Dave Milbourne (Toronto Jazz)

David Michael Milbourne (Dave Milbourne) was born on May 27, 1937 in Portsmouth, England. His father, Raymond Percy Milbourne, was a Royal Marine sergeant who was killed in Sicily, Italy during World War II. His mother, Olive May Milbourne, was re-married to a Jewish gentleman name Jacob John Silverman, who raised David as is if he were his own. The surname Milbourne was never changed to Silverman because the invasion of England was still imminent at that time. Keeping a Christian sounding surname may have saved him and his sister from the gas chambers if the Nazis had invaded. In 1995, Dave founded and published the Toronto Jazz, a free non-profit publication for featuring Canadian and international jazz and Latin musicians.
== History ==
1946 – 1950
After surviving World War II, Dave's early exposure to music began with listening to Vera Lynn and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. There was something about the passion in Vera Lynn's voice which appealed to him, and the swinging sounds of Miller's big band really impressed him.
1951 – 1955
These were the years when jazz really became a part of Dave's life. He was inspired by the great sounds of Dizzy Gillespie's Bebop and Afro Cuban Jazz at local dance halls in London. Dave studied the piano and congas for a short amount of time, but couldn’t withstand the hours of practice needed to turn professional. 
1955 – 1957
Served two years in the British Army (National Service), Royal Army Service Corps. His home post was near London so he continued to spend time at jazz clubs such as Ronnie Scott's Club, 51 Club, Club M, Humphrey Lyttleton's Club and The Concorde Club at Easleigh, near Southampton, England. Over those years, Dave met many superb English jazz musicians. While on leave, Stan Kenton's band came to town; this was part of the musicians exchange enactment around that time. Ted Heath's band from Britain went to the United States of America as part of the exchange deal. 
1958 – 1960
Dave continued covering the jazz scene by writing articles on it for local newspapers. He studied the vibraphone for two years and even managed to play Good Bait by Tad Dameron and Moanin' by Bobby Timmons. 
1960 – 1961
Immigrated to New Zealand to work as a television and stereo equipment sales demonstrator. At night he would jam with some Maori jazz musicians, this time playing congas.
1962 – 1963
Went back to Portsmouth, England, often returning to London's jazz scene and country jazz clubs such as the Bulls Head in Bosham, England. This club hosted the best British jazz musicians including Tubby Hayes, Victor Feldman, Ronnie Scott, Bill Le Sage, Phil Seaman and more. 
1964
Immigrated to Toronto, Canada and immediately explored the jazz scene there, which was vibrant at that time. 
1965 – 1994
Completed two years of jazz tuition with the late acclaimed jazz pianist, Bob Fenton, mainly studying chords. Dave also had a jazz column in the Bulletin Board, Toronto Voice, and the internationally recognized jazz magazine, the Jazz Report. 
1995 – 2020
Founded and published the Toronto Jazz as a free non-profit publication in April 1995. It mainly features Canadian and international jazz and Latin musicians. Toronto Jazz was soon to be rated #1 Free Jazz Publication by the New Communications Group Inc.
== Toronto Jazz ==
Toronto Jazz is a bi-monthly publication founded by Dave Milbourne, with regular features on Canadian and international jazz & Latin musicians.
=== Recognition ===
• April 2000 (5th Anniversary) – received a Letter of Congratulations from Mayor Mel Lastman.
• February 2008 – received a letter from Mississauga's Mayor, Hazel McCallion, and was “commended for promoting jazz music in the community.”
• March 2010 (15th Anniversary) – issued a letter of praise from Mayor David Miller for “promoting jazz in Toronto.”
• March 2011 (16th Anniversary) – issued a “Letter of Congratulations” from Mayor Rob Ford.
• April 2012 (17th Anniversary) – issued a personal message from The Premier of Ontario, Dalton McGunity, “commending the publication for promoting jazz in Toronto. Also received another “Letter of Congratulations” from Mayor Rob Ford.”
• April 2014 (19th Anniversary) – received a framed scroll presented personally by Mayor Rob Ford recognizing “Dave's 60 years in the music industry.”
• April 2015 (20th Anniversary) – The Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, "commended publisher Dave Milbourne and the magazine's supports for nurturing an appreciation of jazz music and it's tradition." Received a personal message from the Premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne, saying, “on behalf of the Government of Ontario, I am delighted to extend warm greetings to the publisher and readers of Toronto Jazz as they celebrate the anniversary of this fine publication”. Also received a letter of recognition from the Mayor of Toronto, John Tory, saying, “it is my esteemed pleasure to extend warm wishes and congratulations to Toronto Jazz on the occasion of it's 20th anniversary.
• April 2020 (25th Anniversary) – received a message from the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, saying, “I'm delighted to extend warm greetings to Dave Milbourne and to the readers of Toronto Jazz on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of this fine publication”. Received a message from the Mayor of Toronto, John Tory, “it is my pleasure to extend warm wishes and greetings to the publishers and readers of Toronto Jazz on the occasion of it's 25th anniversary”. Received a Letter of Congratulations from one of the most famous jazz impresarios in jazz history, George Wein, saying, "Dear Dave, congratulations on the 25th anniversary of Toronto Jazz! We appreciate and respect your hard work in continually spreading the news about jazz music, artists, festivals and concerts."
• Toronto Jazz also received accolades from Ronnie Scott (Ronnie Scott's Club U.K.), Dame Cleo Laine (U.K.), Margie Evans (Los Angeles Music Week) and Sheila Jordan (consummate jazz vocalist).
== References ==
==External links==
* Contact Us | TorontoJazz.ca
* TORONTO JAZZ PUBLICATION. PHOTOS FROM CURRENT
* Dave Milbourne - Business Profile | TorontoJazz.ca | ZoomInfo
* information - UPSTAIRS | Jazz - Bar - Grill
* NOW Magazine: 2010-03-11 - Book now for ... - PressReader
* PRESS - JOEL SHERIDAN
* Testimonials - Jazz Saxaphone Toronto - DAVID RUBEL
* About the CD, “At Long Last Love” - Trish Colter
Category:1937 births
Category:People from Portsmouth
Category:Jazz festival stubs
Category:Latin music musicians
Category:Latin musicians
Category:Non-profit publishers
Category:British people