(Very) Snappy Sleigh Bells: Festive Frolics
byWhile there were no plans in place to compile a holiday-themed feature this year with this final Snappy Singles article, we very quickly became…
Archive
Dizzy & Fay: Live in Burlington, ON
byWhile the primary focus of our recent excursion to Southern ON in late February was to catch a show featuring Elliott BROOD, when we…
Jill Barber: Live In Frederick, MD
byI’m sure that most folks can recall recent memories associated with the mention of a particular artist’s name? When it comes to Vancouver, BC…
OKAN: Live at The Kennedy Center
byOne of the greatest joys every New Year is planning out our upcoming concert-going adventures, and while many events were already circled on our…
Alex Pangman and the Sweet Hots: Live at Muskoka Music Festival
byWhen seeing the lineup for the 2022 Muskoka Music Festival, we quickly circled names of artists that we did not want to miss, which…
Video Vault: Cracking The Combination
byWhile we divert our regular weekly video features to artists appearing on festivals that we are attending this summer, we don’t want to let…
Essential New Releases: Under The Covers
byYou may recall seeing several Canadian artists releasing cover versions of popular tunes as summer arrived last year – we were very impressed by…
Single Release: Karen Hammarstrand, “Still Life”
byOf all the connections in life, there’s one that stands head and shoulders above the rest in terms of importance – that’s with yourself….
A Cornucopia of Gamache: “A World of Curiosities,” “Three Pines,” and “Joy”
byIt’s a heady time, indeed, to be a fan of Louise Penny’s series of Armand Gamache novels – a new installment in the series…
Lesley Carter: 2022 Fave 20 Albums List
byAlthough I unfortunately seldom have the opportunity to write full reviews for our site as Martin does, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been listening…
2022 Year End Review: 20 Memorable Singles
byCompiling a list of 20 memorable singles from the last twelve months originally came as an emergency replacement for our 10 memorable live concert…
Video Vault: Road Trip – Video Vacation Style
byWe unlock the Video Vault once again to share some music from across Canada. Starting out west, we have a pair of great new…
Emm Gryner: Live At The Home County Music & Art Festival
byInternationally acclaimed recording artist Emm Gryner may be a seasoned veteran of the music scene, but remains a proud local of the London, ON…
Snappy Singles: May Day, May Day
byFor this British half of Team GDW, “May Day” conjures up memories of a UK national holiday – one that commemorates the historic struggles…
Review: Avery Raquel, “Avery Raquel”
byThose of you who have enjoyed our musings about Canadian music for several years now may recall our previous interview with Brantford, ON emerging…
Review: Léonie Gray, “Who?”
byFor many, with the arrival of 2022 came a sense of renewed optimism. A new year ushered in an ever-hopeful feeling that we were…
Review: Tania Gill Quartet, “Disappearing Curiosities”
byJazz is all too often relegated to background-music status, befitting a classy event or a nice dinner out, perhaps, but not music that begs…
Snappy Singles: Doubling Down For March Madness
byMarch is here, and with it, the knowledge that the long-awaited desire for the next season is just around the corner. But, while it…
Find A New Favorite: Ember Swift, “Mid-March Meltdown”
byOne of the goals here at Team GDW this year (in addition to hoping for a safer global community and a return to live…
2021 Team GDW Miscellaneous Honors
byAs Martin prepares to reveal his Final Four Albums of the Year tomorrow (and having already listed his Twenty Favorite Singles and Albums over…
Martin Noakes: 2021 Top Twenty Album List
byAs we approach the final week of 2021, my mind has a flashback to March 2020, when our lives were turned upside down. Daily…
2021 Year End Review: 20 Memorable Singles
byThe restrictions resulting from the breakout of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 placed a hiatus on our concert-going adventures, which in turn halted our…
Jim Clayton’s Piano Bar Reaches Its 500th Episode
byLike so many other musicians, the COVID pandemic forced Toronto jazz pianist Jim Clayton (shown above with daughter Lenny) to pivot from his normal…
Snappy Singles: Cheery Tunes For The Onset Of Winter Blues
byHow crazy is it that another year has almost passed us by? Another ‘pandemic filled’ year, no less, but once again, the sheer volume…
Review: Dizzy & Fay, “Songbook”
byAppreciating jazz is something that came to me later as my taste in music evolved. And as much as I have come to enjoy…
Review: Behrooz Mihankhah, “Lydium”
byComfort zones: we all have them, and we are often hesitant to leave them. But experience gives proof that venturing outside them is frequently…
Single Release: Dizzy & Fay, “Chocolate Cake”
byBy now you may think I’m biased, and admittedly it’s true, the Toronto jazz duo Dizzy & Fay have stolen my heart with their love songs. I have yet to…
