By Tim Reinert
In theory, all instruments are created equal. But in jazz, there are instruments that get more attention than others, for better or worse. Two that get the lion’s share of interest from both die-hard and casual fans, are the saxophone and guitar. Today we’ll discuss some of the great practitioners of both of those instruments that are performing at this year’s Vancouver International Jazz Festival.
James Brandon Lewis
Revue Stage
July 01, 9PM
Lewis is easily one of the most talked about saxophonists on the international scene today, as shown by his appearance on the June cover of Downbeat Magazine. I finally got to see him live a few months back at Big Ears in Knoxville, Tennessee and I can attest that Vancouver audiences are going to embrace his sound wholeheartedly, especially considering that he’s got Josh Werner on bass with him, and long-time Ironworks favourite Chad Taylor on drums. Nobody is making more interesting albums than Lewis is right now, and that originality crosses over to his live show.
Zoh Amba
Revue Stage
June 28, 9PM
Amba had a banner year in 2022, with three critically acclaimed records to her name. The most obvious sound comparison one can make is to Albert Ayler, though one shouldn’t think that Amba’s saxophone style is tethered to the past. I also saw her recently at Big Ears in Knoxville, and it was clear that her sound is constantly evolving and changing, and that her best work is yet to come. For her first Vancouver show, she’ll be joined by Ironworks favourite Chris Corsano on drums, and local legend Lisa Cay Miller on piano.
Caroline Davis’ Alula
Revue Stage
July 02, 9PM
Alula is one of my favourite albums of the last decade, and I’m so excited that Caroline Davis will be finally performing this material in Vancouver. Joining Davis on saxophone will Chris Tordini on bass, and Kate Gentile on drums, who wowed audiences last year at her Ironworks show with Alexander Hawkins & François Houle.
David Blake’s Fun House
Performance Works
June 29, 2PM
I’m not sure if it was careful planning or cosmic luck that has made Vancouver such a great space for creative guitarists, but I’ll take it either way. David Blake’s recent move to New York City was Vancouver’s loss, but we still get the occasional visit, not to mention the two excellent albums he’s released recently. Fun House was one of my favourite records of 2022 and was released on Cory Weed’s Cellar Live label. It features Brad Turner and other members of Vancouver’s deep jazz scene.
Tom Wherrett Group
Ocean Artworks
June 29, 4PM
Time will tell, but I believe that we’ll eventually look back at Tom Wherrett’s 2016 album ElkHorn as one of the most important Vancouver jazz albums ever. Wherrett’s current output is no less impressive, and he’ll be joined for his Jazz Festival show by the impossibly hip Dave Say, as well as Jeff Gammon & Joe Poole.
Ron Samworth’s Etiquette of Dying
Revue Stage
June 30, 5PM
Ron Samworth isn’t just a great guitarist, he’s a great artist. From his work with NOW & Talking Pictures to collaborations with Brad Shepik & George Lewis, Ron brings a unique creative spark to everything he touches. That spark has never been more evident than on The Etiquette of Dying, his soon to be released multimedia project featuring video work by Melissa Hubert. This piece is arguably Ron’s most personal work to date, and has only been performed a few times live.
Listen to more on this topic from The Infidels Jazz Show on Mixcloud.
