ROY AYERS, JEAN CARNE, WAYNE HENDERSON, BOBBI HUMPHREY, RONNIE LAWS, JON LUCIEN & LONNIE LISTON SMITH UNITE FOR 70’S STYLE JAZZ FUSION CONCERT

Spanning four decades of musical hits, the legendary artists who shaped jazz fusion during the 1970s come together for a special reunion on Thursday, November 16, 2006 at Phoenix Concert Theatre. Father of acid jazz, Roy Ayers, will be joined by Jean Carne, Wayne Henderson, Bobbi Humphrey, Ronnie Laws, Jon Lucien and Lonnie Liston Smith. Vibe master, writer and producer, Roy Ayers championed a new sound in the early days that drew from jazz, R&B, Latin, funk, and dance music. Ayers produced during that time what many regard as his finest works to date including hits such as Everybody Loves the Sunshine, Lifeline, Vibrations, Running Away, You Send Me, and Virgo Red which continue to influence a new generation of artists. Today, he is one of the most sampled artists in the music industry - A Tribe Called Quest, Mary J. Blige, Notorious BIG, Big Daddy Kane, Erykah Badu and Brand Nubian have all sampled from Ayers. Legendary soul diva Jean Carne first arrived onto the scene singing background vocals for Earth, Wind & Fire in the early 1970s. She has since released over half a dozen albums and has performed with Grover Washington Jr., The Temptations, The O'Jays, Stevie Wonder and Duke Ellington. As a member of Jazz Crusaders, trombonist Wayne Henderson achieved commercial success releasing more than twenty-eight albums with the group. In 1976, saxophonist Ronnie Laws' released his debut album that contained the instant jazz-funk classic, Always There, which has since been covered by numerous artists. Bobbi Humphrey, also known as the First Lady of the Flute, was the first female ever to be signed by Blue Note Records back in 1971. Her sound, a mixture of fusion and smooth jazz-pop, would earn her the title Best Female Instrumentalist by Billboard in 1976. An early influence in the quiet storm and smooth jazz format, Jon Lucien is best known for producing such hits as Lady Love and Rashida. Lonnie Liston Smith, on keyboards for Miles Davis during the early 1970s, is often regarded as the man whose sound bridged the gap between John Coltrane and Earth, Wind & Fire.The concert is being presented by R.E.M.G. and Toronto Downtown Jazz at the Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne Street, in Toronto.