Events
Koerner Hall Announces 15th Anniversary Concert Season
In 2023-24, the RCM will welcome artists from over 30 countries, including 15 artists making their Koerner Hall debut
Toronto [June 2023] – Dr. Peter Simon, Michael and Sonja Koerner President & CEO of The Royal Conservatory, Mervon Mehta, Executive Director of Performing Arts, and James Anagnoson, Dean of The Glenn Gould School, announced details of the events that will make up Koerner Hall’s 15th anniversary concert season.
Said Dr. Peter Simon, “As Koerner Hall celebrates its 15th season and my last as President & CEO of The Royal Conservatory, it is hard not to feel proud that what we set out to accomplish those many years ago, has come to fruition. We have brought both internationally acclaimed artists such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to this great city, as well as those who are just beginning to discover their artistry – and this upcoming season is no exception. The Royal Conservatory is deeply grateful to our generous donors, sponsors, and patrons who have supported our mission for developing human potential and who share our belief in the profoundly transformational power of music.”
Mervon Mehta said: “Since opening the hall in 2009 and over the 1,200 concerts presented, we have gone from the unknown ‘new kid on the block’ to being recognized internationally as one of the finest halls in the world. Artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, African superstar Youssou N’Dour, the iconic Buffy Sainte-Marie, television star Eric McCormack, and rising star Canadians like Bruce Liu and Jonelle Sills, sing the praises of the Hall’s acoustics. Even more importantly, they love the warmth they feel from our audience, one that truly listens. After three years of uncertainty, we are proud to bring you our greatest season yet – filled with superstars from classical, jazz, pop, and global music, as well as artists who we feel you need to hear. We are indebted to our subscribers and to our legion of donors who help us at every turn. I look forward to sharing many evenings together.”
Koerner Hall will continue streaming select performances on its video-on-demand platform, RoyalConservatory.Live, which means that Canadians as well as international audiences will have on-going access to the finest ‘live’ concert experiences.
Highlights of the 15th Anniversary Season include:
- The 2nd annual Concert to Commemorate the National Day of Truth & Reconciliation event will be hosted by spoken word artist Zoey Roy and will include a smudge ceremony outside the TELUS Centre, and a new commission by JUNO award-nominated composer Andrew Balfour with special guest Andrew McAnsh (trumpet).
- After the triumphant return of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to Toronto for the first time since 1914, the International Orchestra Series (previously announced and currently on sale) continues with Staatskapelle Berlin with Daniel Barenboim (watch Maestro Barenboim’s episode of the RCM’s Music of My Life series) and The Philadelphia Orchestra with Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
- This year’s Global Music concert series sees the return of Ladysmith Black Mambazo for the third time, Anoushka Shankar for her fifth time, plus KUNÉ (Canada’s global orchestra formed in 2016 by the RCM) teams up with Jesse Cook and Meesha Shafi – both of whom are making their Koerner Hall debut as is Sona Jobarteh, Africa’s first female griot kora player, who is appearing with her mentor, Taj Mahal.
- The Quiet Please, There’s a Lady on Stage concert series celebrates extraordinary female voices and features a double-bill with Rhiannon Giddens and Adia Victoria, the legendary Mavis Staples returns for her fourth time, while Stacey Kent makes her Koerner Hall debut with her trio.
- Music Mix concerts include Steven Page with friends Craig Northey and Kevin Fox (watch Steven Page’s episode of the RCM’s Music of My Life series), a double-bill with Raul Midón and Grammy award-winner Alex Cuba, and a special holiday concert with Holly Cole, one of Canada’s premier song stylists.
- The Jazz series (previously announced and currently on sale) includes performances by inaugural RCM Jazz-Artist-in-Residence, Robi Botos and friends, seven-time Grammy award-winner Terence Blanchard and his E-Collective are joined by the Turtle Island Quartet, and making her Koerner Hall debut is Samara Joy, the 2023 Grammy award Best New Artist of the Year winner.
- This season’s 21C Music Festival spans from January to May and includes the Kronos Quartet celebrating five decades of sound, Turkish pianist Fazil Sayand friends including RCM alumna Beste Kalender, Brad Mehldau playing new works commissioned by The Royal Conservatory, cultural icon Laurie Anderson, and more.
