chris wong in sync

The debut CD by Vancouver's Simon Fisk Trio has a curious title: Trainwrecks. The loaded word, implying catastrophe, doesn't seem to connect in any way with the album of lyrical and often achingly beautiful jazz. But Fisk illuminates the title in his liner notes. "As in life, in music there are trainwrecks," writes the bass player. "Of course it's what we do when faced with one that counts us in or out. We should always choose to be counted in, mistakes and all, because that's what makes the music interesting, and often times really joyous."

On the phone, Fisk further explains that the word came up when he had his first lesson with the great American bassist Gary Peacock. At one point during the lesson, which took place backstage at Birdland in New York City, Peacock said that if you trust in yourself and fellow players, there are no trainwrecks in music. The word also has personal resonance for Fisk as a metaphor for life and the challenge of persevering in down times. About a year ago his brother Peter committed suicide. In the liner notes, Fisk dedicated the recording to his brother.

As part of the healing process after his brother's death, Fisk reached a point where he wanted "some peace". The trio-Fisk on double bass, pianist Chris Gestrin and drummer Tom Foster-immaculately creates and sustains that reflective mood on affecting tunes such as "Some Sort of Spiritual" and "All is Said and Done" by Fisk along with "Comfortably Alone" and "Closing In" by Gestrin. Other songs, like "Big Foot" by Paul Bley, are more up-tempo. Regardless of the pace, the trio members play with a striking mutual awareness. Each musician also solos with authority throughout Trainwrecks.

Fisk was born in Halifax. He's part of a musical family, including his brothers Steve (a Vancouver-based guitarist) and Tim (a drummer in Calgary). Together with Peter, who played sax, they used to have brotherly jam sessions. The Fisk I'm writing about studied music at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia before moving to Vancouver in 1995. He started playing with Gestrin that summer and they formed the trio with Foster the following year.

The 31-year-old bassist received a Canada Council grant to study with Peacock, who has played in classic trios with Bill Evans, Paul Bley and Keith Jarrett. The profound experience with Peacock, along with Fisk's ongoing work in Michael Kaeshammer's trio, has helped him develop an individual style and added to a deep appreciation for the trio format. "I like the interaction that the trio setting provides," says Fisk, who released Trainwrecks on his Plunge Records label.

Fisk and the trio will celebrate the CD release by performing May 5 at the Cellar. As part of the jazz festival, the group will also open for Kate Hammett-Vaughan and Karin Plato June 28 at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre.

***

Coastal Jazz and Blues Society has announced four Orpheum shows in this summer's Vancouver International Jazz Festival: Dianne Reeves, Dave Brubeck, Omara Portuondo and the music of Gavin Bryars featuring Holly Cole. Coastal will announce the full line-up May 1. But for weeks vancouverjazz.com has been publishing an unofficial list of artists performing at the festival, culled from tour itineraries on the Internet. Brian Nation, the man behind vancouverjazz.com, received an e-mail from the society's John Orysik asking him to refrain from publishing the list. Yet the list remains.

While it's understandable that Orysik is concerned about the dissemination of inaccurate scoops on artists, which is always a possibility when getting news from the Net, he shouldn't try to control information that's readily available if you know where to look. With that in mind, here's an unofficial list of some artists coming to the festival, based on info from their own websites: Pat Martino in a trio including Joey DeFrancesco, Renee Rosnes, Kenny Werner, D.D. Jackson, Dave Holland, Jane Bunnett, Maraca, Los Hombres Calientes and Sex Mob.

***

World music alert:

Sumalao will perform a special concert May 4 at the Vancouver Playhouse. Special because the show will celebrate Sumalao's 10th anniversary as one of the best local groups fusing Latin American sounds. The performance will also feature a 15-piece version of the band, led by guitarist Hugo Guzmán, who is originally from Chile. Call (604) 257-0366 for tickets.

Oliver Mtukudzi and his group Black Spirits will perform May 10 at the Vogue Theatre. The singer/guitarist, who has released more than 40 recordings since the late '70s, is one of Zimbabwe's greatest artists. Mtukudzi's latest release, Vhunze Moto on Putamayo, exemplifies his soulful voice on lyrics that insightfully address Zimbabwe's troubles. The album also contains stirring rhythms and engaging melodies. Victoria's Zimfusion!, which plays Zimbabwean roots music on instruments including marimba and percussion, and Vancouver's WRDP Drummers will open the show. Call (604) 280-4444 for tickets.

Finally, Pandit Jasraj will perform May 12 at the Michael J. Fox Theatre in Burnaby. Jasraj is an incomparable Indian classical singer. Call (604) 879-8319 for tickets.