We've seen at the FIJM 2008 by Éric Seguin
Thursday June 26
Iro Haarla Quintet at the Monument National
Last night the smallest Monument National venue welcomed harpist & pianist Iro Haarla from Finland. Switching from the harp to the piano, Iro Haarlo and her musicians gave us a beautiful concert, as well as an introduction the scandinavian approach to jazz. Tall and thin, Iro Haarla moves slowly on stage, her playing sometimes hesitant, trying various combinations in mid-air before actually playing the notes, but always finding her way. It's at the harp that her uniqueness stands out with classic and comtemporary sounds. Astounding piece that is « Le royaume des oiseaux », the concert's highlight, a dialogue in between the saxophone and the bugle that plunges us in a surrealist ambiance that reminds in a surprising fashion of the Lost television show soundtrack. This concert was the last of a north-american for the quintet.
See a video clip of Iro Haarla at the Monument National on TVJazz by clicking here
Friday June 27
Hank Jones and Joe Lovano at the Théâtre Jean-Duceppe of Place des Arts
As soon as he walk in he's ovationed. Myths die hard. The eighty years old pianist has lost nothing of his technique. A velvety touch, flawless playing technically as well as rhythmically. Hank Jones is without a doubt a master. Friday night at Place des Arts, the pianist in duo with Joe Lovano struck a chord in the hearts of festival goers. Switching from compositions the duo recorded at Dizzy's in New York and jazz standards, their repertoire was a great mix and the osmosis in between the musicians unique. Hank Jones' playing, rich in chords and harmonics led the way for a very inspired Joe Lovano. Saturday the 28 Hank Jones welcomes Brad Mehldau, two generation of pianists and two styles at each end of the spectrum as they meet around the piano.
See a video clip of Hank Jones and Joe Lovano at the Théâtre Jean-Duceppe on TVJazz by clicking here
Saturday June 28
Yaron Herman Trio at the Gesù
If pianist Yaron Herman's reputation has reached heights in Europe and at home in Israel, he's still fairly unknow by the north-american public. Witness to that is that the small Gesù concert hall was only three-quarters full on June 28, and that's too bad. It's hard for trios that stand out today without being compared to Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau, Robert Glasper, Esbjorn Svensson, Tord Gustavsen or even The Bad Plus. In that sense, Yaron Herman has been influenced and absorbed the best of the great pianists, hypersensitivity, a velvety touch, virtuosity and a great sound, an inner capacity to be comtemporary by using pop references and mostly a singularity in his approach to the piano. His performance was acclaimed by the public, a great pianist is on the rise.
No video clip.
Sunday June 29
Hilario Duran Trio at the Gesù
Sideman for trumpeter Arturo Sandoval for over 10 years, cuban-born Hilario Duran, based in Toronto, was at the Gesù Sunday the 29th with his trio. Obviously touched by the fact that he's playing for the first time at the FIJM, Hilario who'd played in Montreal recently but a in more discreet setting, gave us a piano lesson. The great Hilario's playing is very physical and a show in itself, his virtuosity is mind-blowing ! The rare quiet moments of the concert give us a touching and sensitive version of Hilario Duran, giving the notes a breather and a break to the hard-played Steinway. If sometimes the pianist give us too much of it, his technique imposes respect and admiration. Brillant idea the festival has had to invite this relatively unknow pianist.
See a video clip of the Hilario Duran Trio at the Gesù on TVJazz by clicking here
Monday June 30
Mélody Gardot at the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde
Mélody Gardot bravely walks on stage by herself helped by a cane. She places herself in the spotlight and starts singing a capella and snapping her fingers. Twice she asks the public's help and twice the public goes along. The assurance this 23 years old singer has on stage, who accompanies herself on the piano and guitar, is impressive. Victim of a serious car accident 5 years ago, Mélody Gardot has many sequels and needs a cane to get around. Mélody likes to play with the public, she doesn't take herself seriously. Mélody plays the vamp. Musically, Mélody, surrounded by a trumpet, drums and a bass give us jazz that is soft and tame with hints of blues and folk. Mélody controls well the subtleties of her voice, pushing it no too much for effect, as she prefers a soft ambiance. The festival is not over but a far as vocalists go, we can already talk about this year's revelation. For her last album, Mélody Gardot has signed with Universal and her jazz label, Verve. The road to success is wide open and with a name like that...everything's possible.
See a video clip of Melody Gardot at the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde on TVJazz by clicking here
Wednesday July 2
Richard Galliano - Tangaria Quartet at the Théâtre Jean-Duceppe of Place des Arts
Richard Galliano turned up the heat at Place des Arts Wednesday night with his Tangaria Quartet, a high-caliber group a musicians from France and Venezuela. As intense as their 2002 concert in Montreal with I Musici, Richard Galliano proves us one more time he's in direct line with Astor Piazzola. The friendy yet timid man does one with his accordeon and will play it all night except for a tune with the accordina, a cross in between the harmonica and the accordeon. A great discovery is Alex Cardenas on the violin who steals the show as well as Rafael Mejias, the percussionist who make his maracas sound like rattlsnakes. From Astor Piazzola to Gainsbourg in encore, Galliano gave us classics, including Claude Nougaro, for whom he'd composed Tango for Claude, played as opening song Wednesday night.
See a video clip of Richard Galiano at the Théâtre Jean-Duceppe on TVJazz by clicking here
Saturday July 5
James Carter Quartet at the Théâtre Jean-Duceppe of Place des Arts
Discovered at the age of 17 by Wynton Marsalis, James Carter is a true jazz musician. He doesn't try to transgress or deconstruct what the jazz masters have created but gives it to us with past and present references. Here to present his most recent CD
Present Tense with the label Emarcy, James gave us a saxophone lesson. Switching with surprising ease in between the alto, soprano and tenor saxes, his playing is a technical bluff. His style is hard to coin as he adapts very well to the key of the instrument and the spirit of the composition. In constant playful exchange with his musicians, James Carter and friends transformed the Théâtre Jean-Duceppe into a NY jazz club. The only thing missing was the cigarette smoke and the scotch to bring us back to the 30s. In short, one of the best concerts of the festival, this is true jazz.
See a video clip of James Carter at the Théâtre Jean-Duceppe on TVJazz by clicking here
|
