"King Swings",the annual music festival located in the big
tent behind Daniels of Nobleton, is now in
its 10th year. It all started in 1997 when the
Hot Antic Jazz Band made Daniels a stop
on their Canadian tour. It was a huge success
thanks to Val Saunders and volunteer
members of the Χlassic Jazz Society of
Toronto. The setting behind Daniel’s
restaurant was perfect for listening to great
jazz in a garden party atmosphere. Since
then, King Swings has expanded to a three day
event and has hosted some great musicians
– most notably, Jeff Healey and the
Jazz Wizards who have graced this stage for
the past six years, and will be opening the
festival again this year.
Blues also plays a part in King Swings and has included Juno award-winning Jack de Keyzer; radio-celebrity and musician,
Danny Marks, as well as Mike McKenna’s Blues Band. This year the festival presents The Harmonica Knights led by one of
Canada’s great harmonica-players, Mike “Bird” Stafford.
Traditional Jazz from the 20’s and 30’s is the mainstay of King Swings and The Hot Antic Jazz Band is one of the very finest Festival bands from Europe. In addition to the extraordinary talent of Jeff Healey’s Jazz Wizards, and the visiting Hot Antics, some of the great bands who have played to appreciative audiences include the Hot Five Jazzmakers (Canada); The Savannah Jazz Band (U.K.); Jambalaya Jazz Band (Buffalo, NY); The Ragweed Jazzband (Canada); and The Climax Jazz Band also from Toronto.
King Swings has grown into a highly successful event and has featured some excellent local talent with David Dunlap’s Gypsy Swing Band and The Good Brothers Band . For this 10th Anniversary year Daniels is excited to welcome back the distinguished performers in The Hot Antic Jazz Band who were here at the beginning – 10 years’ ago. This highly talented 6- piece group performs in major international jazz festivals throughout Europe, USA, Canada, Japan India and Africa, specializing in the music of the 20’s & 30’s. They have performed with some legendary jazz musicians - much in the style of the legendary trumpet player, Jabbo Smith. Their infectious style will surely have audiences on their feet – and, yes, there is a dancefloor!
The Festival opens with Jeff Healey and the Jazz Wizards in their seventh appearance at King Swings. Even though Jeff is world famous as a blues guitarist and singer, his first love is traditional jazz. He performs with an excitement, emotion and humour that is mirrored by the whole band and is strongly felt by the audience. Guest vocalist, Terra Hazelton, is sensational as is the band featuring Jesse Barksdale, Christopher Plock, Reide Kaiser, Colin Bray, Ross Wooldridge and drummer, Gary Scriven.
The blues component this year features The Harmonica Knights. Harp player, Mark “Bird” Stafford jams with Chuck Jakson to create an unforgettable and compelling sound. Mark is steeped in traditional blues, influenced by Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter Jacobs, Big Walter Horton, Junior Wells and James Cotton. He injects his own style to the music with respect and creativity. From the frenzy he can generate on the dance floor to the smooth mercurial side of his musical personality, Mark Stafford is exciting to hear.
Each year, Daniels chooses a local charitable organization to donate the proceeds to. This year it will be Hospice King Aurora, an organization providing supportive care to those living with a life-threatening illness as well as bereavement support for those who have suffered the loss of a loved one. In the past King Swings has donated to Hospice King-Aurora, Childrens Aid Society, Dog Guides, Retina-Blastoma Society and The Classic Jazz Society. |
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KING SWINGS Celebrates its
