Election Night Special!

On the eve of the federal election here in Canada, I bring you one of the most revered concerts in the country's short history. On May 15, 1953 Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Charlie Mingus, and Max Roach performed at Massey Hall in Toronto. The performance, which has been called the greatest jazz concert ever, was recorded by Mingus and eventually released on Roach's record label. Oh, to be alive in 1953! Unfortunately, the concert's promoters failed to consider that a heavyweight championship between Rocky Marciano and Joe Walcott may draw away from the crowd size. In the end, Massey Hall was more than half empty... But at least it was all captured on tape!



Jazz at Massey Hall