Jazz-rock fusion band hits Simcoe Street Theatre stage Friday

NEWS RELEASE
ONE WORD
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Amidst a non-stop touring schedule with Chicago tribute band Brass Transit, and iconic Canadian rock band Lighthouse; one of North America’s top drummers is carving out time to return to Georgian Bay with his own jazz-rock fusion band featuring former Meaford resident and award-winning electric violinist, Victoria Yeh.

Paul DeLong’s One Word will be performing at Collingwood’s Simcoe Street Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1. The five-piece band includes DeLong and Yeh, alongside Grammy winner Steve Lucas on bass, Michael Murray on guitar, and Marco Luciani on keyboards.

The Juno award-winning drummer formed One Word five years ago to perform rarely heard classic tunes from the great jazz fusion bands of the 1970s, including the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Chick Corea’s Return to Forever, Allan Holdsworth, Weather Report, Jeff Beck, jazz violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, and more.

“Fusion” is a genre of music that evolved when jazz musicians began embracing and integrating elements of rock – electrified instruments and strong drum back beats – while staying true to the jazz tradition of wildly improvised solos and extended harmonies. It was also a time when Latin and world music from Asia began to make its way into jazz, bringing with it the complex rhythms and odd time signatures that make fusion music so intriguing and unique.

In those early days of fusion, exactly fifty years ago, DeLong saw the Mahavishnu Orchestra live in concert.

“Everything changed in that moment for me. I had never heard anything like that in my life, and I remember just crying,” said DeLong.

It was after this concert that DeLong, then only a budding youth, knew he wanted to become a musician.

This won’t be the first time the band has played at Simcoe Street Theatre – although it will be the first time a live audience will be invited to attend.

That’s because during those long isolated days of the pandemic, the band was featured in Episode 3 of Yeh’s Travel By Sound virtual concert series.

“As amazing as it was to make music and produce a concert in this space during COVID, there’s nothing comparable to sharing the experience with a live audience,” said Yeh from her new home in Peterborough. “This community supported me in so many ways over the past few years, so I was thrilled to be invited back by the Town of Collingwood.”

The show promises to be an "unforgettable night of fusion.” Seating is limited, and advance tickets are highly recommended. Tickets are only $35 in advance or $40 at the door, available at https://pauldelong.com/paul-delongs-one-word/

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