Jazz Sudbury Festival Artistic Director Allan Walsh is bringing 20 northern Ontarian musicians together to perform on the main stage.
The Saturday night of the Jazz Sudbury Festival will be a night for jazz purists and enthusiasts alike. Between Molly Johnson and Michael Kaeshammer, the evening is sure to speak directly to the souls of jazz lovers.
Finding an act grand enough to set the tone for these incredibly talented artists can be a feat for an artistic director. Jazz Sudbury Festival Artistic Director, Allan Walsh, has seen this as an opportunity to fulfil a dream of his.
Walsh has recruited twenty jazz musicians with roots across northern Ontario to form the Great North All Star Big Band. The north produces so much talent but often musicians leave to seek opportunities elsewhere. This will be a great moment of pride for the north’s jazz scene.
Five-time JUNO award winner Kevin Turcotte will take to his trumpet, and Reg Schwager will play his guitar among numerous notable musicians including Mark Promane, Elena Kapeleris, and Sundar Viswanathan. Sudbury born composer Christian Overton (pictured above) will be creating an official jazz festival song to mark the occasion and to honour the 10th-anniversary celebration.
“I’ve been thinking about doing this for a few years. It’s going to be a scheduling feat to have so many wonderful players come as they are all busy with gigs and summer festivals,” explains Walsh, “We’re really looking forward to this!”
Catch the Big Band on the Jazz Sudbury Festival main stage September 8 as they open for Molly Johnson and Michael Kaeshammer.
