Markham Jazz Festival - "On Fire!" Opening Night Gala

The 12th Annual Markham Jazz Festival kicks off with a big bang from a big band on Friday, August 14! Jazz lovers will be treated to the toe-tapping beats and swinging rhythms of The Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra with the sultry vocals of Canada’Äôs own award winning Ranee Lee.

The On Fire! Gala celebrates the opening of the Markham Jazz Festival, a festival known for its incomparable line-up of Canadian jazz talent. The On Fire! Gala will usher in the festival with a great night of music that will delight lovers of swing, bebop and smoky sexy jazz standards! Held at the beautiful Markham Theatre, the evening will include a catered intermission reception and silent auction. This gala concert is an evening that self-proclaimed jazz aficionados won’Äôt want to miss!

The Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra (DMJO) is made up of some of Canada’Äôs top jazz musicians. Acclaimed across Canada, the DMJO is a Juno Award nominated ensemble which represented Canada on a tour through Russia in 1991, was featured at two International Association of Jazz Education conferences, and is a mainstay at the Toronto Jazz Festival. Ranee Lee is widely recognized as one of Canada’Äôs greatest jazz vocalists. She is a Member of the Order of Canada, a Juno Award nominee, a Dora Mavor Moore Award winner, and has performed for audiences around the world. The August 14th performance will feature the big band alone, the big band with Ranee Lee, and Ranee Lee with a small ensemble.

The Markham Jazz Festival runs from August 14th-16th, 2009 and is one of the town’Äôs most notable events, attracting thousands from across Ontario to the quaint main streets of Markham and Unionville. With over 20 performers on four stages, plus 17 ’Äúhot spots’Äù (local bars and restaurants who book their own acts under the umbrella of the Markham Jazz Festival), this year’Äôs festival is sure to provide ’Äúcool’Äù sounds for all fans of great music!

Gala tickets: $48

Location: The Markham Theatre, August 14th 2009
Time: Doors open at 7 pm; Performance at 8 pm.

For tickets and information: 905-305-SHOW (7469), 1-866-768-8801
or visit the Markham Jazz Festival website at: http://www.markhamjazzfestival.com/

More Info: contactus@markhamjazzfestival.com, or call 905-471-JAZZ