Christian Scott, Steve Kuhn, Houston Person, Daniel Mille, Ben Sidran, Mathieu Boré, Vic Vogel, Ahmad Jamal, Jean Beaudet, Charles Papasoff, Allen Toussaint, Omar Sosa, Vijay Iyer, Manhattan Transfer, Mike Stern, Alain Caron, Christian Escoudé, Ari Hoenig
Christophe Rodriguez does 10 phone interviews with Houston Person, Paolo Fresu, Daniel Mille, Ben Sidran, Mathieu Boré, Vic Vogel, Ahmad Jamal, Jean Beaudet, Charles Papasoff, and Allen Toussaint at the 31st Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
These interviews were translated to english by Claude Thibault.
Christophe Rodriguez
All photos of the Christophe Rodriguez interviews provided graciously by the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
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Plus 8 video interviews with Christian Scott, Steve Kuhn, Omar Sosa, Vijay Iyer, Manhattan Transfer, Mike Stern and Alain Caron, Christian Escoudé of Gypsie Planet, Ari Hoenig and the Laurie Anderson Lou Reed press conference from the 31st FIJM !!!
These videos interviews were produced in collaboration with :
David Ryshpan of CKUT 90.3 - settledinshipping.blogspot.com
My Top 3 FIJM 2010 concerts :
1. Vijay Iyer Trio - Gesù - June 25, 2010 : Iyer's music has a visceral and compelling edge now, and the simpatico ambiance among his trio is phenomenal.
2. Allen Toussaint solo - Gesù - July 4, 2010 : It's a privilege to watch a master in such an intimate setting, and tell the great stories behind so many of his tunes.
3. Keith Jarrett Trio - Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier - July 3, 2010 : Despite his famous behaviour, Jarrett has complete mastery and command over the piano and the standard repertoire.
Honourable mention : Dave Douglas & Keystone - Gesù - June 30, 2010
Jenn Hardy of porkpiejazz.com
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Interview with cuban pianist Omar Sosa part 1 by clicking here part 2 by clicking here
See a clip of his solo concert by clicking here and in duo with Paolo Fresu by clicking here
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Interview with pianist Vijay Iyer part 1 by clicking here part 2 by clicking here
See a clip of his concert in trio by clicking here
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Interview with guitarist Mike Stern and bassist Alain Caron by clicking here
See a clip of their concert with Lionel Cordew and Bob Franceschini by clicking here
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Interview with Manhattan Transfer singers Alan Paul and Cheryl Bentyne part 1 by clicking here part 2 by clicking here
See a clip of the Manhattan Transfer concert by clicking here
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Interview with Gypsie Planet guitarist Christian Escoudé by clicking here
See a clip of his concert with Gypsie Planet by clicking here
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Interview and concert clip with drummer Ari Hoenig by clicking here
See a long clip of his concert with his Quartet by clicking here
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See the interview with pianist Steve Kuhn by clicking here
See a clip of his concert in Trio by clicking here
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Interview with trumpet player Christian Scott by clicking here
See a long clip of his concert with his Quartet by clicking here
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Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed press conference by clicking here
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Allen Toussaint - 3 nights at the Festival
to see a clip of Allen Toussaint Bright Mississipi at Théâtre Jean-Duceppe, click here
Practically all festival-goers will remember the great concert he'd given with Elvis Costello. In these hard times of a Louisiana that's beaten up by the masters of oil, the pianist, composer and singer Allen Toussaint will help us rediscover it's beauty. Not for one night, but three, one in solo, the second in sextet and finally the third night for the closing parade where he'll share with us the thousand secrets of the blue note. Yes it was a short interview, but nonetheless rich in content as we spoke of Bright Mississippi (Warner), a new standards-ladened project: « Because they're the root of jazz, and that's just the way it is. Above and behond the obvious messangers : Armstrong, Bechet, Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, memory is essential in order to understand the life of Louisiana and the Mississippi. The river that still carries it's legends was also an important link, economically and culturally ». So this theme should abound on July 5th : « Yes, but a lot more. We'll do these standards : West End Blues, Blue Drag, St-James Infirmary and other songs from the heart and soul of Louisiana, like some Doctor John and Professor Longhair compositions ». A joyous and happy event then : « Nothing else matters and also think and even help Louisiana, that greatly needs it ».
