Lula Lounge :: October Updates and November 2005 Events Calendar

This October is turning out to be one of the most exciting ever at Lula Lounge. Read on for reviews of shows earlier this month and for the inside scoop on the riches that our headed our way at Lula this fall.

9:00 PM Tonight through Friday October 21

SUN RA ARKESTRA AT LULA LOUNGE, Photo by James Patterson

Sun Ra Arkestra is receiving rave reviews. Just two nights left!!

Oct 20 & 21: GARY TOPP PRESENTS SUN RA ARKESTRA

"At times in Toronto, it's very easy to think that jazz is just that quiet stuff in the background designed to facilitate up-scale shopping, latte consumption and the heartfelt discussion of a diversified portfolio. If you can recall occasionally that it's music of joy, pain, blood, mind, heart and spirit with some special reference to what might be politely called the African-American experience, then you'll probably enjoy what's going on at Lula Lounge this week, where alto saxophonist Marshall Allen is leading Sun Ra's great Arkestra in the leader's earthly absence. It's one of the great big bands (and concepts) in jazz history and it just might be the event of the year. Try to hear it. Oh, and you can buy a t-shirt."
~ Stuart Broomer, CODA MAGAZINE

The Sun Ra Arkestra played last night, the first night of a four night stand at Lula Lounge. The Arkestra really is like nothing else. Led by Marshall Allen since the death of Sun Ra himself, the band has the authority that comes from decades – and collectively centuries – of playing, of inventing and of touring together.

But anyone expecting a hidebound big band or a nostalgia trip has another thing coming. Moving smoothly between the blat-and-tweet free jazz that many people associate them with, through swing, funk, blues, r&b and even new orleans jazz in the mould of Louis Armstrong, the Arkestra is a living history of black music in america that is still reinventing those genres, drawing out and reweaving the disparate threads of harmony and rhythm. In an era when music of the past often comes to us in samples and snippets in ads, these guys reanimate that music. The richness of real musicians playing and improvising together is what they offer, and doubtless a revelation to the many younger people in Tuesday's crowd.

If nothing else, you owe it to yourself to go down and see and hear what 14 impeccable, humorous and talented musicians sound like together. The Arkestra's music – whatever they may be playing – is like a superb suit: tight where it needs to be without stretching a seam, and loose and flowing when things start moving. You also owe it to yourself to bathe in the spectacle of a big band in multicoloured sparkling sequined robes and outlandish hats. Add to that the perfectly balanced sound of a small room like Lula Lounge, whose warm ambience enhances the sweet mood that the Arkestra conjures, and this is a rare and precious chance for Toronto audiences. I urge you to go.
~ Dan Donaldson

We announced last week that a second date has been added to David Calzado y su Charanga Habanera's visit at the end of the month. Co-presenter Billy Bryans promises that this group is the most spectacular Cuban band ever. The 14-piece group has never before performed in Toronto but you can be sure that they next time they visit our city, it will be to play a much larger venue. Their engagement on October 28 and 29 at Lula could be your only chance to see them in an intimate club atmosphere. Tickets are $35 plus tax and are available through ticketpro.ca. Dinner and show packages are just $69 and can be purchased directly through Lula Lounge at 416 588 0307

Oct 28 & 29: DAVID CALZADO Y SU CHARANGA HABANERA

Ralph Irizarry's visit on October 6 and 7 delivered everything that was promised. Irizarry's salsa outfit Son Café kept everyone in attendance dancing for hours to their sweet blend of salsa dura and Cuban son. Veteran vocalists Elsa Ozuna and Jorge Maldonado charmed the audience with their heartfelt tributes to the the great musicians of the golden age of latin dance bands. Ralph is heralded as one of the greatest timbales players in the world and is the godfather of Lula's latin jazz programming. It was a great treat to have him and the other members of Son Café visit us from New York City for these two nights

Ralph Irizarry and Elsa Ozuna
photos by Photographs by Roger Humbert, reporter for The Live Music Report. thelivemusicreport.com

Irizarry's performance was part of Lula's ongoing Latin Cool series. Last week Jeremy Ledbetter and Canfire contributed to the series with the launch of their hot new album Kaiso Blues. If you missed the hugely successful launch you can visit canefire.ca for a taste of Canefire's unique blend of Trinidadian calypso and latin jazz rhythms.

The series continues next week with the a special double concert on October 26 featuring the Hilario Duran Trio and Beto Caletti. Duran was awarded a Juno this year for his latest album New Danzon. The second concert of the evening features Argentinian born Caletti intpretting the rhythms and medodies of brazil. Caletti is very popular in Mexico where he is currently on tour before joining us in Canada.

"Hilario Durán is an unparalleled pianist, as well as being a composer and arranger of the first order... one of the greatest Stone and Spin Cuban pianists of this 20th Century."
~ Chucho Valdés

Although singer and guitarist Beto Caletti was born in Buenos Aires his work is heavily influenced by the rhythms and melodies of Brazil. He has worked for over ten years on investigation, composition and performance of Brazilian music, playing on stages at Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Bogotá, Mexico City, Montreux, Barcelona, and in the most important cultural centers and theatres in Buenos Aires.

On October 27, Lula Lounge will host the 2nd annual Chet Baker Tribute to remember the late, great Chet Baker. Few musicians have embodied the romantic, and ultimately tragic, jazz figure as totally as Baker. This M3 presentation will honour the brilliant and diverse work of Baker and will be attended by a very special guest - Chet's son Paul. The concert will feature Danny Depoe and Laila Biali.

It's true! Every Wednesday at 1:00 PM Ilse will offer drop-in yoga classes for only $10. Ilse is a certified Ashtanga instructor. Bring a mat and get a new perspective on the Lula dance floor. Cal 647 668 8433 for details.

"In the course of a few songs, the music of HabanaSax can evoke everyone from the Mothers of Invention to Maceo Parker to John Coltrane, and yet still be clearly Cuban in both roots and direction. They are keeping the tradition very much alive on a variety of horns and, of course, the drums. To this they add chants reminiscent of West Africa and moves reminiscent of Motown. If Buena Vista gave us the contemporary music of Habana in the '50s and '60s, then HabanaSax are here to remind us that just like here, it is also 2002 in Cuba and Habana is a major urban centre, midway between New York City, USA and Dakar, Senegal."
~ review from VANCOUVER FOLK FESTIVAL, 2002

"virtuoso percussion... all four saxophonists can breathe fire"
~ NOW Magazine

"...the Habana Sax members have climbed up to a privileged position inside Cuban instrumental music."
~ Chucho Valdes

"...adventurous...."
~ THE GUARDIAN (UK)

This year Lula Lounge will welcome the new year with Café Cubano. Chef Crinson has prepared a special 3 course tropical fusion New Years Eve menu featuring items such as pan-seared swordfish marinated in Cuban rum. The evening includes a beginner salsa lesson, champagne at midnight and dancing all night to live music.

Dec 31: NEW YEAR'S EVE

Lula Lounge is the ideal spot for your office holiday party. We can help you organize the perfect party for your staff this December. From food, to dance lessons and all types of live entertainment, we’ll make your holiday event planning easy as pie.

LULA HIGHLIGHTSOctober Updates and November previews

LULA HIGHLIGHTS
October Updates and November previews