Jazz Spotlight:  The John Collin Band Breathes New Life into Classic Jazz Standards

In conjunction with the intimate setting offered by Harlem Restaurant, a popular venue in Toronto known for showcasing local jazz artists, The John Collin Band set a seductive mood with its renditions of classic jazz standards.

While The John Collin Band paid homage to these great jazz classics, the band did not shy away from taking the music in unexpected directions: The eclectic repertoire seamlessly presented a colourful mix of heart-wrenching ballads, medium-tempo and up-tempo swing, funky melodies and Latin grooves, each rendition being an artful fusion of traditional and contemporary jazz that highlighted the band's edgy, sophisticated style. Notable numbers included, “Waltz for Debbie”, a swing classic interpreted with flare; the touching ballad, “My Funny Valentine”, infused with nuanced percussion achieved through skilled brush-work; and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got That Swing)”, a lively tribute to the big band era which included a heart-felt and melodic drum solo.

When asked about how the band came up with its repertoire, frontman and drummer, John Collin, stated, “It’s more than just selecting a song. A performer will interpret a song in a unique and personal way, inspired by that performer’s life experiences and emotions … In a sense, each performance is a collaboration between the original songwriter and the performer. This collaboration is what pushes jazz forward.” 

The John Collin Band is set to release its debut album in 2013.