CONTXTbyTrane

05/26/2026

Hey everyone- here’s another behind the curtain rehearsal video.

What would be a crime? You not being in the audience.

Come experience The Full Sade Experience for yourself.

THE SADE EXPERIENCE ft. SHELLEY HAMILTON
📍 918 Bathurst St, Toronto ON · 📅 June 18, 2026
🎟️ Ticket link in bio

05/24/2026

CONTXT by Trane presents a lineup of live music and cultural programming this summer in Toronto.

Rudy Ray — Jun 6
Ghanaian-Canadian trumpeter and composer, Rudy Ray Kwaku, blending African jazz, hip-hop, soul, and spoken word. Presented in connection with the Toronto Black Film Festival. Doors 6PM | $30 adv / $40 door

tUkU beY x bUdi — Every Sunday, Jun 7 – Jul 19
A six-week residency exploring vocal standards, original compositions, and blues storytelling rooted in the legendary Bey family musical legacy. 1PM–4PM | $15 adv / $25 door

Sunday Noir — Jun 14 onwards
A six-part salon-style residency curated by multidisciplinary artist Nicky Lawrence, featuring live music, storytelling, and special guests. Doors 6PM | Start 7PM

Shelley Hamilton: The Sade Experience — Jun 18
An ensemble performance celebrating the music of Sade, led by vocalist Shelley Hamilton with a full live band. At 918 Bathurst Centre. 8PM–11PM | $40 adv / $50 door

Kahil El’Zabar & David Murray: WE BE FREE — Jun 19 & 20
Two pioneering figures in jazz and Great Black Music, performing together on their 2026 tour. Two nights only. Doors 6PM | $45 adv / $55 door | $85 for both nights

Teiku feat. Jason Stein & Jaribu Shahid — Jul 4
Chicago/Detroit ensemble reimagining rare Eastern European Passover melodies through jazz improvisation. Doors 6PM | $40 adv / $50 door

Space is limited at all shows . Be sure to get your tickets before they sell out.

🎟️All shows at CONTXT by Trane, 254 Lansdowne Ave, Toronto unless noted. Tickets and full details at the link.

🍽️Featuring the soulful, wellness-inspired flavours of — where rustic gourmet Caribbean cuisine meets culture, healing, and unforgettable vibes. 🫶🏾

05/24/2026

Join us this afternoon for a special tribute to two of jazz's most visionary voices, featuring Detroit-born baritone saxophonist Alex Harding with his Quartet and Guests.

Alex Harding brings decades of experience performing alongside Wynton Marsalis, David Murray, the Sun Ra Arkestra, Aretha Franklin, and the Roy Hargrove Big Band — and today he brings that depth of tradition and innovation to 254 Lansdowne Ave.

📅 Sunday, May 24, 2026
⏰ 1:30PM – 4:00PM
📍 CONTXT by Trane, 254 Lansdowne Ave, Main Floor, Toronto
🎟 $25 adv | $35 door

And to make the afternoon complete, will be on site with rustic gourmet Caribbean cuisine — soulful food to match soulful music.

Tickets here: https://tickets.contxtbytrane.com/events/contxtbytrane/2207351

05/12/2026

This spring, CONTXT by Trane welcomes three extraordinary concerts celebrating spiritual jazz, improvisation, and boundary-pushing musical traditions.

🎷 May 24 — Alex Harding with Quartet and Guests

An Afternoon for Ornette & Coltrane featuring the powerful and innovative baritone saxophonist Alex Harding. From collaborations with Sun Ra Arkestra, Roy Hargrove Big Band, and Hamiet Bluiett to Broadway’s FELA!, Harding brings a deeply expressive sound rooted in avant-garde jazz history.

🎺 June 6 — Rudy Ray Quartet - CONTXT 6th Anniversary Concert

Celebrate CONTXT’s 6th Anniversary with Ghanaian-Canadian trumpeter and multidisciplinary artist Rudy Ray Kwaku alongside Jared Higgins, Andrew Stewart, and Ben Graffam. Expect an immersive evening blending African jazz, soul, hip-hop, and spoken word.

🔥 June 19 & 20 — Kahil El’Zabar & David Murray – WE BE FREE Tour

Legendary percussionist Kahil El’Zabar and saxophone icon David Murray reunite for WE BE FREE — a spiritually charged exploration of freedom, improvisation, and decades of groundbreaking musical collaboration.

