June 24, 2011
A great couple of days: nice catch up chat with NYC/Brooklyn based photographer extraordinaire – Peter Gannushkin – (an important documenter of the current NYC and beyond jazz/improv scenes) and his family along with Francois Houle at our favourite espresso hang – Milano Coffee on West 8th Ave. We first met Peter on Facebook over a year ago and subsequently got better acquainted at the Nickelsdorff Konfrontationen 2010 (in Austria) and in NYC last fall. Check him out – his photography work is amazing.
Yesterday was busy, yet more espresso Thursday morning with DB Boyko (Western Front), Brian Nation (Vancouverjazz.com) rolled through, Gavin Walker (CITR) stopped by a couple of days back – it’s been really great to see so many familiar faces as the excitement and anticipation of the festival builds towards opening day. Thursday evening’s gala party to celebrate the beginning of the festival was awesome, with Mayor Gregor Robertson among the many luminaries in attendance. Sponsors, colleagues, board members, musicians, media - it was rockin’ – Ray Piper Trio supplied the music, The Lost Fingers knocked a couple of Michael Jackson tunes out of the park, with DJ: Hyaenas and French for Sled Dogs wrapping it up for the late set. Great to see so many musicians, especially out of towners (lots of Swedes); Dan Berglund’s Tonbruket, Rich Halley, Michael Vlatkovich, Jeanette Lindstrom and a strong Vancouver contingent.
The last few blog hits have focused in on some key programming gems and this one will be no different. There’s a ton of great music that I haven’t had managed to touch on – and it’s becoming clear that there’s no way I can get to everything.
I’ve been meaning to tell my Darcy James Argue / Colin Stetson story in this space for quite awhile now. Two years ago my friend and colleague Reiner Michalke (Moers Festival / Stadtgarden in Köln rolled through Vancouver en route to the BC wine country and Alberta (with his wife) for a camper van vacation. He stopped over at our place for dinner and we did the usual thing where we ask each other what we’ve heard lately that’s impressed. Two artists that he was extremely enthused about were Darcy and Colin. At that point I’d heard Darcy but was not yet aware of Colin Stetson. When Reiner told me that Darcy was from Vancouver originally I was incredulous – I thought he was from a southern confederate state (due to the cover imagery on his Secret Society disc), but sure enough when I went online, there it was – not only from Vancouver but he’d studied under the legendary band teacher Bob Rebigliatti at Handsworth High School in North Van (Bob also taught Renee Rosnes and many others) who is in fact an honourary board member of the festival. Darcy left Vancouver for Montreal and McGill and eventually ended up in Brooklyn. His Secret Society is an amazing big band – extending the historic tradition established by arrangers like Bob Brookmeyer, Gil Evans, Carla Bley and more recently Maria Schneider, by incorporating more contemporary elements of indie rock, steampunk, classical / new music and referencing important political / protest issues in the context of his art. This tour represents Darcy’s first foray across Canada (he’s already played important European festivals and has been lauded in the Village Voice, Downbeat, NY Times etc) with his Secret Society and I’m proud that we’ve been there by his side every step of the way and that his hometown debut is almost a reality! So exciting. This is a really important show – don’t miss it!
Same deal with Montreal based Colin Stetson – his charismatic solo bass saxophone forays are rapidly becoming the stuff of legend. Many of you have probably heard him without knowing it through his work with Bon Iver, Antibalas, Arcade Fire, Belle Orchestre etc.. and he’s also worked with Anthony Braxton, Laurie Anderson, Matana Roberts etc.. on the improv/contemporary music scene. I heard him at the Moers Fest and it was staggering. Don’t miss this guy – he’s probably going to be one of the main discoveries for many folks during this year’s festival. Three chances to hear him on July 1st and 2nd!
I’m also psyched about Satoko Fujii’s Ma-Do Quartet (Tokyo) an excellent pianist; she’s built up an enviable catalogue of work, with many great projects from various small groups, duos to orchestras – and this jazz quartet is one of my favourites. Great to have her and Natsuki back at the festival.
And Trevor! Trevor Watts and Veryan Weston are top-drawer senior British improvisers – Trevor in particular played a significant historical role in the development of British free improvisation. Check his work from the late 60’s: Spontaneous Music Ensemble, John Stevens, Derek Bailey, Evan Parker all first generation giants on the British scene and then Moire Music (more African influenced from the mid 80’s). These days Trevor is the newest member of Barry Guy’s New Orchestra. Veryan (not to be underestimated) is a vastly underrated pianist. I can’t stop listening to his solo “Allusions” disc on Emanem.
The hard blowing Stockholm tenor man Jonas Kullhammar – Mr. Moserobie (just kidding – that’s the name of his great cd label - Moserobie - one of the most important imprints for younger contemporary Swedish jazz musicians) should be heard by anyone who loves great saxophone playing in the post Rollins/Coltrane lineage. Jonas is always burning.
I’ll wrap this up with three amazing ensembles:
The wonderful trio of Canadian pianist Kris Davis, German saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and American drummer Tyshawn Sorey plays a detailed hybrid of jazz with contemporary new music influences (Feldman etc). Their Clean Feed disc has been on repeat for months. I’ve been lucky enough to hear them a couple of times in the past year – in Moers and at the Stone in NYC (even George Wein was at the Stone gig). This beautiful Brooklyn based trio has developed an original ensemble voice and there’s surely more to come.
Rich Halley’s Quartet featuring Clyde Reed (with Michael Vlatkovich on trombone and Carson Halley on drums. Halley’s a giant of the tenor saxophone and is often mentioned by musicians and critics in the same breath as better known players like Joe Lovano, Dewey Redman and the like. Based in Portland (even after decades in the trenches) he hasn’t achieved the wider recognition that’s his due. The music is in the post Ornette spectrum and needs to be heard. Rich Halley is regional master – this one’s tonight at the Ironworks.
Finally – one of my favourite trios: Way Out Northwest (John Butcher, Torsten Muller and Dylan van der Schyff). John Butcher is a contemporary British saxophone master – simply amazing. His playing reveals new sound worlds and with extended listening there’s much to take in – between him and Evan Parker the Brits have made a major impact of pushing saxophone language beyond jazz orthodoxy. Torsten and Dylan are well known to Vancouverites as two of our more brilliant uncompromising improvisers and it’s always a joy to hear them play. (There was a great 1067 gig a few weeks ago with Alfred 23 Harth, Mei Han, TM and DvS). Way Out Northwest references Sonny Rollin’s landmark album (you know the one) - this is a group that seems to fall between the cracks - too jazzy for the new music people and too new music for some of the jazz cats. Me – I love it. Check out their disc on Drip Audio. This is a free Performance Works show on the 29th – with the addition of Mei Han and Peggy Lee making it a quintet they’re also at PWorks on Canada Day.
That still doesn’t cover it all – but that’s it for today. Have a great festival and I’ll be back at ya soon!
No comments:
Post a Comment