Friday Night at The Rex

The Rex Blues and Jazz Club in Toronto has become Canada's best-known jazz club and on this, my first visit, I've discovered why. Everybody has their interests -- their passions; one of mine has always been music. Whether I'm writing, riding a bike or cooking supper, I'm almost always either listening to music or looking forward to playing my flute or piano. So, for me, visiting an iconic jazz spot like the Rex for the first time is an awesome treat. The kids are being watched at grampa's house while I'm on Queen St. checking out this important jazz spot.

I first heard of the Rex on the radio station Jazz.fm. The Rex is mentioned about every fourth sentence on the station and so it is that I've found my way in for my first visit. My first impression of the Rex is that it's pulsing with energy and enthusiasm. The walls are treated with classic and recently signed photographs of great jazz and blues performers. Blues giant B.B. King stands stolwardly behind his enigmatic guitar, Lucille. Photos of Oscar Peterson, Diana Krall, Harry Connick Jr. and dozens more. The club has been open since the late '80's. The authenticity is palpable. The decor is classic pub style -- wooden chairs, panelled wainscotting and a bar that could easily be a remake of the one featured on Cheers. The people are here to listen and watch great jazz. And tonight they get it.

The band tonight is the Dave Young Quartet and I quickly realize I'm listening to some of the best jazz on the planet. Dave Young is a lifelong player -- bassist extraordinaire, with impeccable rhythm and phrasing to his playing. But it's the emotionally charge trumpeter, Kevin Turcotte who has grabbed my attention tonight. Smooth, fast, intense, Kevin is a master. I am fascinated by Kevin's playing so I've decided to learn a bit more about him. And so we're back to the internet, an amazing component of recreation in the year 2006. No matter what your interest or passion, embellishing or building on it is only a computer away. After a few keystrokes on Google, I find myself immersed in the world of jazz players, performance and instrumental styles. I type in Kevin Turcotte and I'm whisked away to a Geocities site put together by Dan Cross, a Canadian jazz guitarist who has built this great little portal into Canadian Jazz. His site has a wealth of links to dozens of Canadian jazz web sites about instruments, music, players and even has one section devoted to quotes on the genre by such luminaries as guitarist Pat Metheny and trumpet player Wynton Marsalis. One piece of wisdom by Anthony Davis, reflecting on the life of Charlie Parker, reads, "the most vital contribution you can make to furthering the jazz tradition is to create your own music, create a new music." A great quote which I can't help think has some relevance to life in general. It's just so awesome to be able to connect at places like the Rex, on the internet, or wherever and create a life... whatever you're into. Next I click on to a trumpet web site (whc.net/rjones/trumpet.html) and I'm given an exhaustive list of links to global sites on trumpet players, composers, schools -- even detailed instruction on how to properly shape your mouth and assume proper posture. Kevin Turcotte, it turns out, is one of Canada's finest jazz talents -- born in Ottawa, raised in Sudbury, he studied music at the Banff School of fine Arts and the U. of T. He's played and toured with the band Time Warp, Barry Elmes, Shirley Eikhard and scores of other professionals and so it's no wonder I'm so impressed by his playing here tonight at the Rex.

Meanwhile, back at the Rex, my evening hums along blissfully, only briefly augmented by a great conversation with a group of London Ontario moms whose kids have all grown up and are out for a day of shopping and and evening at the Rex. After I've helped consume a plate of notchos and a few drinks, I decide to take a few photos. I'm relieved to see that, as with most music performances nowadays, there are other photographers in the crowd and I don't feel as though I'm interrupting in order to take the photos you see here.

It's time to get back now and pick up the kids and so until the next time, so long Rex, and thanks for the introduction... I'll be back.