JazzFest - Ori Shalva

Part of the 2026 Toronto Jazz Festival. Venue: Sidewalk Sessions Location: The Rock in Village of Yorkville Park More information from Toronto Jazz Festival Step into a sound world rarely heard on Jazz Festival stages: the spellbinding, centuries-old polyphony of Georgia, brought vividly to life by Ori Shalva, a Toronto-based Georgian family ensemble. Praised for their “amazing harmonies” by Eroll Nazareth on CBC Frequencies, Ori Shalva delivers a powerful and immersive musical experience rooted in one of the world’s oldest vocal traditions. Led by Georgian-born virtuoso singer and multi-instrumentalist Shalva Makharashvili and Toronto-born singer and ethnomusicologist Andrea Kuzmich, the ensemble brings together decades of performance, research, and teaching. Recognized as Canada’s foremost specialists in Georgian polyphony, the duo has spent more than 20 years leading workshops and performances, introducing countless singers, composers, and audiences to this UNESCO-recognized musical treasure. Formerly featured soloists in Darbazi and founders of the award-winning trio ZARI, they now perform with their family ensemble, Ori Shalva. Their work has captivated collaborators including Harbourfront Centre, UofT Jazz ensemble, Tafelmusik, and others. Ivars Taurins, Director of the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, calls them "a precious gem in our community, both locally and nationally," adding that their artistry opened “a whole new, profoundly moving world of music” for performers and audiences alike. Whether propelled by driving rhythms or shaped through the slow unfolding of dense, resonant harmonies, Ori Shalva offers a rare and unforgettable musical journey – where ancient village songs meet the vibrant, global soundscape of Toronto today. Sounds Like Toronto - Sounds Like the World is generously supported by the City of Toronto through the Community Celebration Support Fund.