chris wong in sync
Christine Duncan
THE FIRST TIME I HEARD Christine Duncan sing was in 1996, at a party in the funky loft she shared with then-partner Sam Masich. The couple organized the gathering to raise funds for independently releasing Duncan's Different Standards album. The event was also a launch of sorts for the Pacific Jazz Inventors Association, which intended to provide performing opportunities and resources for Vancouver jazz musicians. I have little memory of what representatives from the now invisible association said that night, but I remember being impressed with Duncan's vocal range, phrasing and spirit.
Since then, Duncan has accomplished a great deal. She released Different Standards, with substantial involvement from Masich, who wrote the songs. They also self-promoted a Vogue Theatre show, featuring Duncan, which a live CD documented. As well, the singer gave a big band concert at Christ Church Cathedral, which a film crew captured for a television documentary about her.
Then there were the projects that took Duncan far beyond jazz. She sang in the new music opera The Gang. Duncan was a member of the HAL Band that performed — in Vancouver, Winnipeg and Toronto — Peter Hannan's multi-lingual survey of music from the last millennium. As part of Festival Vancouver, she collaborated with opera singer/recitalist Grace Chan on jazz, blues, folk, gospel and classical repertoire.
I'm using the past tense to refer to Duncan's work in Vancouver because she's getting out of Dodge; the 32-year-old is moving to Toronto. Duncan says she hit a "ceiling" in her artistic growth here. She also feels there's more of a population base to support the arts in TO. While the vocalist has no illusions about Toronto being nirvana, she's optimistic about her prospects. "It has a very different feel," says Duncan of the city she's heading to. "It feels alive."
At the same time, Duncan is grateful for the diverse musical life she was able to lead here. I sometimes felt her singing could use more understatement. But I've appreciated her willingness to take risks as an improviser.
Some of Vancouver's premier musicians will gather Aug. 30 at the Yale, where Duncan has done R&B with the Big Dawg Band and Incognito, to show their appreciation for the singer's contributions. Miles Black, Dave Robbins and others will share the Yale stage with Duncan. She will return Dec. 9 to perform with Masich at the Norman Rothstein Theatre in I, Pick Art, a "folk-noir" tribute to painter James Picard.
Cory Weeds and Don Guthro opened the Cellar Aug. 8, more than three weeks after their original opening date for the jazz joint, attributing the delay to the process of obtaining licenses and permits. The place was packed for the Mike Allen Trio, which will play every Tuesday at the Cellar (3611 W Broadway). Far fewer people turned out for "Organ by Donation," which will feature Chris Gestrin on the Cellar's very own Hammond B-3 organ every Sunday. But the subterranean place should do well, given its friendly vibe, enticing food and drink menu, and mandate to book Vancouver's best jazz musicians.
For information about the Cellar's lineup, send a note to cweeds@direct.ca to get on an email list, or call 738-1959.
Some soulful musicians will be in town this week. Stanley Turrentine performs Aug. 21 and 22 at Rossini's Gastown. The tenor saxophonist is a jazz legend who was a sideman with greats like Max Roach and Jimmy Smith before launching a successful solo career in the '60s. Turrentine, known for his big, bluesy sound, performs at Rossini's with his quintet. Call 408-1300 for tickets.
Walter "Wolfman" Washington and the six-piece Roadmasters will perform Aug. 22 at the Yale. The New Orleans-born guitarist/singer developed his distinctive style while playing with top Crescent City vocalists Lee Dorsey, Irma Thomas and Johnny Adanis. On The ProwI, a CD released this year that includes the best tunes from three albums Washington recorded for Rounder, serves up a hearty blues, funk and soul gumbo. Call 681YALE for information.
Coastal Jazz and Blues Society has put together its biggest ever fall concert line-up. Coastal booked so many shows that the organization will move Time Flies, traditionally held in Iate October or early November, to January. The line-up, which offers a wealth of sublime music, consists of:
- ICP Orchestra, including Misha Mengelberg and Han Bellnink, Sept. 9., St. James Community Square
- NOW Orchestra, featuring George Lewis, Sept. 16, St.James
- Cubanismo!, Sept. 18, Commodore Ballroom.
- Quarteto JobimMorelenbaum , including Antonio Carlos Jobim's son and grandson along with Caetano Veloso collaborator Jaques Morelenbaum, Sept. 29, Vogue Theatre
- Dave Holland Quintet, Oct. 27, Vogue.
- Eliades Ochoa (of Buena Vista Social Club renown), Oct. 27, Commodore.
- Trevor Watts Moiré Music , Oct. 28, Waterfront Theatre.
- Trio 3 (Oliver Lake, Reggie Workman and Andrew Cyrille), Oct. 29, Waterfront.
- Trilok Gurtu (and opener John Stetch), Nov. 6, Vogue.
- Youssou N'Dour, Nov. 11, Commodore.
- Remember Shakti, including John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain, Nov. 12, Orpheurn Theatre.
- Habib Koite plus Oumou Sangare, Nov. 26, Commodore Ballroom.
Call 872-5200 for tickets or more information
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