Christophe Rodriguez loves these shows at the 30th Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
One of our two CDJazz reviewers, Christophe Rodriguez (Journal de Montréal), dives in and give us his picks for the 30th Festival International de Jazz de Montréal !
Christophe Rodriguez
P.S. : Many of Christophe's concert suggestions will be filmed to produce HD clips - these new clips will be online in the new TVJazz FIJM 2009 section as of July 1st, 2009
Tuesday, June 30
Opening Concert :
Wynton Marsalis - Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Pianist Chano Dominguez (Spain) and his Quartet
A well-known jazz fest "regular", trumpetist of many musical allegiances, Wynton Marsalis, the most famous of the Marsalises : Ellis, piano, Brandford, saxophone, Delfeyao, trombone, open the 30th edition. Leading the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, a well-trained, high-performance machine, he'll give us a concert in the grand tradition, saluting on the way Ellington, Monk, Basie, Gil Evans and of course New-Orleans, as it should be. It gets even better with spanish flamenco pianist Chano Dominguez. Master of fusions, he'll combine as a true connaisseur the world of Monk, flamenco and other secrets of Spain. Be there!
Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier of Place des Arts
7 :30pm
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Maria Schneider Orchestra
As rare as an oasis in the desert, female bandleaders are stars in the constellation of jazz. Maria Schneider, great Gil Evans followed will present his recent CD: Sky Blue. Wonderful in it's harmonics, half-shades and precision. Jazz you can't miss!
Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts
9:30pm
Wednesday, July 1st
Mélody Gardot
She'd gently blown away the crowd at last year's concert at the Théâtre du Nouveau-Monde. A mix of Jessica (Who Frame Roger Rabbit) and Gene Harlow, the young singer-songwriter Melody Gardot shines. Not Ella, Billie or Sarah, he music dwelves in folk, with a blues connection and...sad stories. After Worrisome Heart, here's: My One and Only Thrill. !
+ July 2
Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts
6pm
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Julie Lamontagne
As in the Colocs song, Ma p'tite Julie, let's talk about Julie Lamontagne. Talented bandleader (Isabelle Boulay, Le Gros Z ’Orchestre) Julie presents her latest effort : Now What. Hard-bop jazz led by her own compositions and a top-notch sax player : Donny McCaslin. When presence intelligence and meet.
L’Astral
Maison Rio Tinto Alcan du Festival
6pm
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Eric Truffaz
Bénarès, Mexico, Paris
Even if he disagrees with the Miles Davis ressemblance, some ressemblances are eerie. In three nights and concerts, trompetist Erik Truffaz, a Festival regular, presents his vision of the world via three cities. From Bénarès to Mexico and then Paris, an exotic trip, musicaly rich and why not...trippy, like would say Jacques Languirand.
Centre de Créativité Gésu 18 h
Also Thursday July 2 and Friday July 3
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The Monterey Quartet
Dave Holland, bass
Gonzalo Rubalcaba, piano
Chris Potter, saxophone
Eric Hartland, drums
The Monterey Jazz Festival is 50 years old with the best of the best. In between Dave Holland's finesse, the power of Rubalcaba, the sound layers of Potter and the timekeeper Hartland, jazz tenfold. Top-notch!
Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts
9:30pm
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Vic Vogel Big Band
Thirty years of Festival and fifty years of jazz. Vic Vogel, jazz pirate and turned-on bandleader pays tribute to Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Count Basie. A great evening to greet our brave pirate who's been the foundation of many musicians carreers. A dying breed.
Outdoor concert
9pm and 11pm
Thursday, July 2nd
Emilie-Claire Barlow
Steeped in the great tradition of jazz singers with carreers, we salute young Toronto-based Emilie-Claire Barlow. Some beautiful swing, great standards and her own compositions. Classical in her approach, with good taste and freshness.
A great initiator of jazz.
Club Soda
7pm
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Chucho Valdès Quintet
Over seventy years old, cuban pianist Chucho Valdes is a true legend. Founder of famous group Irakere (Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D’Riviera), he's also a great encyclopedia and a fabulous player. A rare opportunity to see this master. One of the great concerts of this year's Festival..
Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts
9:30pm
Friday, July 3rd
Eliane Elias
Pianist who's mastered the secrets of brazilian music, Eliane Elias is also a singer. With a lounge sound, her latest Bossa Nova Stories is a notch over the over-sweet sounds of singer Diana Krall. A more interesting concept, this new CD is done with taste : hear the standards and bossa-nova classics. For an soft and easy landing in this style.
Théâtre Jean-Duceppe of Place des Arts
8pm
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Wayne Shorter
Founding block of the Jazz Messengers, friend to Miles Davis, saxophonist Wayne Shorter is one of the cornerstones of this 30th edition. An eclectic musician with a unique sound, master of unique melodies and always new ideas. With the same band as his last visit : Brian Blade, drums, Danilo Perez, piano and John Patittuci, bass, he'll nail you to your seat ! Powerful !
Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts
9:30pm
Saturday, July 4
André Leroux
Often in the background, founding block of many great jazz bands as well as involved in contemporary music, saxophonist André Leroux just launched his last CD, Corpus Callosum. Under the sign of Coltrane and other influences, Corpus Callosum is a invitation that you can see live. You gotta go!
Maison Rio Tinto Alcan du Festival
6pm
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Kenny Garret
Miles from India
Two major concerts that highlight the departure of the Black Prince as well at the 50th birthday of the inescapable Kind of Blue. In the starting blocks, brilliant alto sax player Kenny Garret, one of the last to have sided with Miles revisits his universe with Sketches of MD. If the concert is like the CD, it should be a great concert. Second concert in a broader, worldbeat style, Miles from India. A line-up of musicians such as trumpet player Nicholas Payton, not really the soul of Miles, tabla players an old friends such as : Robert Irving III, keyboards, as well Bill Evans, tenor sax. Watch for this one.
Théâtre Jean Duceppe of Place des Arts
7:30pm
Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts
9:30pm
Sunday, July 5
Auguste Quintette
Founder of the small record label Effendi, bassist Alain Bédard celebrates ten years of his «small» company. A true jazzman, he gives us his new Auguste Quintette. A strong band, turned-on ideas and a interesting sense of melody.
Maison Rio Tinto Alcan du Festival
6pm
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Brandford Marsalis Quintet
Not as « stuck-up» as his brother and well-known trumpeteer Wynton, the tenor and soprano saxophonist is not afraid to experiment. With Methamorphosen, his new CD, long improvisations, really good hard-bop and some classic riffs. Give your ears a tune-up!
Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts
9:30pm
Monday, July 6
Jeff Beck
Out of the great period of rock that has nothing to do with jazz. Guitarist Jeff Beck, true rock icon and foundation of the Yarbirds has a few tricks and licks up to show us on the guitar. One of the big surprises of the Festival.
Salle Wilfrid-Peletier of Place des Arts
7:30pm
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Joshua Redman
Following the launch of his recent full-trottle CD, Compass, saxophonist Joshua Redman will burn up the stage with two drummers and two bassists. Hot stuff!
Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts
9:30pm
Wedneday, July 8
Yannick Rieu
On his combination CD+DVD Spectrum, tenor/soprano saxman Yannick Rieu lets us in on this work in progress. A great project, alive with music touching many jazz styles and ambiances. Can't wait to hear it !
Maison Rio Tinto Alcan du Festival
6pm
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Félix Stüssi & Ray Anderson
Quite visible and present in the Montréal/Québec jazz scene, pianist Félix Stüssi hosts U.S. trombonist Ray Anderson, a true master of the slide. Having seen him many times, nothing stops him! Pure swing!
Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill
8:30pm
Thursday, July 9
Lorraine Desmarais Big Band
One of our smiliest pianists, at the helm of brand-spanking new big band! Ladies and gentlemen, swing, top-notch compositions and to top it off, pianist Oliver Jones joins the band. A BIG night for our friend Lorraine.
Théâtre Jean-Duceppe of Place des Arts
8pm
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Ornette Coleman
At seventy, the father of free jazz is still challenged. It doesn't matter, we'll be at the concert of this legendary saxophonist before it's too late. Warning : he write jazz in his own way!
Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts
9:30pm
Friday, July 10
Brian Sezter
The founder of the Stray Cats has recycled himself into some powerful jazz, to the likes of Louis Jordan and Louis Prima. 17 musicians, crazy energy, « choregraphies », Los Angeles big cabaret-style and let's not forget his famous Gretsch.
What more could be said, it'll give you wings.
Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier of Place des Arts
7:30pm
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Jill Barber
Unknow in Montréal, this young singer will surprise you with her latest : Chances. In between the soul sound of Martha and The Vandellas, Patsy Cline (folk) and Billie Holliday ( jazz), ten compositions just like standards… but they are not. Keep your ears on her.
Maison Rio Tinto Alcan du Festival
9pm
Saturday, July 11
John Pizzarelli
For the whole family and unpretentious, le guitarist-singer John Pizzarelli is an apostle of classic swing. From Cole Porter to Gershwin and from Sinatra to Nat Kin Cole, easy-listening, foot-stompin jazz.
Théâtre Maisonneuve de la Place des Arts
6pm
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Harlem Gospel Choir
At the roots of jazz just like the blues, of course, gospel music encompasses all. In their last years, this band celebrating a thirty year career will gently embrace you or give you a boost. Timeless.
Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts
9:30pm
