The Lost Fingers are 'the hottest thing in Quebec'

The Lost Fingers promise to get people moving to their gypsy jazz swing rhythm at the Jazz Sudbury Festival Sept. 12, said organizers for the city's first jazz festival.

Francophones, and anyone who likes to dance, will appreciate the high energy of the Lost Fingers trio from Quebec, said Carmen Simmons, executive director of the Sudbury Community Foundation, organizers of the festival.

“The Lost Fingers are the hottest thing in Quebec right now. Our francophone community is gobbling up tickets to them,” said Simmons.

The Lost Fingers will take the stage at Science North at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Their debut CD, Lost in the 80s — a tribute to gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt — sold out in Quebec one week after its release in May 2008. The CD achieved platinum status.

The band's name is a tribute to Reinhardt, who lost the use of two of his fingers in a fire.

This year, the group was nominated for two Juno Awards in the categories of Fan Choice Award and Album of the Year, based on the success of their first CD.

The trio, made up of guitarists Bryon Mikaloff and Christian Roberge and bassist Alex Morissette, when contacted while on tour in Los Angeles in California, said they looked forward to playing the main stage at Science North this Saturday.

“I didn't realize you had such a large francophone community. That means we can play some tunes off our recent Rendez-vous rose CD,” said Mikaloff.

He said the trio prefers a gypsy dance tempo that makes people squirm in their seats.

“Our music appeals to all ages — it is agitated, fast and based on swing music. Everyone gets up on their feet,” added Mikaloff.

“Last night (Sept. 2) in Seattle we really ripped it (the Triple Door Club) up. We had a group of 20 Russians right up front. They had heard of us in Russia. One very large Russian man — at least 250 pounds and over six feet tall — got up and started dancing in front of us. He just couldn't keep still. I don't often see a big man do that,” he chuckled.

Even children enjoy the show, he said.

“We have costumes and we are very animated. That appeals to children.”

Mikaloff said he was impressed by the lineup for Jazz Sudbury.

“I really like the Shuffle Demons (playing Friday night). They are a quirky band.”

Admission is free to the Shuffle Demons kick-off concert at Science North, starting at 8:30 p.m

The Lost Fingers trio will travel to Phoenix, Arizona for two gigs before arriving back in Canada for the local festival.

Rendez-vous rose was released in June 2009 with the English version to come later.
“We will have copies of our CDs and T-shirts at Jazz Sudbury for purchase.”

The group has plans to tour Europe to support the new album.

“Our CDs are being sold in eight countries, from Spain to France and Belgium, and also in Mexico.” Mikaloff said the CDs are to be released in England and Turkey shortly.

Simmons said there is a real buzz about the jazz festival.

“People are just returning from summer vacations or from the lake. The whole community is pulling together for us.”

As an example, when a volunteer with Jazz Sudbury found out Saturday night headliner Michael Kaeshammer preferred playing a Yamaha piano, Harris Movers were contacted and donated half the cost of moving a nine-foot Yamaha piano from Toronto to Sudbury, noted Simmons.

Another moving company, Manitoulin Transport, also donated a full trailer, for use at the festival.

Greater Sudbury Transit is allowing advance ticket holders to ride for free to the venue, said Simmons.

Ticket prices for the Saturday events vary. They are $75 for a single jazz pass, providing full access to day and evening concerts, and $60 for seniors and students with identification. A single day pass is $20 for events from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or $45 for a family of two adults and two children. An evening pass is $60 and $50 for seniors and students with identification.

Phone 673-7770 or visit the Sudbury Community Foundation office at Rainbow Centre, 218-40 Elm St., second floor.

Visit www.jazzsudbury.ca for a full list of performers and times.