Jazz Festival Picks – Round Two:
Ken Pickering - Co-Founder / Artistic Director
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Twitter: ken_pickering
Blog: http://vanjazzfest.blogspot.ca/
Looks like we’re going for a second round with jazz festival picks. There’s so much good stuff to choose from this year that even with numerous blog posts and festival picks there’s still great stuff that we haven’t touched on. Both John Orysik and Rainbow Robert should be chiming in on Thursday (I hope) with additional picks. So here's to another five coming at ya – check it out.
Christian McBride
This show doesn’t really need my endorsement – it’s going to be packed! One of the most important jazz musicians of this era, rock solid bassist Christian McBride has been one busy workhorse since he emerged on the scene at the end of the 80’s. He’s been on the bandstand with all the greats from Benny Golson, Freddie Hubbard and Hank Jones to his own peers Joshua Redman and Brad Mehldau, not to mention Chick, Pat, Wynton and almost every other heavyweight you can think of. I’ve heard him in concert a few times live – and my favourite gig was his Inside Straight quintet a few years ago at the Jazz Standard in NYC. Burning. The trio is the core of that band and will also be burning – Cory Weeds knows - he hosted the trio at his universally lamented Cellar Jazz club. Mr. Weeds will be our MC for this show! Here's a burning Cherokee clip.
Jane Bunnett
Suffice it to say that I’ve know Jane Bunnett (and Larry Kramer) for almost thirty years, ever since we booked her into our 1987 festival because she had the legendary Claude Ranger on drums! Jane’s performed for us many times over the years with most of her projects and in the process has become one of the best known Canadian jazz musicians on the international circuit. Her interest and support of the Cuban jazz scene is well known – this show will be a little bit different – it’s her first new band in many years - all girl, all Cuban and it should be an incredibly exciting evening of music. Here's a piece with a video clip from the Toronto Star to promote her Canadian tour.
Jon Ballantyne
Now this guy is a criminally under recognized Canadian piano giant - he can really play – a genuine heavyweight. If I remember correctly his first festival gig here was with Joe Henderson in 1990 on a double bill with Don Pullen! Something else! Although Jon is based in NYC - I’ve been fortunate to hear him many times over the years, always powerful and today his performances are masterful. Attendance at our Jon Ballantyne solo concert is a must for anyone at all interested in the state of today’s jazz piano. Best of all its almost free. Here's a totally happening solo video clip.
Satoko Fujii (by Peter Gannushkin)
Based in Tokyo but travelling the world regularly with her various bands – ranging from duo to big band – monster pianist Satoko Fujii has established her credentials with dozens of discs available on a plethora of labels, many of which are on Libra. Her last festival performance in 2011 with her Ma-do Quartet was a highlight of that year and my favourite of all the times I’ve heard her live. Bittersweet, it was the last time she performed together with bassist Norikatsu Koreyasu who passed away in September of that year. This is her new trio + one – authoritative trumpeter Natsuki Tamura remains in the group. I’m really looking forward to this show - big time! Here's a video clip from the Pitt Inn / Tokyo 2012 and another from 2013.
Baptiste Trotignon and Mark Turner
French pianist Baptiste Trotignon performed at the festival a few years ago and his return is long overdue. There’s a wave of sensual French pianists that seem to be inspired by the impressionists in classical music and jazz by way of Debussy, Ravel and Bill Evans. Thoroughly modern in approach, Trotignon is at the crest of that wave. Joined by duo partner saxophonist Mark Turner (Fly Trio, Billy Hart) these two will make some magic – there’s absolutely no doubt about that! This concert is part of our Spotlight on French Jazz series. Another concert that’s almost free. Here's a taste - Only One from You Tube.
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