chris wong in sync

Since moving to New York in 1985, with a Canada Council grant to study jazz piano, Renee Rosnes has performed in a lot of places. The pianist has played in NYC's premier jazz clubs and concert halls, in venues across North America, and in Europe and Asia. But one place where Rosnes hasn't done a gig is North Vancouver, where she developed her appreciation for jazz as a student at Handsworth Secondary School.

So Rosnes' concert June 30 at the Capilano College Performing Arts Theatre, the final show in the North Shore Jazz component of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, will be a homecoming of sorts. She doesn't have any family left in North Van, but her former band director, Bob Rebagliati, still teaches at Handsworth. Rosnes always thanks Rebagliati in the liner notes to her albums. "He had such a passion for jazz and was able to impart that to his students in a really wonderful way," she says on the phone from her home in West Orange, New Jersey. "I think he was unique as a teacher because he made me aware of the whole tradition and history of the music when I was first starting to learn jazz."

Rosnes has engagingly explored the jazz tradition in her work as a sidewoman with greats such as Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson and J.J. Johnson and on her fine albums as a leader. Her latest release, Life on Earth, represents the pianist's most visionary interpretation of that tradition. Rosnes wrote and arranged songs for the album that effectively integrate world music and jazz. The compositions range from "Empress Afternoon", featuring tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, to "Hanuman", which includes Brazilian percussion by Duduka Da Fonseca and a sample of the monkey chant from the Balinese kecak ritual. Another track, "The Quiet Earth", involves six string players. There are also piano trio pieces, such as "Ballad of the Sad Young Men". Among the accomplished jazz instrumentalists who contribute are bassists John Patitucci and Christian McBride, Steve Turre on trombone and shells, and Rosnes' husband Billy Drummond on drums.

"It really just grew out of different relationships with various musicians and wanting to collaborate and do something a little different," says Rosnes of Life on Earth. "It began with the compositions and having ideas about writing for some different instruments and different grooves than I had been doing in the past."

Despite the diversity of global influences, Life on Earth maintains a clear continuity. "I would say the rhythm probably dictated how it was all tied together. But I didn't worry too much about having it all sound the same. I just didn't think that was a priority. I was looking to achieve the best musical sound possible or the best group sound within each composition."

Although jazz harmony and improvisation is at the core of the album, jazz purists might be reluctant to embrace the music. "I think people tend to really enjoy it or have a very distinct dislike for it, which doesn't surprise me. You can never please everybody and I don't even worry about that. I just do what I like to do. I really believe that if the music is honest and it's coming from a genuine place within you, that's all that matters, and that's what ends up touching people."

At Cap College with her band-Drummond, saxophonist Walt Weiskopf and bassist Mike McGuirk-Rosnes won't play tunes like "Empress Afternoon". Those songs really require the specific musicians and instruments they were composed for. But the quartet will perform a range of repertoire, including material from Life on Earth, which conveys the focused radiance of her piano style. On tunes like her arrangement of Manuel de Falla's "Nana", Rosnes' playing sounds more satisfyingly lyrical than ever.

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North Shore Jazz is a tremendous addition to this year's jazz festival. The festival within a festival, which began with concerts featuring Chris Barber with Sweet Papa Lowdown and Kenny Werner with the Brad Turner Trio, continues with shows including Mose Allison (June 23, Capilano College Performing Arts Theatre) and Linton Garner's tribute to his brother Erroll (June 29, Cap College). The North Shore series, produced by Fiona Black and Kevin Mooney in partnership with Coastal Jazz & Blues Society, will hopefully be an annual event.

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If large ensembles are your thing, the jazz festival offers inviting options featuring top Vancouver players. They include: John Korsrud's Orquesta Goma Dura (June 23, Performance Works); the Jill Townsend Big Band (June 24, the Cellar); NOW Orchestra's 25th anniversary concert with pianist Marilyn Crispell (June 27, Vancouver East Cultural Centre); the Tony Wilson Tentet (June 29, Roundhouse); Korsrud's Hard Rubber Orchestra (June 29, Roundhouse); and bassist Chuck Israels with the Vancouver Little Big Band (June 29, Van East Cultural Centre).

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Caravan World Rhythms will celebrate its second anniversary of presenting world music, dance and arts by putting on a concert and dance July 6 featuring Les Yeux Noirs. This terrific group from France, led by two violin-playing brothers, passionately plays Romany (Gypsy) and Yiddish music. Vancouver's Mad Pudding will open the highly danceable show at the Polish Community Centre (4015 Fraser). Call (604) 734-7907 for tickets.