chris wong in sync

It's time to offer my best bets for the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, running June 21 to July 1. Given the exceptional line-up for this year's festival, it's not hard to come up with recommendations. But I still have my usual dilemmas about artists to include on the list. Do I try to incorporate musicians that reflect a diversity of styles? Do I attempt to balance selections of international players with local ones?

Instead of trying to shoehorn artists that way, what follows is a best bets list that's based on pure excitement about the music itself, as performed on recent CDs and in previous Vancouver concerts.

Dianne Reeves/Denzal Sinclaire (June 21, Orpheum Theatre): Regardless of whether they're doing jazz standards or pop-oriented material, these vocalists project a singular voice.

Kenny Werner (June 21, Vogue Theatre and June 22, Capilano College Performing Arts Theatre): The pianist's performance at last year's festival was nothing less than spellbinding.

Bugge Wesseltoft (June 21, Commodore Ballroom): I'm not sure what to expect from the Norwegian pianist, but on the strength of hearing a lengthy track by the pianist on the jazz fest sampler, I can declare that this will be killer display of electronica-infused jazz.

Mystery Groove Band (June 22, Gastown): Exuberant sets by mystery bands the last two years-Maraca in 2000 and Soulive with John Scofield last year-proved that it's well worth checking this out.

Charlie Haden's Nocturne (June 22, Vogue): Nocturne, an album of boleros, is somewhat boring. But it's hard to imagine how an all-star quintet including Haden, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and David Sanchez could suck in concert.

Jane Bunnett/Los Hombres Calientes (June 22, Commodore): Bunnett nails the Afro-Cuban thing. Los Hombres is all over the map, from Latin jazz to samba to reggae, but the band is no less infectious.

Ahmad Jamal (June 23, Vogue): I downloaded some MP3s featuring Jamal to reacquaint myself with the distinguished pianist's style. Listening to the tracks reconfirmed the timeless allure of his understated approach.

Fredrik Lundin Overdrive (June 23, Vancouver East Cultural Centre and June 22, Gastown): Lundin, a hard-swinging Danish saxophonist, leads this vibrant 11-piece band on well-textured arrangements that emphasize spirited ensemble playing and improv.

Dave Holland Quintet (June 24, Vogue): The veteran bass player's group is one of the best working bands in jazz.

Maraca/Puentes Brothers (June 24, Commodore): Maraca made a huge impact at the 2000 festival. The Puentes bros always satisfy. A dream Cuban double-bill.

Bill Frisell's Intercontinental Quartet (June 25, Vogue): I haven't heard this quartet, but a band combining Frisell with stringman Greg Leisz, Brazilian Vinicius Cantuária and Malian Sidiki Camara will undoubtedly create absorbing sounds.

Gianluigi Trovesi & Gianni Coscia (June 25, Van East Cultural Centre): Trovesi, a clarinetist, and Coscia, an accordion player, make stunningly gorgeous music together.

James Carter Organ Trio (June 25, Performance Works): In light of Carter's prowess on various saxophones, this gig is a dark horse contender on a night with many attractive options.

Pat Martino Trio (June 26, Vogue): If you could only attend one show, this would be it. There's nothing quite like hearing the legendary guitarist in full flight. Joey DeFrancesco on Hammond B-3 organ is a bonus.

Omara Portuondo (June 27, Orpheum): The Buena Vista Social Club member is an endearing diva in the true sense of the word.

Brad Mehldau Trio (June 28, Vogue): I've been to four of Mehldau's concerts, but I never get tired of hearing the pianist express his lyrically romantic aesthetic.

Kate Hammett-Vaughan/Karin Plato (June 28, Van East Cultural Centre): A great opportunity to hear two of Vancouver's most engaging singers.

Lappelectro (June 28, Performance Works): I've caught two performances by this band led by Daniel Lapp, the Victoria-based multi-instrumentalist, and both times I was blown away by the group's innovative take on jazz/world music-meets-electronica.

E.S.T. (June 29, Vogue): I predict the Swedish piano trio's opening set for Vienna Art Orchestra will be one of the festival's highlights. The group's primarily acoustic and melodic jazz makes a profound impression. Essential.

Vinicius Cantuária (June 29, Commodore): Cantuária, the New York-based singer/songwriter/guitarist who's opening for Nils Petter Molvaer, crafts melancholic songs that exemplify the harmonic depth of sublime Brazilian music.

Matthias Lupri (June 29, the Cellar/Roundhouse): This Boston-based Canadian is developing an international reputation as a superb vibraphonist. He'll play in a quintet including stellar saxophonist Mark Turner.

Renee Rosnes Quartet (June 30, Capilano College): Life on Earth, Rosnes' latest CD, affirms the pianist's increasingly distinct style. Rosnes will be extra inspired to perform in North Van, where she began developing that style.

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Aside from the jazz festival, there are some other upcoming options for hearing world-class world music. Sitar maestro Ustad Shahid Parvez will perform June 17 at Centennial Theatre. Parvez, acknowledged by Ravi Shankar as one of the premier sitar players, will perform with Pandit Anindo Chatterjee on tabla. For tickets, call the Pandit Jasraj School of Music Foundation at (604) 879-8319.

The Alcan Dragon Boat Festival, June 21-23, will run a World Beat stage at the Plaza of Nations. The stage will feature many local bands, such as Rumba Calzada, Tiller's Folly and Tzimmes. The June 21 program will end with an outdoor screening of Calle 54, the wonderful documentary on Latin jazz. Go to www.canadadragonboat.com for details.