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Vancouver International Jazz Festival not very international in 2010
Less than exciting line-up makes this year’s event kind of blue
By Jay Schreiber, Arts Editor
ater this June will mark the
25" consecutive year since the
Vancouver International Jazz
Festival was established as a diverse
gathering of musicians annually for a
10 day affair. This year, the festivities
run from June 25 to July 4 and as
expected, a variety of venues around
town are taking part to display the true
American art form.
If you have any previous
experience with the Jazz Festival, then
taking a brief glance down this year’s
roster will most likely leave you in
dismay. It seems that the festival is
quite disorganized this year and not
very well thought out at all. While the
template for what this festival has been
in the past is still used by Costal Jazz
and Blues, the content and physical
aspects seem to be lacking in the
quality department.
In previous years, many countries
have been involved in representing
jazz from all nations, making this
fest a fantastic affair and reflecting
positively on the city of Vancouver.
This time around the sun, however,
the locals ended up getting most of
the stage time with perhaps the fewest
imported artists in this festival’s
history.
The big draws this year are pop
singer Nikki Yanofsky (yes, that bitch
from the opening ceremonies who
ruined our national anthem with her
stupid pop articulation) and legendary
soul guitarist George Benson, who,
along with Nikki, have both Saturdays
booked at the Queen Elizabeth theatre.
In previous years, names like Sonny
Rollins and Dave Brubeck have held
this stature during the Jazz Fest, but
such high calibre performers are not
featured in this year’s program. For a
quick insight as to who to catch and
where, here’s my top 5 picks for the
festival.
° Chick Corea is a legendary 14
Grammy-winning musician (if
that means anything), who is
giving a solo piano concert on
June 27 at the Center featuring the
Terry Clarke Trio. Chick is one
of the few underrated jazz icons
that is still relevant today, and this
opportunity shouldn’t be missed.
* Celso Machado performs his
unique style of voice, rhythm and
other musical expressions at the
Roundhouse Mews on Monday,
June 28. Celso is a Canadian
artist, and his performances are
Chick Corea
The Brad Turner Quartet is at
Ironworks on July 3 at 8 p.m. I
know I cheated, and 3 members
of this group are also in Andre
Lachance’s ensemble (including
both Turner and Lachance),
When the same jazz groups play at the same jazz venues and then
play during the jazz festival, it lowers the public desire to hear local
jazz, as well as the desire to get involved in the jazz scene
never disappointing
Catch Quatuor Andre Lachance
at the Performance works for a
matinee on June 30. Lachance
is a stringed instrument nut
who like bring urban beats to
a traditional jazz setting. Cool
stuff.
Canada Day gets rounded off
right when The Alan Matheson
Septet plays performance
works at 7:30 p.m. Alan is a
trumpet instructor and a humble
composer and arranger whose
fantastically tuned ear for be-bop
creates a pure jazz experience.
Vancouver’s own Miles Davis, if
you will.
* Perhaps one of Vancouver’s
most proud jazz foursomes,
but the musical variations
differ enough to justify this
recommendation—check it out
and see what I mean.
One of the main issues with
the Vancouver jazz scene is the
availability of gigs, and the amount
of people out there to get them. One
of the major effects this festival has
had in the past has been to open the
city’s eyes to possibilities of jazz
outside of Vancouver. When the same
jazz groups play at the same jazz
venues and then play during the jazz
festival, it lowers the public desire to
hear local jazz, as well as the desire
to get involved in the jazz scene. On
the honourable mention list for what
could be more accurately called the
“Vancouver Local Jazz Festival” are
Ross Taggart, Sharon Minemoto,
Chris Sigerson, Five Alarm Funk,
Cory Weeds, Chris Davis, Van
Django, and the list goes on.
I’m not against the local music
scene at all, I just question the
“International” aspect of our jazz
festival when most of the players are
from Canada or the Northwest United
States.
I also question the “jazz”
aspect of this year’s event when
the headliner is pop singer Nikki
Yanofsky, and Canadian indie/folk
groups such as Brasstronaut and Buck
65 are also involved. The other major
North American city to have a large
scale Jazz festival is Montreal, who
keep up their standards by focusing
on international performers, in
addition to Canadian jazzers.
My guess is that the last few
years went over budget to pump up
Vancouver for the Olympics, and now
this year the river of cash seems to be
running a little dry. Well organized
or not, there is still great music to be
listened to so get out and enjoy some
jazz, just please don’t judge based on
the potential of this year’s festival.