Featuring the soulful, wellness-inspired cuisine of

Advance tickets at www.CONTXTbyTrane.com

05/11/2026

A multidisciplinary creative residency rooted in Brazilian Samba, Afro-Latin, Latin Jazz and beyond. DJ sets, visual art, poetry, dialogue, guest performances, spirited libations and curated tapas - woven together like the rings of its namesake wood: intricate, unique, connected, intersectional.

Every other Thursday with Special guest Victor Monsivais & his band joins (May 14, 28 · June 11, 25.)

Curated, hosted and produced by Trust The Process Press.

🚪 Doors 7:00 pm · Show 8:00 pm · PWYC

🎟️ Grab your tickets at the link below!
https://tickets.contxtbytrane.com/events/contxtbytrane/2001101

04/27/2026

Celebrate Mother’s Day in vibrant style at the Pan-Caribbean Mother’s Day Dinner and Concert, an unforgettable evening of rich flavors and Caribbean folk music. Guests will enjoy a delicious four-course Caribbean-inspired dinner while being serenaded by the captivating sounds of Maurice Gordon on guitar and vocals and the dynamic rhythms of King Cosmo on vocals and percussion.

With a warm, festive atmosphere and limited seating available, this special event offers the perfect way to honor the mothers in your life—whether you choose the full dinner experience or concert-only admission with à la carte options. Early reservation is highly recommended to secure your place at this unique and intimate celebration.

Sunday, May 10 at 6pm at CONTXT, 254 Lansdowne Ave

4 Course Dinner and Concert $85 adv. (before May 03 - $95 after).
Concert Only with Ala Carte Options: $35 adv. (before May 03 - $45 after).
TICKETS HERE: https://tickets.contxtbytrane.com/events/contxtbytrane/2163817

04/26/2026

WE BE FREE – LIVE IN CONTXT

Legendary percussionist & bandleader Kahil El’Zabar teams up with saxophone icon David Murray for their powerful 2026 tour — WE BE FREE. This is more than a concert… it’s a journey through spiritual jazz, deep improvisation, and the sound of freedom itself.

For over 40 years, these two pioneers have electrified audiences across the globe. Now they return with a dynamic new program rooted in legacy, innovation, and Great Black Music.

Fri & Sat, June 19/20
Doors 6PM | Show 7PM
CONTXT by Trane, 254 Lansdowne Ave

Kahil El’Zabar & David Murray – WE BE FREE Tour – CONTXT by Trane, Multiple dates and times - Legendary percussionist and bandleader Kahil El'Zabar joins forces with saxophone icon David Murray for their 2026 tour, WE BE FREE - a dynamic and deeply expressive program rooted in spiritual jazz ...

04/25/2026

May & June at CONTXT are something else.

Every Saturday in May → Brownman Ali leads 5 all-star ensembles through 5 eras of Miles Davis. One per Saturday. All of them legendary.

Every Friday in May → The Other Film Festival returns for its 30th year. Six films. Every Friday at 254 Lansdowne.

May 10 → Pan-Caribbean Mother's Day Dinner & Concert. Four courses, live Caribbean folk music, limited seats. Book early.

June 19 & 20 → Kahil El'Zabar & David Murray bring their WE BE FREE tour to CONTXT. Spiritual jazz. Two pioneers. One room.

This is the spring lineup. Come through.

04/13/2026

Every Saturday in May, multi-award winning jazz trumpet iconoclast BROWNMAN ALI will lead 5 different all-star ensembles through 5 historic eras of jazz which Miles Davis catalyzed & immortalized with his presence.

SCHEDULE
5 Saturdays... 5 Quintets... 5 Eras of Miles...
Week 1 - May 02 - "Young Miles" - The Bird Years
Week 2 - May 09 - "Birth Of The Cool" - Post-Bop Miles
Week 3 - May 16 - "Plugged Nickel" - The Shorter Years
Week 4 - May 23 - "Bi***es Brew to Tutu" - Electric Miles
Week 5 - May 30 - "Doo-bop" - Had He Lived…

CONTXT, 254 Lansdowne Ave
6:00pm - doors / 7:00pm - showtime each Saturday in May
$30 Early bird (until April 15) / $35 Advance / $130 All-show package

More info and Tickets:
https://contxtbytrane.com/5-weeks-for-miles/