News

May 2008

RON DAVIS RETURNS TO THE AL GREEN THEATRE

FOR SPECIAL SEXTET PERFORMANCE

CONCERT FOLLOWS CHART TOPPING SUCCESS OF

 SUBARASHII LIVE

For Immediate Release

PLEASE ADD TO LISTINGS

WHO:  MNjcc Jazz at the J Presents: The

Ron Davis Sextet: Ron Davis (piano); Richard Underhill (Saxophone); Ted Warren (drums); Sasha Boychouk (clarinet); Mike Downes       (acoustic bass); Drew Birston (acoustic bass)

WHAT:          Exciting jazz piano in sextet with two double bass players

WHEN: June 19, 2008

WHERE: Al Green Theatre, Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, 750 Spadina Ave. (at Bloor) Toronto, ON M5S2J2

TIME:  8:00pm

TICKETS:  $15.00 student, $24 advance, $28 day of  

Tickets available by phone 416-924-6211 ex0.  or in person at the MNjcc

Critically acclaimed jazz pianist Ron Davis (“One of Canada’s A-list Pianists”- CFRB) returns to the Al Green Theatre at the Miles Nadal JCC with his sextet on June 19th, 2008.  Always looking to expand the musical experience and enjoyment, Ron’s unique sextet features TWO of Canada’s top double bass players, Mike Downes and Drew Birston. The group will be playing original compositions as well as jazz standards.  Rounding out the superb band are Richard Underhill, Sasha Boychouk and Ted Warren.

Ron’s fifth CD, Subarashii Live, (pronounced: soo-ba-ra-shee - Japanese for “great”) has received fabulous response on radio, reaching #1 for two weeks on Chart Attack’s college radio chart.  Wholenote Magazine called the CD “Awesome” and JAZZ FM Host, Jaymz Bee says ‘I Love this CD’. 

Lawyer, turned PhD graduate, turned professor, metamorphosed into full time pianist, composer and arranger, Ron has traveled a long path to find his life's passion. Throughout his many professional incarnations, jazz was never far from his mind. His extensive body of work points to strong musical roots in stride piano and swing, while retaining a clean and straight-ahead style. The Toronto Star compared Davis’ technique and enthusiasm to a young Oscar Peterson, and his compositions to early Dave Brubeck. Other critics likened his virtuoso flashes to Art Tatum.

The MNjcc has produced 5 sold-out concerts this year, in its intimate 288-seat Al Green Theatre. From Mitch Smolkin and Klezmer en Buenos Aires, to A Tribute to Milton Barnes, to Musica Cuba with Hilario Duran and David Buchbinder’s Odessa Havana, these concerts have showcased the best talent in the city. The Jazz @ the J series was launched in 2005 by Yiddish diva Theresa Tova.

Please add this information to your listings. We are presently confirming interviews.

Ron Davis est également disponible pour des interviews en français.

For ticket and concert info please contact the Miles Nadal JCC at (416) 924-6211 ex0 or info@mnjcc.org

April 2008

Ron on the Glenn Gould Foundation

Like countless poeple, musicians and non-musicians, all overthe world, Ron was deeply influenced by the late Glenn Gould. Not only a great pianist, whose recordings of Bach and others set the standard, Gould was an astonishingly original thinker, writer and broadcaster.  

It is a special honour for Ron to have been elected to the Board of the Glenn Gould Foundation.  He now serves on the executive, as Secretary of the Foundation. The Foundation's goal is "to extend awareness of Glenn Gould as an extraordinary musician and communicator, and to advance his innovative ideas into the future." Ron is excited to help carry on this work.

The Glenn Gould Foundation is a charitable organization. Ron strongly encourages support of its work. Details: www.glenngould.ca

Stars on Spadina!

Toronto's Spadina Avenue is steeped in history. Now the heart of Chinese immigrant culture, for many years, it was home to the Jewish influx from Eastern Europe. In those days, Ron's father Alex manufactured women's coats on Spadina. His mother, Alice , was part of a family that ran one of the great restaurants, United Bakers, still going strong in north Toronto after nearly 100 years.    

It's a special pleasure for Ron to be invited to appear with the Stars on Spadina gala benefit concert for the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre on Tuesday April 15, at 7:30pm. Joining Ron will be a host of musical superstars, incuding opera great Adrianne Pieczonka, latin jazz marvel Amanda Martinez, and the venerable bass and drum team of Artie Roth and Daniel Barnes. Details: www.mnjcc.org.

March 2008

Jazz for Herbie 2008

Along with Jazz.FM91 personality Bryan Snelson and singer Leah State, Ron co-produced the 5th edition of this important annual charitable event, last February. The cream of Canada's jazz community came out to play for the children of the Herbie Fund at Toronto's historic the Old Mill Inn. Altogether, over $17,000 was raised for the HErbie Fund and The Hospital for Sick Children. Look out for Jazz for Herbie 2009!

Ron sur les ondes de Radio Canada

Ron a donné une interview pour l'émission de Radio Canada, Desautels, qui honorait le géant du jazz, Oscar Peterson, décédé le 24 décembre dernier: cliquer ici pour l'écouter.

STILL Number 1 !

Having ended 2007 at Number 1 on the ChartAttack national jazz radio charts, Subarashii Live, Ron's new CD, continues to gain new fans and fantastic reviews.  2008 looks to be a great year for Subarashii Live.

Remember, you can buy Ron's CDs at HMV, CDBaby.com, iTunes , or by calling 1-800-771-6161 from anywhere in North America.  Please continue to request Ron's music at your favourite radio station. You can write your own review of Subarashii Live at CDBaby (click here). Please do!  

December 2007

Number 1 !