to register: mlrusak@holyblossom.org or call 416.789.3291 ext.224
Click here to read the CJN article (see page 24 of the PDF) about this exciting concert!
I lead the U of T Klezmer Ensemble, a “fresh” vibrant one-semester only band of klezmer-keener’s; they’ll knock your socks off, born to love klezmer; and you’ll also hear the great Taiko drumming ensemble and our new gospel choir!
Free Admission
KatzTollar (Brian Katz, guitar, piano, voice; Ernie Tollar, sax, ney, bansuri flute,) mostly performs original compositions and “comprivisations” (compositions made up on the spot!) in the “world jazz” genre: the music is rooted in the modern jazz tradition and extends outwards to embrace elements of Middle Eastern, East Indian, Classical and various world music traditions.
Ernie Tollar performed his first professional gigs at age 16 and has since toured Europe, India, Egypt, Kapuskasing, U.S.A., Argentina, Mexico and Canada. He has performed and recorded with an incredible array of artists including Holly Cole, Kenny Wheeler, Trichy Sankaran, Joe Lovano, Maze Mazé, Space Trio, as well as several bands with his wife, vocalist Maryem Tollar; their collaborative 2009 recording, “Cairo to Toronto,” garnered them a JUNO award nomination.
I’ll be part of an annual fundraiser for this fantastic organization that I’ve been doing work with for over five years now. I’ll do a short solo set as well as perform a few tunes with jazz vocalist, Ori Dagan. There will be a beautiful variety of healing music happening that evening, a wonderful array of artists, and you’ll be supporting a great cause!
You can read about Music Can Heal here:
www.musiccanheal.org
Traditional Yiddish and Originals
Part of the 2nd annual Mezzetta Music Festival
Download PDF for More Info
Combining klezmer with the sounds and textures of chamber music, jazz, Indian raga, and down-home rock’n blues, the sparkling duo explore some rarely performed klezmer repertoire as well as the beloved pulsating dance music of this exciting genre! The openness of the music itself is what makes it so great. It allows for the entire range of human emotions, that’s the joy of it.
“Journey to Klezmer” with The Jonno Lightstone/Brian Katz Klezmer Duo
Brian Katz (guitar, piano, vocals), famed jazz and Jewish music artist and Jonno Lightstone, acclaimed klezmer clarinettist/flautist combine their talents to explore some rarely performed klezmer repertoire as well as the beloved pulsating dance music of this exciting genre. Bringing together a multitude of musical styles and experience, they create a variety of diverse moods by weaving klezmer melodies with the sounds and textures of chamber music, jazz, Indian raga and down home rock’n blues!
A summer pay-what-you-can lunchtime concert series at Holy Trinity in the heart of Toronto.
Join us for a live performance of relaxing guitar and piano music, as part of the Toronto Reference Library Summer Concert Series. An outstanding guitarist, pianist, and composer who bridges modern jazz, classical, and various world music, Brian Katz is internationally acclaimed for his orchestral approach to solo guitar playing, and for his evocative compositions and improvisations.
Of his solo guitar recording, Leaves Will Speak, noted European music critic Alexander Schmitz wrote in Jazz Podium (Germany), “If you want music that speaks – here it is.”
Brian is also deeply involved in the Music and Health field, as an educator (at U of T and York U.), and as a performer with Music Can Heal.
All ages. Drop in. No registration required.
Contact the Arts Department for more details: 416-393-7157.
Presented in partnership with Music Can Heal.
