Free, two-day event will bring jazz to Burlington’s downtown

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Published July 7, 2022 at 3:31 pm

The Shuffle Demons are one of four artists performing at BPAC's Jazz on the Patio series.

The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is hosting a series of free concerts as part of its annual Jazz on the Plaza event.

The free, two-day jazz festival will feature four acts playing the BPAC’s plaza, rain or shine, the weekend of Aug. 13-14.

The first performer, taking the stage at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, will be Amanda Martinez, a Toronto-based singer/songwriter whose music blends her unique Mexican and South African roots with flamenco soul.

Her solo CDs have garnered her multiple nominations for Latin Jazz Performer of the Year, and her songs have appeared on three Putumayo world music collections: Bossanova Around the World, Latin Dreamland and most recently, Cafe Latino.

In addition to her music career, Amanda has worked as a radio host (launching Canada’s JAZZFM91 Latin Jazz program), TV personality (BRAVO Arts & Minds, Star TV!) and actress (Regnesis and Disney’s Life with Derek). She is also an ambassador for SOS Children’s Villages, a global organization that helps abandoned and orphaned siblings stay united as families.

Following Martinez, at 6 p.m., are the Shuffle Demons, a high-energy Canadian band that blends virtuosic jazz and funk playing with eye-catching costumes and over the top stage antics.

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., kicking things off will be Clerel, a native of Cameroon who grew up in Montreal, singing with his grandmother.

His breezy and soulful music has earned him a spot on Stephen Colbert’s Late Show.

His music is heavily influenced by American soul and jazz with deep roots in his experiences as an African immigrant living in the West.

Rounding out the event, Sunday at 4 p.m., is Laila Biali, an artist who takes the best of pop, rock, classical, world and soul, informs it with her expertise in jazz, and weaves it into her musical arrangements and original songs.

Biali played prestigious venues spanning five continents including the North Sea Jazz Festival, Tokyo’s Cotton Club, Peru’s El Festival Internacional de Lima, and Carnegie Hall in New York City.

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.

For more information about Jazz on the Plaza, visit BPAC’s website.

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