Ajijic’s Auditorio de la Ribera will be swinging once again as the ever popular Richard Underhill returns to the stage Thursday, February 16, 7:30 p.m. as part of the Northern Lights Festival.
Underhill’s warm alto sound, great writing and arranging skills and in-from-the-outside soloing make him one of Canada’s most distinctive jazz performers. Joining Underhill will be the award winning Jesse Dietschi, Daniel Barnes and James Hill. The always loved Patricia O’Callaghan will also be making an appearance.
Underhill’s new project is “Free Spirit,” a critically acclaimed Live DVD/Studio CD set that features Lincoln Center Jazz trombonist Ron Westray and some of Toronto’s finest jazz players.
He was awarded the Roy Thomson Hall Award of Recognition for his contribution to Toronto musical and artistic community. He won a Juno Award for his jazz debut “Tales from the Blue Lounge” and was nominated for the Prix du Jazz at the Montreal Jazz Festival. His latest album “Kensington Suite” has garnered significant critical acclaim and was nominated for a Juno Award and as was his second album “Moment in Time.”
Toronto bassist Jesse Dietschi, a versatile musician and composer equally experienced in jazz, classical, and popular music is a former faculty member at Brandon University and the International Music Camp. Dietschi has served simultaneously as a jazz and chamber/orchestral bassist for the Northern Lights music festival. He has toured and performed at major clubs and festivals.
Bringing in the beat will be drummer, composer, producer, and singer Daniel Barnes. Born into an artistic Toronto family, his father was a classical music composer, his mother a published author and his brother Ariel Barnes is principal cellist of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. He will be joining the Northern Lights orchestra this year too, so these two amazing brothers will both be at the Festival.
James Hill is returning to the Auditorio piano to thrill us with his rhythms. Hill has performed at many major jazz venues in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal as well as international destinations. He was awarded the Hnatyshyn Foundations’ Oscar Peterson Grant for Jazz Performance in 2012. James has been working on his recently released second studio album with his band Autobahn.
The special treat of the night will be an appearance by Patricia O’Callaghan whose 15-year career has taken her across genres, continents, and a range of disciplines and passions.
Her recording career spans six solo CDs and many interesting guest collaborations. One of O’Callaghan’s most unique talents is the ability to blend a variety of languages and musical genres seamlessly together in her concerts, and completely embody whatever style she is singing at any given moment.
Individual ticket sales are now available Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at La Nueva Posada, Donata Guerra 9, Ajijic. For information on ticket sales email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact Maureen Welch at (376) 108-1407 between 2 and 4 p.m. Festival tickets cost 400 pesos for side seats, 500 pesos in the center.