It’s time for one of the highlights of our summer season – the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival! Incredible Canadian and international acts will be playing on outdoor stages in addition to more than 30 clubs, restaurants, hotels, and lounges around the city. World class talent like Herbie Hancock and Holly Cole will of course be on hand. But, what often lands up making the most impact are the fabulous acts that are not yet world famous.

Each and every day during the Jazz Festival you will be able to enjoy free performances at Nathan Phillips Square and the Alexander the Great Parkette located at Danforth and Logan Avenues. At Nathan Phillips Square there are free concerts at the OLG Lunchtime Concert Series and the Primus Stage, daily at noon during the week and at 1:00 PM on weekends and at 4:00 PM every afternoon. Some great bargains and some great local jazz can be found at http://www.tojazz.com/Pages/Toronto_Downtown_Jazz_Festival_pgM96.asp

A terrific venue is Mezzetta Restaurant. The owner, Safa Nematy, is a great jazz fan and features live jazz in the restaurant every Wednesday night. During the Jazz Festival he has 2 shows a night at 9:00 PM and 10:15 PM with a cover charge of $9.00 or $10.00. Don’t forget to have something to eat. The food is fabulous! Follow the link below for more information.

http://www.mezzettarestaurant.com/

After the shows at the main stages are over, jazz lovers don’t go to sleep. They continue to the clubs offering late night jazz and the ability to still serve alcohol thanks to their liquor licenses that have been extended to 4:00 AM during the Festival. For some late night jazz, drop any night to Lolita’s Lust, The Rex, Dominion on Queen, or at Live@Courthouse on weekends only and you just may find that some big name jazz artists have stopped by for an impromptu jam.

June 22^nd – July 1^st is the time. Follow the link below for complete details.

http://www.tojazz.com/Pages/Toronto_Downtown_Jazz_Festival_pgM29.asp

Are there any terrific little venues that you would like to recommend?