chris wong in sync

After 10 days of attending the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, I did what any self-respecting music fanatic would do-go on a trip with the express purpose of hearing more music! Specifically, I went to New York City for the first time in more than a decade. I heard some fabulous sounds in the Big Apple, but going there also tangentially prompted a greater appreciation for our own music scene.

The very first night I caught the Mingus Big Band at Fez Under Time Café. The band, which features many world-class players, performed well-known and obscure tunes by Charles Mingus with total passion. A few nights later I heard another stellar large ensemble: Chico O'Farrill's Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band, at Birdland.

Other than these big bands, there weren't actually a huge number of super-creative, must-see artists playing at jazz venues. The major clubs, by the way, levy a $20-$35 music charge and a $10 drink and food minimum per person. So while New York is as exciting as it's cracked up to be, hearing a single set of music can cost a lot of coin.

That said, New York also has Tonic, the Lower East Side performance space for cutting edge jazz and other styles. For $10 (and no minimum) I got into Tonic's weekly Klezmer Brunch. I heard The Sway Machinery perform a song cycle called "I Become a Slaughterer". Not exactly the ideal music to go with your lox and bagels. But while the klezmer-rock band's aesthetic wasn't easily digestible, it was incredible to hear clarinetist David Krakauer, who sat in for one tune. Krakauer, the curator of the brunch and former Klezmatics member, played a wild solo that was worth the price of admission.

So I heard some high-level music that you can only experience in New York on a regular basis. At the same time the short trip confirmed NYC isn't always nirvana as far as musical creativity. You also don't have to fly across the continent to hear fine musicians. Many excellent players live here and perform in venues with no music charge or a cover that's minimal compared to New York rates. With that in mind, it's time to revisit some live jazz options in Vancouver.

The Cellar may or may not be able to get the license it needs to survive. In fact co-owner Cory Weeds is collecting letters of support from people who live near the Cellar and other supporters. (You can send them to Weeds at 3611 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6R 2B8.) But the Cellar hasn't stopped presenting vital music. The impressive Hepner Brothers, featuring guitarist Jeremy Hepner, Brooklyn-based saxophonist Darcy Hepner, pianist Glenna Powrie, bassist Rick Kilburn and drummer Paul Townsend will perform July 27-28.

This month O'Doul's Restaurant & Bar expanded live jazz from weekends to seven nights a week. Pianist Sharon Minemoto will play July 22 and 29. Rossini's, including Gastown and Kitsilano locations, is another worthwhile option. Singer Melinda Whitaker, who has an affinity for Nancy Wilson, will perform Aug. 10-11. Meanwhile Zev's, in the former location of Delilah's (1906 Haro), has started Sunday Jazz. Jennifer Scott and Rene Worst will be there July 29.

Alto and tenor saxophonist Masa Anzai and drummer Skye Brooks co-curate Parallelatuesdays, an opportunity every Tuesday for musicians to do nothing but improvise, at the Sugar Refinery. Anzai will perform July 24 with trumpeter Al Matheson and others in a gig that should put to rest the fallacy that straight ahead musicians and freer players can't get along.

As for free (i.e. no charge) summer performances, Eatons and Coastal Jazz and Blues Society present Windows on Jazz every Thursday (6-8 p.m.) at the downtown store's 4th floor Kitchen Theatre. Go to www.jazzvancouver.com/Concerts.cfm for the line-up. Turner Music & Events has also programmed musicians for three series: the Lonsdale Quay Summer Festival, Hungry for Jazz at the Waterfront Centre Fountain Terrace (200 Burrard), and the Piano Series at City Square (12th & Cambie). Go to http://www.turnerme.com/current/ for details.

For the best overview of live jazz options, go to the http://vancouverjazz.com/ and check the jazz calendar.

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The Mighty Popo, a Rwandan who lived in Burundi before ending up in Ottawa, incorporates an array of influences in his energetic music. Those influences range from juju, soukous and township jive to American blues, r&b and reggae. The Mighty Popo and Masabo Culture Company will perform July 25 at Richard's on Richards as part of Africa-Fete. Call Caravan World Rhythms at 734-7907 for information.

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The WOMAD USA Festival, July 27-29 in Redmond, Washington, will have its usual number of name artists. This year's festival includes Youssou N'Dour, Afro Celt Sound System, Peter Gabriel and the Neville Brothers. But I'm especially excited about hearing the event's less prominent artists. These include: violinist and oud player Simon Shaheen, whose group Qantara combines Arabic music with other styles; Amizade, featuring Brazilians Jovino Santos Neto and Eduardo Mendonça; and Greek singer Savina Yannatou, among many others.

There will also be a strong Victoria contingent, including the Puentes Brothers and Daniel Lapp's Lappelectro. Go to http://www.womad.org/usa/ for more info.