2003 Vancouver International Jazz Festival Diary
Day 5- Tuesday, June 25, 2003
Have reached the dreaded mid-fest overload. Monday’s heavy music and heavy ambition to hear lots of music affected Tuesday’s ability to absorb and enjoy. So unfair what with so much more to hear and see going on. The day was also marred by a technical “glitch”, shall we say, that saw a few too many ruined frames of film than could be borne. Nothing to be done but soldier on, although I must say this will likely be the shortest report of the fest. The fest MUST go on. Oh, have heard that drummer Brian Blade (Wayne Shorter Quartet) was similarly bathed in darkness while performing recently with Daniel Lanois, so it would seem Blade prefers the lack of spotlight.
Lisa Miller Trio w/ Brad Turner
Made it in time for brief second set of piano-driven classically-informed contemporary jazz. Have heard Miller play a few times, but not with this authority or level of intensity. Quite serious stuff with a little bounce here and there, featuring a couple of tunes written for Miller and bassist Steve Smith’s recently born son Caden (complete with appropriate “ahhh’s” from the audience). Didn’t hear a whole lot of trumpeter Turner in this set, who was front and centre on one composition with some tricky charts that didn’t prove easy, and the foursome (with Dave Robbins/drums) likely didn’t have much (if any) rehearsal time on. Last song of the set was more relaxed and allowed each player to kick off the dust of a challenging set with some energetic soloing, particularly Turner, famous as a creator of thrill-ride solos.
Eric Boeren 5tet
After yesterday’s incredible Eddie Prevost Trio gig, came seeking the solace of incredible improvisers at work to sort out the brain’s current muddle. In about 15 minutes of solid, unified, pummeling compositions - which couldn’t help but have tons of room for improvising with the likes of clarinetist/alto saxist Michael Moore, drummer Han Bennink and bassist Wilbert de Joode – the path before me was clear and I knew what had to be done. Another head-shaking in astonishment experience. Looking forward to catching all of their 11pm show Wednesday night with more intact mind. (Boeren/cornet; Sean Bergin/tenor sax).
Zawinul Syndicate
Sandwiched at the front of the Commodore stage was the hot place to be when Zawinul’s international collection of young musicians went from 0 to 100 in a matter of seconds. The bubbling cauldron of this melting-pot musical stew is contagious with its effervescence and spiritual heat. Part of the fun of live music is witnessing the many forms of communication amongst musicians, and the awe with which keyboardist Joe Zawinul’s musicians look upon him and await his signals is like subjects waiting on a king. And well, he’s as close to that, and rightly so, as one can be as a jazz, etc. musician with his musical history. Saw a fiery afternoon gig at Paris Jazz last May, so was thrilled to see Zawinul, guitarist/vocalist Amit Chatterjee and percussionist Manolo Banderlo again, joined this time by bassist Etienne Mbappe; Paco Sery/drums; Sabine Kabongo/vocals, percussion. Was stunned then by Chatterjee’s beautifully clear vocal cry filled with emotion and based in traditional Indian style and was absolutely overjoyed to see him step up to the vocal mic this night and knock everyone in that room on their asses. An all-too-brief moment of reprieve from the musical gods. Didn’t want to hear anything after that, least of all a kinda soulful R&Bish number featuring vocalist Kabongo with Zawinul on keys, bassist Mbappe that was overlong and threatening to undo all the previous great stuff I’d hear, so off to the next stop.
Peggy Lee Band
In time for very short, late second set in a sleepy, warm Studio 16 that seemed like too much work too late to get through charts, but ended with a sweet, sweet composition that was so incredibly soothing as to cause immediate tension-release and extreme physical relaxation, followed by necessity for being horizontal. Beautiful finish from a stupefyingly talented sextet (Lee/cello; Tony Wilson/guitar; Brad Turner/trumpet; Jeremy Berkman/trombone; Chris Tarry/electric bass; Dylan van der Schyff/drums).
P.S. Listened to various Billie Holiday while writing this. No one understands like Billie. Then to Thievery Corporation’s “The Mirror Conspiracy” for energy factor.
Diary Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
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Diary Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
Writer/Photographer Josephine Ochej is a regular contributor to The Jazz Review, the Westender, Planet Jazz, and Coda Magazine.