By Tim Reinert
The Vancouver International Jazz Festival is celebrating its 38th anniversary this year. Although the festival constantly changes and evolves, its commitment to showcasing artists who are new to Vancouver audiences never changes. There are a lot of acts making their festival debut in 2023.
Brandee Younger Trio
Performance Works
June 29, 7:30PM
This isn’t just Younger’s Festival debut, it’s the first time she’s playing Vancouver. The obvious comparisons one can make are with Dorothy Ashby & Alice Coltrane, but that’s low hanging fruit considering jazz harp is a category that has so few points of reference. Her latest album is stunning, and her trio features bassist Rashaan Carter & drummer Alan Mednard, who wowed the audience at Frankie’s the last time he was here with Jeremy Pelt. Tickets are $34 plus service fees.
Mali Obomsawin
Downtown Jazz Georgia Stage
June 24, 2:15PM (FREE SHOW)
Obomsawin is a composer & bassist, and a member of the Abenaki First Nation in Quebec. Her debut album Sweet Tooth was one of my favourite albums of 2022, and she’s easily one of my most anticipated artists at this year’s festival. In addition to her free Georgia Stage set, she’ll be joining local legend Tony Wilson at Ocean Artworks for a special jam session on June 24th.
Nduduzo Makhathini
Performance Works
July 02, 7:30PM
Makhathini has been a cornerstone of the South African jazz scene for years now, with over ten albums under his belt. But with a new (ish) contract with Blue Note under his belt, the international spotlight is shining brightly on this incredible pianist. This show also features the Cuban phenom Franciso Mela on drums, and the South African bassist Zwelakhe-Duma Bell le Per. Tickets are $34 plus service fees.
Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few
Performance Works
July 01, 7:30PM
Chicago’s Collier is only 25 years old, but he’s already released three excellent albums with The Chosen Few and another brilliant duo record with the Few’s drummer, Michael Shekwoaga Ode. This exciting group has one foot firmly in the free jazz traditions of the 1960’s and 1970’s, but also is exploring the potential futures of this music. Tickets are $34 plus service fees.
The Ostara Project
Performance Works
June 25, 7:30PM
I’m cheating a little here, as Ostara’s co-leaders Jodi Proznick & Amanda Tosoff have both played our Festival many times. But this is this group’s first formal performance at the Festival, and they’re coming off a year full of critical acclaim and a Juno nomination. Their debut Vancouver performance was one of the most talked about shows at the 2021 edition of Cory Weed’s Jazz at the Bolt, and I fully expect the same kind of buzz to surround their Performance Works show. Tickets are $34 plus service fees.
Farida Amadou
Innovation Series at Revue Stage
June 29, 8:00PM
Belgian bassist Farida Amadou is one of the most exciting improvisers in Europe today, having performed with people like Thurston Moore, Peter Brötzmann, and Ken Vandermark. As a Festival Artist in Residence, she’ll be performing multiple times on her first Vancouver stop, including a show with White People Killed Them, which features Raven Chacon, John Dieterich & Marshall Trammell who wowed Western Front audiences as part of his residency there in 2019. Tickets are $25 plus service fees.
Caity Gyorgy
Performance Works
June 30, 2:00PM (FREE SHOW)
It’s been only two years since Caity Gyorgy played Vancouver for the first time, but in that time she’s won two Juno Awards and has become a household name in Canadian jazz circles. While Caity’s incredible voice gets her much deserved attention, it’s her clever songwriting that is the real secret weapon in her arsenal. She’ll be making her Vancouver Jazz Festival debut with a free show on June 30 at Performance Works, and will be the special guest of New York Pianist Ilhan Saferali later that night at Frankie’s After Dark.
Did I mention she’s only 25? She’s only 25.
Daniel Hersog Jazz Orchestra
Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
June 26, 8:00PM
You’d be justified in being surprised at seeing this group on the list, considering how long Daniel has been an indispensable member of the Vancouver jazz community. But COVID got in the way of their planned performance in 2020, and it’s taken a while to make the schedules work. They are releasing an incredible new album this month, which features two of the most exciting saxophonists in the US right now: Noah Preminger & Scott Robinson. This 18 piece big band also features local heavy hitters like Brad Turner and Bruno Hubert, as well as Daniel’s brilliant compositions and arrangements. Tickets are $35.
Listen to more on this topic from The Infidels Jazz Show on Mixcloud.
