March 10, 9pm, Esplanade Theatre
All decked out in psychedelic rags and multi-hued dreadlocks, the living funk legend is larger than life. The party music guru has been dishing out the boogie since the 1950s and for his Mosaic set, he promises a three-hour shindig that is hard to sit still to. Don't say we didn't warn you.
2 Kurt Elling
March 10, 7.30pm, Esplanade Concert Hall
The festival's first artist-in-residence, Elling scores rave reviews from jazz fans and critics alike. A master in vocalese, the renowned poet and lyricist sets words to improvised jazz solos.
3 Broken Social Scene
March 9, 7.30pm, Esplanade Concert Hall
Canada has more than its fair share of astonishing indie rock talents and Broken Social Scene is a band that counts among its ranks members from Toronto's finest groups.
4 The Roots
March 14, 7.30pm, Esplanade Concert Hall
Not your usual bling or crunk rap party. The Philadelphia hip-hop sextet rocks it with live instruments and a lot of fresh attitude.
5 Raul Midon
March 10, 9pm, Esplanade Recital Studio
A gem of a musician, this blind soul and jazz talent sings with passion, plays amazing slap-folk guitar and even does a cappella trumpet solos.