Volume 23 Issue 9 - June / July / August 2018

This full-length feature
film, Trojan Jazz, will retell
the events of the exchange
of talented musicians
between the US and the
Soviet Union. The anticipated
appeal is to jazz enthusiasts
in both English- and
Russian-speaking cultures.
The concept of Trojan Jazz
likens the Benny Goodman
Orchestra to members of a
Trojan horse that brought
Western jazz culture into an
isolated Eastern jazz culture.
The impact was unpredictable.
Jazz musicians of
both cultures exchanged written ideas, which began a collaboration
second to none.
Local concert clarinetist Julian Milkis, son of former TSO concertmaster
Yasha Milkis, is cast as Benny Goodman. Milkis actually
studied with Goodman while attending the Juilliard School of Music
in New York City. He can be seen in a variety of ensembles recreating
some of Goodman’s hit songs.
To illustrate the Goodman legacy of playing big band music
continuing to this day in community groups around the world, the
producers wanted to show such a group in rehearsal So, all of a
sudden, one evening a few weeks ago, I and my bandmates found
ourselves being bombarded by bright studio lighting and surrounded
by at least a half-dozen cameras. The Toronto-based rehearsal band
Swing Machine, of which I have been a member for many years, was
chosen and filmed to exemplify this ongoing tradition. There we were
many years later, still enjoying the performance of big band music. We
haven’t heard anything of when or where this movie might be seen,
but I am told a visit to https://firstjazztourinussr.com will provide
more in-depth information as the project develops.
Julian Miklis (at left)
Mikhail Sherman
A few weeks ago, at a regular rehearsal of the Swing Machine Big
Band, I looked across at the saxophone section. The usually very reliable
baritone saxophone player, Mikhail Sherman, was missing. We
later learned that he had decided to have a nap before leaving for the
rehearsal, but never woke up.
Born in the USSR, Mikhail grew up with a love of music in a country
famed for great classical musicians. After serving time in the army
and playing in a military band, he went on to become the principal
clarinet and saxophone player for the
famed Moscow State Circus, City of
Lviv, for seven years.
In 1979 he left and came to Toronto
to pursue more opportunities. He
started his life here as a refugee
with nothing. He washed dishes and
became a cook at the Windfields
Restaurant. His love for music led
him in another direction. It was
here that he met Frank Fermosi and
Rocco Nufrio, the owners of the thensuccessful
Saxophone Shop. They
quickly spotted Mikhail’s love for
music. He, in turn, showed a keen
ability to learn the trade of repairing
instruments. They offered him a job
and training, in which he quickly excelled!
In 1986, when the Sax Shop closed, Mikhail decided to would open
his own shop in North Toronto. Still with little in his pocket, he started
Mikhail Sherman Music Service, which was to become one of the most
successful woodwind repair shops in Canada, servicing the educational
system and many top professional musicians. Mikhail passed
away peacefully and suddenly in his sleep on April 26, 2018. Many
of the great musicians and music educators in the GTA will miss his
quick response and expertise. A true rags-to-riches story.
Uxbridge Community Concert Band
After a year’s absence from the local band scene and some questions
about the band’s rebirth, the Uxbridge Community Concert Band,
with Steffan Brunette at the helm, has now had its first rehearsal.
Steffan took a year off to study composition and to do some travelling.
Rather than assume all of the many duties required to operate a
band successfully, Steffan now has an executive team to help with the
many details, but it is, once again, a superbly organized band. After
their first rehearsal it became evident that a few more trumpets would
be welcome. The band is a summertime-only group that rehearses
in Uxbridge on Wednesday evenings. For information, email uccb@
powergate.ca.
Toronto Summer Music Festival
On Sunday, July 29 at 2pm, the 2018 Toronto Summer Music Festival
will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI with
a concert titled “Reflections on Wartime” at The Bentway. This will
include a full afternoon of events with a feature performance by the
“Canadian National Brass Project.” For those not familiar with it, The
Canadian National Brass Project brings together many of the best brass
40 | June | July | August 2018 thewholenote.com