Snappy Singles: September Sizzlers
byBack in May, our monthly Snappy Singles feature concentrated on new releases from some of our favorite female Canadian artists, and I of course…
Valentine’s Day Video Vault
byWe seldom post on a Sunday, but with the sudden surge of great new music video releases, why not spend a little time this…
Single Release: Dizzy & Fay, “Walk Me Home”
byMy favorite Canadian jazz duo are releasing a treat for us all today, just in time for Valentine’s Day, and it’s as sweet as…
Review: Serafin LaRiviere, “Unravel”
byWe are always happy to feature some great Canadian jazz music here at Great Dark Wonder, and are excited to share this latest release…
Snappy Singles: New Month, New Year, New Tunes To Be Enjoyed
byIt’s January, it’s 2021 – we’re finally free from 2020 – and no matter how good or bad your weather may be outside right…
2020 Top Twenty Album List
byUpon reflection, I would say that it was around the early part of summer 2020 when the reality of the Covid-19 pandemic hit home…
2020 Year-End Roundup: 20 Memorable Singles (Pt. 2)
byFollowing our look yesterday at the singles we deemed to be some of the finest releases from artists previously unknown to us, the spotlight…
Single Release: Dizzy & Fay, “I Wish That You Were Here”
byDizzy & Fay are a recently formed Canadian duo who are excited to unveil their first festive-themed single here today, just in time for…
Video Premiere: Emm Gryner, “Butterflies”
byWith numerous solo albums and three JUNO nominations under her belt, Ontario singer-songwriter Emm Gryner is no stranger to the music scene, both in…
OKAN Release New Single, “Espiral,” Announce New Album Release
byToronto, ON based JUNO-nominated ensemble, OKAN, have just shared a new single, “Espiral,” the title track from their upcoming album scheduled for release on…
Snappy Singles: April Edition – No Mention of Fools Here
byI had plenty of Aprils Fools puns ready to go when starting to compile this article, but given the global devastation and uncertainty faced…
Adrean Farrugia, Joel Frahm “Blued Dharma” Tour Comes to Canada
byA while back, we wrote about “Blued Dharma,” the terrific album from the duo Adrean Farrugia and Joel Frahm. We’re delighted that they’re shortly…
Review: Bart, “Today, Tomorrow, & The Next Day”
byTwo years ago I walked into one my local record shops and was accosted by the clerk who’d been waiting for me. “Steeeeve,” he…
Jim Clayton Quartet: Live at The Sanderson Centre
byTeam GDW became huge fans of jazz pianist Jim Clayton after a chance encounter at the 2017 Kensington Market Jazz Festival in Toronto, and…
Interview: Roaring Timber String Quartet
byLast year, I had the pleasure of getting acquainted with Toronto-based violinist Aline Homzy, who was organizing the Bitches Brew jazz performance that I…
Review: Collective Order, “Vol. 3”
byA who’s who of the Toronto Jazz scene returns with their third mesmerizing collection. Collective Order features a staggering 21 jazz musicians, all based…
Quinn Bachand’s Brishen: Live in Lancaster, PA
byWith the winter months comes fewer opportunities to head north, and thus quite often some longer (than we are comfortable with) periods between live…
Interview: Allison Au, “Wander Wonder”
byWith the recent release of “Wander Wonder,” the Allison Au Quartet adds to an already distinguished discography that includes their Juno-nominated 2013 debut album “The…
Top Albums of 2018 by Province – Lesley Carter
byWith the quantity of excellent music that comes out of Canada each year, it’s always a challenge to select a few favorites. As regular…
2018 Top Ten Album List – Steve Murphy
byBetween my two writing gigs and my own personal record collecting, I’ve probably listened to a hundred albums released this year. 2018 has been…
Take A Chance On Me: Katie Harbour
byWe can’t believe that it has been almost twelve months since the last installment of our “Take A Chance On Me” series. Indeed, we’d…
#TuesdayTunesday, Holiday Edition
byWith the impending holiday season comes a treasure trove of new seasonal music. As you’re preparing for the holidays ahead, crank some of this…
Thanksgiving Flight of Fancy with Ernesto Cervini’s Turboprop
byAs has become our tradition here at Team GDW, the US Thanksgiving weekend is a perfect excuse to skip the turkey dinner and head…
Review: Way North, “Fearless and Kind”
byI haven’t traveled to New Orleans in a number of years, but the opening bars of Way North’s second album, “Fearless and Kind,” immediately…
Review: Ethan Ardelli, “The Island of Form”
byThe unknown trajection and unpredictable behavior of “The Island of Form” by Ethan Ardelli is a significant part of its appeal. “The Island of…
Gossip Talkin’ Blues, Episode 35: “Abundance” With Ernesto Cervini’s Turboprop
byIn this episode, Team GDW talks with jazz drummer Ernesto Cervini about his ensemble Turboprop and their latest album, “Abundance.” SOCAN license #5052874
Interview: Jeremy Ledbetter Trio, “Got a Light?”
