For Josh Grossman, becoming the artistic director for the TD Toronto Jazz Festival is a culmination of everything he has been doing for the past 10 years.
Josh Grossman
That includes working as the artistic director of the Markham Jazz Festival, the manager of High Park Choirs of Toronto and the production manager of the Royal Conservatory of Music. He’s also the founder of the Toronto Jazz Orchestra.
Grossman, 33, has been a fixture on the local jazz scene. “Since getting out of school, I have pursued a variety of arts administrative stuff, performance, presenting and producing opportunities,” he says. “So, this is a nice way to combine everything together.”
As the artistic director of the festival, he replaces Jim Galloway, who retired last fall. The festival is now in its 24th season.
“When I heard that Jim Galloway had stepped down, I hadn’t thought to apply,” Grossman says. “I figured they already had hired someone, and then I had conversations with some people who encouraged me to apply. I took that as a sign and applied in mid-November, and by mid-December everything was all wrapped up.”
For his first season this summer, Grossman says he’s built on what was done in the past and made sure that a really good variety of music is presented. At the same time, he’s put his stamp on this year’s festival by programming music that he thinks is important to the contemporary jazz scene.
Grossman has talked with members of the local jazz community about their concerns and listened to their suggestions about the festival. Coming out of that is the reintroduction, after 10 years, of the Wave Series, which focuses on the contemporary, avant-garde side of jazz. The series, which will be held at the Music Gallery, advances jazz into the next generation, Grossman says.
But Grossman created a balance in his programming, making sure there is something for everybody. He says it is as important to pay attention and to honour where jazz has come from, as it is to look at where jazz is going.
This year’s veteran lineup includes Herbie Hancock, Dave Brubeck, Maceo Parker and blues legend Taj Mahal.
“I want people coming away from the festival with an emotional response having been moved in some way by the music, and that people will take a bit of a risk, learn something new about the music and what jazz can mean,” he says.
Grossman’s duties as artistic director also include the off-season development of educational programs with the festival’s community partner, Regent Park School of Music.
“This is vital as well,” he says. “We have heard so much about the ‘state of jazz’ in philosophical terms, so it is really important that we continue to reach out to not only the next generation of jazz fans, but the next generation of jazz musicians and foster and encourage that talent.
“It is not an easy career choice to be a jazz musician, so we want to provide mentorship and encourage the development of new music and interesting jazz.”
Grossman grew up with music and sang in the Beth Habonim Youth Choir. He said the choir was a musical, social, religious and cultural experience for him. It introduced him to a new group of people and inspired him, and provided experiences for him that he wouldn’t have had in other places, including recording.
“Culturally, Judaism has a lot to contribute to music in general, and obviously a lot of the major performers, producers, record producers, and composers are Jewish,” Grossman says.
The Toronto Jazz Festival runs from June 25 to July 4. Free daily noon and 5 p.m. performances by various artists, including Jaffa Road, take place at Nathan Phillips Square, in addition to ticketed events. For detailed listings, visit www.torontojazz.com.
