Hola Mexico!
McGill University Jazz Orchestra jets off to perform in San Miguel De Allende
A unique Latin experience awaits the McGill University Jazz Orchestra this month, as the 22-member ensemble is set to bring its smooth sounds to the seventh Festival Internacional de Jazz in San Miguel de Allende on Nov. 23. Under the direction of Music Professor Gordon Foote, the student orchestra will also be performing at the historic Museo del Carmen, in Mexico City, on Nov. 28, as part of a charity concert organized by Bombardier Transportation (Mexico).
Whats more, a student film crew from Concordia Universitys Journalism and Communications departments will produce a documentary film based on the tour. The documentary, which will be produced and directed by Concordia Professor Barry Conway, will earn the student filmmakers credit towards their degrees.
Before heading south to Mexico, the McGill University Jazz Orchestra will be holding a special concert at the Pollack Concert Hall (555 Sherbrooke St. W.) at 8:00 pm, November 2, as part of the series celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Pollack Hall. (Admission is $5, call 514-398-4547). The Orchestra will preview songs from its sixth and latest CD, Sang-Froid. Audience members will have an opportunity to purchase the CD - or make voluntary donations to help support the Mexican tour - following the concert.
A world-class ensemble, the McGill University Jazz Orchestra has previously been invited to several musical festivals around the world, including the 1992 Guinness International Jazz Festival, in Cork, Ireland, which the ensemble opened and shared the stage with Cleo Lane and John Dankworth. The orchestra has also performed in Paris, London, New Orleans, Washington D.C., Boston, Dublin, Killarney, Limerick, Banff, New York City and, of course, across Quebec and Canada. Always to rave reviews.
The McGill University Orchestras Mexican tour is being supported thanks to the following sponsors/donors: Canadian Pacific Railway, Imperial Tobacco, Bombardier Transportation, the Quebec government, SNC-Lavalin, Scotiabank, MNA Jacques Chagnon, the McGill Alumni Association and the McGill Associates. The project has also received assistance from Molsons Brewery (Corona beer) and the Consulate General of Mexico.
