Manu Katché, Geoffrey Keezer, Robert Glasper, Terence Blanchard, Tord Gustavsen, Steve Kuhn, Christian Scott, Omar Sosa, Paolo Fresu, Brian Setzer, Sonny Rollins, Houston Person, Vic Vogel, Roy Hargrove, Ahmad Jamal, Bobby Bazini, Allen Toussaint
Éric Seguin comments these concerts at the 31st Festival International de Jazz de Montréal !
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Manu Katché 1st round - Manu Katché Quartet : June 28th (Gesù)
to see a clip of Manu Katché at the Gesù, click here
This highly visible drummer, host of TV show One Shot Not, jury of La Nouvelle Star in 2007, Manu Katché is like no other drummer. Working in studio, on stage, as well as radio and television, this does-it-all has played with them all : Sting, Peter Gabriel, Dire Straits, Michel Jonasz, Paul Young, Youssou N'Dour, Stephan Eicher, Sheila E, Simple Minds, Tears For Fears, Tori Amos, Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell, etc. His own projects have led him to record three albums for Manfred Eicher's famed ECM label, material that he came to present at the FIJM.
One regret : pianist Marcin Wasilewski wasn't there and we can't wait to hear him back in the Quartier des Spectacles. Luckily Manu Katché makes us for it by introducing saxophonist Tore Brunborg, a clear sound that comes from the Northern climes. Manu Katché's drumming is above it all, like a craftsman. Manu multiplies the motifs with various techniques, always on track and focused. Impressive, as if we'd just been in a masterclass.
Manu Katché is again on stage at the Gesù, Wednesday, June 30th with bassist Richard Bona and guitarist Sylvain Luc. A nice connection to check out.
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Geoffrey Keezer - Joel Miller Trio : June 30th (Upstairs)
To take Danilo Perez's seat in Wayne Shorter's Quartet in a moment's notice you gotta be hot. Pretty much unknow by the public at large, Geoffrey Keezer is one of the most talented pianists of his generation. From Diana Krall to Barbara Hendricks, as well as with Kenny Barron, Chick Corea , Mulgrew Miller and Joshua Redman, Geoffrey Keezer has played with them all
On June 30th, with saxman Joel Miller and bassist Rémi-Jean Leblanc, there was magic. For their first gig together, it was love at first sight. Geoffrey Keezer's technique is mind-blowing, the way he digs in the keys of the piano is something to behold. On doublebass and then electric bass, Rémi-Jean Leblanc confirms he's in the footsteps of Michel Donato, who's also his teacher. His playing is inventive and his technique constantly improving. To top if off, Joel Miller blows to Keezer's music a very communicative soulness and joy of playing.
The trio does it again at Upstairs July 1st at 7pm and 9:15pm.
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Robert Glasper - Terence Blanchard : July 2nd (Gesù)
He skipped out on us last year with Mos Def in Maxwell's tour but he's back for a serie of three concerts : in trio, with trumpeteer Terence Blanchard and finally with hip-hop artist Bilal. The Gesù was cookin' last night as the Robert Glasper -Terence Blanchard duo gave festival-goes an amazing and memorable concert. Apart his extra-terrestrial Keith Jarrett-ish attitude, Robert Glasper is without a doubt the most complete jazz pianist these days. On CD, the musician astounds by the complexity of his rhythm motifs, but Glasper truly shines live in concert. His connection with pianists Herbie Hancock from whom he recoups a title as a tune intro and Ahmad Jamal, is obvious. But Glasper truly stands out when improvising. Turned on by Terence Blanchard and a totally free and liberated Kendrick Scott on the drums, Robert Glasper abandons himself completely and brings the crowd to a state of grace. On top of that, Glasper and his buddies like to joke around, taking themselves not too seriously, laughing uncontrollably, mentionning twice that they'd just composed the material at the soundcheck !
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Tord Gustavsen Ensemble : July 3rd (Théâtre Jean-Duceppe PdA)
to see a clip of the Tord Gustavsen Ensemble at Théâtre Jean-Duceppe, click here
For his third stint at the Jazz Festival, norwegien pianist Tord Gustavsen finally makes it to the large concert hall that is Théâtre Jean-Duceppe. After three trio albums, Tord Gustavsen is joined by vocalist Kristin Asbjørnsen and saxophonist Tore Brunborg, on Restored Returned, his 4th album released earlier this year on the ECM label, which he presented July 3rd in quartet and joined by Tore. Darker than his preceeding albums, Restored Returned does not shine as much as his first three albums. His compositions seem to have reached a certain creative plateau. The pianist seems to have reached his limits and has maybe chosen to dwelve in a certain confort zone. As his last Jazz Festival appearance 2 years ago, Tord's performance is beyond reproach. His touch unique, and his minimalism legendary. Tord is true to his own personal style, a singular sound that embodies the northern Europeen jazz movement.