Edited Text
Vancouver International Jazz Festival not very international in 2010
Less than exciting line-up makes this year’s event kind of blue
By Jay Schreiber, Arts Editor
ater this June will mark the
25" consecutive year since the
Vancouver International Jazz
Festival was established as a diverse
gathering of musicians annually for a
10 day affair. This year, the festivities
run from June 25 to July 4 and as
expected, a variety of venues around
town are taking part to display the true
American art form.
If you have any previous
experience with the Jazz Festival, then
taking a brief glance down this year’s
roster will most likely leave you in
dismay. It seems that the festival is
quite disorganized this year and not
very well thought out at all. While the
template for what this festival has been
in the past is still used by Costal Jazz
and Blues, the content and physical
aspects seem to be lacking in the
quality department.
In previous years, many countries
have been involved in representing
jazz from all nations, making this
fest a fantastic affair and reflecting
positively on the city of Vancouver.
This time around the sun, however,
the locals ended up getting most of
the stage time with perhaps the fewest
imported artists in this festival’s
history.
The big draws this year are pop
singer Nikki Yanofsky (yes, that bitch
from the opening ceremonies who
ruined our national anthem with her
stupid pop articulation) and legendary
soul guitarist George Benson, who,
along with Nikki, have both Saturdays
booked at the Queen Elizabeth theatre.
In previous years, names like Sonny
Rollins and Dave Brubeck have held
this stature during the Jazz Fest, but
such high calibre performers are not
featured in this year’s program. For a
quick insight as to who to catch and
where, here’s my top 5 picks for the
festival.
° Chick Corea is a legendary 14
Grammy-winning musician (if
that means anything), who is
giving a solo piano concert on
June 27 at the Center featuring the
Terry Clarke Trio. Chick is one
of the few underrated jazz icons
that is still relevant today, and this
opportunity shouldn’t be missed.
* Celso Machado performs his
unique style of voice, rhythm and
other musical expressions at the
Roundhouse Mews on Monday,
June 28. Celso is a Canadian
artist, and his performances are
Chick Corea
The Brad Turner Quartet is at
Ironworks on July 3 at 8 p.m. I
know I cheated, and 3 members
of this group are also in Andre
Lachance’s ensemble (including
both Turner and Lachance),
When the same jazz groups play at the same jazz venues and then
play during the jazz festival, it lowers the public desire to hear local
jazz, as well as the desire to get involved in the jazz scene
never disappointing
Catch Quatuor Andre Lachance
at the Performance works for a
matinee on June 30. Lachance
is a stringed instrument nut
who like bring urban beats to
a traditional jazz setting. Cool
stuff.
Canada Day gets rounded off
right when The Alan Matheson
Septet plays performance
works at 7:30 p.m. Alan is a
trumpet instructor and a humble
composer and arranger whose
fantastically tuned ear for be-bop
creates a pure jazz experience.
Vancouver’s own Miles Davis, if
you will.
* Perhaps one of Vancouver’s
most proud jazz foursomes,
but the musical variations
differ enough to justify this
recommendation—check it out
and see what I mean.
One of the main issues with
the Vancouver jazz scene is the
availability of gigs, and the amount
of people out there to get them. One
of the major effects this festival has
had in the past has been to open the
city’s eyes to possibilities of jazz
outside of Vancouver. When the same
jazz groups play at the same jazz
venues and then play during the jazz
festival, it lowers the public desire to
hear local jazz, as well as the desire
to get involved in the jazz scene. On
the honourable mention list for what
could be more accurately called the
“Vancouver Local Jazz Festival” are
Ross Taggart, Sharon Minemoto,
Chris Sigerson, Five Alarm Funk,
Cory Weeds, Chris Davis, Van
Django, and the list goes on.
I’m not against the local music
scene at all, I just question the
“International” aspect of our jazz
festival when most of the players are
from Canada or the Northwest United
States.
I also question the “jazz”
aspect of this year’s event when
the headliner is pop singer Nikki
Yanofsky, and Canadian indie/folk
groups such as Brasstronaut and Buck
65 are also involved. The other major
North American city to have a large
scale Jazz festival is Montreal, who
keep up their standards by focusing
on international performers, in
addition to Canadian jazzers.
My guess is that the last few
years went over budget to pump up
Vancouver for the Olympics, and now
this year the river of cash seems to be
running a little dry. Well organized
or not, there is still great music to be
listened to so get out and enjoy some
jazz, just please don’t judge based on
the potential of this year’s festival.
