Tag: jazz

Buy a Record, Make a Difference 22: Sharon Minemoto

Buy a Record, Make a Difference is a new series we have created to help local musicians generate income during COVID-19. It is based on the principle that we should support and reward the hard work local artists have already put into recordings, as it is an immensely difficult undertaking to be creating new material under current circumstances. There is currently a lot of emphasis on livestreaming and innovation in our industry, and while those things absolutely have their place, we think it’s also important to boost projects that have already been completed.

In each post, we’ll ask a local artist a series of the same questions, give them the opportunity to talk about recordings they’re proud of, and ask them to talk about other local musicians whose work they admire. It’s our hope that you’ll take the time to listen to & purchase the work of local artists, or at the very least share their work with others.

SHARON MINEMOTO

1. Who are you?

I am a jazz pianist/composer/instructor at VCC. I lead a trio, a quartet, and a quintet. My trio and quintet have each released one CD as well as several shows for CBC Radio. In addition to my own ensembles, I have performed in groups led by Jill Townsend, Cory Weeds, John Korsrud, James Danderfer, Laura Crema, Alan Matheson, Mike Allen, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Phoenix Chamber Choir. I’ve also been on faculty at Vancouver Community College in the school of music since 2000. 

2. Describe your music as best you can.

My compositions draw influences from a range of composers such as Duke Ellington, Scriabin, Kenny Wheeler, Jobim as well as music from the Motown and pop genres.

3. What’s your latest recording (or a recording you’d like to promote)? Where can people get it?

People can contact me directly from my website and we can arrange delivery and payment privately, or you can get it on iTunes.

4. Is there another local musician whose work you’d like to give a shout out to? 

Jon Bentley… he plays tenor sax in my quartet. He is one of the most versatile musicians on the west coast, playing with great command of many styles. He can play straight-ahead jazz, electronic music, pop, and he is a great composer.

Buy a Record, Make a Difference 21: Dalannah Bowen

Dalannah Gail Bowen will be performing as part of Winter Jazz on Feb 21 at 3:45PM. RSVP for free here:

RSVP

Buy a Record, Make a Difference is a new series we have created to help local musicians generate income during COVID-19. It is based on the principle that we should support and reward the hard work local artists have already put into recordings, as it is an immensely difficult undertaking to be creating new material under current circumstances. There is currently a lot of emphasis on livestreaming and innovation in our industry, and while those things absolutely have their place, we think it’s also important to boost projects that have already been completed.

In each post, we’ll ask a local artist a series of the same questions, give them the opportunity to talk about recordings they’re proud of, and ask them to talk about other local musicians whose work they admire. It’s our hope that you’ll take the time to listen to & purchase the work of local artists, or at the very least share their work with others.

DALANNAH BOWEN

1. Who are you? 

My name is Dalannah Gail Bowen and I am living my 75th year. I have been singing since I was twenty years of age and I sing blues/jazz and gospel music.

I recently recorded my 6th CD called Looking Back and the music is my perspective on the current state of the world….smiles!

2. Describe your music as best you can.

My music has been described as “Billie Holiday meets Howlin’ Wolf”, which  is an indicator of my style. When I was younger, I sang more in the Etta James vein but now I am more laid back.

3. What’s your latest recording (or a recording you’d like to promote)? Where can people get it?

My latest recording is Looking Back and you can get it here, or contact me at dalannahsmusic (at) gmail (dot) com and we can make arrangements.

4. Is there another local musician whose work you’d like to give a shout out to? 

I’d like to give  a shout out to Michael Creber who has been my piano player for many years and is an exceptional musician.

FESTIVAL TALES: PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

While we cannot gather for a 2020 Festival this year, we can still celebrate what the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival means to our community. Festival Tales showcases stories and memories from people who love our Festival—artists, volunteers, audiences, staff, donors, and community members.

This is a collection of those stories that have personal reflections and happy memories.

One of the cutest photos we have received is tied to this story from one of our volunteers, Fumiko Sawada:

I volunteered for the festival about 5-6 years ago, 2 years in a row. I used to sing jazz in Japan (I still do when I go back to Japan), and got involved in local jazz festivals back home, so participating the jazz festival as a volunteer reminded me of fond memories from home country, and it was such a special experience for me. I have been busy since my boys were born, but we always enjoy going to the outdoor stages during the festival. My son, Ayato loves dancing to the music, and I enjoy watching him dance and humming along the singers.

Ayato at David Lam Park
A reflection from Cory Weeds:

Having first been a fan, then a musician, followed by a five year stint as an employee, there are too many incredible memories to choose from. The thing I love about what the jazz festival creates is the buzz and electricity in the city. The Coastal office is buzzing, the venues are buzzing, the musicians have an extra skip in their step and the fans are excited. It’s a palpable excitement that is so wonderful and it’s all in the name of jazz. It’s really the best time of year.

Cory-Weeds-plays-Hank-Mobley-07-31-2019
A testament to what can happen when you’re up for a new adventure, from volunteer Joni Miller:

I was part of the stage crew at David Lam Park. The stage manager asked if I would like to run the lights! I jumped at the chance and has a fun evening making the lights dance to the music. They even said I did a good job. Can’t wait to get another chance at it!

Some fond memories from donor Joel Kaplan:

Year after year the events at the TDVIJF have brought us a sense of community and a love for many different genres of blues, jazz, etc. We have always been music lovers. Having this quality level of events both paid and free for a 2 week period of time in the summer is great. We typically plan to be in town for all of the time so that we don’t miss the Festival. We have so many good times at some many different venues. It is hard to pick any one! We do recall loving the venue down on Water Street and jamming on the streets with all stripes of people and genres of music on both stages on both ends of the street.

And lastly, a happy story from volunteer Lindsey Lorence:

In 2019 it was my first time volunteering with the Jazz Festival and it was the greatest. I tried a wide variety of shifts. My best memory is from being an usher at Granville Island on Canada Day. The band playing the evening of Canada Day had everyone dancing and it was a beautiful thing!