- This season’s Classical Music concert series (previously announced and currently on sale) include piano concerts, vocal concerts, string and chamber music concerts, as well as performances by the talented students of The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School – both the Royal Conservatory Orchestra, part of the Temerty Orchestral Program and which makes its Carnegie Hall debut this season, and the Price Opera program. Highlights include performances by superstars of the classical music world including Sir András Schiff, Richard Goode, RCM alumna Angela Hewitt, Hilary Hahn (just announced), the return of the Los Angeles Master Chorale staged by Peter Sellars, and Koerner Hall debuts by pianists Igor Levit and Mahani Teave, by the Brentano String Quartet, and by vocalist Ema Nikolovska, an alumna of The Royal Conservatory.
15th Anniversary Season tickets on sale beginning June 23, 2023 at 10AM (unless previously announced) with new subscriptions on sale beginning June 16, 2023 at 10AM.
Events
Buika Live in Concert in Toronto and Montreal
Buika Returns to Canada: A Latin Grammy-Winning Voice Like No Other
Toronto, ON & Montreal, QC — AB Collective International proudly presents the return of internationally acclaimed Spanish vocalist Buika to Canada for two powerful concerts this October.
Named by NPR as one of the “50 greatest voices of all time,” Buika is a genre-defying artist whose music fuses flamenco, soul, jazz and Afro-Latin sounds with poetic intensity. She is a Latin Grammy winner, has been nominated for Grammy Awards in multiple categories, and has shared stages with legends such as Chucho Valdés, Anoushka Shankar, and Carlos Santana.
This fall, her unmistakable voice will resound once more in two of Canada’s most iconic venues:
October 18, 2025 – Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Toronto
October 19, 2025 – L’Olympia, Montreal
Buika’s performances are emotional journeys — raw, elegant, and deeply human. Her art transcends genres and borders, delivering truth through music.
Presented by AB Collective International, these concerts are more than shows: they are moments of soulful connection and cultural resonance, featuring one of the most expressive vocalists of our time.

Events
Oscar Peterson at 100: A Canadian Celebration
(TORONTO – May 14, 2025) – One month today, Saturday, June 14, 2025, Massey Hall presents Oscar Peterson at 100: A Canadian Celebration featuring an all-star roster of musicians coming together to celebrate international Jazz legend, Oscar Peterson’s 100 birthday. New additions to line-up include two Canadian Jazz legends, Dave Younge and Oliver Jones.
Dave Young and Oliver Jones will join the previously announced acclaimed Canadian musicians on the legendary Allan Slaight Stage at Massey Hall: Amanda Tosoff, Andrew McAnsh, Caity Gyorgy, Chet Doxas, Chris Butcher, Colleen Allen, Jim Doxas, Jocelyn Gould, Jodi Proznick, Joe Sealy, Kevin Turcotte, Laila Biali, Lex French, Mark McLean, Matt Woroshyl, Mike Downes, Reg Schwager, Robi Botos, Sean Nimmons, Taurey Butler, and Thompson Egbo-Egbo.
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT:
WWW.MASSEYHALL.COM
OR 416-872-4255
Oscar Peterson at 100: A Canadian Celebration will feature music from throughout Peterson’s near seven-decade career, with a mix of both his original compositions and jazz standards, performed with love by an eclectic mix of artists, all of whom have drawn inspiration from Peterson’s immeasurable legacy.
The evening, co-produced by Céline Peterson and JUNO Award-winning drummer, composer, educator, and the evening’s Musical Director, Jim Doxas, was born from the pair’s desire to curate an evening that embodied the excellence that Peterson led throughout his life.
Tickets to Oscar Peterson at 100, A Canadian Celebration are available now by visiting www.masseyhall.com or calling the box office at 416-872-4255.
Dave Young Bio: Order of Canada recipient, Dr. Dave Young C.M., is one of Canada’s most celebrated and valued bassists, composers, arrangers, and educators. Originally from Winnipeg, Dave has made his name known on both the Canadian and international stages in both jazz and classical music for the last 5 decades, and along the way has worked with some of the world’s top artists in various fields. Known for his elegant tone, impeccable time, and immense knowledge of musical history, Dave has been a first-call bassist for the likes of Oscar Peterson, Lenny Breau, Oliver Jones, Cedar Walton, and countless others.
Oliver Jones Bio: With 25 albums under his belt, Dr. Jones has toured the world playing for audiences across the United States, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, Japan, China and Africa. Having performed at major jazz festivals and concerts alongside acclaimed orchestras, Dr. Jones has been recognized for his work across the globe. He is a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Québec and has received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, the Martin Luther King Jr. Award, the Oscar Peterson Award, the SOCAN Special Lifetime Award, multiple Félix Awards and two JUNO Awards. He has six doctorates.