byVery few sounds can attract my attention more quickly than well-played piano. “Got a Light?,” released by the Jeremy Ledbetter Trio in July, features…
Review: The Tiki Collective, “Muse”
byHere at GDW HQ, a number of intriguing albums cross our desk on a regular basis (sadly, more than we can keep up with!). …
Review: Aaron Shragge and Ben Monder, “This World of Dew”
byAaron Shragge and Ben Monder’s “This World of Dew” is like a score for an exotic film noir, that doesn’t yet exist. Aaron Shragge…
Interview: John Pittman, “Kinship”
byIt might seem quite odd indeed to admit that the first time I heard trumpeter John Pittman’s debut album, “Kinship,” was under water. I…
Review: Chris Monson, “Seldom in the Well”
byChris Monson has astoundingly created a sultry, smoky and languid debut. Each instrument is masterfully played and captured in this timeless collection of jazz…
Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Festival Preview Part 2: Interview With Festival President David M.J. Lee
byLast week we featured conversations with Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Festival performers Bassline and Mike Downes; for this second part of our festival preview, we…
Preview: Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Festival, 4-8 September
byNext week, Toronto will come alive with a fabulous cacophony of jazz, as this year’s edition of the Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Festival gets underway. …
Interview: Adrean Farrugia and Joel Frahm, “Blued Dharma”
byYou would think that after nearly two years of almost daily music blogging, new music would no longer be a cause for excitement in…
Interview: Amos Hoffman & Noam Lemish, “Pardes”
byThe breadth and depth of the Canadian music scene is an ongoing delight to me, and “Pardes,” the recent project from Amos Hoffman and…
Gossip Talkin’ Blues, Episode 21: Amy Cervini, “No One Ever Tells You”
byIn this week’s episode of “Gossip Talkin’ Blues,” Team GDW talks with jazz vocalist Amy Cervini about her new album, “No One Ever Tells…
Highlights from The Sound of Music Festival, Burlington, ON
byHaving enjoyed catching up with The Once during their Friday evening performance at the Sound Of Music Festival, Team GDW took delight in seeing…
Exploring the Facets of Love: Interview, Deanne Matley, “Because I Loved”
byThe fifth album from Canadian jazz vocalist Deanne Matley, “Because I Loved,” is a tour de force, taking the listener on an emotional journey…
Exploring “My Heart Away” – A Conversation With Avery Raquel
byWith her new album of self-penned compositions, jazz/soul singer Avery Raquel takes a major step forward in her progression as a musician. Embracing a…
Recreating History: Detroit Bop Quintet, “Two Birds”
byIn 1947, saxophonist Charlie Parker gathered a group of talented musicians (including a young Miles Davis) for a recording session in Detroit’s historic United…
Partaking in the “Bitches Brew”
byA couple of weeks ago, we were privileged to post an interview with jazz musicians Aline Homzy and Emma Smith about their April 28…
Interview: Apollo Suns Talk About Their Upcoming Tour
byThe Winnipeg-based instrumental group Apollo Suns have just announced tours of eastern Canada in May and June, and western Canada in July. They’ll get…
#InternationalJazzDay: Build a List of Canadian Jazz Albums
byIn celebration of #InternationalJazzDay, we’re crowdsourcing a list of Canadian jazz albums; we’ve added a few but we’re counting on you, dear readers, to…
“Something New” – Interview With Michael Kaeshammer
byMichael Kaeshammer’s latest album, “Something New,” strongly evokes the best feelings of New Orleans (if you’ve ever been there, you’ll perhaps know what I…
Women in Jazz: Aline Homzy and Emma Smith in Conversation About “Bitches Brew”
byToronto-based jazz violinist Aline Homzy is curating a concert on Saturday night (28 April) at the Canadian Music Centre. Why, you may ask, is…
Cool Splendor: “Sky Glow,” The Chris Platt Trio
byI’ve been living with this album for a while, letting it seep into my senses – some albums just need that space to breathe…
Interview: Exploring the “Lost Villages” With Robert Diack
byWith his new album “Lost Villages,” jazz drummer Robert Diack is exploring not only the geography of Ontario’s nine “Lost” villages (submerged as part…
#TuesdayTunesDay: New Song Roundup, 20 March 2018
byA fresh crop of newly released songs for your listening pleasure – enjoy! Dennis Ellsworth, “Caught in the Waves” Dennis Ellsworth has released “Caught…
Sparking the Imagination: Living Fossil, “NEVER DIE!”
