In the spirit of the Sixties the TD Toronto Jazz Festival kicked off in the new location of Yorkville last night with a performance by Randy Bachman of the Guess Who and B.T.O. (Bachman/Turner Overdrive) fame.
Randy Bachman, TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Concert Hall. Toronto ON, 2017-06-23, Photo © Eric Fefferman
A special mention to research group – Info-Tech, for revitalizing the infamous Concert Hall (Masonic Temple), formerly known as the Rockpile in the late Sixties when it showcased early performances of Led Zeppelin, the Grateful Dead and Frank Zappa.
Tal Bachman, TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Concert Hall. Toronto ON, 2017-06-23, Photo © Eric Fefferman
With a packed house, Randy Bachman and his band, including his son Tal on guitar took to the stage opening with a instrumental number, then launching into the B.T.O. classic ‘You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” and then the Guess Who’s well known “No Time”.
Randy Bachman, TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Concert Hall. Toronto ON, 2017-06-23, Photo © Eric Fefferman
Randy Bachman w Walter Trout and Laila Bali, TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Concert Hall. Toronto ON, 2017-06-23, Photo © Eric Fefferman
Singer/keyboardist Laila Baili sat in for a new blues tune by Bachman, followed by the SADE cover “Smooth Operator. The Guess Who classic “No Sugar Tonight” came next and the jazzy B.T.O.’s “Looking Out For Number One”.
Randy Bachman w Laila Bali, TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Concert Hall, Toronto ON, 2017-06-23, Photo © Eric Fefferman
A short intermission followed as the band set the stage for guest number two of the night, singer-guitarist and bluesman Walter Trout. A graduate of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers in the 80’s, Walter Trout is a force of nature.
Randy Bachman w Walter Trout, TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Concert Hall. Toronto ON, 2017-06-23, Photo © Eric Fefferman
Bachman and Trout met in 2016 at Massey Hall in Toronto while performing at the Jeff Healy 50th Birthday show. Trout asked Bachman to play on his upcoming album. Bachman accepted and then two started a friendship with Bachman asking Trout to guest for last nights performance.
Randy Bachman w Walter Trout, TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Concert Hall. Toronto ON, 2017-06-23, Photo © Eric Fefferman
Walter Trout, TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Concert Hall. Toronto ON, 2017-06-23, Photo © Eric Fefferman
The band opening the second set with the rock anthem “American Woman” with Whole Lotta Love teases followed by a cut of Trout’s recent album that Bachman guests on. The rest of the set featured classic rock covers from Bachman’s legacy as well as Del Shannon’s “Runaway” and a encore mash-up of covers and the classic ‘Taking are of Business”.
Randy Bachman w Walter Trout, TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Concert Hall. Toronto ON, 2017-06-23, Photo © Eric Fefferman
All in all a great night for Bachman and Co. and TD Toronto jazz festival reviving the spirit of the Sixties in the old Masonic Temple.
The Concert Hall. Toronto ON, 2017-06-23, Photo © Eric Fefferman
The Concert Hall. Toronto ON, 2017-06-23, Photo © Eric Fefferman