John Pizzarelli & Peter Appleyard Added to Toronto Jazz Festival Lineup

JOHN PIZZARELLI QUARTET & PETER APPLEYARD
Added to TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival Line-Up

Toronto – John Pizzarelli Quartet featuring special guest Peter Appleyard will take part in the GRANDMASTERS Series, presented by Panasonic, on Saturday, June 28, replacing French composer and producer Michel Legrand. Due to health reasons, Legrand will not be appearing at the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival.

Vibraphone master Peter Appleyard is one of the world's top vibraphonists whose career spans over five decades and includes collaborations with names such as Benny Goodman, Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. After drumming in British dance bands and with RAF bands, he moved in 1949 to Bermuda and in 1951 to Toronto, where he began playing vibraphone. Named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1992, Appleyard came to international notice in jazz during the early 1970s as a member of Benny Goodman's sextet. Today, he is acknowledged as one of the top five's vibraphonists.

One of jazz's most prolific guitarists, John Pizzarelli has recorded over 20 albums and has appeared on more than 40 albums of other artists including artists such as James Taylor, Rosemary Clooney, Natalie Cole and of course, Bucky Pizzarelli. Internationally known for classic standards, late-night ballads and the cool jazz flavour he brings to performances and recordings, Pizzarelli has set the standard for stylish modern jazz.

Often compared to Nat King Cole, Pizzarelli is among the prime contemporary interpreters of the great American Songbook. The Village Voice states," we can say we're a lucky to listen to (Pizzarelli) as Nat Cole fans were in the years before he became a legend."

Quartetto Guido Basso will open, featuring John Sherwood on piano, Steve Wallace on bass, Brian Barlow on drums and Guido Basso on trumpet. Tickets for the John Pizzarelli Quartet with special guest Peter Appleyard are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets, 416.870.8000 or www.ticketmaster.ca. Tickets are $50, plus facility and service charge fees. All tickets previously purchased for Legrand are available for refunds at point of purchase until Friday, July 4, 2008.

Voted Canada's Best Jazz Festival by the National Jazz Awards in 2006 and 2007, more than 1,500 musicians will entertain as the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival gets underway this summer, running June 20 – June 29, 2008. From bop to swing, cool to fusion and all musical points in between, Toronto will play host to a musical celebration like no other. Soak up the cool sounds of jazz as more than 350 concerts across 40 locations take over the city!

For more information please visit www.torontojazz.com.