‘Six degrees of separation” at 2018 TD Ottawa Winter Jazz Fest

Some say everything happens for a reason. If this is true, the stars are indeed aligned for TD Ottawa Winter Jazz Fest (Feb. 8 – 10) audiences. After learning, that drummer Jim Black will appear at the Festival on Friday, Feb. 9 at 10pm with his Trio, singer Emma Frank, whose show takes place on the same evening, made a special request. Now Black and pianist Elias Stemesder will join Frank to perform in her show at 7:30pm in her first Ottawa appearance.

Emma Frank teamed up with Black on her latest album, Ocean Av, due out this February. In what has evolved into a residence by happenstance, Jim Black fans will have the opportunity to hear the virtuosic drummer perform in two shows in one evening.

Chet Doxas is a dynamic example of ‘six degrees of separation.’ Doxas, who according to the Festival’s Programming Manager Petr Cancura, “has been making waves in the world of jazz and beyond,” stems from a deeply musical background. Chet, his father (George) and his brother (Jim) have all performed with the legendary Oliver Jones (who has made multiple Festival appearances). Doxas has performed at the Festival multiple times with the ‘who’s who’ of the jazz world including: Esperanza Spalding, Joe Lovano, Maria Schneider, and Dave Douglas to name just a few. His show also takes place on Friday, Feb 9 at 9pm.

Artistic connections are bound to happen in events with the illustrious lineup the Festival presents. Esteemed Ottawa pianist Steve Boudreau teaches piano both privately and as part of Carleton University’s Music Performance program. Boudreau studied under renowned pianist Fred Hersch. Both will perform the same evening. The Steve Boudreau Trio will take the stage Saturday, Feb. 10 at 5pm and Fred Hersch at 9pm.

“I was lucky enough to be enrolled in my Masters’ degree at the New England Conservatory,” explains Boudreau, “I always felt a strange mix of excitement and apprehension before our lessons. He has a way of putting things that makes what might otherwise seem like work into a natural next step in the music you are already making. I’m excited to hear him play Saturday.”

Come discover your own connections at the TD Ottawa Winter Jazz Fest from Feb. 8 – 10 view the full lineup at La Nouvelle Scène, 333 King Edward Ave.

Tickets: Full Festival Pass (valid for all shows): $150. Day passes: $60. Single tickets: $30. All tickets are available online, at the Festival office (602 – 294 Albert St., corner Kent St.) or call the office at 613-241-2633 during regular business hours.