Going to Toronto

Steve K · #1 02-27-2009, 11:26 AM

I'm heading east to Toronto to visit my brother for a week from March 12 to March 19. I would like some advice on some fun things to do while I'm over there. I'm hoping to drive to Hamilton to check out the F-Bass shop while I'm there but I can't think of a whole lot else to check out. I want to find some cool jazz clubs over there, but I'm still a minor, so do you have any suggestions? Are there any interesting events or cool concerts happening the week I'm there? I've never been to Toronto so I want to make it pretty fun. I'm open to a lot of ideas, so let's hear them!

JPrinos · #2 02-27-2009, 11:48 AM

You can go visit Club Bass on the Queensway (southwest end of town)

I'll see if I can find out any info on shows that week.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve K

I'm heading east to Toronto to visit my brother for a week from March 12 to March 19. I would like some advice on some fun things to do while I'm over there. I'm hoping to drive to Hamilton to check out the F-Bass shop while I'm there but I can't think of a whole lot else to check out. I want to find some cool jazz clubs over there, but I'm still a minor, so do you have any suggestions? Are there any interesting events or cool concerts happening the week I'm there? I've never been to Toronto so I want to make it pretty fun. I'm open to a lot of ideas, so let's hear them!

Steve K · #3 02-27-2009, 05:07 PM

Yeah, I was thinking about checking out Club Bass. Any concert info would be greatly appreciated.

Any other Torontonians want to chime in with some info?

Steve K · #4 02-27-2009, 07:25 PM

C'mon Torontonians, hit me up with some more information.

iamlowsound · #5 02-27-2009, 08:40 PM

Take a walk down church street, really interesting, but make sure you do it during the day time.

lowsound

Steve K · #6 02-28-2009, 04:15 PM

Anyone else got any more info...

davecheng · #7 03-01-2009, 08:51 PM

Queen St West for shopping. Used to be more small boutique stores, but there's all kinds of stuff there now on the stretch between Spadina and John.

Definitely check out Club Bass, but mind the odd hours. Lots of Lakland, Roscoe, Bergantino, and MarkBass stuff on display to try out.

If you're into r&b/funk/Motown covers and good food, go to Joe Mama's on King St West on a Friday or Saturday night. The house band ("Shugga") is an amalgam of some of the city's best session players. On a night when they're not touring with the likes of Jully Black, Divine Brown, etc., you'll find some monster players, including Calvin Beale and Juwayon Clarke on bass. Incidentally, Cal plays a BN5.

Speaking of monster players, Toronto is home to virtuoso electric bassist Rich Brown, who usually does a Saturday night gig with the house band ("The A Team") at The Orbit Room. Again, mostly r&b/soul covers. Doesn't really do full justice to Rich's skills (for that, you'll have to check out his jazz/fusion band, rinsethealgorithm) but still awesome live music. (Rich is all over different concerts on the CBC Radio 2: Canada Live website though, if you haven't heard him before.) Rich normally plays a 6 string Ken Lawrence, but I think he pulls out an F for those Orbit room gigs.

The Orbit on Sunday nights is home to a rock/alternative cover band ("Stiffler's Mom") made up of members from Thornley, Big Sugar, and Hawklsey Workman. Mondays, Kevin Breit usually plays, and his Jeff Beck-esque guitar worth is definitely work seeing as well.

I like to frequent a place called the Trane Studio, which usually features more urban and groove oriented jazz. I just checked their schedule, and rinsethealgorithm is playing there March 12. With Rich on bass, Robi Botos on keys, Larnell Lewis on the kit, this jazz fusion band is completley off the hook.

There's always interesting stuff going on at the CBC's Glenn Gould Studio on Front St. If you're not into jazz fusion, The Trews are playing at Glenn Gould on March 12. The acoustics in this sit-down venue are second-to-none.

Church St, mentioned above, is the gay district. I don't know if you knew that, so unless it's your thing, you're probably better off walking Queen West.

bass12 · #8 03-01-2009, 09:49 PM

Fun? You're obviously confusing Toronto with someplace else!

**Mark Wilson** · #9 03-01-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davecheng

Speaking of monster players, Toronto is home to virtuoso electric bassist Rich Brown, who usually does a Saturday night gig with the house band ("The A Team") at The Orbit Room. Again, mostly r&b/soul covers. Doesn't really do full justice to Rich's skills (for that, you'll have to check out his jazz/fusion band, rinsethealgorithm) but still awesome live music. (Rich is all over different concerts on the CBC Radio 2: Canada Live website though, if you haven't heard him before.) Rich normally plays a 6 string Ken Lawrence, but I think he pulls out an F for those Orbit room gigs.

I study with Rich.
Remind me to ask him when he's playing!

2minkey · #10 03-02-2009, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

Take a walk down church street, really interesting, but make sure you do it during the day time.

lowsound

last time i took someone on that walk i got "hey, can we go back toward the hotel, this is too much for me."

to the OP, if you like food... nota bene is a pretty decent restaurant.

rfclef · #11 03-02-2009, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davecheng

Speaking of monster players, Toronto is home to virtuoso electric bassist Rich Brown, who usually does a Saturday night gig with the house band ("The A Team") at The Orbit Room. Again, mostly r&b/soul covers. Doesn't really do full justice to Rich's skills (for that, you'll have to check out his jazz/fusion band, rinsethealgorithm) but still awesome live music. (Rich is all over different concerts on the CBC Radio 2: Canada Live website though, if you haven't heard him before.) Rich normally plays a 6 string Ken Lawrence, but I think he pulls out an F for those Orbit room gigs.

The Orbit on Sunday nights is home to a rock/alternative cover band ("Stiffler's Mom") made up of members from Thornley, Big Sugar, and Hawklsey Workman. Mondays, Kevin Breit usually plays, and his Jeff Beck-esque guitar worth is definitely work seeing as well.
.

Isn't the Orbit Room owned by Alex Lifeson... that guy who hangs out with Geddy Lee? I strolled by it back about 14 years ago when I and the ex took a belated honeymoon to Niagra Falls and Toronto. Had a nice time.

davecheng · #12 03-02-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

I study with Rich.
Remind me to ask him when he's playing!

You're at Humber?

Man, that school is associated with some heavy players!

crayzee · #13 03-02-2009, 01:02 PM

Go down Queen West, check out Steve's music. Keep walking west until you get to Capsule music. Lots of nice old stuff in there.

Steve K · #14 03-04-2009, 04:07 PM

Thanks for all the info, guys! Keep it coming.

**Mark Wilson** · #15 03-06-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davecheng

You're at Humber?

Man, that school is associated with some heavy players!

yep!

Yea, it's a killer school man!
Some monsters go here. haha