TORONTO, January 23, 2013… The Heillig Manoeuvre will launch its latest CD ‘Toons, at Paintbox Bistro, Friday, February 1, 2013 @ 8 pm.
The performance is part of the SEASON OF ENTERTAINMENT lineup Sponsored by The Daniels Corporation during 2013 with “must-see” events in a neighbourhood-friendly venue in the heart of Toronto’s Regent Park revitalization during February, March and April.
The Heillig Manoeuvre quartet, founded by bassist Henry Heillig in 1998 performs and records Heillig’s original jazz compositions. He describes the band’s repertoire as “more songbook than doctoral thesis”. Heillig is best known for his 30+ year stint as musical director of Manteca. A prolific Toronto jazz freelancer, works extensively with harmonica giant Carlos del Junco. He also produces recording projects and live events. www.heilligman.com
Ladybug Waltz, the lead track from the Heillig Manoeuvre’s second CD, inmotion, has been in constant rotation at Jazz.FM since its 2004 release.
Heillig Manoeuvre was put on the back burner in 2007, when Manteca, the 9-piece band Heillig co-founded in 1980, re-formed for two additional recordings and several live performances. In 2011, Heillig re-launched the Manoeuvre and chose a Manteca concert at Brock Centre for the Performing Arts as the time to announce his resignation. He began writing for the third Manoeuvre CD to be released in February 1, 2013.
Over the years, Heillig Manoeuvre has had several different melodic voices: guitarists Kim Ratcliffe and Jake Langley; trombonist William Carn amongst them.
However, when Heillig first heard saxophonist Alison Young in 2011, he immediately wanted her sound to represent his melodies. Thus, the present version of the Heillig Manoeuvre was born.
His Manoeuvre mates are: Alison Young, sax; Stacie McGregor, piano; Charlie Cooley, drums.
- Saxophonist Alison Young is a recent U of T grad but her playing shows her to have a very old soul. She has been featured in the Red Hot Ramble, Tara Hazelton’s swing band and Big Rude Jake’s ensemble, with whom she has toured in Europe.
- When not performing with The Heillig Manoeuvre, pianist Stacie McGregor can be heard in Kollage, the hard-driving bebop group led by legendary drummer Archie Alleyne. She was also featured in bassist Brandi Disterheft’s ensemble, which provided the opportunity to perform with both Herbie Hancock and the late Dave Brubeck. She also performs regularly with saxophonist Jim Heinemann’s Dream Band.
- Drummer Charlie Coolie, Heillig’s Manteca rhythm-mate has also toured with many of top acts including Sass Jordan, The Guess Who, Jimmy Rankin, Prairie Oyster and Kellylee Evans. Cooley and Heillig have been described as “playing as one”.
HEILLIG MANOEUVRE – (L-R) Bassist Henry Heillig; Pianist Stacie McGregor; Saxophonist Alison Young and Drummer Charlie Coolie
SEASON OF ENTERTAINMENT – Upcoming Jazz Series Lineup
ü Friday, Feb. 15, 2013 @ 8 pm – ELIZABETH SHEPHERD TRIO
Singer, songwriter, pianist, Elizabeth Shepherd is an engaging performer. Since bursting onto the scene in 2006, with her first album Start to Move, Shepherd and her trio have toured the world, garnering fans and rave reviews along the way. She fearlessly attacks odd time signatures and makes them seem natural. The band has a very fresh and innovative approach to familiar songs, plus a wealth of original material.
www.elizabethshepherd.com
ü Saturday, March 9, 2013 @ 8 pm – PHIL DWYER with DON THOMPSON
Phil Dwyer is an accomplished composer, saxophonist, pianist and arranger. Dwyer lived in Toronto for many years, and since returning to his native Vancouver Island, has maintained a Toronto presence as one of Canada’s most in-demand musicians. Concert-mate Don Thompson says, “I’ve been a working, professional musician for 50 years and played with many of the world’s greatest musicians and can honestly say I’ve never known a better musician than Phil Dwyer.”
www.phildwyer.com
ü Friday, March 22, 2013 @ 8 pm – THOMPSON EGBO-EGBO TRIO
Pianist Thompson Egbo-Egbo’s musical career has progressed rapidly as one of the first graduates of the Regent Park School of Music program. He furthered his musical education at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA and since returning to Toronto, has performed with his own trio and many other ensembles. He has also, at a very young age, become a beacon to young musicians from underprivileged backgrounds, through the formation of his organization, the Thompson T. Egbo-Egbo Arts Foundation. Joining Thompson are bassist Randall Hall and drummer Max Roach.
www.egbofoundation.org www.myspace.com/t2e2
ü Saturday, April 13,2013 @ 8 pm – JANE BUNNETT with HILARIO DURAN
Saxophonist, flautist Jane Bunnett has an international reputation not only as a performer, but as a bridger of cultures. She has visited Cuba more than 100 times, taking instruments and teachers to help young Cuban musicians come to Canada to further their studies and careers. One of those early arrivals is pianist Hilario Duran, now a well-known and dynamic presence in Toronto’s jazz and Latin music circles. They perform and tour together often in large ensembles. For this performance at Paintbox Bistro, their performance will be an intimate, inside look at the music, in a pared–down duo format.
ü Saturday, April 22,2013 @ 8 pm – JOE SEALY TRIO
Pianist Joe Sealy has enjoyed a highly successful career as a musician, composer, recording artist and radio broadcaster. His powerful 1997 album, Africville Suite won a Juno Award, and in 2010, he was named a Member of the Order of Canada. Joe will perform with his long-time musical partner, bassist Paul Novotny and drummer Daniel Barnes. www.joesealy.com
Reservations at Paintbox Bistro are recommended for all performances by calling (647) 748-0555 or online at www.paintboxbistro.ca.
A three-course dinner package, including the performance is available for $40.
Performance only: $15. cover.
Paintbox Bistro: 555 Dundas Street East, Toronto in Regent Park brings a new live performance venue to Torontonians. Paintbox Bistro is the latest component in the revitalization of Regent Park that is rapidly making it the newest must-visit, distinctive Toronto neighbourhood, transforming not just the architecture and amenities of this vital community, but also the lives of its residents.
Special thanks to Steinway Piano Gallery Toronto for generously providing a piano as part of this Jazz Series.