byIf there’s one thing I’m learning about jazz as I dig more deeply into Canada’s jazz scene, it’s that the music can not only…
Exploring “This City” With The Heavyweights Brass Band
byBeing a music blogger presents unique challenges; one particularly painful thrill is hearing new music before it’s released and being so anxious to share…
#TuesdayTunesDay: New Song Roundup
byWe have another pile of terrific new songs to share that have recently arrived here at GDW HQ, so if you need a pick-me-up…
Finding Space in the Noir: Chris Wallace’s Many Names, “Somewhere Sacred”
bySince I’m still somewhat of a jazz neophyte (at least from the standpoint of listening it with a semi-critical ear), I can’t claim an…
The JUNOS: Four Jazz Nominees Reflect and Respond
byLast week saw the announcement of the 2018 JUNO nominations – and a terrific slate of musicians it is, too. There are a number…
Exploring New Territory: An Interview With Laila Biali
byIt’s a telling point that Laila Biali has chosen this, her seventh album, as the one to carry her name as the title. This…
Interview: Harley Card, “The Greatest Invention”
byThe more I listen to jazz, the more deeply appreciative I become both of jazz musicians’ monster skills and of their ability to fuse…
Interview: Justin Gray & Synthesis, “New Horizons”
byOne of the advantages of having eclectic musical tastes is that it keeps me open to new artists and projects that I might not…
Interview: Dave Liebman/Mike Murley Quartet, “Live at U of T”
byThe pairing of saxophonists Dave Liebman and Mike Murley could reasonably be considered a supergroup – both are masters of their instruments, and their…
Coming Soon to Your Player: Looking Forward to Upcoming Releases
byNow that we’re thoroughly into 2018, it’s time to look forward instead of backward. We already know of a number of great albums coming…
2017 Year-End Roundup: Favorite Jazz and Blues Albums
byAs our regular readers know, we most frequently focus on Canadian roots and folk music. But we are eclectic listeners here, and we’ve started…
Interview: Alex Pangman, “Alex Pangman’s Hot Three”
byAlthough I am of a certain age to recall fondly my record player with tinny speakers and my spindle of 45’s (borrowed, I admit,…
Interview: Flypaper Orchestra, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”
byMany of us with parents who grew up in the Great Depression undoubtedly heard stories about its miseries, and perhaps also heard some of…
Snappy Snippets, Holiday Style: O’Pears, Bros, Tomato Tomato, Emilie-Claire Barlow
byFor many people, the Christmas holidays are a time to pull out scads of holiday albums and crank up those old, familiar Christmas songs…
Celebrate the Holidays With the Halifax Jazz Festival and Support Music Education
byThe Halifax Jazz Festival is expanding its annual holiday fundraiser this season, adding a new show, “Swing Into The Holidays,” for the evening entertainment, along with perennial family favorite, “Tales of a Charlie…
Interview: The Lesters, “The Promise”
byTory Cassis, Murray Foster, and Jeff Ulster have each enjoyed significant careers, but (as for other musicians) there were still some musical avenues awaiting…
Interview: Diana Panton, “solstice/equinox”
byToday, two-time Juno winner Diana Panton celebrates the release of her new album, “solstice/equinox,” a celebration of the four seasons in song. Together with…
Starting a New Adventure: Kensington Market Jazz Festival, Toronto
byWanting to enjoy yet another later summer weekend in southern Ontario, we had the good fortune of spending some quality time on Saturday afternoon/evening…