2008 Edmonton Jazz Festival

The Edmonton Jazz Festival kicked off on Friday - unfortunately I was out of town, but I did catch a couple of shows on Saturday night. Four Corners Quartet brought the music of St Albert to Edmonton. Jonny McCormack, who leads the thursday Jams (Jonny Mac Attack) at the Castle Rock in St Albert brought the Four Corners Quartet to Hulberts. Khi Matthu on bass, Ian Morris on drums and Steve Frise on guitar. The place was packed with an appreciative crowd as the quartet gave two encores. I'm not sure what the upstairs neighbors thought - Hulbert's usually shuts the music down at 10:00 to give them some rest. Maybe they were downstairs enjoying the fantastic music. Hulbert's has Jazz this coming Thursday - Nathan Ouelette Trio, Friday - Brett Miles Quartet and Saturday - Geo K's fantastic guitar in the World Explorations Jazz Trio.

Jeffrey's Cafe has has the Jazz Diva series this week. I caught a few notes from Lorna Lampman late Saturday. You can catch Rhonda Withnell on Tuesday (I've already booked my table), Rollanda Lee on Thursday, Shelley Jones on Friday and Helena Magerowski on Saturday. Fans of vocal jazz will get their fill this week before the summer jazz drought hits.

Four Corners Quartet photos Slideshow
Lorna Lampman photos

The Edmonton Jazz Festival Society is putting on a stellar series of shows this week, check them out at Edmonton Jazz Festival website, or pick up a program at one of the locations around the city.

Nextfest 2008 Opening Night

Last night I took in the opening ceremonies of Nextfest 2008, as well as a couple of Nextfest shows. There was beer (not free) and pizza (free) for all, courtesy of sponsors Pizza 73 and Sleemans. The Roxy was packed with artists and supporters of the arts community.

ihuman was rapping up the stage as we waited for the ceremonies to start. Then Freshly Squeezed hip-hopped like never before. I have seen them a few times, and they are getting better and better.

The opening ceremonies introduced us to sponsors, and some of the artists participating in the festival. There were thankfully no long speeches -- the Enbridge representative summed it up "you didn't come here to listen to me". Then on with the shows!

I watched Scratch improvise a multi-person, multi-plot story, often 'changing places' like tag team wrestlers. Pure magic -- you have to see it to believe it. They had some 'equipment problems', which they deftly wove into the performance. It was like a good murder mystery, where you can see the end coming, but you cannot guess how them might get there -- and neither can they!

Then I watched Linda Turnbull perform Masked Memory, part of the Choreographer's Playground. This piece has been evolving for some time, and a smaller, earlier version was performed at the Mile Zero Salon series event Lost and Found . At Nextfest, Linda was able to work with a full suite of staging, lighting, and sound technicians to create a more rich performance. Masked Memory has evolved into a stark performance, that has a lot of emotional punch at the end.

Lastly, the James Murdoch band took us into the night with music in the Roxy lobby. I do like to leave musical performances before they end - so I left humming the tunes of James Murdoch band. Quite an evening.

Nextfest continues thru to June 15th, with something for everyone. You can check out a single show, or two - many shows are free. Or for a measly $40, you can pick up the pass and see as many shows as you like. I've got mine. Maybe I'll see you there.

2008_05_22 Lydia's in Saskatoon

I happened to be walking down Broadway, when I heard music. I have an ear for 'live music' and this was definately live - a keyboard. I turned and went up some stairs to a bar - Lydia's. No music. Then I heard it again, in a side door. Up another flight of stairs, and I saw Danielle French. hmm... Karen Kosowski was performing, Danielle and Rozalind MacPhail were waiting their turn. I snapped a few pics with my G9, and had to leave for a moment. I was back in 10 minutes. As I left, Danielle launched into her 'tribute to Tom Waits' tune, and it kept music in my head as I drove across town and back. When I got back, the same parking spot was still empty. I love Saskatoon!

Danielle, Rozalind and Karen are doing a cross country (well, Vancouver to Toronto anyway) tour. I had just happened on them by a fortunate chance. I managed to hear most of the (second?) set before they stopped to head off to Regina for a sleep before a performance in Winnipeg tomorrow.

Rozalind plays flute and guitar, and a strange computer beast - intersting sounds she gets from it. Karen on keyboards and vocals. Danielle on guitar and vocals. They took turns, with Rozalind often joining in with her flute to add some richness to their music.

