Internationally celebrated jazz pianist Ron Davis fuses his passion for both jazz and classical music in his latest project, Symphronica. His tuneful and invigorating collection of melodies arranged for jazz trio with symphony orchestra has already proved a hit in live performances.

The Symphronica album, released this past September, includes nine compositions, which were 10 years in the making. This is Ron Davis’ passion project and as he says, “it is one of the most important milestones in my career. It brings together my love of jazz, classical, world and general pop music, while allowing me to collaborate with some of the most incredible musicians, living in Canada today.”

Three unorthodox chamber performances will mark the launch of Symphronica at Toronto’s Lula Lounge, on Sundays, October 27, November 3, and 10.

Davis will be at the piano and on keyboards, as part of an unusual combination of master musicians comprising his electric/acoustic quartet, you will hear: Kevin Barrett (guitars), Mike Downes (bass) and Roger Travassos (drums), and a string quartet remarkable for its ability both to play “straight” and improvise: Jessica Deutsch (violin), Ben Plotnick (violin), Anna Atkinson (viola) and George Meanwell (cello).

Rehearsal Time with Ron Davis & Friends Collage by HyeM.

The October 27 program focuses on the jazz-classical fusion. November 3 explores new horizons, inspired by Davis’ artistic direction of the Glenn Gould Variations Event, which was initiated for Gould’s 80th anniversary in 2012. In the November 10 program, Celebrating Poland, Davis includes music he performed at the Jewish Cultural Festival in Warsaw at the end of August – in which he concluded his concert with a popular Polish song (Bal u Grubego Joska – Party at Fat Joe’s), written about his maternal grandfather, owner of a tavern frequented by both Polish celebrities and the underworld.

I had the pleasure of sitting in for one of their rehearsals this past week, and I’ll have to say that we’re in for a musical treat. The variety of music and improvisation will have you rediscovering some old faves, travelling back in time, and dancing as well. And that was only a taste of the various selections they’ll be playing on each Sunday night!

On each evening, doors open at 6:30 p.m., with shows at 8 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available online.

One dollar from every seat sold will be donated to the Unison Benevolent Fund to help members of the Canadian music community who are facing personal or professional challenges.