Enjoy free Jazz on the Plaza this weekend at Burlington Performing Arts Centre

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Published August 9, 2022 at 10:05 am

The Shuffle Demons are among the acts in this weekend's Jazz on the Plaza event at Burlington Performing Arts Centre.

The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is hosting the free Jazz on the Plaza series of concerts this weekend, August 13 and 14.

Amanda Martinez kicks things off Saturday, Aug. 13, at 4 p.m.

Martinez is a Toronto based singer-songwriter whose music is an original blend of influences from her Mexican and South African roots.

She has released four albums and her latest recording, Libre, is her most eclectic creation to date. Her songs have been selected for four Putumayo world music collections – Bossa nova around the world, Café Latino, Latin dreamland and Mexico.

Career highlights include headlining the Blue Note jazz club in NYC, the FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the Pan American Games in Mexico and Canada. She has also been a guest recording and touring artist of award winning guitarist Jesse Cook. She has sold out Toronto’s Koerner Hall multiple times and Ottawa’s National Arts Centre and Winter Garden Theatre.

The Shuffle Demons take the stage at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

The Shuffle Demons are a high-energy Canadian band that blends virtuosic jazz and funk playing with eye-catching costumes and over the top stage antics to produce an incredible show. A hit at festivals all over the world, the Shuffle Demons are a crowd pleasing, full-on musical group that backs up wild stage antics with phenomenal playing by some of Canada’s most talented musicians.

The electrifying musical fusion that The Shuffle Demons brought to life almost 30 years ago has entertained audiences around the world with their genre bending sound. Saxophones, upright bass, and wild percussion backed up by incredibly solid musicianship and a highly entertaining show will leave you wanting more.

On Sunday at 2 p.m. Montreal-based artist Clerel takes the stage.

Although he grew up singing with his grandmother, Clerel did not learn how to play an instrument until he was in university. He now brings us breezy and soulful music that earned him a spot on Stephen Colbert’s Late Show.

Living in Montreal, Clerel is Cameroonian born, a cultural influence heard and felt in his music. His music is also heavily influenced by American soul and jazz with deep roots in his experiences as an African immigrant living in the West. Experience the African drum beats coupled with guitar and trumpets in songs such as Lonely Dance.

The event closes Sunday at 4 p.m. with Laila Biali.

The talented Biali is a multi-award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and pianist and has toured with Chris Botti, Paula Cole, Suzanne Vega and recorded with and supported Sting. Her accolades include SOCAN Composer of the Year and SOCAN Keyboardist of the Year at Canada’s National Jazz Awards.

For more information, visit BPAC’s website.

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