Last weekend was the Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside, held from July 5-7 at Jimmie Simpson Park. Jojo and Lawrence were there to report.

– Lawrence Belanger, Contributing Editor

Jul. 7 – Jimmie Simpson Park. It was a slightly too humid summer night in the park, but that didn’t stop the crowds from coming to hear various jazz, blues, rock, pop, and country bands from across Canada and around the world play their best on the outdoor stage set up by the 36^th Annual Beaches Jazz Festival.

Bordered by the rumble of the passing GO or VIA train and the hollow hum of Toronto’s historic streetcar network, the park itself provided the perfect stage for the festival, a site integrated seamlessly into the city’s fabric.

Jul. 5

The Caradang Pincente Jazz Orchestra kicked things off at 3:30 pm, playing big band and swing classics. Headlining Friday was Neon Nostalgic, whose performance was covered in-depth by our chief writer and site founder Jojo. It was the social part of this fabric that was the focus of Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, who spoke with Blast Toronto shortly after speaking to the crowd on Friday. Also performing on Friday was Chandra Raye & the Get Down.

These sorts of outdoor, in-the-park events are uniquely valuable to the city, explained Mayor Chow. “Life is sometimes not that affordable,” especially with the cost of living these days. “To go into a club, you pay,” she added, comparing it to the free admission offered throughout the weekend at Leslieville and other Beaches Jazz Festival events.

Jul. 6

Saturday saw some audience participation, with some late morning swing dance lessons with Swing Toronto, while Martin Loomer and the Orange Devils started the day’s music. Saturday’s lineup also included the Swing Shift Big Band, Jackson Steinwall, Quincy Bullen Band, K-Man and the 45s, and Purple Rain Revisited. Blast was there as K-Man and the 45s wrapped up their set and Purple Rain Revisited started their tribute to the artist formerly known as Prince.

Jul. 7

Trainwreck was the finale, who closed out the weekend’s performances with some classic country rock-feeling songs as the sun went down. Their lead singer introduced themselves as an “everything band”, and this was reflected in their repertoire – folk icons like Bob Dylan, to modern country legends like Darius Rucker and Carrie Underwood forming the early portion of their set.

Also playing on the final day were the bands Christian Overton and the Composer’s Collective, The Toronto Jazz Orchestra, and Little Magic Sam. Sam, guitarist and singer for Little Magic Sam, spoke to Blast Toronto. A Chicago-style blue band, they are right at home in Jazz Fest. “We played the Streetfest part of it for three years in a row now,” explained Taylor. “We’re doing that [again] this year,” he added.

From the swing dance lessons to the soulful tributes, every moment was a reminder of the unique cultural fabric that events like these weave into the heart of Toronto, and in particular its East End. It was a testament to all the bands who came together and to everyone who joined together for the Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside.

The Beaches Jazzfest continues throughout July, with events at Woodbine Park and Queen St. East. Check out their website for more information!