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Steve Kuhn : July 4th (Gesù)
to see a clip of the Steve Kuhn Trio at the Gesù, click here
to see the interview with Steve Kuhn on July 4th, 2010, click here
At 72, Steve Kuhn is still in fine form. The Brooklyn-born pianist, who's sided with Stan Getz, John Coltrane and many other great musicians doesn't have anything to prove to anybody anymore. Dean of the Jazz dans la Nuit serie presented at the Gesù, Steve Kuhn still impresses with the freshness and vitality of his playing. A man with a sense of humour, the pianist, with a high-caliber trio, gave an electric yet lyric concert. On the menu, Steve Kuhn looked into the American Songbook as well as his own repertoire. His takes on Oceans in The Sky et The Zoo were the powerful moments of the concert.
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Christian Scott Quintet : July 5th (Gesù)
to see a clip of the Christian Scott Quintet at the Gesù, click here
to see the interview with Christian July 5th, 2010, click here
This is the new jazz ! For his 2nd gig at the FIJM, Christian Scott is here to confirm all that's said about him. This young (27!) year-old trumpet player is charismatic. He takes over the stage and his presence is magnetic. He loves to talk, going from humor to being serious, arrogance to humility, concentration to being relaxed. Above all, it's all about his very warm and unique sound. Christian Scott uses the whisper technique. Christian has achieved and amazing musical unity with his quintet. This is intelligent cacophony, led by fiery drummer Jamire Williams. With LA & The 13th Amendment, he shows us his writing skills, he also like covers, such as Thom Yorke's (Radiohead), The Eraser, a July 5th, 2010 version that will be remembered for a long time. Wow.
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Christophe Rodriguez comments these concerts at the 31st Festival International de Jazz de Montréal !
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Omar Sosa Paolo Fresu : June 25 (Gesù)
to see a clip of Omar Sosa Paolo Fresu at the Gesù, click here
Beautiful weather, a crowdy jazz fest and a packed Gesù. As one of the first concerts of this 31st Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, italian trumpet - bugle player Paolo Fresu meets cuban pianist - keyboardist Omar Sosa. On the outskirts of jazz , but a great spriritual connection where a certain form of calculated improvisation reigned. In the spirit of ECM (label that recorded Fresu with guitarist Ralph Towner) that will be with Paolo June 26th, this jazz was ethereal, light, and slightly spaced-out. Jazz for connaisseurs in a sold out venue and that's fine the way it is.
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Brian Setzer Orchestra : June 25 (TD Stage Place des Festivals)
Under blue skies, guitarist, singer and Stray Cats founder Brian Setzer got on stage with his posse of musicians. The man we were waiting for brought back for two hours the spirits of Bill Haley, Eddie Cochrane, Louis Jordan and presented his brand of Gretch-guitar swing. This super-tight opening concert brought cross-generational joy, giving it all with limitless generousity, saluting the montreal skies as well as this huge crowd relentlessly. This Festival « Rock This Town » was what we expected with a number of classics such as : Your True Love, Dirty Boogie, Sleepwalk, ’49 Mercury plus, let's not forget, many trio versions that stood their ground. Just as the title of his next CD (out at the end of July) : Don’ t mess with Big Band, Brian and his posse were on top of it. Alléluia!
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Sonny Rollins : June 27th (Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier PdA)
to see a clip of Global Warming by Sonny Rollins at the Place des Arts' Wilfrid-Pelletier, click here
Recipient of the Miles-Davis 2010 Prize, patriarch and the memory of jazz, saxophonist Sonny Rollins gave an exceptional concert. At the tender age of 80 and with a serious hip problem, the 75-minute concert that glorified jazz like no other was fireworks all the way. The concert kicked-off with a straight-ahead and no-nonsense Global Warming that could be summed up as a long (!!!) 15 minutes solo, mastered in all keys and harmonies of the blue note, showing us this man's still got it all. Supported by a masterful team, Bob Cranshaw, electric bass and Russell Malone, a focused and subtle guitarist reminding us of Grant Green and Wes Montgomery, the excited crowd savoured this timely event. My One and Only Love, highly consisted ballad, was punctuated with a thousand citations and the saxman, without really wanting to do it, gave a lesson to those who lay it on too tick to impress. You figured it already, it was quite a night and to top it off, Sonny even sang a blues!
