Syncopation: Life in the Key of Black

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Archie Alleyne Scholarship Fund presents

Syncopation: Life in the Key of Black

A dynamic suite of live jazz, dance and photography in celebration of Toronto’s unsung jazz heroes from the 1930s –’50s. Featuring Jackie Richardson, Shawn Byfield, Kellylee Evans, Shawne and Jay Jackson.

Specially re-staged for Black History Month.  Sponsored by TD Bank Group.

 

Sunday, February 5, 2012

"Intoxicating"– SHARE Newspaper

Toronto (January 10, 2012) – The Archie Alleyne Scholarship Fund (AASF) celebrates Black History Month with a special re-staging of its 7th Annual Gala concert Syncopation: Life in the Key of Black, for one day only at the Al Green Theatre in the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre on Sunday, February 5th, 2012.

Co-hosted by CBC Toronto TV News Anchor & Co-Host Dwight Drummond and Jay Jackson, this dynamic suite of live jazz, dance and photography, sponsored by the TD Bank Group, features Canada’s finest talents including, Gemini and Dora Award-winning Jackie Richardson, Juno Award-winning Kellylee Evans, Dora Award-winning tap dancer and choreographer Shawn Byfield, and many more take to the stage. Composed by Archie Alleyne, who was recently awarded the Order of Canada, with Dr. Andrew Scott, and performed by Alleyne’s nine-piece Evolution of Jazz Ensemble, the suite pays tribute to the African-Canadian musicians that performed at the Toronto Chapter of Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), which was located at 355 College Street. The UNIA Hall was an important gathering place for Toronto’s Black community from the 1930s-’50s, and spawned a hotbed of talent and luminaries such as Cy McLean, the pianist and band leader billed as Canada’s Count Basie and Phyllis Marshall, the Barrie-born songstress who performed at Toronto’s fabled Silver Slipper dance pavilion. The accompanying photography exhibit runs from Monday, February 6th to Friday, February 10th at the Africentric Alternative School and also from Monday, March 12th to Sunday, March 18th at the BAND Gallery. This will be a rare opportunity to see photos and biographies archived by Alleyne over two decades that tell the little-known story of McLean, Marshall and the first all-Black Swing band of note, the Harlem Aces.      

The Archie Alleyne Scholarship Fund (AASF), named for Canadian Jazz legend Archie Alleyne, provides mentorship and financial assistance to deserving young artists pursuing advanced music training and education. Alleyne, who has made a significant contribution throughout his 60-year career in music, business and philanthropy, was one of 66 people named as Member of the Order of Canada in recent appointments made at the end of last year. It is the highest civilian recognition in the country. Alleyne has performed with jazz icons including, Billie Holiday, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Mel Torme, Big Joe Turner, Abbey Lincoln, Carmen McRae and Nina Simone. He is also a recipient of the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Toronto Musicians’ Association, the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Urban Music Association of Canada, and the 2003 International Association of Jazz Education Recognition for Outstanding Service to Jazz.

Archie Alleyne Scholarship Fund presents Syncopation: Life in the Key of Black

at the Al Green Theatre in the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre

750 Spadina Avenue (at Bloor), Toronto February 5: Sunday at 3pm

Tickets $40 advance $50 at the door, available at the Box Office: 416 924 6211 Ext 0 or www.algreentheatre.com

Exhibit runs February 6-10 at the Africentric Alternative School (9:00 am – 3:40 pm daily) 1430 Sheppard Avenue West, North York

and March 12-18 at the BAND Gallery at 823A Bloor St. W. (www.blackartndialog.com)

Visit www.aasf.ca for more info.

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