Identities Documentary Series: Episode 1 - Robi Botos

The Identities Documentary Series is a six-part series commissioned by the Maytree Foundation which celebrates the stories and accomplishments of seven musicians who immigrated to, or sought refuge in, Canada. This episode features Robi Botos, a Hungarian pianist living in Toronto.

Identities Documentary Series: Episode 2 - Sophie Milman

The Identities Documentary Series is a six-part series commissioned by the Maytree Foundation which celebrates the stories and accomplishments of seven musicians who immigrated to, or sought refuge in, Canada. This episode features Sophie Milman, a vocalist of Israeli and Russian descent based in Toronto.

Identities Documentary Series: Episode 3 - Qiu Xia He

The Identities Documentary Series is a six-part series commissioned by the Maytree Foundation which celebrates the stories and accomplishments of seven musicians who immigrated to, or sought refuge in, Canada. This episode features Qiu Xia He, a Chinese Pipa player living in Vancouver.

Identities Documentary Series: Episode 4 - Waleed Abdulhamid

The Identities Documentary Series is a six-part series commissioned by the Maytree Foundation which celebrates the stories and accomplishments of seven musicians who immigrated to, or sought refuge in, Canada. This episode features Waleed Abdulhamid, a Sudanese multi-instrumentalist living in Toronto.

Identities Documentary Series: Episode 5 - Anwar Khurshid

The Identities Documentary Series is a six-part series commissioned by the Maytree Foundation which celebrates the stories and accomplishments of seven musicians who immigrated to, or sought refuge in, Canada. This episode features Anwar Khurshid, a Pakistani sitar player living in Toronto.

Identities Documentary Series: Episode 6 - Roberto Lopez and Ivan Tucakov

The Identities Documentary Series is a six-part series commissioned by the Maytree Foundation which celebrates the stories and accomplishments of seven musicians who immigrated to, or sought refuge in, Canada. This episode features Roberto Lopez, a Colombian guitarist living in Montreal and Ivan Tucakov, a Serbian guitarist based in Vancouver.

Jim Galloway: The Jim Galloway Story

This documentary tells the story of Jim Galloway, one of the most revered musicians in Canadian music. From his upbringing in Glasgow, Scotland, to his career as a saxophonist and clarinetist in Toronto, his wonderful musicianship and cheerful personality made him a favourite amongst musicians and music fans alike. During his illustrious career, Jim recorded and performed across Canada and around the world with a host of jazz legends. He was also very active in the music community, booking clubs and acting as the Artistic Director for the TD Toronto Jazz Festival from 1987 to 2009. Jim passed away in Toronto on December 30, 2014.

Renee Rosnes: Chasing Spirits

Piano great Renee Rosnes has made a name for herself playing alongside a Who's Who of jazz greats over the past 20 years. But as her piano playing has flourished, her search on a more personal level has proven fruitful as well. Renee was adopted, and on one fateful tour, she met her birth mother - and came face to face with her own identity.

Rob McConnell: The Boss of the Boss Brass

For close to 30 years Rob McConnell's 'Boss Brass' reigned over the Big Band scene with its driving power, clever arrangements and the raw talent of its roster of A-list players. In recognition of his accomplishments, McConnell has received more Grammy awards than Bryan Adams, Neil Young and Leonard Cohen put together. Crusty, comical, and opinionated, McConnell is tough on musicians and, as the boss, doesn't settle for anything less than perfection.

The Dean of Canadian Jazz: Phil Nimmons

For over 50 years clarinetist Phil Nimmons has been a leader in shaping the jazz scene in Canada. As a composer, he has written over 400 original compositions for film, TV and radio, as well as hundreds of jazz orchestrations for the bands he has led. As a player, his style remains strong and vibrant, and he constantly takes on new musical challenges. And as a teacher, he has helped start some of the best programs that this country has to offer. Phil Nimmons truly has become the dean of Canadian Jazz.

The Journey of Jane Bunnett

In 1982, Jane Bunnett and her husband Larry Kramer traveled to Cuba as a cheap vacation to escape from the harsh Toronto winter. When they arrived, what they discovered for themselves was a connection to and a fascination with a musical heritage that was unlike anything they had ever experienced before. From there they set off on a musical journey, one that has taken them all over the world and led to connections with people who share the same passion that they do: the passion for music.