Piano solo - Sunday July 4th 6pm at the Gesù
Allen Toussaint Bright Mississippi with N. Payton D. Byron M. Ribot D. Piltch H. LeBeaux - Monday July 5th 9:30pm Place des Arts
Mardi Gras parade launch - Tuesday July 6th 7pm
A legend drops by ! (Houston Person - United States)
For the 31st FIJM, the Upstairs wraps itself in the sounds of the blue note. From singer Jeri Brown to keyboardist Geoff Keezer and pianist Matt Herskowitz to the Bourassa/Donato/Lozano/Tanguay Quartet playing Bill Evans, a line-up to brag about ! One of the highlights of such a line-up is the great tenox sax Houston Person. Five decades of a musical carreer with the likes of organist Charles Earland, singer Ettta Jones, pianist Bill Charlap and the golden voice of Lou Rawls. At 77, Houston Person still plays quite a bit : « Oh yes. Certainly the privilege of time, but also because people love melodies that seduce...in the right way...Such as the standards : Close To You, April In Paris, Body and Soul are written so well that they can be played on and on ». What's your secret to staying so young and always a perfect sound : « A certain approach to life, to take it easy, to be surrounded by all kinds of musicians, young and not so young (laughs) and on top of that, a contact with the public ». For Montréal, some great classics : « Of course, but also a lot of other stuff that can get you dancing ».
Sunday June 27
Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill / 1254 Mackay
With the trio of pianist Julie Lamontagne
7pm/ 9:15pm
Paolo Fresu - trumpet and bugle
Concert excerpt at FIJM 2010 with Nils Petter Molvaer Manu Katché, click here
Concert excerpt at FIJM 2010 with Omar Sosa, click here
It's the 11th visit of trumpeter Paolo Fresu with us. This Festival aficionado, a soft and discreet player interested in modal music, just like Miles was, as well as italien influences, gets to play with who he wants to in a series of 3 carte blanche concerts. For three nights at the Gesù, a great venue for such encounters, he welcomes : cuban pianist Omar Sosa, guitarist Ralph Towner with whom he just produced a beautiful « chamber jazz » CD and finally nu-jazz trompeter Nils Peter Molvaer alongside drummer Manu Katché. Talking to him in his home before the Festivals tour, he gives us his thoughts : « To play, it has to click. When the Festival offered me a series of musical meetings, I couldn't say no to this opening and connection to various musical styles. In between the cuban rhythms of pianist Omar Sosa and the intimite work that I've done with guitarist Ralph Towner, there is a world of difference, but...the strenght of the music is multiplied by five. Jazz allows to connect with other influences, has an open state of mind to others or what's the use of playing. For many years now, I've understood the dynamics of jazz that allows musicians to be sponges, just like Miles was ». Italian jazz , probably one oft the most inventives for the last fifteen years and that can be heard all over the planet. Why is it so popular ? : « Interesting question, I've got my theory on that. Our country is vast, just like it's thousand-year culture. Opera, architecture and music coming from various communities. Whether jazz is bop or neo bop it's influenced by this heritage ». Three nights to look forward to.
Carte blanche with Paolo Fresu
Omar Sosa, piano ( June 25)
Ralph Towner, guitar (June 26)
Nils Peter Molvaer, trumpet and Manu Katché, percussions (June 27)
Gesù
6pm
Daniel Mille : accordionist
FIJM 2010 concert excerpt, by clicking here
Just like Marcel Azzola who Jacques Brel's sideman, accordionist Daniel Mille has played with Salif Keita, Jacques Higelin, Claude Nougaro, Maurane and actor Jean-Louis Trintignant. On the eve of his FIJM concert, the poet and musician explains his relation to jazz : « I don't like to be categorised, I'm a musician that moves from one style to another, if it pleases me, then it's simple. Whether with Nougaro, Mauranne or the trumpeteer Stéphane Belmondo, I need liberty in composition and improvisation ». That's his connection to jazz : « In a certain way, but also because of the many possibilities jazz offers. In my last CD l’Attente (available June 16), you'll hear all these original compositions where jazz is present ». In regards to his collaboration with Jean-Louis Trintignant, actor, man of theatre and fine litterature : « With whom we won the Charles-Cross 2006 Prize for : La Valse des adieux and Poèmes à Lou alcools. Another great musical adventure that allowed me to compose with litterature and here's a scoop, Boris Vian will be the main theme of my next CD». Accordionist, poet, composer, a trio for sensitive souls, nothing better !
