Vermont-born Toronto-based woodwind player Ted Crosby has now mounted several region-specific versions of the Revival Ensemble to reimagine the 1968 classic, Far East Suite, one of the last (and very best) collaborations by Duke Ellington and his indispensable creative co-pilot, Billy Strayhorn, before the latter’s death. With this Toronto-centric twelve-piece version, Crosby shows a suitably Ellingtonian touch with his personnel, ‘casting’ the ensemble like a theatre director with a range of dynamic ‘characters’ whose improvising will make this old masterpiece undeniably contemporary.
Ted Crosby, Brodie West, Emily Steinwall (reeds); Alan Mackie (violin); Tom Richards (trombone), Kevin Turcotte, Rebecca Hennessy (trumpets); Michael Davidson (vibraphone); Harley Card, Colin Fisher (guitars); James Meger (bass); Nick Fraser (drums)
Thursday, 16 September, 6:30pm, GJF in the Parks, Mollison Park, free
Friday, 17 September, 6:30pm, GJF in the Parks, Brant Park, free
Saturday, 18 September, 4:30pm, GJF in the Parks, York Road Park, free
Mechanical Forest Sound
The Revival Ensemble play the Far East Suite