bout The Toronto All-Star Big Band Mandate: to provide an outstanding development opportunity for keen young musicians aged 15-22 to realize their artistic potential through education and performance, seeking the highest level of achievement within a challenging nurturing and collaborative environment. To serve a broad community with accessible programming and high calibre productions at a range of performance venues. One of the most exciting bands around, the Toronto All-Star Big Band revives the spirit style and sound of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s – that golden age of the big bands. Armed with brilliant programming, choreography and engaging cultural nostalgia, this vibrant cast of awesome young talent has earned its position at the top of list of presenters throughout Ontario and in the USA. Theatrical engagements are far reaching, and recent gigs have included the Glenn Miller festival in Clarinda Iowa, the Villages and the Snowbird Extravaganza in Florida, the Muskoka Lakes Music Festival, Beaches International Jazz Festival, Art Park in Lewiston N.Y. and Toronto’s famed Palais Royale, Casa Loma and the Old Mill. At the heart of the musical matter, the TABB provides one of the most intense and stimulating youth music programs in Canada. Behind their extraordinary entertainment, they engage cream of the crop young musicians from across the GTA in a rigorous regime of rehearsals, workshops and fantastic skill-building performance experiences with such international stars as Clark Terry, Doc Severinsen, Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, Eddie Daniels and Larry Elgart. The band has also worked with wonderfully talented Canadians…Peter Appleyard, Oliver Jones, Ranee Lee, Tommy Ambrose, Phil Nimmons and the great Jackie Richardson. In June 2009 TABB had the great pleasure of performing with Legend Benny Golson. His gifts of music will “no soon be forgotten”. All of these wonderful performers are a part of TABB’s legend series and have graciously shared their talents with these young musicians.

The Willowdale Arts Collective has two streams; One is focused on the support of professional & semi-professional artists. We will work with artists in all disciplines, supporting them in a variety of ways (eg. access to low cost / no cost space, promotion and support of artistic events, financial compensation, ect). The other stream is focused on community members, and organizations that wish to support Toronto’s arts and cultural scene, with the ultimate aim of enriching the lives of Toronto residents through artistic events. This will take the form of paid and volunteer opportunities. The Willowdale Arts Collective will; Support emerging GTA artists by providing them with a safe space to practice their art, network with industry contacts and engage with new audiences. Engage with youth to provide them with relevant industry work experience and networking opportunities with professional artists. Leverage community support and volunteerism to support our goal of low-cost / no-cost public events. Encourage intra-cultural activities through community, arts-based events.