Sunday June 27
Jazz dans la nuit
Gesù
10:30pm
A different kind of Dylan (Ben Sidran - United States)
Prolific musician, writer and host, the discreet Ben Sidran represents in certain way the history of jazz. Whether with Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Griffin, Gil Evans or the Steve Miller Band, this quiet Wisconsin man has been with the greats of jazz and...rock! : « Thanks for the comment but I'm as much into Duke Ellington or Dizzy Gillespie as well as Muddy Waters or James Brown. For me, music is music and I don't really like to segregate by style. American music is so rich and complex that one life just isn't enough to understand it all ». Very surprisingly, you're revisiting the music of Bob Dylan, in a jazz fashion, with european musicians : « It's actually and old dream that I've had for many years to do a piano/voice project with the music of Dylan. If it's not easy to play Dylan, but the overwhelming quantity of his music somewhat facilitates the task. Dylan for my generation, the sixties, is so important that no musician, or music can ignore his musical path as well as his influence ». So, Dylan is still contemporary ? : « Of course and not wanting to be a visionnary, his songs are still current ». Not just a recommandation, a gotta-see concert !
Sunday June 27
Club Soda
9pm
The colors of swing (Matthieu Boré - France)
FIJM 2010 concert excerpt, by clicking here
At just over thirty years old, singer, pianist and french composer Matthieu Boré is coming to visit us. For his first visit in duo with british bassist Steven Harris, he'll present many happy new tunes from FriZZante!! (Bonzaï Music/SRI). Dipping into the standards catalog, this young classically-trained musician is all over the place : « It's simple. I love music and what it gives me back. Classical, and then my first years as a musician until punk rock and jazz, I don't want to be trapped in a specific style ». With this new CD, your take on these on these standards is way out there : Puttin On The Ritz, Side By Side, a beautiful saxman Phil Woods composition or the very sensual Dream A Little Dream Of Me. : « Yes, I love beautiful melodies. With a bit of work and different arrangements, these jewels continue to exist with a new outlook. In France, I'm considered as « cross-over » artist, which isn't easy. Cultivating differences isn't that bad really ». Of course.
Saturday July 3rd
L'Astral - Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan
9pm
Vic Vogel - pianist and bandleader
Vic sits where he creates, in between souvenirs, homemade wine, stacks of music charts and works on the new material for his 31st concert at the Festival International de jazz de Montréal. In a Duke Ellington mode, his sextet is : Ron Di Lauro, trumpet, Dave Turner, alto sax, Alexandre Côté, tenor and baritone sax, Dave Gelfand, bass and drummer Richard Irwin. « Nothing beats the power of working with people that you like. Either in a big band or a smaller group, jazz is there, but written differently ». After fifty years of writing, the creatives juices are still flowing: « And why not ! I've got a old hat I fill up with compositions, bits of phrases and I just dip in. Jazz music is eternal and constantly evolves. Duke Ellington proved it many times». Up his sleeve, the bandleader has another important project in the works that steps out of the jazz world.. Titled Mesa Negra (the black mass), Vic Vogel brings back to life as a series of tableaus, the gods of the Santaria or Santera religion, such as espoused by Chano Pozo, Dizzy Gillespie's percussionist. : « This is quite a challenge even if I'm familiar with the symphonic world such as at the 1976 Olympic Games Closing Ceremonies with Maynard Ferguson. Even, if I'm agnostic, the world of religions fascinate me. Mesa Negra will bring back to life Yamaya, godess of the seas, Babalu, etc.. Jazz with a symphonic orchestra and who knows, maybe at the 2012 FIJM ». Who said jazz doesn't keep up with the times!
