“For me, music and life are all about style.” – Miles Davis
Bob Clegg can’t imagine life without jazz. In fact, the trumpeter and retired advertising and marketing whiz is so enamoured by the musical genre that he’s now sourcing some of Toronto’s finest bands to delight Shops at Don Mills’ shoppers and local residents.
Beginning the July 4th weekend and continuing throughout the summer, the Town Square will be humming with the best in toe-tappin’ jazz, Dixieland and bebop this side of the Don Valley Parkway. The Canadian Jazz Quartet makes its Shops at Don Mills debut on Saturday July 4, with The Bob DeAngelis-John Macleod Quartet taking to the jazz tent the following day (both concerts from 2-4 p.m.). On July 11-12 it’s the Red Peppers Dixieland Band, performing both days from 1-4 p.m, with many more acts to follow in the coming weeks.
“There are a number of jazz venues across the city, but this area was really lacking one of its own,” says Bob, 73. “That’s unfortunate since many of the local residents lived through the Big Band era. When Shops at Don Mills opened, I quickly realized it was the perfect spot to give jazz the attention it so rightfully deserves.”
Jazz has been in Bob’s blood for as long as he can remember. He started playing the trumpet at 15 and soon after joined the Midland Ontario Boys Band and played gigs to earn extra cash. Despite a busy marketing career, he fronted the Bob Clegg Jazz Octet that traveled the province spreading the sounds of Dixieland at festivals, clubs and private parties. In 1995, the Don Mills resident sold his business yet continued to perform with gusto through his company Just Add Music (JAM).
Now that Bob is booking the acts for Shops at Don Mills, music lovers are certainly in for a treat.
“Bob’s passion for jazz, combined with his desire to bring it to his local community, is his true motivation,” says Alexandra Whyte, general manager of Shops at Don Mills. “Whether as a performer or securing and organizing talent, Bob is the consummate professional and always goes the extra mile to tailor the entertainment to the community’s needs. It has been a true privilege to have such a fine, well respected local resident contributing to the Town Square’s musical success. We look forward to working with Bob for the years to come.”
For more information on all of our events, including the bi-monthly Making Music in the Square, check out the Shops at Don Mills’ Events page.