If you are in Toronto...don't miss this one!

Long a favourite of Toronto’s Cabaret fans for his rich, velvety voice and engaging stage presence Michael Lamont-Lytle has appeared in the Mirvish Productions of The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast and has toured the country in productions of Chicago, Dreamgirls and other hit shows. While his repertoire includes some of the show tunes that you would expect from a veteran of the musical theatre stage, Lamont-Lytle’s flavour has always been decidedly more R&B and Jazz tinged. No surprise really, when you consider that Lamont-Lytle is the son of famed jazz vibraphonist Johnny Lytle.

Considered one of the top vibes players in the world, Johnny Lytle was known for his great hand speed and showmanship. He was also a songwriter and wrote many of his own hits, including "The Loop," "The Man," "Lela," "Selim," and the jazz classic "The Village Caller." Lytle recorded more than 30 albums for various jazz labels including Tuba, Jazzland, Solid State and Muse. Throughout his career he performed and recorded with jazz greats the likes of Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, Miles Davis, Nancy Wilson, Bobby Timmons and Roy Ayers. Lytle was such an admirer of the music of the Miles Davis that he wrote "Selim" (Miles spelled backwards) in honor of Davis, which features Davis' former pianist Wynton Kelly.

Appropriate then, that Lamont-Lytle will be, along with treating the audience to some of his favourite standards and show tunes, paying tribute to his late father by performing some of the material that he made famous, with Jim Clayton on vibes.

Although he will be playing vibes at Hugh’s Room, Lamont-Lytle’s frequent collaborator Jim Clayton is best known as the co-leader, pianist and composer for The Clayton/Scott Group. The band won Group of the Year, 2005 and 2006 at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards and Best Jazz Recording, 2004 Canadian Urban Music Awards and has received prominent radio play all over the world.

These days, Jim is in demand for corporate events and is a favourite of clients like The AGO, The ROM and The Granite Club, which makes club appearances like this one rare and not to be missed!

Thursday, May 22, 2009 at 8:30pm
Michael Lamont-Lytle with The Jim Clayton VIBES Quartet
Hugh’s Room
2261 Dundas Street West

Box Office – 416-531-6604