JRA SummerFest

Kick off
summer at the

Saturday June 22nd, 12-8PM

Join the Junction Residents Association for a day of summer fun.

The JRA SummerFest is a FREE summer event hosted by the JRA and open to everyone in the neighbourhood.

The event takes place on Saturday, June 22 (12-8pm) in Malta Park (3179 Dundas Street W) and features; BBQ, giveaway draws, Hula-Hoop Zone, children's activities, wandering magician (12:30-3:30pm), face painting (12:00-4:00pm), Codezilla STEM and Tech activities (12:00-4:00 pm), and a music festival program celebrating local musicians will take place throughout the day on the main stage.

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ON STAGE

JUST SAX

Introducing “JUST SAX” ! We are a west Toronto community saxophone quartet playing a
variety of Jazz, Folk, Pop and Classical repertoire. Featuring four local west end musicians on
Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Soprano Sax; we are delighted to entertain you for

your social gatherings!

KALYA RAMU

Kalya Ramu, a Canadian jazz vocalist, composer, educator, and visual artist, has carved out a distinctive presence within Toronto's vibrant jazz community. From the age of 12, Kalya found herself immersed in the world of jazz, frequenting jam sessions and touring with community big bands. Her musical journey led her to pursue higher education, culminating in her graduation from the Bachelor of Music Degree Program at Humber College. A storyteller at heart, Kalya has a remarkable ability to reinvent classic jazz tunes while infusing her original compositions with fresh, evocative narratives. In 2019, Ramu released her debut full-length album, Living in a Dream, supported by FACTOR. Shortly after this release, the title track was featured on the soundtrack of CBC show "Frankie Drake Mysteries." Ramu’s second album, Duo (2021), is a close collaboration with pianist and composer Ewen Farncombe. The five-track album of original material highlights their artistic synergy. More recently Ramu has released two singles featuring Brazilian guitarist André Valério. The first, "Algo Contigo," features the composition of Argentinian songwriter Chico Novarro, and the second “Hold Me Close” is an original composition by Ramu and Valério and features the playing of flutist Rob Christian. Kalya has plans to release new music soon, follow her on instagram @kalyaramu to get updates!

ROBYN BLACK

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Robyn Black has ascended into the spotlight with "Butterfly," a meticulously crafted album embodying a musical journey through narratives of resilience, love, introspection, and fervor for life, released in October 2023. After two decades of shaping melodies from the shadows, Robyn, with the release of her long-anticipated album, has made a resolute entrance into the domain of established solo artists. Developed in conjunction with her unyielding ally, producer Lou Pomanti, the album encompasses eleven tracks, presenting eight original compositions and three ingeniously reenvisioned covers, thereby testifying to Robyn’s evolution from a seasoned session vocalist to a consummate recording artist.The odyssey of "Butterfly" illustrates a poignant artistic transformation, spanning four years since Robyn’s vocal improvisations resonated with acclaimed producer Pomanti. Initiated during an arrangement for 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone' with George St. Kitts and Pomanti’s band, Oakland Stroke, a modest collaboration unfurled into a profound creative alliance, thereby weaving a tapestry of genres—pop, nu-soul, funk, and R&B—bathed in a nostalgic '90s RnB ambiance.

TUMAKO

“Tumako is a Toronto-based Funk and Soul group. The members combine tight, accomplished musicianship with total commitment to setting a groove that energizes audiences and inspires people to dance. Through its live shows, Tumako has been bringing fun, rhythmically driven music and strong improvisational stylings to Toronto audiences since 2015. Current members include Robert Bravo on keyboard, Marco Bonatti on Baritone Sax, Alex Merrick on drums, Michael Rolin on guitar, Simon Mayhew on bass, and Mike Falla on trumpet.”

GREY SWANS

Grey Swans is the dreamy indie-folk side project of Toronto musicians Katey Morley, Steve York and Talia Schlanger. Starting as a leisurely pursuit during the darkest months of the pandemic, the trio creates magic on stage, with their lush harmonies and their thoughtfully curated selection of covers and originals.

THE LATE MR TAIT & CO

The Late Mr Tait is the lead singer/songwriter for the Toronto music collective Lazarettes. For over twenty years, he's developed songs for film and television, and to projects like Brighton Surly and Dead Stars. He's also contributed vocals to albums by Ron Hawkins, Sour Landslide and many others. For JRA SummerFest, he'll be joined by Henry, Gabriel and Franklyn Tait on guitar, banjo and mandolin.