Photos SLIDESHOW

Greg Cockerill and Pat Phillips at Earls on 16th

Live music at Earls? In Calgary? Who'da thunk it? We cruised into Earls and saw the flier advertising live music on Mondays. Hmm... I thought -- to bad it isn't Monday. We had just ordered our drinks when the distinctive sounds of live music came thru the din of workday done shooter contests. I guess it is Monday.

One of the booths was full of instruments and electronics. The music was well suited to a Calgary Earls. Guitar, drums, an occasional harmonica, vocals of mostly cover tunes. In the Early Mornin' Rain -- to I'm Still in Love With You. With two wide-screen tv's running behind, from football to wrestling -- seemed strangley normal for Calgary. A few customers were listening, but most seemed simply glad to be away from work on a long weekend.

One of the curious things I have noted about Calgary is the absence of children in 'public' places. Earls was full of 'twenty-somethings', not a single child and hardly anyone over 40. I felt a bit out of place. But the food was Earl's consistent. I generally have the Quesedillas - but decided on a burger this evening(with Stella of course). Excellent quality, consistent food and service -- and now, music on Mondays. Check it out.

Photos SLIDESHOW

2008_05_17 Céline La Coste at Beat Niq

I arrived a bit late at Beat Niq - more so because of the destruction on 9th ave, searching for a parking spot... Lucky for me, Céline delivered a long set, so I got lots of time to listen (and take pictures). Céline grew up French, and said she didn't learn English until the 4th grade - she sings in Spanish and Portugese (Jobim of course) as well. She was well supported by local musicians Egor Ukoloff on piano, Gerry Hebert on sax, James Bailey on guitar (nice solo), Mark Johnson on bass and Luis Angel on percussion. They were all enjoying the performance and the music.

Céline has a beautiful voice and fun stage presence. The club was full, and the crowd enjoyed her tunes and stage banter. As the set ended, she let the 'band' do a tune as she went out into the audience to say hello to old friends and to make new friends.

Photos SLIDESHOW

2008_05_15 Jazz at Kit's on 16th - the manic thematic trio

Cindy Mcleod told be a few months ago that she was starting up some jazz on Thursday nights at Kit's on 16th. I arrived late on the 15th - after having a great dinner at Buon Giourno with family. Cindy was not there, but Mark D'Angelo gave me a friendly greeting.

I missed the manic thematic trio when they were in Edmonton, so it was nice to catch a bit of them at Kit's. On stage, Ralf Buschmeyer was leading with his guitar, supported by John Hyde on bass and Andy Ericson on drums. I always enjoy Ralf's smooth sound, and he is so hard working it seems I run into him every second time I'm down in Calgary -- and occasionally in Edmonton as well. Funnily enough I heard John Hyde the night before at Beat Niq's Swing Dance evening. As far as I know, I've only heard Andy once, when he played the 2006 C-Jazz festival with the Jeff Hendrick Group. He also works with a lot of other musicians in performanc and studio. The group was playing original music, but it sounded smooth and familiar - they were obviously having a good time as well. You can check out thier sound at CD Baby

Kit's jazz room is in the basement. A few weeks ago, I took in their Saturday afternoon Blues Jam - very loud! Jazz in the basement was much more 'listenable' - especially with this trio on deck.

If you're looking for a jazz fix on a weeknight, check out Kit's on 16th - downstairs, enter thru the back. You won't be sorry. Kit's on 16th website

Photos SLIDESHOW

Piq Niq, Beat Niq - jazz, song and dance

I'm on the road for a few days, so Edmonton Stages will be 'stages visited by an Edmontonian'. Last night I visited Piq Niq restaruant - had the Steak Frites 'medium rare' - excellent food and service. Mari Jo de Waal sang jazz standards, with Kevin Smith accompanied on guitar, from a corner so small they had to take turns to get in and out.

Then I slipped downstairs to Beat Niq to catch a bif of the Swing Dance party. John Hyde, John de Waal, Derek Stoll and Gerry Hebert provide music for swing dance. It was nice to see some of the Juno banners still decorating the space. it was early, and the crowd hand`t gathered yet. The music was danceable, and when `Stars Fell on Alabama`. Two couples came to the floor to show us thier swing dance moves. It was getting late so I left them to party into the night.

Beat Niq / Piq Niq photos
Piq Niq Slideshow Beat Niq Slideshow

Piq Niq is a quiet oasis of music and food a half block off the noise and drunkenness of Stephen Avenue. Beat Niq is the jazz club in the basement, you can enter thru the restaurant or thru the alley door. You can order Piq Niq food from Beat Niq if you are hungry -- or eat upstairs and slip downstairs afterwards for more jazz

Piq Niq / Beat Niq website