Toronto showcases world of music
Panorama
Toronto has a well-known reputation as one of the world's most multicultural cities. This month, the sound of the city's diversity will ring through the streets in a collection of concerts featuring internationally acclaimed musicians.
One of Toronto's most exciting world-fusion collectives, Ainike, will participate in a special weekend performance at Trane Studio on Friday, April 4 at 9 p.m. alongside legendary saxophonist Perry White. Ainike is a Toronto-based ensemble rooted in the polyrhythmic, highly energetic music of Guinea, West Africa.
The band bridges the ancient and modern, mixing traditional Guinean percussion instruments ( djembe and dunduns ) with non-traditional instruments (guitar, bass, keys and sax) and arrangements. A growing number of jazz, funk and Afrobeat enthusiasts who have discovered Ainike's music have made the band one of the city's most popular acts.
Also on April 4, Asha Bhosle performs at Massey Hall.
Bhosle is best known as a Bollywood playback singer, although she has a much wider repertoire. Her career started in 1943 and has spanned more than six decades.
Perhaps best known as the sister of the equally accomplished Lata Mangeshkar, Bhosle is considered one of the most versatile South Asian singers in history. Her range of songs includes film music, pop, ghazals, bhajans, traditional Indian classical music and folk songs.
Bhosle sings in more than 14 languages including Hindi, Urdu, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Tamil, English, Russian, Czech, Nepali, Malay and Malayalam. There is much contention over Bhosle's claim that she has recorded more than 12,000 songs.
Lata Mangeshkar was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records during 1974 to 1991 for having sung the most songs in the world, however, reputable sources have raised concerns as to its veracity, claiming the Guinness counts were exaggerated and Bhosle has recorded more songs than her sister.
On Thursday, April 10, the Lula Lounge will play host to Ensemble Uniqua's 10-year reunion concert featuring Sundar Viswanathan and Bryan Vargas.
Ensemble Uniqua is a stunning New York City-Toronto global fusion collaboration.
The band includes Indo-Canadian saxophonist, vocalist and composer Sundar Viswanathan; Antonio Dangerfield on trumpet; six-string bass player Rich Brown; guitarist Bryan Vargas; violinist and showman Michael Lawson; and drummer Matt Baranello.
Critically acclaimed Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel returns to Roy Thomson Hall on Tuesday, April 15.
After an almost decade-long absence from the city, Terfel will perform alongside British pianist Malcolm Martineau for a thrilling program of songs ranging from Irish folk songs to works by Schubert and Vaughan Williams.
Terfel's thrillingly robust voice, rare interpretive artistry and charismatic stage presence have won him worldwide fame. He regularly performs at the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Vienna State Opera, Covent Garden, Chicago Lyric Opera and San Francisco Opera.
He is especially recognized for his portrayals of Figaro, Falstaff, Wotan, Mephistopheles, Don Giovanni and Scarpia.
The world comes to Toronto through these fantastic concerts, which showcase the artistry and talent of Europe, Africa, South Asia and beyond. Visit affiliated host sights for more information on scheduling and artist information.
Jon Sarpong is the diversity officer at Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. He has a special interest and expertise in issues pertaining to ethno-cultural issues. Contact Jon by emailing: jsarpong@hotmail.com.
