THE 501 EAST
6.00
The 501 East is a group made up of 4 of Canada's finest musicians; Aidan Mason on guitar, violin, and vocals, Carlos Lopes on guitar, Russ Boswell on bass, and Gary Craig on drums.
Each of these performers is a major player in the Canadian and Global music scenes. They have been performing in this configuration since 2014 but have been friends and musical compatriots since the 80s.
Their sound is an instrumental blend of bluesy, jazz lines over rootsy, Americana grooves. The original and cover songs are a reflection of their extensive and diverse musical backgrounds. Aidan's South African upbringing, Carlos' Latin/jazz, and film scoring background, Gary's deep folk and blues roots and Russ' rock, pop and jazz experience.
The first group album "Short Turn" was selected as one of Jazz FM's picks for albums of the year: 2024.
EUCALYPTUS
8.30
Since forming in 2009, Brodie West's octet Eucalyptus has become a favourite for a wide cross-section of listeners in their hometown of Toronto. They've also caught the ears of critics. It's easy to understand why on both counts: the band's singular cocktail of styles is eminently listenable—an aromatic blend of off-kilter loungy repose, tropical polyrhythms, Sun Ra's intergalactic wonk, and a greasy dollop of proto-fusion groove.
Topology of Time & Up Express etc. is Eucalyptus' seventh release since 2012, and their second for Telephone Explosion Records. Moves, the record's 2022 predecessor, began on a decidedly angular, percussion-heavy note, its nervy energy eventually dwindling to reveal their widest variety of music to date. The Wire's Daniel Spicer remarked that “the album’s seven concise tracks positively ping with ideas, piling up rich layers of horns, percussion, clavinet and electric guitar… but there’s a soulful core.”
Topology of Time & Up Express etc. serves up another phase in the evolution of Brodie West's craft and Eucalyptus as a band, with more seamless integration of melodicism and rhythm, and a cozier ensemble dynamic that creates an intoxicating blend of the familiar and the unexpected.
Photo Credit: Martin Reis
$15 cover after 10PM and $20 after 2AM, with all proceeds going directly to the musicians performing.
SONIC SANCOCHO
10.30
Details are coming!