Vancouver International Jazz Festival not very international in 2010
Less than exciting line-up makes this year’s event kind of blue
By Jay Schreiber, Arts Editor
ater this June will mark the
25" consecutive year since the
Vancouver International Jazz
Festival was established as a diverse
gathering of musicians annually for a
10 day affair. This year, the festivities
run from June 25 to July 4 and as
expected, a variety of venues around
town are taking part to display the true
American art form.
If you have any previous
experience with the Jazz Festival, then
taking a brief glance down this year’s
roster will most likely leave you in
dismay. It seems that the festival is
quite disorganized this year and not
very well thought out at all. While the
template for what this festival has been
in the past is still used by Costal Jazz
and Blues, the content and physical
aspects seem to be lacking in the
quality department.
In previous years, many countries
have been involved in representing
jazz from all nations, making this
fest a fantastic affair and reflecting
positively on the city of Vancouver.
This time around the sun, however,
the locals ended up getting most of
the stage time with perhaps the fewest
imported artists in this festival’s
history.
The big draws this year are pop
singer Nikki Yanofsky (yes, that bitch
from the opening ceremonies who
ruined our national anthem with her
stupid pop articulation) and legendary
soul guitarist George Benson, who,
along with Nikki, have both Saturdays
booked at the Queen Elizabeth theatre.
In previous years, names like Sonny
Rollins and Dave Brubeck have held
this stature during the Jazz Fest, but
such high calibre performers are not
featured in this year’s program. For a
quick insight as to who to catch and
where, here’s my top 5 picks for the
festival.
° Chick Corea is a legendary 14
Grammy-winning musician (if
that means anything), who is
giving a solo piano concert on
June 27 at the Center featuring the
Terry Clarke Trio. Chick is one
of the few underrated jazz icons
that is still relevant today, and this
opportunity shouldn’t be missed.
* Celso Machado performs his
unique style of voice, rhythm and
other musical expressions at the
Roundhouse Mews on Monday,
June 28. Celso is a Canadian
artist, and his performances are
Chick Corea
The Brad Turner Quartet is at
Ironworks on July 3 at 8 p.m. I
know I cheated, and 3 members
of this group are also in Andre
Lachance’s ensemble (including
both Turner and Lachance),
When the same jazz groups play at the same jazz venues and then
play during the jazz festival, it lowers the public desire to hear local
jazz, as well as the desire to get involved in the jazz scene
never disappointing
Catch Quatuor Andre Lachance
at the Performance works for a
matinee on June 30. Lachance
is a stringed instrument nut
who like bring urban beats to
a traditional jazz setting. Cool
stuff.
Canada Day gets rounded off
right when The Alan Matheson
Septet plays performance
works at 7:30 p.m. Alan is a
trumpet instructor and a humble
composer and arranger whose
fantastically tuned ear for be-bop
creates a pure jazz experience.
Vancouver’s own Miles Davis, if
you will.
* Perhaps one of Vancouver’s
most proud jazz foursomes,
but the musical variations
differ enough to justify this
recommendation—check it out
and see what I mean.
One of the main issues with
the Vancouver jazz scene is the
availability of gigs, and the amount
of people out there to get them. One
of the major effects this festival has
had in the past has been to open the
city’s eyes to possibilities of jazz
outside of Vancouver. When the same
jazz groups play at the same jazz
venues and then play during the jazz
festival, it lowers the public desire to
hear local jazz, as well as the desire
to get involved in the jazz scene. On
the honourable mention list for what
could be more accurately called the
“Vancouver Local Jazz Festival” are
Ross Taggart, Sharon Minemoto,
Chris Sigerson, Five Alarm Funk,
Cory Weeds, Chris Davis, Van
Django, and the list goes on.
I’m not against the local music
scene at all, I just question the
“International” aspect of our jazz
festival when most of the players are
from Canada or the Northwest United
States.
I also question the “jazz”
aspect of this year’s event when
the headliner is pop singer Nikki
Yanofsky, and Canadian indie/folk
groups such as Brasstronaut and Buck
65 are also involved. The other major
North American city to have a large
scale Jazz festival is Montreal, who
keep up their standards by focusing
on international performers, in
addition to Canadian jazzers.
My guess is that the last few
years went over budget to pump up
Vancouver for the Olympics, and now
this year the river of cash seems to be
running a little dry. Well organized
or not, there is still great music to be
listened to so get out and enjoy some
jazz, just please don’t judge based on
the potential of this year’s festival.
