Such a Melodius Racket presents...

MANY RIVERS TO CROSS

Based on the exhibit by the Multicultural History Society of Ontario depicting the African-Canadian experience from the era of the Underground Railroad to today.

A tribute to Salome Bey and Howard Matthews

In Support of

St. Christopher House Music School &

The Archie Alleyne Scholarship Fund

One night only: Feb 10^th, 2008, 7pm

The George Weston Recital Hall

Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St. Toronto

Tickets $50.00, available through Ticketmaster at 416-872-1111, www.ticketmaster.ca 

*See poster for this event at www.stchrishouse.org.

Background on Partnership:

Such a Melodious Racket, is a unique partnership between the St. Christopher House Music School and the Archie Alleyne Scholarship Fund. Through musical performance, this collaboration raises funds to provide opportunities for low-income children to study music at St. Chris and for youth to attend college to pursue a career in music.

How did this partnership happen? Archie Alleyne, a well-loved jazz musician who founded Kollage with Doug Richardson in 2000 to preserve the era of hard-bop and its importance to the creative development of jazz composition, was a “St. Chris kid” back in the day and was well-aware of the history of St. Chris, providing support to low-income families since 1912. Archie approached St. Chris about the Archie Alleyne scholarship fund and mentorship program, and we knew it was a perfect fit with the Music School, as both programs encourage young people to explore opportunities in the music field. See www.stchrishouse.org/children-youth/music-room/index.php for more information about the St. Chris Music School. See www.brandonstreet.com and www.kollage.ca for more information about the Archie Alleyne Scholarship Fund.

Such a Melodious Racket Performances:

“Many Rivers to Cross” – Happening on February 10, 2008

This upcoming performance, “Many Rivers to Cross”, happening on Feb 10, 2008, will be our second annual event. This show, taking place during Black History Month, is formatted around the Multicultural History Society of Ontario's exhibition Many Rivers to Cross to reflect the African Canadian experience and its influence on Canada. The evening will feature a tribute to Salome Bey, an international star who helped shape jazz, blues and theatre scene on Toronto through performance and mentorship, and Howard Matthews a producer, club owner and mentor. Also featuring: Guido Basso, Kollage, Russ Little, Ranee Lee, Joe Sealy and more. One night only: Feb 10^th, 2008, 7pm, at The George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St. Tickets $50.00, available through Ticketmaster at 416-872-1111, www.ticketmaster.ca. See www.stchrishouse.org for more details and to download the poster.   

“Evolution of Jazz” – 2007 show:

Last years show was an amazing night and a great success. This inaugural performance, staged at Toronto’s Bathurst Street Theatre, was a showcase of illustrious jazz entertainers, including the incomparable Jackie Richardson. The audience was treated to a first-rate journey through jazz, from its African inception, through to ragtime, swing, bop, and beyond.  In keeping with our commitment to mentorship, established musicians shared the stage with new young talent. You can read a review from last years show at www.thelivemusicreport.com/clubs/bathurstStreetTheatre/melodiousRacket.html and you can hear some of the music and see a video clip of the show at www.greenmanvideo.com/html/community_events.html.