Interviews with Hugh Masekela, Jill Barber, George Wein, Jeremy Pelt, Jean-Pierre Zanella, Phil Woods, Stéphane Belmondo, Madeleine Peyroux, Anat Cohen, Gretchen Parlato, Harold Lopez-Nussa, Sly Johnson, Erik Truffaz and The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey.
Don't miss our concert comments section at Seen at JazzFest
South African jazz pioneer and pianist Hugh Masekela - June 27th at Club Soda
Singer and femme fatale Jill Barber - July 3rd at Club Soda
Newport Jazz Festival founder and pianist George Wein - June 26th at the Gesù
Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt - June 30th at L'Astral
Quebec saxophonist Jean-Pierre Zanella - July 3rd at L'Astral
Veteran saxman Phil Woods - with Grace Kelly July 2nd at the Gesù
Trumpeter Stéphane Belmondo - June 27th at the Gesù
+ here's a few great video interviews (scroll down the page) with...Madeleine Peyroux, Anat Cohen, Gretchen Parlato, Harold Lopez-Nussa, Sly Johnson, Erik Truffaz et The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey !
Pianist Harold Lopez-Nussa - June 25th a L'Astral
To see a clip from that concert, click here
To see the interview with Harold, click here
Clarinettist Anat Cohen - June 26th at the Gesù
to see a clip from that concert, click here
to see the interview with Anat, click here
Singer/beatboxer Sly Johnson - June 26th at L'Astral
to see a clip from that concert, click here
to see the interview (in french) with Sly, click here
Singer Gretchen Parlato - June 28th at l'Astral
to see a clip from that concert, click here
to see the interview with Gretchen, click here
Singer Madeleine Peyroux - June 29th at Place des Arts
to see the interview (in french) with Madeleine, click here
The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey - July 1st at l'Astral
to see the interview with concert clips with JFJO, click here
Trompeter Erik Truffaz - July 4th at the Gesù
to see a clip from that concert, click here
to see the interview with Erik, click here
Conversation with trumpeter Stéphane Belmondo, at the 32nd Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Monday, June 27th (Gesù 7pm)
Stéphane Belmondo is a happy trumpet player. After his stint with saxophonist / flutist Yussef Lateef, having explored the knowings of Fauré and Nadia Boulanger in Hymne and let's not forget Milton Nascimiento, he's here with us. Another trumpeter from the south of France : Tony Amouroux, Dominique Rieux, Robert Astre, the very fine buglist / trumpeter presents : The Same as it Never was Before (Veve).
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CR - Not much response after having asked him his improvising secret, admitting he's an amateur, always learning, and then he goes on of his CD and this concert..
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SB - « Rather than use tricks or the complexity of it all, nothing beats being natural, even if I'm not a composer in it's truest form. It's after the CD and tour with Yussef Lateef that I really felt like composing something or at least expressing part of myself. With pianist Kirk Lightsey, and old buddy now in Paris and drummer Billy Hart, who could ask for anything more. »
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That's what I thought.
Christophe Rodriguez
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Stéphane Belmondo - Monday, June 7pm - Gesù 1200 Bleury - 514-871-1881
to read our comment on this concert and see a clip, click here
Conversation with South African jazz pioneer and pianist Hugh Masekela, back after 18 years at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Monday, June 27 (Club Soda 7pm)
Exiled for thirty years in England, steadfast supporter of Nelson Mandela and a South Africa free of segregation, and his jazz, burning in the night. After eighteen years the South African bugler, trumpeter, and composer Hugh Masekela is back in Montreal.
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CR - Freshly arrived from his sun-cooked country, we hooked up with the man of jazz in LA.
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HM - «18 years is a long time, but those are the hazards of life. At 72, you've got to take things on the easy side (laughs), nonetheless, I'll be at the Playboy Jazz Festival for two nights and then heading off to the Lincoln Jazz Center where trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and his band are waiting for me. Music is my life! »
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CR - «You've had a very lenghty career and, like Dizzy Gillespie, you don't like being categorized (be-bop, hard-bop, swing)»
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HM - « Yeah, that's because it turns a musician into an «object». As any young trumpeter, I was influenced by Harry James, Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, and mostly Clifford Brown. Over the decades, I've integrated the roots of my country in a music that is now international. The inspiration of a musician is something hard to understand, and in my case, unrelated to trends because I try to stay current. That's were funk, fusion, and a blend of world music come in as well as my work with pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, a long-time companion »
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CR - «What can we expect in Montreal ?»
