Josh Grossman's blog

Back in January - January 4, to be exact - I got an email completely out of the blue inviting me to be on the jury of the 2016 International Zbigniew Seifert Jazz Violin Competition in Poland. All expenses paid. The work would involve listening to and scoring competition submissions, then attending three days of concerts and, ultimately, helping to choose the 1st (10,000 Euro), 2nd (5,000 Euro) and 3rd (2,000 Euro) prize winners.

Um...yes?

My wife said to me this morning, "Looks like you've got more white hair." I looked in the mirror. She's kinda right. But if less sleep than usual and my #jazzfestdiet contributed to my new hair colour, I think it was worth it - these past ten days have been spectacular.

I'm sitting this morning in my home office, drinking a home made americano, looking at an empty schedule (for the next few hours, anyway). It's nice. But it's hard not to feel a bit sad.

And so here we are, on the last day of official programming at the 30th anniversary TD Toronto Jazz Festival. I've had a fantastic week, and look forward to wrapping things up today with some excellent music and one more late night jam...

I'm a bit late in writing the post today - I got to enjoy a visit from my family this morning (see the picture above). So it's just about 3 pm and I'm sitting at The Rex about the enjoy David Gilmore and the Berklee Global Jazz Institute, much needed Americano at hand...

Okay so it might be a bit hard to type today - I'm having trouble keeping still with the Lula All Stars in full swing (er...salsa) on stage for our Lunchtime Concert Series.

I'm not a fan of unnecessary capitalization, but I believe Day 5 was what we call a Good Day - despite a someone harried beginning. Despite my best efforts, I managed do set my alarm incorrectly so woke up 15 minutes later than I had hoped. It was only 15 minutes, but with a TV interview scheduled for just after noon, I didn't have any time to waste. Nor did I have time for a coffee. But I found a way, somehow, to persevere.

Day 4 was a lighter day schedule-wise, but still included a wide variety of musical styles.

As I write this post, the Brian Barlow Big Band is absolutely swinging away on the Lunchtime Series stage. So if I'm a bit distracted, it's because Alex Dean is taking a fiery solo or Jason Logue is pasting yet another high z...

I hope Karen Burke, Director of the Toronto Mass Choir, doesn't mind my incorporating her words into the title of this post. The Choir just kicked off their Lunchtime Series concert at Nathan Phillips Square and I gotta tell you - any day that starts with this choir is, indeed, a good day...

Okay now. Yesterday. What happened yesterday? Oh yes!

As far as first days go, yesterday was pretty great.

We kicked things off with the duo of Jane Bunnett and Hilario Duran at 12:30, at what is a new venue for us this year - Holt Renfrew. It's always a bit nerve-wracking launching a new series - will anyone show up? - so we were pleasantly surprised when the store had to add more chairs! It ended up being a standing-room-only affair; Jane and Hilario demonstrated why they are each acclaimed as musicians, but also why the music of Spirits of Havana still resonates 25 years later - interesting compositions, performed brilliantly.