The Distillery's Sounds of Toronto FREE Concert Series celebrates the diversity and vibrancy of Toronto's incredible music scene. Performances will be 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm daily.
Afternoon All-Stars
The Afternoon All Stars, hosted by Tim Shia (Worst Pop Band Ever, Holly Cole, Rich Underhill,etc), is a fun sampler of Toronto's diverse music scene that will be performing for the Distillery District's summer afternoon concert series. From playing with the African Guitar Summit to Lang Lang to Johnny Reid, the Afternoon All Stars features some of the most in demand musicians in the country, including a few Juno award winners.
Tim will be joined by guitarist/vocalist, Donne Roberts and keyboardist/vocalist Yukiko Tsutsui playing the music from Donne's native Madagascar; then from the East Coast, vocalist, Jessica Lalonde and keyboardist, Adrean Farrugia will regale with their interpretation of the American Song Book; vocalist, Shannon Butcher and keyboardist, Michael Shand will amuse with their eclectic arrangements of pop tunes and originals; and finally guitarist/vocalist, Fraser Melvin and bassist, Alex Furlott will keep things funky and bluesy.
Matinee Trio Groove
MATINEE TRIO GROOVE features Christopher Plock, a Juno award recipient, multi-instrumentalist and a seasoned performer. As a highly regarded singer whose high energy performance of diversified material, Christopher keeps any audience engaged, whether he is singing, playing flute, percussion or 2 saxes at the same time. Christopher has captivated audiences all over Canada, the Caribbean, Middle East, Germany, Israel, Egypt and other exotic destinations. He will be performing with his trios consisting of Eric St. Laurent on guitar and Mark Dunn on Bass or Stacey Macgregor on keys and Daniel Barnes on drums.
Lady Son
One of the most arresting voices on the Canadian music scene, often drawing comparisons to music legend Celia Cruz, Lady Son (Yeti Ajasin), brings a powerful yet gentle contemporary voice to the rich vocal and percussion traditions of Afro- Cuban music.
Gene Hardy Trio
Canada's foremost Rock & Roll saxophonist, GENE HARDY began his musical journey on violin at age 9 then on saxophone a year later in Victoria, British Columbia. After studies at Victoria's Conservatory of Music & UVic, he moved to Toronto in 1986 and traded in his classical pursuits for a post-graduate degree in funk with Toronto's infamous Bourbon Tabernacle Choir.
Chances are, you've heard him play. Since the Bourbon's mid '90s break-up, Gene has become the horn player of choice for many of Canada's best-known exports & domestic successes. In fact, he’s has recorded and performed with hundreds of acts - pop & rock, jazz & blues, country to punk and everything in between with the likes of;
Barenaked ladies, Michael Buble, Johnny Reid, Steven page, The Dreamboats, Miss Tammy Darling, Billy Ray Cyrus, Esthero, Big Sugar, Colin James, Downchild Blues Band, Ronnie Hawkins, Lily Frost, Chuck Jackson, Matchedash Parish, Emm Griner, Jordan John, Tyler Yarema & his Rhythm, Rheostatics, The Lincolns, Hock Walsh, Veda Hille, Que Vida, Kevin Quain & the Mad Bastards, Ford Pier (of Doa), Dutch Mason, Michael Kaeshammer, The Bourbon Tabernacle Choir and Jamaica's Third World.
Clair et le Jazz Hot
Claire Riley is a passionate jazz vocalist. Music is her first love. For nearly a decade, she’s been performing locally with some of Toronto’s most renowned musicians. Her repertoire features timeless jazz standards, light swing, blues, pop, and smooth Latin beats. She also includes classic French tunes in her performances for an additional sprinkle of joie-de-vivre.
Claire’s a proud fifth-generation Canadian, originally from the Maritimes. She also lived in Montreal, Quebec City, and Vancouver. Montreal Gazette columnist Bill Brownstein described Claire as the ultimate hyphenate: “You want credits? Claire Riley has credits. Credits in TV news, film, radio, theatre, industrial videos, commercials, choreography, and stage production. You want impressive critical notices? Riley has a truckload of those too, since she is able to cross the cultural frontier and work in both official languages.”
Claire has performed as jazz vocalist for private, corporate, community, and cultural events in some of the coolest neighbourhoods in Toronto: The Beaches, Cabbagetown, Danforth-Greektown, Dovercourt, Leslieville, Little Italy, Roncesvalles, the Downtown Core. Her performance style is tailored-made for each occasion; fine entertainment topped off with her uniquely piquant vinaigrette. She continues to expand her artistic expression and creative horizons, carving her niche, continually embracing the unchanging adage, “Music is food for the soul.”
Chris Bottomley
The distinctive funk, rock, reggae and jazz stylings of Canadian bassist, singer, and songwriter Chris Bottomley have been vibrating through Canadian music lovers for over 30 years.
Combining soulful vocals and adventuresome lyrics, catchy hooks and memorable melodies, Bottomley lays it down thick and heavy on the bass, supported by the steady groove of drummer Great Bob Scott, Malagasy guitarist Donne Roberts and stellar saxophone players Rich Underhill & Perry White.
Chris is excited to be releasing a new double album in the fall of 2024.
