chris wong in sync
In Sync debuted in November 1996 with a column on the lack of jazz venues in Vancouver and the Pacific Jazz Inventors Association, which formed to support local jazz musicians. The association didn't end up amounting to much, but the shortage of jazz venues has been an issue, so my first piece was at least partially pertinent.
From there I plunged into the local scene, mainly focusing on the musicians themselves. On the jazz front, I wrote about instrumentalists and singers who stay close to the music's tradition and others who expand the tradition with bold creativity. On the world music side, I went far afield, to artists who perform flamenco, Persian music, tango, Chinese music, salsa, Brazilian music, gamelan, West African music, klezmer and other genres. Some electronica even got thrown in the mix. (To its credit the Courier never questioned my wide-ranging choice of topics.)
Listening to recordings and attending gigs by these artists, as well as interviewing many of them, has affirmed the remarkable character of our jazz and world music scene. I've been struck by how the musicians form a cohesive community and are open to crossing cultures and sharing ideas. The list of Vancouver artists who have moved me with their music is too long to recite, but I'm especially grateful that I was able to get to know and write about the late Kathy Kidd, who epitomized this open spirit.
Beyond the performers, I've connected with local venue owners, concert promoters, record label types, radio producers and hosts, publicists, music educators and others who contribute a great deal to the scene. It's been particularly encouraging to see the emergence of the Cellar as Vancouver's prime jazz venue and vancouverjazz.com as our most indispensable website.
Festivals may best reflect the quality of a scene. I can unequivocally declare that we have excellent festivals presenting jazz and world music, including the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Vancouver Folk Music Festival. Sacred World Music Festival and Festival Vancouver.
This brings me to Coastal Jazz and Blues Society. My relationship with Coastal has been strained at times. In fact Ken Pickering, the society's artistic director, called me a "pseudo jazz critic" in a letter to the editor. While I didn't always agree with Coastal's musical choices, I have a lot of respect for what the organization has accomplished and stands for.
Some things I won't miss: dealing with the minority of individuals who misguidedly believe they have a God-given right to coverage, and of course deadlines. But while I'll continue to write articles on specific artists, from here and elsewhere, I will miss being plugged in to an amazing scene that deserves heartfelt support.
Some concert notes:
Quest, Amir Koushkani's 1998 album on the Vancouver-based Songlines label, still stands out as an extraordinarily affecting recording. Alight, the debut release by Safa - Koushkani on tar, setar and vocals, clarinetist François Houle and percussionist Sal Ferreras - makes an equally profound impact. Also on Songlines, Alight captures the extraordinary affinity between the trio members on music primarily rooted in the Persian tradition, with a strong emphasis on improvisation. Given the music's spiritual intimacy, Safa's Oct. 9 concert at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre should be a singular experience.
Ian McDougall, the Victoria-based trombonist with the superbly warm sound, will lead a 20-piece big band Oct. 11 at the Van East Cultural Centre. The program will include the Canadian premiere of "No Passport Required", a suite by McDougall that the BBC Big Band performed in the UK.
Flamenco de la Mision will perform Oct. 12 at the Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver. Led by guitarist Ricardo Diaz and singer Cristo Cortes, the group will include acclaimed Spanish dancer Andrés Marín and other performers of raw flamenco. Call (604) 984-4484 for tickets.
To Be Ornette To Be - drummer Bernie Arai, saxophonist Jon Bentley, Brad Turner on pocket trumpet and bassist Darren Radtke - will perform Ornette Coleman's music Oct. 17 at the Cellar.
Finally, Drumming on the Canvas, a group art exhibit and concert
series, runs Oct. 18-Nov. 1 at the Ironworks (235 Alexander). Concerts
in the series (all starting at 9:30 p.m.) will feature Spacious Couch
(Oct. 18), the John Gilliat Group (Oct. 25) and Tango Paradiso (Nov.
1). Go to http://www.turnerme.com/current/index.shtml
for details.