DOWNTOWN JAZZ WEEKEND
Saturday, June 22 & Sunday, June 23, 2013
This weekend the Jazz Festival will host the biggest street
party since the Olympics – we’re expecting upwards of 150,000 people to flood
the city center (yes the sun will come out!) at the VAG and Robson Square
between Hornby and Howe. Building on 2012’s inaugural move downtown, this
year will be even more impressive, we'll see limited traffic on Howe and of course Robson will be
closed off to vehicles. An improved layout will ensure the festival is more
accessible than ever to all music fans. Three stages – Georgia, Robson and
Sounds of Youth, a food and artisan market, two outdoor bars, family zone and
for the first time the TD Comfort Zone for chilling out. It’s going to be
amazing.
The music begins at 12:30 on Saturday and Sunday and will
continue until mid evening.
Some highlights:
June 22nd –
GEORGIA STAGE
Soweto Kinch
Soweto Kinch (2:15pm)
An important component of our Made in the UK series. Recognized as one of the most talented young saxophonists on
the UK scene over the past decade, Soweto Kinch has also established his
reputation as hard edge hip-hop MC and producer in the urban music milieu.
Recent work “The New Emancipation” draws upon work songs and early blues for
inspiration in an updated format that merges his burning jazz ensemble with
modern hip-hop production.
A People with No Past (excellent documentary with French
subtitles): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VCpd5ooTl8
David Ward (5:15pm)
One of our discoveries! Crazy thing is he's taking care of
our fest social media file. When Rainbow and I were checking out dozens of submissions from local
artists – a tune popped up and we both immediately said “whose that ..
this guy sounds great .. ahh David Ward … our David Ward? Ya!” So we had to
book him. Expect a soulful mix of Jeff Buckley, Ben Harper and Stevie Wonder –
or something like that. He has the goods. A beautiful surprise.
Listen: http://vimeo.com/28381449
This LA band is one of the hippest badass deep funk,
soul, afro-beat ensembles on the west coast. They’ll be a great wrap up to the
festivities on the Georgia Stage on Saturday. This will be full on boogaloo get down dance party.
Listen: http://vimeo.com/27471213
Website: http://orgonespace.com/
June 22nd –
ROBSON STAGE
Larry Goldings /
Peter Bernstein / Bill Stewart (3pm)
This soulful trio has been together for 20 years – featuring
the deep B-3 grooves of Larry Goldings joined by the great guitarist Peter Bernstein
and the inventive Bill Stewart on drums. They’ve got eight albums to their
credit – with a sound that is sometimes more restrained than Jimmy Smith,
Groove Holmes & Jimmy McGriff organ bands of yore, this trio has a breadth
that can move from quiet delicacy to a roaring blues at the drop of a hat.
They’ve been called one of the best organ trios in jazz since the 90’s. The cats are also playing at the Cory Weeds' Cellar Jazz Club Friday / Saturday night (21st, 22nd) http://www.cellarjazz.com/
Website & Music: http://www.larrygoldings.com/music.php
Website & Music: http://www.larrygoldings.com/music.php
Jennifer Scott’s Brasileira
(5pm)
Long considered to be one of the finest jazz singers in
Vancouver if not Canada, Jennifer Scott has possibly produced her strongest
statement to date with with Sonho Meu (Cellar Live) with it’s Brazilian
inflections (which I’m always a sucker for). Great cover by Vancouver artist,
Eric Metcalfe too. Worth checking out!
