It’s On! The Chet Baker Jazz Festival commemorates the legacy of Chet Baker and the newly formed Chet Baker Foundation. This FREE festival begins just before the Labour Day week-end at Yonge/Dundas Square with two special Concert Gala Fundraisers at the Music Hall on the Danforth.

The festival includes jazz workshops, dancing, film screenings, theatrical performances as well as great food/beverage vendors, a concessions area, and arts & crafts vendors.

There are two Concert Gala Fundraisers held at the Music Hall on September 1st and 3rd. The concept of the September 1st concert was inspired by Chet Baker’s ‘Last Great Concert’ which took place in Funkhaus, Hannover, Germany. Chet Baker’s band was backed by a 50 piece orchestra. This took place two weeks before his death in Amsterdam. Players such as Herb Geller, Harold Danko, Cameron Brown and Bob Mover who played with Chet Baker will be included in the fronting band. The September 3rd concert is a reflection of Chet’s history with Latin, samba, bossa nova and Brazilian music. It will be a historic event as multiple Grammy Award-winner Randy Brecker and Juno recipients Hilario Duran and Jane Bunnett all share the same stage for the first time.

Sept. 1st, 3rd: 8pm, Sept. 2nd: 2pm-11pm – Yonge/ Dundas Square – FREE

Sept. 1st, 3rd – Concert Gala Fundraisers – Music Hall – 147 Danforth – $30-60

Check out chetbaker.org for more information.
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