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Artscene 31 · Friday, June 11, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Women only Call Nicole @ 416-558-7917 SUBMITTED PHOTO PHOTO BY DON VICKERY FOR THE LOVE OF IT: Oakville vocalist Margot Roi (left) and trombonist Russ Little will be performing at this year's TD Toronto Jazz Festival taking place at venues throughout Toronto from June 25 through July 4. Preparing to dazzle at the TO Jazz Fest By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF T he TD Toronto Jazz Festival is sure to attract large crowds to its multiple venues, which will feature local and internationally-acclaimed musicians. And two of those attractions hail from right here in Oakville. Vocalist Margot Roi and trombonist Russ Little will be performing at this year's jazz festival taking place around Toronto from June 25 to July 4. "I think it's a fantastic opportunity for any musician," Roi said of the festival. "I think the Toronto Jazz Festival is wonderful at supporting local artists and providing quality entertainment for anybody who is in town and from out of town." Roi will be performing in a trio doing jazz standards and original tunes, along with pop and folk music at Gate 403 on June 28. Little will be performing with his quintet at the Old Mill Inn & Spa on the same date. "This is an opportunity to perform our art," Little said. "Musicians and most artists swim completely against the tide of our society in that our primary motivation isn't money, which is kind of nice." He added that festivals of any variety are a great way for musicians to show their art to an audience. "Any time a festival presents itself, it gives us a great opportunity to create an intense hotbed of talent," he said. Roi's show is pay what you can, while Little's show has a $25 cover charge. In explaining her show, Roi said she likes to involve the audience. People may be able to sing along to songs they know, or she will pass out rhythm instruments to the audience that people can play, among other things that will involve the audience. "I do a little cabaret as well," she said. "What people will get out of the show is a "Any time a festival presents itself, it gives us a great opportunity to create an intense hotbed of talent." n Russ Little, trombonist lot of fun. They're going to get a lot of emotion because I really like the audience to close their eyes and visualize the story from my lyrics. I also want them to experience the joy and the fun I'm having on stage." Rounding out her trio are guitarist Reg Schwager and bassist Jordan O'Connor. Little's show is part of a kind of festival within a festival. The Old Mill will feature its own six-day festival as part of the larger Toronto Jazz Festival. Little is the musical director for the six consecutive days of performances at the Old Mill including his own. Each night will feature different artists. "There'll be six nights of intense creativity," he said. The Old Mill festival runs from June 28 to July 3. Of his own performance, Little said, "People should expect an evening, quite frankly, of flabbergasting talent." He added people should expect the same for all six nights. "The main thing I'm after is the creation of beauty," he said. The Russ Little Quintet features Little himself, Michael Stuart on saxophone, Tom Szczesniak on piano, Scott Alexander on bass and Brian Barlow on drums. Heather Bambrick will do vocals during the show. Roi's show begins at 9 p.m. Gate 403 is located at 403 Roncesvalles Ave. Little's performance begins at 7:30 p.m. The Old Mill is located at 21 Old Mill Rd. For more information visit www.torontojazz.com.