Website: http://www.jenniferscott.ca/
John Stowell /
Michael Zilber Quartet (12:30)
The day kicks off with one of the finest (if unheralded)
saxophonists on the scene Vancouver’s native son and Bay Area based (by way of
NYC) Michael Zilber. The great saxophonist David Liebman has cited as Mike one
of the best composers and players on the scene – period! Portland’s John
Stowell is simply one of the finest pure jazz guitarists on the scene – check
out their recent album “Shot Through With Beauty”. Some of the tastiest and
lyrical post bop jazz to be heard. Joined by Jeff Johnson (bass) and Bernie
Arai (drums)
Website & Music: http://www.michaelzilber.com/
Our east coast colleague (Lulul Healey) in Halifax (Jazz East
Festival) turned us onto to Erin at our booking meetings in Montreal last
November. This gal’s got some serious pipes - she runs down classic 60’s soul mixed
with wide ranging influences from Nick Lowe to Carole King that brings a distinctive
yet classic approach into focus that she owns. Once you’ve heard her songs you
can’t get them out of your head. Hooks anyone?
Website: http://www.erincostelo.com/
Another great singer and festival favourite (opened for
George Benson) – the pride of Ottawa - Kellylee Evans has been moving from strength
to strength - not even a jolt of lightning can slow her down (well maybe a
teeny bit - seriously). If you dig Nina Simone you’ll love Kellylee. Check out
her latest album “I Remember When”.
BADBADNOTGOOD (5:15pm)
These young Toronto dudes are blowing up. BBNG are a piano /
keyboard trio - they were supposed to hit the fest last year but it didn’t
happen. In the meantime – Tyler the Creator, Frank Ocean, Gilles Peterson –
these are the cats they’re hangin’ with. Post bop hip hop jazz .. (22k twitter
followers) let’s find out what the buzz is all about.
Listen: https://badbadnotgood.com/
Harpoonist & the
Axe Murderer (7:30pm)
This two headed stomp monster (drums, guitar) is garnering a
lot of attention these days. For their Downtown Jazz performance they’ve put
together a full band lineup that should really get the crowd jumping.
June 23 – ROBSON
STAGE
Scott White 4tet
(1:30pm)
Scott White is another expat - a great bassist and a long
time friend from Vancouver Scott has resided in Berlin for many years. His BC
based band was formed as a response (or celebration) to the music of little
known bassist Saheb Sarbib who was active in the 70’s and 80’s and recorded
some great music for Soul Note and Cadence back in the day. Scott heard that
music. You’ll hear a free wheeling jazz quartet with Monik Nordine (sax), Kelby
MacNayr (drums) and the fine trumpeter Alfons Fears.
Website: http://www.scottwhite.net
Go to Sounds and listen to the classic trio with the
legendary Claude Ranger on drums and Rob Frayne on tenor sax!
Monk’s Music (3pm)
Self explanatory – Monk’s Music as played by five of
Vancouver’s finest young jazz musicians – drummer Dan Gaucher (October Trio,
Fond of Tigers), Evan Arntzen (sax), Kevin Elaschuk (trumpet), James Meger
(bass) and Dave Sikula (guitar). 2/3 of October Trio are members of this
group - having heard all these guys in
many contexts I have confidence that this will be a great band.
Gabriel Palatchi Band
(5pm)
My colleague Rainbow Robert heard the Argentine pianist in
Kaslo last year and gave the band top marks! A latin band that takes in many
influences – tango, Arabic, Salsa and 70’s Herbie Hancock Mwandishi. I’m really
looking forward to hearing this band.
Website & Music: http://www.gabrielpalatchi.com/
Gypsophilia (6:45pm)
Our friends from Halifax (Ross Burns, Adam Fine and their posse) have played the festival outdoor
stages twice in the past few years and the reception to their music has been
outrageous. The live show is electrifying and audiences go wild. At the core of the sound is their love of Django, however these guys bring in a much broader range of influences
to their aesthetic. If you're into great guitar music, you'll love this band.
Website: http://www.gypsophilia.org/
And that's not all - more great shows from Wintermitts, Jacklyn Guillou,
Debra-Jean Creelman, Mark Atkinson, Kytami and the Deep End. Don’t miss the
great high school bands at the Sounds of Youth Stage. See you there!
(submitted by: ken pickering)
(submitted by: ken pickering)
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