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The East York jazz singer said the four-night stand, which wrapped up Wednesday at the Hothouse Cafe on Church Street, was recorded with a view to eventually releasing another live CD.

Her first live CD was recorded in identical circumstances at the Hothouse Cafe during the Downtown Jazz Festival and garnered good reviews, copping a "CD of the Week" at Jazz Review in the U.S. It was released in 2000.

This time around she said a more sophisticated recording arrangement was used.

The Downtown Jazz Festival continues this long weekend with several local venues east of the Don Valley. The schedule for the east Toronto venues are posted on the Music Notes blog at www.insidetoronto.com.

Carol, along with husband Stephen Gardner, are long-time residents of the Woodbine and Danforth area where both run their long-established teaching studio.

Carol, whose self titled studio debut CD from 1998 was also critically acclaimed, has found her way into the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment, Vol. 1, Showbiz, Pioneers - Best Singers, Musicians, and Entertainers from 1606 to the present, published by the Federation of American Musicians, Singers and Performing Artists (FAMSPA).

Carol and her new ClaireVoyance bassist Jack Zorawski took time out from their rehearsing prior to their festival gig to talk to The Mirror.

Speaking of new recordings, Zorawski, who is married with two adult children 23 and 19 years of age, has released a new CD this year, First Train, by his trio, which also features Richard Whiteman on piano and Kevin Coady on drums.

Recorded over a two-day period in March 2006 at his home which he has lived in for nearly a decade in the Leslieville area, it marks his first CD of originals and his first CD as a frontman (although he generously shares the spotlight, particularly with Whiteman on the ivories).

It has received critical acclaim.

Zorawski, who was born and raised in Poland, immigrating to Canada in 1987 when he was 23 years of age.

The 'First Train' title is explained in the CD cover notes:

"I don't know how many of you had experienced long waits for the train, different countries, stations, times of the day and night... Those of you that did, may find something in common with the mood of this recording. I certainly waited long for this train, being my first CD as a leader and composer. The tunes I picked for this album are created in the last twenty years of my musical career in Toronto, some of them are old some very fresh and they differ a lot in mood and style. I believe that they honestly reflect who I am as a composer and bass player."

CD sales, he said are "going relatively well" with the best reception, not surprisingly, in Japan, which he said is a hotbed of jazz.

While many fellow jazz and roots musicians supplement their income with lessons, he concedes it's not really much of an option for him.

"I basically play bass only and it's a fairly limited market (for lessons)," he said. "Every now and then I will do consultations for people that want to learn specific things."

Kids are the bread and butter of music lessons, he said, adding that the upright bass is usually "really down the list" of instruments they want to play.

In any event, because of kids' small hands, he doesn't even recommend they pick up the instrument until their mid-teens.

His bread and butter, he said is as a freelance musician in Toronto's thriving jazz scene.

"I have to really put the most time and interest to be an in-demand bass player. My original project, it's a bit of a side thing, you know."

Check out Brenda Carol and ClaireVoyance at www.brendacarol.com

Check out Jack Zorawski at www.jackzorawski.com

Check out the Downtown Jazz Festival at www.tojazz.com