It’s a jam-packed weekend of shows at Downtown Jazz! Our programmer Cole Schmidt will walk you through some highlights of the free Downtown Jazz shows happening on Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday June 23
Leah Abramson’s Song for a Lost Pod (Robson Stage, 1:30pm)
In the summer of 2013 I lived in Montreal and used Leah’s latest release at the time, Late Riser, almost daily to battle any ounce of homesickness that might creep in. Later in my adventures I travelled to New York City and met another fan of hers that told me all her previous albums were “sooo much better.” To me it was just a reminder that I had showed up late to some really good music. For those that love drawing lines between genres, Leah’s thing might not fall quickly under the “jazz” umbrella, but her writing has always been drenched in creativity and sounds like Vancouver to me. For this performance she is joined by a cast of well-rounded local musicians, including eight vocalists and a narrator, eager to execute her latest vision. Anyone who saw this group perform at the WISE Hall last year will certainly have it clocked on their festival agenda.
Ted Crosby’s Revival Ensemble (Georgia Stage, 2:15pm)
Ted was born in Vermont. We met when he lived in Montreal. He has been coming to Vancouver for years now to collaborate with different people and groups. He is now Toronto-based, and they are lucky to have him. Both he and I discovered last year that Duke Ellington’s Far East Suite was one of those crucial albums early on that lead us down the wretched jazz path. He has dedicated mountains of time over the last year arranging and de-arranging the music from the classic Duke album for a touring group that includes improvising musicians from all three Canadian cities mentioned above, as well as guest saxophonist from Sweden, Lisen Rylander Löve.
Enemy Pigeon (Robson Stage, 3pm)
Kevin Romain is a good guy who plays great drums in some fantastic bands. Enemy Pigeon is one of his latest projects that stems from high-energy jazz that allows its players the freedom to speak up whenever they feel compelled. The players in this band are described as “emerging” to the scene, but in truth, they’ve all been making great music in Vancouver for years now. This will be a fun set to catch.
Sonny’s Cousin (Robson Stage, 5:00pm)
Ingrid won’t remember this, but she played a brief but positive part in shaping my concept of what jazz might be. When I was 12, I attended a summer music camp in Kamloops where she taught the big band. She clearly knew how to direct that music, but more importantly for me, she shared with us some of the different projects she was a part of, which at the time involved working with electronic musicians and DJs. For this project she is joined by local talent and trumpet-man/composer Dan Hersog who has recently moved back to BC since graduating from the New England Conservatory. We went to jazz school together and his jokes made some of those early morning classes a little more tolerable.
Ghost-Note (Georgia Stage, 7:30pm)
We had the odd pleasure of hearing this band perform last year in Victoria at Hermann’s Jazz Club. I’d be lying if I said that they were the perfect fit for that room. I’d also be lying if I pretended like I even had a clue what the perfect fit for that room might be. Either way, if you like to dance and have a funky good time to a great band on a big outdoor stage, complimented by the sound of Prince’s final bassist, Mono-Neon, go hear this group. I’d be lying if told you I liked to dance and have a funky good time, but I’m excited to hear them again in a far more appropriate setting.
Sunday June 24
Natasha D’Agostino Quartet (Robson Stage, noon)
I have only had the pleasure of hearing Natasha sing live a few times now, but am excited to check out more of what she does. To my ears she blends easily within an ensemble setting (hear her perform with Parker Woods’ Otra on June 25), while contributing lots of creative strength through her improvising. For this show, she’ll be leading her own group and performing tunes from her debut album, Endings Rarely Are.
Star System plays the Music of Sun Ra (Georgia Stage, 12:30pm)
Dan Gaucher is a special drummer and composer, who we don’t get to hear as often as we used to since his great departure into island living. Treat yourself to hearing a catalogue of music he shows great care for. Bringing us the music of Sun Ra with an army of local misfit jazz invaders, listeners can expect great attention to arrangements mixed with full blown abandon into outer space. Dan knows his Sun Ra and he also knows the players he has asked to celebrate that music with him for this performance.
Malleus Trio (Robson Stage, 5:00pm)
These three have been making music together now for nearly 10 years, while steadily working as individual players with countless other bands in various genres. They have recently released their first full-length recording, which sounds like they still have a lot of trust and excitement to perform together.
Ndidi O (Georgia Stage, 7:30pm)
If I remember correctly, this will be the first show for Ndidi at the jazz fest since 2013. She used to live, play, and record in Vancouver often, but has since moved around our globe, sharing her music and charisma with plenty. For this performance she will be reunited with long time Vancouver musicians buds, including vocalist Jessicka, and playing tunes from her new album, These Days.
For more information & a full schedule, click here.
Plus New Special Event: Doxa Documentary Film Festival Screening
Stay out past the live music and watch Maciek Bochniak’s fascinating documentary Ethiopiques: Revolt of the Soul screening at Robson Square at 9:30pm.
In the late 1960s, record store owner-turned-music producer Amha Eshete noticed something strange—there was no Ethiopian music being produced and sold in his country. Herein began the birth of recorded Ethiopian music, imbued with the flavours of funk, soul and jazz. While technically illegal at the time, the music was celebrated by the people and tolerated by the country’s then-monarch. But in 1975, new governmental
powers hit the pause button on this new musical expression. Ethiopiques: Revolt of the Soul explores this rich history through a lively compilation of interviews with Eshete, Falceto, and many of the Ethiopian musicians—including Girma Bèyènè, pianist and arranger for the Walias Band.
Getting to Downtown Jazz
Interested in cycling to Downtown Jazz? We’ve got you covered with our new partnership with the folks at Bicycle Valet. They will be offering free and safe bike parking onsite. Just cycle down and look for the valet in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery along Hornby, or you can take the 2/22 bus with your bike to Robson Square. Valet services are offered from noon to 9:30pm both days to allow you to take in all the festivities!!
