If you’re into pure jazz, check out Rollanda Lee’s latest gig with Florida clarinetist Bob Draga. As part of the Edmonton International Jazz Festival, Lee and her eight-piece band are joining forces with Draga for An Evening of Swing on Friday, June 28 at the ATB Financial Arts Barns.
Lee, a former Legal resident, and president of the Dixieland Jazz Society of Alberta, enamoured her audiences as one K-Days most beloved Klondike Kates. An international singer, she never forgot her roots and recently received the City of Edmonton’s Salute to Excellence Citation Award.
Draga was part of the powerhouse ensemble Titan Hot Seven and has found fans across the world. His soft melodies melt notes right off the pages of the classics. Complemented with jazzy improvisations and witty banter, they have made him a go-to guest clarinetist.
Lee and Draga are performing two shows – 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets for these exceptional shows are $35 for one performance or $59 for both. Tickets are available at 780-420-1757 or online at www.tixonthesquare.ca.
Teatro La Quindicina is renowned for its wonderful and wacky ideas. Their latest bid is An Expert Guide to the Entirety of Music. It is dubbed “a riotous free-wheeling concert-lecture-demonstration-hoedown” featuring Jocelyn Ahlf and Jana O’Connor.
Along with daring pianist Erik Mortimer and playwright Stewart Lemoine, the program travels from medieval musings of Hildegard van Bingen to the outpouring of Bryan Adams and Bruce Springsteen.
An Expert Guide to the Entirety of Music plays at Varscona Theatre, Thursday, June 27 to 29. Evening tickets are $25 adults, $23 seniors/students, $20 for Teatro subscribers. All matinee tickets are $16. Book at 780-420-1757 or online at www.tixonthesquare.ca.
The Canadian Country Music Association is once again hosting Country Music Week from Sept. 5 to 8, culminating with the nationally televised Canadian Country Music Awards.
The three days before the award ceremony is packed with industry workshops, demos and songwriter circles. In addition, the Legends Show: A Tribute to Yesterday and Today on Friday, Sept. 6 held at the Citadel Theatre kicks off a party-like weekend.
Country artists that have paved the way from this generation of country singer-songwriters include hall of famers Carroll Baker, Marie Bottrell, Johnny Burke, Dick Damron, Gary Fjellgaard, Harlan Smith and Joyce Smith.
Performing beside these veteran road warriors will be some of today’s radio sensations. As the evening’s host, Brett Kissell – who recently inked a deal with Warner and just moved to Nashville – returns with his easygoing enthusiasm.
Tickets for the show are $40 plus fees. Call 780-425-1820 or online at www.citadeltheatre.com.
