I listened to two sets of music performed by the duo of Braid and Tokunaga, a musical compatibility was immediately evident, both musicians have very classical forms. The musicians shared the duties of leading off the songs and taking musical interludes that found them expanding on the melodies with improvisational boldness and passion. Mr. Braid, one of Canada’s top composers and winner of this year’s Socan Composer of the year award, was in exceptional form. With what appeared to be effortless musicianship he performed feats of ten-finger agility with no trickery other than the magical sounds he produced from the bright red Steinway grand piano.

Mr. Braid’s playing suited the colour of the piano in its fiery demeanour. If Braid had actually lit the piano on fire I don’t think he would have been able to capture the attention of the majority of the audience who were chatting throughout the performance, oblivious to the giant quite sign on the wall. A Miles Davis wall size portrait overlooks the diners, the photo shows Miles Davis with an index finger to lips — universal sign for “Shhhush.” The patrons who chose to chat incessantly during the performance missed a masterly performance from two rising stars of the music world.

Mr. Tokunaga will be performing at other venues in the Toronto area with Mr. Braid as part of his Canadian tour. Mr. Tokunaga is also completing a recording that will include David Braid and should be released in the very near future. I highly recommend you check out the playing of Mr. Tokunaga, a highly skilled guitarist with huge jazz chops.