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HM - « We're in a Sextet formation with new compositions and some classics »
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Christophe Rodriguez
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Hugh Masekela - Monday, June 27th 7pm - Club Soda 1255 St-Laurent - 514-871-1881
to read our comment on this concert and see a clip, click here
Conversation with Jill Barber at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Sunday, July 3rd (Club Soda 7pm)
Her look is part TV cult series Mad Men femme fatale and part young giri waiting for her prince charming, and something for jazz lovers. Well known by festival-goers, canadian singer Jill Barber presents her latest project : Mischievous Moon. With this exploration of the sixties echoing Burt Bacharach, Michel Legrand and Herb Alpert, the singer chose a steep path. To see a clip of her concert at the Festival in 2009, click here
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CR - On the eve of a canadian tour, she spoke from her lush Vancouver home :
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JB - «In short, I had to go a step further or if you prefer the challenge had to be important. I didn't want to do a remakes project, even if that a tempting idea, but rather created a universe tinted by musical influences»
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CR - «Love songs that end bitterly, a lot of strings and better yet, original compositions»
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JB - «Before being a singer, I'm a writer and composer but not necessarely in jazz. Mischievous Moon explores in a certain way the dark side of emotions, just like the jazz standards. I like to challenge the listeners, telling them stories so get can into the texts of the songs as well as the music and so that it may pursue them softly ! »
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CR - « We feel little or no influences from Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan or Nina Simone, but rather Patsy Cline »
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JB - « That's quite compliment and actually an honor. It's too bad that singer is underestimated and identified as a country singer because, for me, she's undefinable. Her expression, the way she told her story, all of that is practically magic»
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Christophe Rodriguez
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Jill Barber - Sunday July 3rd 7pm - Club Soda 1255 St-Laurent - 514-871-1881
to read our comment on her concert, click here
Conversation with pianist and Newport Jazz Festival founder, George Wein, back in concert for the 2nd time with the The Newport All Stars at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Sunday, June 26 (Gesù 7pm)
At 85, Newport Jazz Festival founder and modest pianist George Wein, takes away the Bruce Lundvall Prize for his contribution to jazz. For those who doubted, jazz lives on forever, as long as you're with friends. To see a clip of his concert at the Festival in 2009, click here
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CR - «On the eve of a tour and a 2nd stint at the Montreal Jazz Fest, George Wein remains a convinced enthousiast:»
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GW - «Of course I don't play like Earl «Fatha» Hines, Errroll Garner or Oscar Peterson, but at my age, only the pleasure of playing with my friends matters».
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CR - «For this tour, you're joined by trumpeter Randy Brecker, saxophonist Lew Tabackin, bassist Peter Washington, drummer Lewis Nash and the very young clarinetist-saxophonist Anat Cohen.»
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GW - « In a certain way, we play the standards in different modes, keeping swing in mind, the staple of jazz, with some oft-forgotten classics : I Can't Get Started, Indiana, Cherokee, the basics of learning jazz».
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CR - «Music is your life, as with the Newport Jazz Festival that you created.»
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GW - «Yes and with the help of the musicians. This gigantic open sky "happening" gave hundreds of great musicians the opportunity to be heard by a much larger crowd that didn't listen to jazz. From Miles Davis to John Coltrane, Charles Mingus and Dizzy Gillespie, and let's not forget Duke Ellington, they all played here. Yes, because there was a real community or network, whatever the style»
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CR - «With many of the great jazz musicians from the past gone, can you see those who'll make up the jazz of the future ?»
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GW - « No names not to hurt anyone, but there will new Miles, Parker and Gillespie in a few years»
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Until then, our friend George will be jazzin' it up.
Christophe Rodriguez
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George Wein and The Newport All Stars - Sunday, June 26th 7pm - Gesù 1200 Bleury - 514-871-1881
to read our comment on this concert and see a clip, cliquez ici
Conversation with trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, at the 32nd Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Thursday, June 30th (L'Astral 9pm)
In the world of jazz where ideas and influences are many, trumpeter/composer Jeremy Pelt stands out. Legacy of a tradition that goes from Freddie Hubbard to Howard McGhee and from Miles Davis, obviously, to Booker Little, he cultivates the art of composing as well as the stage. In many projects, Cannonball Legacy, Miles Davis Tribute, he'll give us his best, Thursday, June 30th.
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CR - In between two tours, we spoke at length of the creative process and his work with different groups.
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JP - « It's a way to be here and now, in a group where one is in constant evolution. I like challenges, to find new ideas, collaborate with musicians of various tendancies to enrich my musical vocabulary »
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CR - « Such as your Miles tribute or your work with Wired »
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JP - « Among others, as you can see, and in different musical spaces. With Miles, we're keeping a certain musical memory without copying, which was in the way he'd do it, in the case of Wired, we explored other things like some free-jazz, funk, based on original compositions »
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CR - « Exactly, on your latest records, : The Talented Mr Pelt, Men Of Honor, Jazz Incorporated, your compositions take up a lot of space»
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JP - « Far from me, I can hear you thinking, is the idea of rejecting standards, but composing is practically an act of faith for a musician. This allows us, with the risks and perils involved, to stand out and who knows, diverge from the beaten track »
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That's what we'll see.
