The Metro: The man behind Canada’s longest-running jazz concert series
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Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre, operated by the nonprofit "Windsor Jazz Concert Series."
Longtime musician and event promoter Hugh Leal has been curating jazz events in the Windsor area since 1976.
Thanks to his efforts, established jazz artists from Detroit, New York, Chicago and beyond came to Windsor to perform, including some of the last surviving jazz musicians of the 1920s and ’30s.
Leal has continued to promote jazz performances in Windsor over the years, going on to help launch the nonprofit Windsor Jazz Concert Series — the latest in a string of jazz concert series that have taken on various names — now considered the longest-running jazz concert series in Canadian history.
He joined The Metro on Tuesday (Canada Day!) to talk about his extensive efforts to bring live jazz music to Windsor, and to discuss the upcoming Port Windsor Jazz & Arts Festival in Sandwich Town this Sunday.
Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.
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