Downtown Jazz 2012

Downtown Jazz (May 28, 2012)

By Ken Pickering

Without a doubt, the biggest Jazz Fest news over the past couple of weeks has been about the impending move to the Vancouver Art Gallery and Robson Square (Downtown Jazz!) for our new opening weekend street party! The city is buzzing and the excitement is building. With mixed emotions I can say that we’re just a little bit thankful this year not to have the Canucks dominating the city’s media outlets, as was the case last year at this time! As much as I love my hockey team, June is for Jazz Fest, not for hockey.

Although we have a great many wonderful memories of our twenty plus years in Gastown, it was quite clear that there wasn’t a moment to waste if we (and the city) hoped to truly build on the gains made by opening the downtown core to the people during the 2010 Olympics and Cultural Olympiad. That’s the real legacy of the Olympics. We'll host an incredible street party that's safe and fun, enjoy unbelievable music and plenty more without incident. The Festival will become an “arts and music village” on the downtown site with three live performance stages, a family zone, a community fair, art installations, an artisan and food market, two outdoor licensed bistros, busker entertainment and free dance classes.  This has been a long-term dream for those of us that have been around for years at the fest and we believe that Vancouver is more than ready – it’s about time that major large-scale cultural events take center stage in downtown Vancouver. We’re very proud that the Jazz Festival will be the first major event (post Olympics) to reclaim our city center for arts and culture and we’re overjoyed that it’s the amazing Dal Richards (who is this city’s link to multiple generations of music fans) who will usher in a new era when his band hits the Georgia Stage on June 23^rd!

You might ask, that’s all cool, but how about the rest of the music? Well to me, I think the "Downtown Jazz" music program is going to really be kickin'. The two main stages include five bands a day (20 bands in total over the weekend) beginning at 12:30pm. We’ve put together a roster of talent that covers a lot of stylistic territory. Bands from as far afield as France, NYC and Toronto and as close to home as down the street or across town will come to play for us – overall we’ve bringing a little bit more of an international flavor and a much deeper program this year than we had in Gastown last year. I’ll point out a few highlights here with some links, but please make sure that you have a look through the program and do a little “research” on your own – there’s no doubt that you'll find some great surprises. 

Included in our “Spotlight on French Jazz” series are two amazing bands that you won’t want to miss. Known as the l’enfant terrible of the French Jazz scene, Médéric Collignon (check this video) is a major young trumpet voice (who had to cancel for health reasons last year so we’re happy he’s finally going to make it to YVR) -  and Pierrick Pédron – Cheerleaders (Act) a new discovery for us who fuses choral, brass band, bebop and prog rock into a distinctive orchestral sounding mash up. Check Pierrick's video.

Médéric Collignon

Three great Canadian jazz projects: Phil Dwyer: A Canadian Songbook featuring Laila Biali – last year Phil’s CBC/Radio Canada Studio One gig knocked everyone out. Video

Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon (one of two JL projects at the fest this year, the other being Bill Frisell’s instrumental reimaginings) is the brainchild of Toronto guitarist Michael Occhipinti with vocal renditions of classic Lennon material sung by Yvette Tollar, Elizabeth Shepherd and Dominic Mancuso. The story is on page 52. http://www.canadianmusician.com/online/

It’s been years since Toronto's Barry Elmes, one of Canada’s best drummers and band leaders has been to the fest, so we’re looking forward to the return of his long time working band. They’re in the soulful modern mainstream mold; great tunes and a stellar lineup including Mike Murley and company. Check out their downtempo Grooveyard (Carl Perkins) video recorded at the Katie Malloch tribute concert by CBC at the Rex.  

NYC’s José James is garnering a ton of attention these days with his recent signing to Blue Note. Originally known for his straight up jazz vocals, Jose James is now moving into more of a soul jazz / hip-hop fused direction that reflects his admiration of the great D’Angelo. His deep knowledge of jazz history informs his take on today’s scene – so don’t miss this illuminating in depth interview segment. It's a fantastic conversation.

José James

Another neo soul band that’s got a lot of people excited is Van Hunt; he grabbed a Grammy for his participation in a Sly Stone tribute honouring Family Affair with John Legend and Joss Stone! His new album “What Were You Hoping For?” has dropped and he’s now touring to support it. Van Hunt closes out the Georgia Stage with his potent brand of psychedelic soul on Sunday, June 23^rd. http://www.vanhunt.com/news/

Van Hunt

Locarno is the Latin project formed by Paperboys front man Tom Landa. Traditional Latin music this is not, but infectious, edgy and exciting it is in spades. A band that won over a room full of folk, world music and jazz festival presenters from all over Canada at Mundial Montreal last November, Locarno delivered a real kick ass knockout punch and was easily one of the best showcases at the conference.  If you haven’t heard them yet you’re in for a real treat.

Locarno

With a wickedly intense blues/rock vibe and strong vocals (think Janis Joplin, Etta James), No Sinner has quickly become one of BC’s top buzz bands. Great things are in store for this group who are playing Sled Island and the Knitting Factory/NYC in the months to come. Check this video out. 

No Sinner

Perennial festival favourites Rumba Calzada, The Nightcrawlers, Headwater and Miami Device are joined by Serpentine Funk, Jen Hodge, Company B Jazz Band, The Unsupervised and Maria in the Shower to round out the complete main stage(s) program. It’s going to be a monster mash of an opening weekend. Come on down and help us celebrate!

Thanks to the City of Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia, the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, the Vancouver Art Gallery and the University of British Columbia for supporting our move downtown.