Vic Vogel Sextet
Monday June 28
Théâtre Jean-Duceppe
8pm.
Otherwise, you can hear Vic Vogel, Thursday July 15th at the Lac des Nations (Sherbrooke) and in Big Band formation, Tuesday July 27 in Nominingue (Mont-Laurier).
Ahmal Jamal - sanctified by Miles Davis
FIJM 2010 concert excerpt, by clicking here
The night of his concert, pianist Ahmad Jamal, who stands alone and on top of his own category and who is recognised by the jazz millieu as well as mainstream, celebrates his 80th birthday. Sanctified by Miles Davis, the one who revisited the trio under many shapes and forms is here after a 20 year absence. Busier in Europe than in North-America, a very happy Ahmad Jamal talked with us on his philosophy of music, tours and the future : « Right now, I'm looking at a water cascade and relaxing after a tour in Paris, London and Vienna. I like the relationship european jazz fans have with us, american jazz musicians. They appreciate jazz, know the music and respect the great tradition that ranges from Louis Armstrong to Duke Ellington and from Charlie Parker to Art Blakey ». From what I read you disagree with the term jazz and prefer : American Classical Music : « Absolutly and I can explain (laughs) that statement. With Coltrane, Ellington, Strayhorn, Parker, Gillespie or Shorter, we're witness to true american-born music created by almost all black musicians, except for composers like Gerhswin et Hammerstein. They've given America numerous standards that have been played for the last sixty years which explains the Classical definition in it's purest form ». You became famous with Poinciana (Live At The Pershing –Arfo) but don't dwelve in the past : « I'm into here and now, tomorrow's CD or the upcoming concert. Nostalgia doesn't lead to creativity ». This man's lucid !
Friday July 2
Théâtre Maisonneuve
9:30pm
Jean Beaudet - Montreal pianist
Intuitive and demanding pianist Jean Beaudet is the real thing. If you don't see him much on the Montreal jazz scene, the reason is simple. The life of a musician these days being what it is, he's pianist on sunshine-bound cruise ships a bit like the one who plays As Time Goes By in Casablanca. « Yes, I'm a bit off the radar these days because there's a lot less work and I wanted to try something else. ». From Danseurs to Seul au Piano, both on Elephant Records, your work is unaninously acclaimed, in large part because it's different and contains no standards : « I like to feel free, to improvise, to play music that says something and that tells a story, because music is after all a way to tell one's life story. As far as standards, it's impossible not to play them, but I'm a lot more confortable in another formula ». So what can we expect with piano solo concert: « A lot of tunes of from my last album and one standard : Take Five, on new arrangements, of course ».
To see 3/4 Gemini by the Jean Beaudet Trio, click here
Monday, July 5th - 7pm
Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur
Papasoff is back ! (Charles Papasoff - Québec)
FIJM 2010 concert excerpt, by clicking here
Considered one of the best blowers (horn player) in Montréal, on the soprano and the baritone, Charles Papasoff is back with a bang and something new. On Papasoff Live, our man has gotten together with some old friends : Martin Auguste, drums, George Mitchell, bass and Jocelyn Tellier on guitar in a spirit of synthesis where beautiful and great become one. Nine tracks - nine personal compositions, a trow of the dice, and serenity that can be felt from the author. « You know what, the term is right. To be clear, we've reached a certain level of understanding that helps us comprenhend quickly. Taped in front of a live audience in April 2009 at the Upstairs, Papasoff Live is a good example of spontaneous music, no frills and lots of energy ». There's a lot of Pepper Adams and Hammet Bluiett in your way of playing : « Two great musicians that I respect a lot with an influence such as John Surman, but not his new age period ». Also producer (Coral Egan, Nathalie Renaud), we wanted to see what Charles was up to : « A CD project with Coyote Bill, dangerous stuff (!!!), some compositions for contemporary danse and the soundtrack of the new Michel Jetté film : Bumrush ». The man is busy.
Thursday, July 1st
Série Jazz d'Ici
L'Astral
6pm
All photos except Christophe Rodriguez provided graciously by the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
