Acclaimed songstress breaks new ground at McMichael

YorkRegion.com
April 29, 2014
By Adam Martin-Robbins

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is getting all jazzed up in May.

The Kleinburg gallery’s Thursday-night concert series kicks off this week with a performance by Daniela Nardi, celebrated jazz singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.

Ms Nardi will perform songs from her critically acclaimed world music project Espresso Manifesto - The Songs of Paolo Conte, as well as material from an album in the works and some of her own original tunes.

“In many ways, this show is breaking new ground for the McMichael,” Ms Nardi said. “They have presented plenty of jazz world shows, however, to bring the Italian songbook, which goes beyond opera or anything nostalgic, is something new, fresh and demonstrates to a mainstream audience how much more Italian music has to offer.”

Ms Nardi began studying piano at age five at the Royal Conservatory of Music. She went on to earn a music degree from York University then honed her live performance skills, playing everything from pop and punk to Latin and country.

Her 2005 pop-jazz solo album, One True Thing, earned a best group nomination at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards.

Ms Nardi’s 2008 release, The Rose Tattoo, inspired by her mother Rose’s four-year battle with cancer, garnered her the female vocalist of the year honours at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards.

Her 90-minute performance on Thursday, May 1 takes place in the McMichael’s Woodland Gallery starting at 8 p.m.

Before the show, at 7 p.m., catch a conversation between Ms Nardi and Jaymz Bee, a JAZZ.FM91 radio show host.

The McMichael Concert Series runs consecutive Thursday nights with approximately 90-minute performances by Amy McConnell and Lyne Tremblay (May 8), Alex Pangman and Her Alleycats (May 15) and Robi Botos and Hilario Duran (May 22).

The McMichael, at 10365 Islington Ave., will be open between 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on performance nights. Tours of the gallery and grounds are offered before the music starts.

Each show will be preceded by a conversation with the performers.

Admission for non-members is $49 for A+ seating, $39 for A seating and $19 for students with identification.

You can buy seats for the entire series at a cost of $169 for A+ seating or $129 for A seating.

Tickets for McMichael members are $39 for A+ seating; $30 for A seating.

PURCHASE TICKETS by calling 905-893-1121, ext. 2209 or email bookings@mcmichael.com.

FOR PERFORMANCE information, visit mcmichael.com