chris wong in sync

I recently did some jury duty. No, not the courtroom kind, but a panel that the Pacific Music Industry Association convened on behalf of the Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent on Record (FACTOR). Participating in the jury, which evaluated applications from jazz musicians for recording loans, revealed insights about what sets apart above-average artists from mediocre ones.

My fellow jurors and I arrived at our decisions by considering written submissions and recorded examples by the artists. We weren’t supposed to compare the applicants, but it was hard not to. It was soon clear that advanced technique wasn’t necessarily the reason why certain applicants made the cut. Especially with the singers, it often had more to do with an ability to convey life experience – real or imagined – through distinctive music.

Dawn Aitken (not one of the FACTOR applicants) has that ability. The singer shows it throughout Be Cool, her impressive debut album. Highlights include standards like "The Nearness of You" and tunes from the pop world such as the title track by Joni Mitchell. Aitken’s dynamic phrasing, tone and overall character suggest she’s paid her dues in the vocal craft and drawn from that experience to develop an engaging sound. This sophisticated yet playful quality compelled me to pay attention to Be Cool. Aitken must be doing something right – no less than five members of Vancouver’s lackadaisical music media showed up at Rossini’s Gastown for her CD release party.

I don’t think any of us had ever heard of Aitken before the disc came out. In Toronto, she put in a lot of time doing jingles and voiceovers for radio and television. She also worked in musical theatre and in the intimate cabaret setting. "That was my classroom," says Aitken. "That’s where I learned to choose material." She lived in Halifax for a while before moving to Vancouver about two years ago.

Aitken has kept a low profile here, partially out of necessity; she’s a single mom. That obscure status will change as more people discover Be Cool, which also has a soulful version of "Smilin’ Faces", a hit for Motown’s Undisputed Truth in 1971. But is it jazz? A woman from Cape Breton talked to Aitken after she performed in a Halifax club. After emphasizing that her husband was the jazz fan, the woman said: "If this is jazz, I like it." Ditto for me.

I used to look down at the notion of going to the Hot Jazz Club (2120 Main). A place for old farts to hear stale music, I thought. But I enjoyed Chris Barber and Sweet Papa Lowdown at the club in September. The couples tearing it up on the dance floor were also charming.

Now that I’m over my bias I can recommend Lloyd Arntzen’s Classic Jazz Band, Nov. 3 at the Hot Jazz. The septet doesn’t play mouldy Dixieland. The band’s repertoire emphasizes traditional New Orleans jazz, such as classic songs by Louis Armstrong and Johnny Dodds. Arntzen, a 73-year-old clarinetist, soprano saxophonist and patriarch of a musical family, has been exuberantly playing this style for more than 50 years. The band also includes longtime contributors to the local jazz scene, pianist Doug Parker and trombonist Jack Fulton, as well as cornetist Alan Matheson, bassist Rick Kilburn, drummer Gary Massatto and vocalist Georgina Betts.

Meanwhile Fulton leads the WOW big band Tuesdays at the Hot Jazz. The band is one of Vancouver’s best-kept jazz secrets. Veteran performers like Arnie Chycoski, the legendary lead trumpeter who worked with Rob McConnell, and Al Wold play swinging arrangements alongside younger musicians such as Bill Coon. The night I heard WOW the audience was sparse, but those that showed up still made good use of the dance floor.

Coastal Jazz & Blues Society presents three world music concerts in one week: Trilok Gurtu (Nov. 6, Vogue Theatre), Bebel Gilberto (Nov. 8, Vogue) and Shakti (Nov. 12, Orpheum Theatre). But another worthwhile event takes place Nov. 5 at the Vogue: Gitana Flamenca, Soul of the Gypsy Woman. The Caravan Productions show features singer Tomasa La Macanita, who appeared in Carlos Saura’s excellent film Flamenco, and dancer Concha Vargas. La Macanita’s album Con El Alma confirms that the singer performs authentic flamenco with powerful intensity. Experiencing her live, together with Vargas and accompanists such as guitarists and singers, will be a rare treat.

The handbill for Tropicalismo at MC’s (695 Cambie) says the Latin jazz night features "Jack Duncan and friends." Actually, that was printed before Duncan left for a long cruise ship gig. So now it’s more accurate to say the night features friends of Jack Duncan. Whatever. Lou Mastroianni, Al Johnston and Phil Belanger – members of groups including Grupo Jazz Tumbao, Shango Ashé and La Clavé – along with the conga players they’re bringing in to replace Duncan know their Afro-Cuban Latin jazz. So check them out Nov. 3 and Nov. 10. If there’s enough support, Tropicalismo will keep going indefinitely on Friday nights.

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