Huntsville Festival focuses on jazz for the long weekend

For the ninth year in a row, the Huntsville Festival of the Arts has taken the August long weekend and turned its programming focus to jazz. Past years have seen some exceptional talent and the 2018 offerings should have something for every taste.

This Thursday night, August 2, Micah Barnes returns to the Algonquin Theatre with his tribute to the music made popular during the Vegas era of the 50s and 60s. Having cut his teeth in the cabarets and jazz clubs of Toronto while still a teenager, Micah became a well-loved singer-songwriter on the Queen Street scene before joining The Nylons and touring the world. Recording with the a cappella pop act brought Micah into the global music scene.

Micah is also a highly respected vocal coach who has coached on CBC TV’s “How To Solve A Problem Like Maria” and counts Emmy award-winning actress Tatiana Maslany (“Orphan Black”) among his clients.

Micah has recorded a new album which will transport the listener back to the days of legendary Vegas showrooms when the world’s top entertainers worked the strip, featuring songs first recorded by Sammy Davis Jr, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Mel Tormé and Frank Sinatra. The Sands was the place to be and these stars made it their home base to present some memorable shows. Micah will sing the songs of the era and pay homage to the diversity and depth of talent that pervaded the Vegas strip at that time.

On Friday night, August 3, the king of the piano, Michael Kaeshammer, returns to the Algonquin Theatre to share his piano wizardry. Few Canadians share the talents of this BC native, who is able to master a variety of styles from boogie-woogie to ragtime to traditional jazz and blues arrangements. Michael has added singing to his repertoire in recent years and his engaging concerts are master classes in variety and talent.

Saturday, August 4 features another tribute, but this time to Canadian icon Oscar Peterson. Lance Anderson travelled and worked with Peterson for five years and has created a performance piece that is part theatre, part music to take you behind the scenes to gain insight into this remarkable performer’s talents and inspirations. Anderson will play those familiar Peterson tunes and share stories of the road to add context to the enjoyment of the pieces.

More information is available for all of these shows by visiting huntsvillefestival.ca or by calling the Algonquin Theatre box office at 705-789-4975.

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