Number 1
April 12, 2001
When I left my days at Terminal City behind more than two
years ago, I didn't get a chance to say goodbye in (or to!) the column
I wrote there which was entitled "Jazzie". Maybe it's fate,
but perhaps there was a reason for going quietly from the pages of TC
and you're reading it. For those of you who remember Terminal City (1990-1999
R.I.P., though a version is on the web - see "Related links"),
I wrote a weekly column which was a grab bag of mostly musical subjects
that evolved along with my taste from various forms of pop, rock and alternative
music to being pretty much all about jazz. In a way this column is a resurrection
of "Jazzie", at least in the sense of walking around ears wide
open to take in everything possible, and aims to be a reflection and chronicling
of the amazing sounds going on in this city and beyond. I'm pretty excited
to "be back" and am thankful to vancouverJazz's Brian
Nation for the opportunity, and am awed by the above-and-beyond support
he continually gives to jazz in Vancouver. And to all of this city's wonderful
musicians who continue to take us music fans to both places uncharted
and on comfortingly familiar journeys alike, thank you for the inspiration
to try to capture the music in some small way in order to share those
magical experiences with others.
Wotta weekend coming up. Friday the 13th is lucky lucky lucky this time
around with a coupla huge sell-out shows, one jazz and one, well, not.
And while I’ll be at the ‘not’ (U2 at GM Place) with a lucky last-minute
ticket (sell-out, my ass!), I’m gonna see if I can go two for two and
find my way into the ‘one jazz’, which is, of course Medeski, Martin
& Wood at the Commodore. What a completely insane night that would
be! Saw MMW last time they were around in ’97 I think it was (?) and was
too hyper to fall into the groove and just go with it. I’m guessing I
wasn’t breathing in hard enough and will not make that mistake if I am
blessed with entrance this time. I wonder if bar sales are affected at
this kind of heavy groove show, what with everyone disobeying several
no-smoking laws and all…
Not going to either of the above? Plenty of other stuff going on. Try
the Bruno Hubert Trio funking down some ‘standards’ at the Sugar
Refinery. (Hubert, Fender Rhodes; Karlis Silins, bass; Jeff Sulima,
bass). The programme is set around rare Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver and
Thelonious Monk compositions. If you’ve ever heard Hubert, you know what
a delight it is to not only listen to his edgy, offbeat phrasing, but
to witness him hunched over the keyboard, curled fingers hovering in such
anticipation of a surprise attack. Never fails to bring a happy smirk
to the listener’s face. 10pm start. Cover should be $5 (maybe $6, and
ya, it’s worth the ‘extra’ buck if that’s the case).
Just out the back and across the alley’ll getcha right where ya wanna
be for a fairly rare Peggy Lee Band appearance at the place known
as 1067. Lee’s gorgeous music is a combination of writing for the
right players in mind to bring it to life, and the men surrounding her
have the skills and the soul to back her up on those warm explorations
she’s always taking them on. With Dylan van der Schyff (drums); Chris
Tarry (electric bass); Tony Wilson (guitar); Jeremy Berkman (trombone);
Brad Turner (trumpet). Door at 9pm, show at 10pm, be forewarned it is
a non-smoker as everyone knows children shouldn’t smoke, least of all
when they’re in the womb, and seeing as Lee is about eight months’ pregnant
(congratulations!)… The night will cap off with a second set by guitar
duo Tony Wilson and Ron Samworth, who always provide the kind of
earth-and-stars colliding experience that is the basis for a great trip.
Step outside briefly first for a breath of fresh air and take a gander
up at the night sky if at all possible to prep for this one. Second set
will go down around 11:30 or 12:00. $5 at the door plus $1 annual membership.
When you wake up Saturday in time for dinner, float on over to O’Doul’s
for a little dose of lovin’ in the form of standards a la Ms. Kate
Hammett-Vaughan with her Trio, as they finish up a three-night stand
at the swank yet down-home vibed restaurant. No cover. Great wine selection.
Very attentive bar service. Close proximity to the band. What the hell
else is there? 8pm-12am.
Next stop is the Sugar Refinery, cause, of course, you won’t be
ready to sleep yet, now will you? Hitting it til around 2:00 or 2:30am
for the second Saturday of a month-long stand at the Shug is JazzMatik.
The quartet consists of Mike Zachernuk, trumpet; James Danderfer, tenor
sax; Karlis Silins, bass; and Jeff Sulima, drums, and the repertoire is
Mingus, Kenny Dorham, Horace Silver and the like. Last Saturday’s show
was pretty sweet, with some great horn interaction and harmonies and it’s
gonna get better and better each Saturday. It’s awesome to see some new
groups coming up to energize the scene. Not to mention how great 10pm-2:00
or 2:30ish music gods willing! $5 cover.
Don’t forget Sunday is a holiday of sorts, and that means the hordes will
descend upon The Cellar for Organ By Donation as lead by
the one and only Chris Gestrin on the Hammond B3. I’m sure he’s
got something up his sleeve for this special Easter Service, but I don’t
know what it is so I can’t tell you. 8:00pm start. $5. It’s just really
important to be there. Ok? THIS JUST IN: I have been informed that Mike
Kenney will be in the house in Gestrin’s absence this Sunday, April 15
with Mike Allen and an unnamed drummer visiting from Seattle. Fresh blood.
Sounds good!
Next
week I am beside myself anticipating the long overdue, er… awaited return
engagement of Diversions to the local stage, this time at The
Cellar on Thursday, April 19. It has been far too long and undoubtedly
leader and chief songwriter saxist Jon Bentley will hit us with some kickin’
new material (wheeee!) and some Diversions’ classics. Diversions is one
of those rare groups that clicks every time. You go into the show knowing
it’s going to be great, but they always one-up your memory of the last
gig, taking it up a notch or two and blowing your mind with their really
cool modern, yet based-in-tradition sound so gelled that it belies their
mere three years as a unit. Those boys got so much soul and tha’s what
it’s all about. (Chris Gestrin, keyboards; Bernie Arai, drums.) 9:00pm
show. $10/$8 students. Best make a reservation for dinner or you might
miss out, 738-1959.
(Info/tix: offthefly.com/diversions,
cellarjazz.com)
It’s a perfect segue from Diversions, the coolest group in town, to Metalwood,
the coolest group around (when they get together, which is a little less
rare these days!), like next Friday, April 20 at Capilano College Performing
Arts Theatre. The bonus of them having played quite a few gigs already
this year is they’re well-rehearsed and in tight together for some adventurous
improvising. (Brad Turner, trumpet/keyboards; Mike Murley, saxes; Chris
Tarry, electric bass; Ian Froman, drums). Get your tickets early as this
will sell out. 8:00pm. $22/$16 students at 990-7810.
See you out there!
Related links:
(will open in new window)
Terminal City
O'Doul's
The Cellar
Diversions
Metalwood
Medeski, Martin...
jazzie archive:
2002
6 Jazz Fest Diary
Photo of Diversions (Jon Bentley - sax; Chris
Gestrin - keyboards; Bernie Arai - drums)
by Josephine Ochej
Writer/Photographer Josephine Ochej is a regular contributor to The Jazz Review, the Westender and Coda Magazine.