June 1996

 
 
 

 

 

aires + Cm

Variety is the spice of jazz

duMaurier Jazz Fest a feast of flavour

Kevin Sallows

What is this thing called jazz? Is it the big-band
swing of Benny Goodman? The frenetic bebop
genius of Charlie Parker? Or is it the smoky essence
of Kind of Blue-era Miles Davis, the free-form
controlled madness of Ornette Coleman or the slick
fusion of Allan Holdsworth?

It’s all of these things and more, or less,
depending on who you talk to. The term jazz, like
the term rock, has had so many different meanings
applied to it that it’s become somewhat
meaningless. Nailing down exactly what jazz is
borders on the impossible.

But that’s of little consequence. Jazz is many
things to many people. To some it’s a style, to others
a mood, a feel, a fashion, a way of life. And it’s the
mutability of jazz, its ability to influence and be
influenced by diverse forms of music and other
expression that has kept it alive through the years.
Jazz is variety.

And that’s exactly what the duMaurier jazz
festival is about: variety. The diversity of the artists
performing June 21-30 at various venues around
Vancouver is impressive, perhaps even daunting
to the uninitiated. There’s something for
everyone—Dixieland, swing, bebop, blues, latin,
cool, fusion, acid, funk. But where does one start?

A good place to start is the duMaurier Jazz Fest
booklet, which describes all the acts performing
and tells when and where they can be seen. Trying
to list potential highlights of the festival seems a
futile task, but here are a few upcoming shows that
stir the imagination.

   

Sa eit

VANCOUVER

A double-bill of piano legend George Shearing
and Nanaimo-born pianist/vocalist Diana Krall

kicks off opening night, June 21, at the Orpheum

theatre.

The Commodore is the place for groovalistic
funk action—Toronto up-and-comers Bass is Base,
June 21, and ex-James Brown saxman, the
funkmaster himself, Maceo Parker, June 28.

A quartet—Doran, Studer, Minton and Ali—
play midnight shows June 27 and 28 at Studio 16
that look to be most intriguing; both shows consist
entirely of Jimi Hendrix tunes arranged by guitarist
Christy Doran and percussionist Fredy Studer.

For a more traditional angle, check out Delta-
blues guitarist Big Jack Johnson & the Oil Kings
June 26 and 27 at the Yale and June 29 at the Pacific
Centre Plaza.

Or try vocalist Jimmy Borges, described as “the
keeper of the smooth-jazz flame.” He’s backed by
the Betty Loo Taylor Trio at Rossini’s, June 27—
30.

The list of talent is so long that I could run that
damn Energizer bunny into the ground trying to
tell you about all the acts. Pick up a Festival booklet
and scope it for yourself. There are shows at the
Purple Onion Cabaret, the Vogue, the Cultch, the
Glass Slipper, the Chameleon and more.

For the financially-challenged, there are some
fine shows FREE on Granville island, at the Pacific
Centre Plaza, the CBC-Jazz Cafe, the Lonsdale
Quay and the Eaton Centre Metrotown Plaza.
Throw some spice in your life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  

 

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