Dr. OSCAR EMMANUEL PETERSON, is one of the most prolific jazz pianists of all time, lending his name and talents to more than 500 recordings and earning 8 GRAMMY Awards (including Lifetime Achievement). Born in Montréal’s Little Burgundy, his immense talent, fierce determination and profound love for the artform caught the attention of jazz music’s greatest impresario and founder of Jazz at the Philharmonic (JATP), Norman Granz. After accepting an invitation to perform as a surprise guest at a JATP show at Carnegie Hall at just twenty-four years old, Peterson would continue to tour with the group, performing with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Brown, Roy Eldridge, Herb Ellis, Clark Terry, Lester Young, and Lionel Hampton.
To learn more about Oscar Peterson and #OscarPeterson100, visit OscarPeterson.com.
Events
Lula Music & Arts Centre: Luminato at Harbourfront
On Sunday, June 15, 2025, the rhythms of Latin America take over Luminato at Harbourfront in this day-long celebration curated by Toronto’s beloved Lula Music & Arts Centre. From powerful salsa to groundbreaking fusions of traditional and contemporary sounds, this free event brings together revolutionary artists who are reshaping Latin music.
Get ready to dance with La Pambelé, as members of this cutting-edge Colombian orchestra are joined by top Canadian players to deliver this specially curated presentation of international salsa brava, bursting with the spirit of resistance and revolution. Move to the innovative sounds of Kombilesa Mi, who blend ancestral instruments with contemporary beats, rapping in both Spanish and Palenquero—the unique language of San Basilio de Palenque, the first free Black community in the Americas.
Between sets, Toronto’s own Sonic Sancocho keeps the energy high with vinyl-only DJ sets that span the spectrum of Latin music. Join dance workshops led by international instructors, explore market vendors, and discover why Latin music continues to move the world.
Whether you’re an experienced dancer or just love to move, this family-friendly celebration invites everyone to be part of the rhythm. More artists, workshops, and activities to be announced.
DIOGO RAMOS | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | CONCERT STAGE | FREE

Meet Diogo Ramos, singer-songwriter hailing from São Paulo, Brazil. Rooted in the rich tradition of Brazilian popular musicians, Diogo has honed his craft since the age of 13, specializing in guitar. With 25 years of professional experience, he has contributed to 20 albums as both composer and producer. In 2023, Diogo launched his latest album ‘Cabaça,’ a vibrant blend of electro-samba-funk designed to get you dancing! ‘Cabaça’ fuses samba funk and electronic hip-hop, featuring lyrics in Portuguese, French, and Haitian Creole, capturing the essence of beach vibes and modern urbanity. His EP ‘Raro Efeito’ serves as a musical statement and a tribute to Montreal’s multicultural artistic scene.
Crafted in collaboration with director Boogát, ‘Cabaça’ features brass arrangements recorded in Brazil by João Lenhari, Cuca Ferreira, and Douglas Antunes of Bixiga 70. Vocal arrangements by Bianca Rocha and Flavia Nascimento, mixed by Jean Massicotte in Canada and Andrés Oddone in Mexico. Special guests include Bïa and Imposs in ‘Samba do Boncy,’ and Boogát in ‘Sua Mão Direita.’ This music was composed and produced during the 2020/2021 pandemic, with the hope for a civilization filled with music and peace.
KOMBILESA MI | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | CONCERT STAGE | FREE

Nestled in the northern coastal region of Colombia, San Basilio de Palenque as it is colloquially known, was founded in the 17th century, by the first free slaves (Cimarrones) of the Americas. It has pioneered a distinct mix of Afro-Colombian culture. Locals speak their own Creole language called “Palenquero”, a blend of African Bantu, Portuguese dialects, French and English. Kombilesa Mi experiments with the instruments created by their ancestors (and introduced to them when they were young), layering them between new sounds. Over traditional percussion, handmade steel drums of his own design and marímbula, Kombilesa Mi rhymes and raps in Spanish and the traditional Palenquero. Kombilesa has performed at the Kennedy Center, NPR’s Tiny Desk, the Festival Petronio Alvarez and SXSW.
LA PAMBELÉ | 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM | CONCERT STAGE | FREE

La Pambelé is a Colombian orchestra that embodies the essence of heavy guaguanco, salsa brava that resonates with revolution and resistance of migrants to the big cities. Their influences include names such as Markolino Dimond, Eddie Palmieri, Edy Martínez, El Pantera, Ismael Miranda, Quintana, Rivera, and the Afro- Antillean rhythms that flow from the Colombian coasts to the capital, Bogotá, the epicenter of inspiration and conspiracy for this orchestra.
Source: Luminato at Harbourfront


