Michel Donato Trio featuring
Marin Nasturica and Jon Geary

Friday, June 27
Esplanade Terrace
(Studio Theatre back-up)
2:00 PM
$15 & Esplanade S/C
Tickets available at Esplanade Tixx Outlets

You are sitting on a rooftop terrace, glass of wine in hand. A lazy river meanders past as the warm summer breeze caresses your face. The sounds of an accordion fill the space, accompanied by a gentle guitar and lilting bass.

You must be in Rome! No. You are sitting on the newly opened terrace atop the Esplanade, listening to the European flavored sounds of Michel Donato, Marin Nasturica and Jon Geary.

The Terrace has been begging for live jazz, and we’re responding with this unique Montreal-based ensemble that should suit this scenic site to a tee!

One of the most formidable bass players to come out of the Canadian jazz scene, Montrealer Michel Donato has played with Art Blakey, Carmen McRae, Clark Terry, Benny Carter, Zoot Sims, Art Farmer, Gerry Mulligan, Toots Thielmans and Oscar Peterson to name a few.

In the ’70s, Michel joined the formidable Bill Evans trio with drummer Philly Joe Jones. He has taught at McGill University, and in recent years has continued to perform, compose feature film scores and collaborate in some double bass experiments with both Henri Texier and Charlie Haden.

Recipient of both the Order of Canada Award and the prestigious Oscar Peterson Award for excellence in Canadian Jazz, Donato remains committed to teaching and developing young musical talents.

Born in Romania, accordionist Marin Nasturica plays everything from classical to gypsy music to Romanian and Russian folk music and, of course, jazz.

Jon Geary has become one of North America’s finest seven-string guitar players and has studied with John Abercrombie and played with the likes of Bucky Pizzarelli.

With a mixture of European folk sounds and jazz, this will be one of the easiest listening, yet delightfully entertaining events of JazzFest. And the setting can’t be beat.

Listen