The Toronto based Climax Jazz Band, formed in 1971, is known throughout North America, Europe and Japan for tight, driving, British style traditional jazz. Climax has appeared at festivals and clubs across North America, including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee. The band has toured the Netherlands, U.K. and Germany, cruised up the Amazon, around the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii and through the Panama Canal. Climax also visited Kyoto, Japan, twice, guests of the Shinji Shumeikai cultural organization. Climax Jazz Band is known for its wide variety of tunes, with lots of vocals. They are musicians who play straight from the heart and with a great sense of humour.