Overview:

The Toronto music scene has literally exploded from the former hazy days of the 60s, when an unknown Bob Dylan and even more unknown Joni Mitchell played at the coffeehouses in Yorkville. Then again, the Yorkville area has also changed from a downtrodden "village" hippie haven to a trendy credit card shopping district. Nevertheless, Toronto is now home to hundreds of venues that feature every type of music you could ask for. This is partially due to the fact that Toronto has been hailed by the United Nations as "the most ethnically diverse city in the world" and we have the music to suit all tastes - blues, jazz, country, rock, folk, reggae, soul, Latin, funk - and the various clubs to showcase them all.

You have to look closely or you may miss the doorway to this very popular cellar-club. With comfortable couches, board games up front and cool music from the stage out back, many come here after work to unwind, perhaps play some chess, then end up staying for dinner and an evening session of jazz, blues, soul or whatever appears on the musical menu for the evening. They also have relaxed weekend afternoon jazz sessions mainly attended by tired shoppers who have spent hours at the nearby vast fresh food St. Lawrence Market.

Known as both a friendly neighborhood pub and cutting edge music bar, Lee’s Palace also plays host to a large number of University of Toronto students who live in the area. Thus, the crowd is somewhat younger here and the music often has a slightly punk feel to it, but this is also the place to discover musical trends of the future. Older patrons may never have heard the names of groups who play Lee’s Palace, or care, for that matter, but the student-filled crowd speaks of them knowledgably.

One of the city’s premier jazz and blues clubs with the relaxed feel of a friend’s cozy living room. Actually make that a large den filled with comfortable easy chairs and overstuffed couches with a little stage up front filled with some of the best jazz musicians on the circuit. This venue always has a special Monday "one-night stand", possibly a CD release party or even a recording session (open to the public) and then a regular session from Tuesday to Saturday. The Bistro also boasts and excellent kitchen, and many jazz fans head there after work for dinner and stay for the first session. Or two.

OK, so it looks fairly unimpressive from the outside, but still, it is a part of trendy Queen West, so it can’t be too bad, right? In fact, it is a terrific venue with an ever-changing list of "who’s who" and "who’s hot" in the world of jazz and blues. The interior is very casual and friendly, and the first time visitor will feel like a regular by the end of the evening. As well, you are in the middle of some great little bars and restaurants all along the street so feel free to take a stroll after a jazz session, no matter what time of evening - or early morning.

A perennial Toronto favorite that is usually packed anytime after work, this busy bar/mini concert hall features an ever-changing venue of artists and styles. One night you will be treated to the best in R & B, the next, a country twang will fill the air. This club refuses to be stereotyped into any musical mode so regulars get a full range of styles. The front part of the bar is open to all but you must pay a cover to enter the back stage area. Of course, you can hear the performers from anywhere in this casual, comfortable down-home bar, but only a cheap bastard would do such a thing. Anyway, it is perfectly situated on Queen at Spadina - at the juncture of trendy Queen West and bustling Chinatown.

After more than 20 years, this spot is still known by locals for that one night The Rolling Stones just showed up and played one evening. And it really is that kind of place. It looks pretty seedy on the outside (and maybe isn’t that terrific on the inside either) but that is just part of its charm; not to mention its diehard patrons resist any change in decor. Mondays have been christened "Stormy Mondays" with packed regular blues sessions from local guitarist Danny Marks. This is a fun, unpretentious spot, which features the sounds of Chicago Blues. Remember, don’t judge a book by its cover.

This is a truly elegant venue for jazz and blues, high atop the even more spectacular Senator Steakhouse and equally famous fun and funky 50s style Senator Diner. Located one block east of busy Yonge Street, and across the street from the Pantages Theatre, the Top showcases some of the finest and most well-known artists on the circuit. The jazz room and stage is casually elegant and reminiscent to the early jazz clubs of the exciting Speakeasy era of New York. Also, it should be noted that owner Bob Sniderman is one of the movers and shakers behind the cleanup of Yonge Street and renovation that will creating a Broadway type atmosphere on the street. Note: If you dine at the downstairs steakhouse, there is no cover charge. Unfortunately, the same