Vancouver International Jazz Festival not very international in 2010
Less than exciting line-up makes this year’s event kind of blue
By Jay Schreiber, Arts Editor
ater this June will mark the
25" consecutive year since the
Vancouver International Jazz
Festival was established as a diverse
gathering of musicians annually for a
10 day affair. This year, the festivities
run from June 25 to July 4 and as
expected, a variety of venues around
town are taking part to display the true
American art form.
If you have any previous
experience with the Jazz Festival, then
taking a brief glance down this year’s
roster will most likely leave you in
dismay. It seems that the festival is
quite disorganized this year and not
very well thought out at all. While the
template for what this festival has been
in the past is still used by Costal Jazz
and Blues, the content and physical
aspects seem to be lacking in the
quality department.
In previous years, many countries
have been involved in representing
jazz from all nations, making this
fest a fantastic affair and reflecting
positively on the city of Vancouver.
This time around the sun, however,
the locals ended up getting most of
the stage time with perhaps the fewest
imported artists in this festival’s
history.
The big draws this year are pop
singer Nikki Yanofsky (yes, that bitch
from the opening ceremonies who
ruined our national anthem with her
stupid pop articulation) and legendary
soul guitarist George Benson, who,
along with Nikki, have both Saturdays
booked at the Queen Elizabeth theatre.
In previous years, names like Sonny
Rollins and Dave Brubeck have held
this stature during the Jazz Fest, but
such high calibre performers are not
featured in this year’s program. For a
quick insight as to who to catch and
where, here’s my top 5 picks for the
festival.
° Chick Corea is a legendary 14
Grammy-winning musician (if
that means anything), who is
giving a solo piano concert on
June 27 at the Center featuring the
Terry Clarke Trio. Chick is one
of the few underrated jazz icons
that is still relevant today, and this
opportunity shouldn’t be missed.
* Celso Machado performs his
unique style of voice, rhythm and
other musical expressions at the
Roundhouse Mews on Monday,
June 28. Celso is a Canadian
artist, and his performances are
Chick Corea
The Brad Turner Quartet is at
Ironworks on July 3 at 8 p.m. I
know I cheated, and 3 members
of this group are also in Andre
Lachance’s ensemble (including
both Turner and Lachance),
When the same jazz groups play at the same jazz venues and then
play during the jazz festival, it lowers the public desire to hear local
jazz, as well as the desire to get involved in the jazz scene
never disappointing
Catch Quatuor Andre Lachance
at the Performance works for a
matinee on June 30. Lachance
is a stringed instrument nut
who like bring urban beats to
a traditional jazz setting. Cool
stuff.
Canada Day gets rounded off
right when The Alan Matheson
Septet plays performance
works at 7:30 p.m. Alan is a
trumpet instructor and a humble
composer and arranger whose
fantastically tuned ear for be-bop
creates a pure jazz experience.
Vancouver’s own Miles Davis, if
you will.
* Perhaps one of Vancouver’s
most proud jazz foursomes,
but the musical variations
differ enough to justify this
recommendation—check it out
and see what I mean.
One of the main issues with
the Vancouver jazz scene is the
availability of gigs, and the amount
of people out there to get them. One
of the major effects this festival has
had in the past has been to open the
city’s eyes to possibilities of jazz
outside of Vancouver. When the same
jazz groups play at the same jazz
venues and then play during the jazz
festival, it lowers the public desire to
hear local jazz, as well as the desire
to get involved in the jazz scene. On
the honourable mention list for what
could be more accurately called the
“Vancouver Local Jazz Festival” are
Ross Taggart, Sharon Minemoto,
Chris Sigerson, Five Alarm Funk,
Cory Weeds, Chris Davis, Van
Django, and the list goes on.
I’m not against the local music
scene at all, I just question the
“International” aspect of our jazz
festival when most of the players are
from Canada or the Northwest United
States.
I also question the “jazz”
aspect of this year’s event when
the headliner is pop singer Nikki
Yanofsky, and Canadian indie/folk
groups such as Brasstronaut and Buck
65 are also involved. The other major
North American city to have a large
scale Jazz festival is Montreal, who
keep up their standards by focusing
on international performers, in
addition to Canadian jazzers.
My guess is that the last few
years went over budget to pump up
Vancouver for the Olympics, and now
this year the river of cash seems to be
running a little dry. Well organized
or not, there is still great music to be
listened to so get out and enjoy some
jazz, just please don’t judge based on
the potential of this year’s festival.