Christophe Rodriguez
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Jeremy Pelt - Thursday, June 30th at 9pm - L'Astral 305 Sainte-Catherine W - 514-871-1881
to read our comment on this concert and see a clip, click here
Conversation with saxophonist Jean-Pierre Zanella, Oscar-Peterson prize winner, in a tribute-concert to Don Elias at the 32nd Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Sunday, July 3rd (L'Astral 6pm)
Just like Lorraine Desmarais, Guy Nadon, Vic Vogel, etc., Jean-Pierre Zanella, alto saxophonist emeritus and longtime Cégep Saint-Laurent music teacher takes away the JazzFest's 2011 Oscar-Peterson prize. Always young at heart, « hang on, I'm starting to get wrinkles », but also grandfather since a few months, another gift of life in it's own way, and the years go by. Sunday July 3rd, he pays tribute to american percussionnist Don Alias in a meeting of friends that knew the jazz veteran. To see a clip of Jean-Pierre in the Jazz Year Round series, click here
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CR - Right off the bat, let's talk about your career that has seen some great moments.
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JPZ - «Nothing predestined me to be a musician. My italian father worked as a postman and according to the story my great-grandfather was a chapel master. At the St-Stanislar High School (de Gaspé-Laurier corner) I attended, I chose to play to trumpet because there were no other instruments available, but that was greatly compensated by two great teachers : Miville Bois and René Mazino, who led me to Charles Ives, Duke Ellington, and the saxophone. Music would become my life»
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CR - «At 53, you're a veteran of the Montreal jazz and pop scene, with some great moments, like the Beau et Chaud years»
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JPZ - «That my students rediscover because of YouTube (laughs) and that doesn't make me younger. It's true that it was a great show, a mix of some great music and energy like I've rarely seen. In the middle of the 80s, I was a household name and in those days musicians still played a lot on tv shows, which was great, and many jazz clubs : Les Beaux Esprits, L'Air du Temps, le Grand Café, a dozen great spots where we could play with no worries»
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CR - «And at the same time you're teaching at Cegep Saint-Laurent...»
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JPZ - «Yes, my alma mater for over twenty years now. Even if there's less work for musicians, the younger students are hightly motivated and turned-on, like Jules Payette and Étienne Lapierre, two names to watch for.»
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CR - «Great attitude and positiveness, Jean-Pierre Zanella gives back for this prize with a concert in tribute to american percussionnist Don Alias.»
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JPZ - «A great man that for many reasons, came to Montréal for a few years. The man played with Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis (Bitches Brew), Herbie Hancock (On The Corner), Sting. With that experience and all the support that he gave, the great man gave great insight and tips to the young musicians that we were in 1982-1984. He also influenced many percussionnist-drummers such as Alain Labrosse, Paul Brochu, etc. who'll be at the concert as well as Gene Perla, bassist with the Don Alias Stone Alliance guitarist Benoit Charest and bassist Michel Donato.»
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A happy man when there's jazz!
Christophe Rodriguez
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Jean-Pierre Zanella - Sunday, July 3rd 6pm- L'Astral 305 Sainte-Catherine W - 514-871-1881 - to see a clip of Jean-Pierre in the 2010-2011 Year Round series, click here
Conversation with veteran saxophonist Phil Woods, at the 32nd Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, in concert with Grace Kelly, Saturday, July 2nd (Gesù 6pm)
Great saxophonist Phil Woods, who started his career in 1947, is one of the last giants of jazz. Even after all the years, Phil Woods is a modest man, smiling and always ready to help. At eighty well-lived years, he'll be at the JazzFest as guest of honour for a concert with young alto sax Grace Kelly (20 years old).
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CR - Just before going in for a benefit recording session for Japan (tsunami), the very alert saxophonist spoke about solos, music, students and jazz.
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PW - «Ah, if I knew the secret to for solos that pay, I would've been a retiree a long time ago. Kidding apart, it's all about emotions and who we're with. There's no code, at least not in my case, because it's instinctive»
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CR - «Even after all these years»
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PW - «Please (laughs), stop saying I'm old. If Charlie Parker was my idol, I also think of Benny Carter, Johnny Hodges, two masters that had a super instinct and a great notion of a perfect note»
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CR - «At fifteen, you studied with pianist and composer Lennie Tristano, as proficient in jazz as he was in classical»
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PW - «He was my teacher five or six lessons, but I'm not sure I understood it all. His music was something to digest, it's ripening the result of many years of work unless you were a genius like Charlie Parker»
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CR - «In Montréal, you're the guest of young sax player Grace Kelly, is she your protégée?»
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PW - «No, but she's a brilliant musician with whom I recorded: "Man With The Hat". She's my Shirley Temple!»
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Christophe Rodriguez
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Phil Woods and Grace Kelly - Saturday, July 2nd at 6pm - Gesù 1200 Bleury - 514-871-1881
to see a clip from that concert with Phil Woods et Grace Kelly, click here
to see a clip from that concert avec Grace Kelly, click here