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Houston Person : June 27-28 (Upstairs)
Closely associated with the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, the Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill (1254 Mackay St.) presented well-traveled veteran of jazz, tenor saxman Houston Person. Heavy sounds inherited by the great Coleman Hawkins, ballad specialist and with a touch of soul, the man was happy. The smiling musician gave us : Let’s Fall In Love, Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, As Time Goes By, time-proven quintessential classics. Supported by young pianist Julie Lamontagne's trio, precise, inventive and very much « Erroll Garner » in her approach, it was all there.
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Vic Vogel Sextet : 28 juin (Théâtre Jean-Duceppe PdA)
Cornerstone of the Montreal jazz scene, Vic for his friends, takes a breather from the Big Band format for a smaller sextet formation. With six of his jazz budies and road travelers, Mr Vogel intimite gave a touching concert mixing recent compositions like Nakia and standards such as Lament’s (J.J. Johnson) and Dameron Blues. Chameleon pianiste that knows jazz history at the tip of his fingers, Vic Vogel was majestic, intense et mostly, brilliant in his interpretation. Of his collegues, alto saxophonists Dave Turner, imperial and Alexandre Côté, a young man with ideas carved in stone will probably become a model for many. A great night.
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Roy Hargrove Big Band - Roberta Gambarini : June 28 (Théâtre Maisonneuve PdA)
to see a clip of the Roy Hargrove Big Band at Théâtre Maisonneuve, cliquez ici
After his last CD Emergence, trumpeteer, bandleader and singer (!) Roy Hargrove presented the finished product. Playful as always, he led in relaxed manned a good machine not always so precise but that gave an overall good result. In between fairly rigid personal compositions, a few free jazz solos and standards that pleased the crowd, the sum was ok. We can't say as much about sexily-clad (she's competing with Lady Gaga) singer Roberta Gambarini that gave us five standards good enough for tourists. A half-success.
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Ahmad Jamal : July 2 (Théâtre Maisonneuve PdA)
to see a clip of Ahmad Jamal at the Théâtre Maisonneuvue, click here
The day of his eightieth birthday, pianist Ahmad Jamal, was greeted at his Place des Arts concert with respect and a birthday song. As with saxophonist Sonny Rollins, the band kicked it off right off the bat. Surrounded by a powerful trio : percussions, bass, and drums, Master Jamal quickly got the machine going in a very percussive, surprising yet intelligent style. From Flight To Moscow to Wild Is The Wind and let's not forget Poinciana, his trump card, the public was astounded like yours truly. 75 minutes of bliss and a real jazz concert where the only the metaphors of the blue note reigned.
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Bobby Bazini : July 2 (Club Soda)
For a second concert, the Club Soda was packed and overflowing for highly visible artist these days : Bobby Bazini. Just over twenty, this young man from Mont-Laurier, composer, guitarist and singer, takes us back to the sixties style of singing, slightly updated. A sweet guy and on top of that surprised to see such a crowd, he gave us a strong performance that could reminds us of Rod Stewart, Billy Joel and Elton John and even a bit of Yes, because of the keyboards. Seductive retro – pop with class.
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Allen Toussaint - July 5 (Théâtre Jean-Duceppe PdA)
to see a clip of Allen Toussaint Bright Mississipi at Théâtre Jean-Duceppe, click here
To take on a trip down the Mississippi and explore the subtleties of the New Orleans roots, pianist, composer and singer Allen Toussaint is the man to travel with. Under the header of Bright Mississippi, title of his most recent release, he was joined by Don Byron, clarinet, tenor sax, Nicholas Payton, trumpet and the very subtle Marc Ribot on guitar. St-James Infirmary, Blue Drag and, of course, the title song Bright Mississippi, concert-goes were welcomed aboard on a voyage to the roots of jazz. Even if Byron laid it on too thick at the clarinet and Payton didn't seem at his best, Allen Toussaint, the happy patriach, told us his "stories" with the help of music. Bliss.
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