 Globe Unity Orchestra | Globe Unity / Schlippenbach Trio and more Good times always seem to fly by so quickly. As I write this we’ve already put three days of festival to bed. And what a time we’ve had. With so many great choices there has probably been no two schedules which are exactly alike. And happily the opportunity to continue to pursue these individual paths carries on throughout the week and on to Sunday the 4th. My passion’s run to the left of center, non-mainstream improvisers and the good folks of Coastal Jazz have, as always, provided many opportunities to satisfy that proclivity. A brief recount of some favourite moments follows. |
 Brad Winter  Eric Boeren 4tet with Michael Moore, Wilbert de Joode, Eric Boeren, and Han Bennink. | Since 1995: Brad Winter celebrates 15 years @ TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival I'm not exactly sure when I first heard about Vancouver's annual jazz festival. I know that I read wonderful things about it in magazines like Coda and that one of the DJ's at our local community radio station (Jim "Jacques" Olding) would feature all sorts of great music from musicians that performed there each year. I knew little about the Canadian Jazz scene and not too darned much more about Europe's contributions. In 1995 my wife Laura and I agreed that we had to go up there (we live in Portland, OR) and see what the buzz was all about. I remember having mapped out the gigs I simply had to see. Among these were performances by Tim Berne's Blood Count, Dave Douglas, Fred Anderson and Hamid Drake. All accomplished American jazzers of course. The wild card was to be the trio of Evan Parker, Barry Guy and Paul Lytton. I'd heard a lot about Parker but really didn't know much of his music and I intuited that I had to address this shortcoming. |
 Mostly Other People Do the Killing (MOPDtK) | The INNOVATION PASS!!! At it’s core, the festival’s artistic vision is in many ways exemplified by the Innovation and Eclectic series (at the Roundhouse and the Ironworks) and in order to make this music accessible to as many music freaks as possible; from hard core aficionados to listeners that are just interested in hearing some new music, we’ve designed a lovely pass – and it’s one of the festival’s very best DEALS: THE INNOVATION PASS – and it only costs $100 – (click here for info about tickets) With the Innovation Pass, (space permitting) you can attend up to 28 gigs at the Roundhouse (evening concerts) and 2 shows a night at the Ironworks. Available through: COASTAL JAZZ BOX OFFICE – visit @ 295 W- 7th Avenue or phone 604.872.5200 or 1.888.438.5200 toll free in N. America. |
 The Wide Alley Video for "Da Dao Wu Wei / Nothingness is Great" | The Wide Alley Roundhouse Performance Centre - Wednesday, June 30 The major musical discovery of my visit to the Queensland Music Festival in Brisbane in July 2007 was The Wide Alley, a collaboration between musicians Vanessa Tomlinson, Erik Griswold (known as the Clocked Out Duo) and composer Zou Xiangping. The Wide Alley is wonderful, the most successful and inspired blending of contemporary music, jazz and traditional Chinese traditions that I’ve yet encountered and the project reflects their ongoing studies of Sichuan street music, folk music, and opera percussion. A 10 piece ensemble divided equally between Australian avant garde/jazz and Chinese traditional musicians, this project represents a cross cultural meeting that is innovative yet accessible. A haunting other worldly and mysterious music that intoxicates the senses, the composers draw inspiration from Chengdu’s oldest neighbourhood know as The Wide Alley. |
