Massey Celebrates Jazz at Massey Hall

If you know the album pictured at left you are probably getting up right now to pop it in the changer. It’s Jazz at Massey Hall, a document of the historical meeting of Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus and Max Roach that some call the best concert of all time. We’re coming up on the 50th anniversary of the storied performance, May 15 is the date, and the Hall would like to honor its most-famous moment with a special concert that will put another five fine jazz artists onstage together. We’re not sure if Herbie Hancock, Roy Haynes, Roy Hargrove, Dave Holland and Kenny Garrett will pay direct homage to May 15, 1953 by playing any of the numbers Bird & Co. whipped out half a century ago, but another rousing rendition of “Salt Peanuts” sits atop my list of requests.

Massey Hall is in Toronto, so if you’re a red-blooded American gearing to go to the show, dig up your passport and hit up Orbitz. Show starts at 8:00 p.m. Get there on time and you’ll hear the 2003 Massey Hall All-Stars band, a 17-piece group that includes members of the original 1953 CBC All-Stars band. Tickets cost $69.50 to $100. VIP tickets are $290 and include premium seating and admission to a post-concert reception. Buy tickets at the Roy Thomson Hall Box Office in Toronto or call (416) 872-4255 or visit www.masseyhall.com.

Originally Published April 14, 2003