The Journey to Jazz and Human Rights: Episode 1 - Civil Rights

The Journey to Jazz and Human Rights is a documentary look at how the music, and the men and women who made the music, laid claim to human rights around the world.

Part 1: Civil Rights

Little Rock Arkansas, 1957. Schools will not end segregation. Pop music, which wants to sing about girls and cars, pays no attention. But jazz, the one art form that took a political stand in the 20th century, speaks out. In Part 1 of The Journey to Jazz and Human Rights, Sonny Rollins and jazz historians look at how the music spoke out for civil rights.

Funding for this series was provided by Maytree, which is committed to advancing systemic solutions to poverty and strengthening civic communities by taking a human rights approach.

The Journey to Jazz and Human Rights: Episode 2 - Economic Rights

The Journey to Jazz and Human Rights is a documentary look at how the music, and the men and women who made the music, laid claim to human rights around the world.

Part 2: Economic Rights

In 1910, most African-Americans live in the south. But economic hard times push them north, to find work. And jazz follows. The problem is the marketplace wants a different kind of music: jazz for white, middle-class Americans — that is, until they hear the real thing. In Part 2 of The Journey to Jazz and Human Rights, a look at how jazz musicians fought for the right to earn a living in times of racial inequality.

Funding for this series was provided by Maytree, which is committed to advancing systemic solutions to poverty and strengthening civic communities by taking a human rights approach.

The Journey to Jazz and Human Rights: Episode 3 - Women's Rights

The Journey to Jazz and Human Rights is a documentary look at how the music, and the men and women who made the music, laid claim to human rights around the world.

Part 3: Women’s Rights

We know the star women vocalists of jazz: Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald. But beyond the fame are the women who toiled behind the scenes, faced discrimination, and set a course for women in the arts. In particular, artists owe a debt to the great composer and arranger Mary Lou Williams. On Part 3 of The Journey to Jazz and Human Rights, the women of jazz, the obstacles they faced and the rights they claimed.

Funding for this series was provided by Maytree, which is committed to advancing systemic solutions to poverty and strengthening civic communities by taking a human rights approach.

The Journey to Jazz and Human Rights: Episode 4 - Jazz Around the World

The Journey to Jazz and Human Rights is a documentary look at how the music, and the men and women who made the music, laid claim to human rights around the world.

Part 4: Jazz Around the World

The Cold War, two superpowers divvying up the global map. Each side, Soviet and Western, had their missiles, but they also had cultural weapons: propaganda through the arts. America had an idea: to export jazz, as a sign of democratic superiority. Problem was, with a civil rights crisis at home, they had nothing to brag about. In Part 4 of The Journey to Jazz and Human Rights, jazz and the Cold War, with Darius Brubeck and the historians of the art form.

Funding for this series was provided by Maytree, which is committed to advancing systemic solutions to poverty and strengthening civic communities by taking a human rights approach.

The Oliver Jones Story

From his beginnings in Montreal studying with Oscar Peterson's sister Daisy Peterson Sweeny; to his Juno Award win; to becoming a major force on the world stage, this one hour documentary gives listeners an in-depth look at the man and the musician, Oliver Jones.

The Story of the Swingin' Shepherd: Moe Koffman

One of the most prominent jazz musicians to ever come out of Canada, multi- instrumentalist Moe Koffman achieved international success both as a composer and a player. His single 'Swinging Shepherd Blues' climbed the Billboard charts and became a standard. His playing across many different genres helped establish him as one of Canada's foremost be-boppers. Through archival interviews with Moe and conversations with people who knew and loved him, this documentary explores the life of the man they called the 'Swinging Shepherd'.

The Velvet Touch of Lenny Breau

In 1984, Lenny Breau was found dead in the swimming pool on the roof of his rooftop apartment. An autopsy later reported that he had been murdered, death by strangulation. His murder remains unsolved to this day.

This documentary takes a look at the man who to this day is considered to be one of the greatest guitar players who ever lived - the influences that formed him, and the tragic life he led that eventually led to his murder.

Vic Vogel: The Musical Legend

Montreal's Vic Vogel has been a mainstay on the music scene of that city for over 50 years. He's played at nearly every edition of the Montreal Jazz festival since its inception, and composed the music for Expo 67 as well as the opening march for the Montreal Olympics. His big band has been a training ground for just about every notable musician currently working in Montreal today. This documentary joins Vic over a breakfast of rum and eggs at one of his favorite Montreal haunts as he recounts the stories that made him the man he is today.