Welcome to the official website of CODA Magazine’s 50th Anniversary Birthday Bash and Jazz Club Crawl.
CODA was launched 50 years ago as a monthly magazine catering to the Traditional jazz enthusiast and celebrating the Toronto jazz scene. The first issue appeared on Wednesday, May 7, 1958 and was available to patrons at the Maison Doré Tavern, which was located at 38 Asquith Avenue in Toronto.
As fate would have it, May 7, 2008 also falls on a Wednesday. While the Maison Doré no longer exists, we intend to use the occasion of this momentous milestone to celebrate Canadian jazz musicians and the spirit of live jazz in Toronto.
Joining us in our celebrations are our two best 25-year old buddies, renowned Montreal jazz label Justin Time Records, and Toronto community radio station and jazz programming stalwart CKLN-FM, each of whom are celebrating reaching the quarter century milestone in 2008.
We have planned three unique events in celebration: CODA’s Quintessential Canadian Jazz Photograph, CODA’s 50th Anniversary Birthday Bash and CODA’s Jazz Club Crawl.
CODA’s Quintessential Canadian Jazz Photograph
Sunday May 4, 2008
Our celebrations begin on Sunday May 4th in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver with the Quintessential Canadian Jazz Photograph. Inspired by the landmark Art Kane 1958 photograph A Great Day in Harlem, and in celebration of our 50th anniversary of publication, CODA is planning a simultaneous photo shoot in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, featuring Canadian Jazz musicians and industry participants.
UPDATE
We thank the hundreds of jazz musicians and industry participants that participated in this wonderful event. Despite rain in Montreal, a last minute change in Toronto and an early early rise in Vancouver, this triple click event was a shuttering success.
Special thanks go out to our three photographers: Jason Hendriks in Toronto, Steve Mynett in Vancouver and Kate Hutchinson in Montreal. We also acknowledge the assistance of Coastal Jazz & Blues Society and Cory Weeds (The Cellar) in Vancouver, Joel Giberovitch (Upstairs), Claude Thibault (sortiesJAZZnights.com), Len Dobbin and Jim West (Justin Time) in Montreal, Tracey Nolan and Andrew Scott in Toronto, and the countless others who helped to spread word of the event.
A reminder to anyone who participated in the photo - if they haven't already done so - to please provide us with their contact information (name, email and mailing address). All photo participants will receive a free 1-year subscription to CODA.
CODA’s 50th Anniversary Birthday Bash
Wednesday May 7, 2008
Our festivities continue with an invitation-only 50th Anniversary Issue launch party at 5:00 pm on Wednesday May 7, at the Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar in Toronto.
Later this evening, at 8:00 pm, the CODA Jazz All-Stars, led by guitarist, educator and CODA Managing Editor
Andrew Scott, will take to the stage at the Rex for an hour long set that’s sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Wednesday’s events at the Rex close off with a CD release party for the Cameron Wallis Quartet’s new recording, “Straight to Plan B” at 9:30 pm.
CODA’s Jazz Club Crawl
Thursday May 8, 2008 to Sunday May 11, 2008
CODA’s inaugural Jazz Club Crawl will celebrate the live jazz scene in Toronto
We will showcase a variety of jazz entertainers and jazz venues in Toronto with this 4-day mini festival, which wraps up with an afternoon event on Sunday, May 11th, presented by The Art of Jazz.
Come on out and help us to celebrate 50 Jazzy Years...and counting!!!