Photo:Roxanne Potvin
Scène Alcan (main entrance to Complexe Desjardins). The Soirées Jazzy Alcan happens at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on the Scène Alcan. Twelve-year-old singer Nikki (her second performance exceptionally at 10:30 p.m.) possesses a voice that’s been compared to a young Aretha Franklin: strong and with a vast dynamic range. American singer and songwriter Pyeng Threadgill has a mind-blowingly clear and pure voice that defies categorization. From China will appear Zhao Ke, alias Coco, a singer, pianist, hauboïst and star of the Shanghai night clubs. British singer and guitarist James Hunter will also be there. A frequent collaborator with Van Morrison, his very first CD (People Gonna Talk, released last March) brings you right back to the authentic R & B and soul music sounds of the 60s.
Scène de la Grande-Place, Complexe Desjardins. From the beginning of the Fest until July 5th, parents and their kids will once again thrill to the Petite École du Jazz, presented by Alcan. There’ll be memorable lessons delivered by James Gelfand and his team, the Bande Magnetik, and the inimitable Jacques L’Heureux for an all-new season of fun and folly, designed to stimulate children and their musical interest, especially the language of jazz. It takes place at the Grande-Place, inside the Complexe Desjardins. Mascot Ste‑Cat will be purring with pleasure to see all the kids once again.
Scène Loto-Québec (parc Fred‑Barry). The new Scène Loto-Québec sets the stage for the bluesy aspect of this year’ s Festival, with the all-new series Les Spectacles Blues Loto‑Québec, at 7 p.m. Starring the major exponents of the North-American blues scene, it’s there that you’ll hear such luminaries as the Canadian John Campbelljohn Trio, from Nova Scotia, David Rotundo, from Ontario and Glamour Puss, from New Brunswick. At 9 p.m. and then again at 11 p.m., it’s the Soirées Blues Loto‑Québec taking you directly to the heart of the blues, with top-flight bluesmen and women the likes of Sue Foley, the Dawn Tyler Watson Blues Project (with special guest Zora Young), Garrett Mason (who just won a Juno for Best Blues Album) and, to close the stage for 2006, the fearsome blues trio of Jim Zeller, Carl Tremblay and Jimmy James.
Photo:
Zora Young.
Club Jazz TD Canada Trust (Parc Hydro‑Québec). Presented at the Club Jazz TD Canada Trust, the Soirées Jazz TD Canada Trust will be retaining its two-shows-per-night formula, one at 7 p.m. and a second at 10 p.m. A number of master musicians will be on hand, including French tenor sax-man Jean-Christophe Béney, whose playing reflects shades of be-bop, Latin, African and Asian. He’s often been compared to Sonny Rollins and Joe Lovano. Bassist Sage Reynolds and his quartet will be there, as well, the winner of last year’s Prix Étoiles Galaxie Radio-Canada 2005. Then, Montreal’s own drummer, bandleader and icon of the Canadian jazz scene Bernard Primeau (winner of the 2005 du Prix Oscar Peterson) will take to the stage. Please take note that the second show of the Erik Hove Trio will be at 10:30 p.m., not the usual 10:00 p.m., on Thursday, June 29th.
Scène Samsung (Président-Kennedy Avenue) . The Rendez-vous Samsung series will be happening at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on the Scène Samsung. Come enjoy Montreal singer and guitarist Chris Velan, who’s been compared to both Paul Simon and Jack Johnson. Chris has just released his second album entitled Twitter, Buzz, Howl, accompanied by Sara Johnston of Bran Van 3000. Gatineau native Roxanne Potvin, 23 years old, is a singer, guitarist and a rising star in the Canadian music scene. (A number of veterans contributed to her second album, The Way It Feels, including Daniel Lanois.) Also on the Samsung stage will be the New Cool Collective, eight Dutchmen who’ve created a jazz/soul/Latin hybrid that’s decidedly dance-able. You’ll hear selections from their new album Trippin’.
Scène Bell (Parc des Festivals, on the corner of Bleury and De Maisonneuve).. The Tropiques Bell series will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on the Scène Bell where a number of world-renowned artists will appear, including The Refugee All Stars of Sierra Leone, victims of the war in Sierra Leone. Lyrics combine messages of peace and hope in a music flavored with reggae, R&B and traditional African melodies. Originally from Grenada, Amparo Sanchez and his group Amparanoïa exude an energy similar to Manu Chao, combining elements of Latin, ska, rai, rock, reggae jazz and gypsy music. Drummer, singer and composer Namori, born in the Côte d’Ivoire and now living in Montreal, has played with many of his notable contemporaries, including Salif Keita, Mory Kanté and Jean Leloup. Los de Abajo is a Mexican group who’ve somehow managed to up-date mariachi, introducing elements of ska, punk, funk, rap, reggae, hip-hop, cumbia, merengue and electro. Time to dance! At 10 p.m., it’s the return of the Groove series, at the Scène Bell. Among others, come hear Josh Dolgin, alias Socalled, a multi-talented Montrealer who’s come up with an amazing meld of hip-hop and klezmer. Somali K’Naan is a child of the hip‑hop generation whose dreams for Africa are expressed in lyrics realistic, committed and urgent, all at once. Balkan Beat Box creates an intelligent electro with musical elements of Balkan folklore, North Africa and the Middle East. Lovers of “turntablism”, guitar and keyboards will groove to the Microtone Kitchen, featuring D.J. Mana, D.J. Killa Jewel, D.J. Midas, D.J. Praiz, D.J. Pandazal, Atsu Izumi and Know One. Groovy, experimental and danceable. CONTINUES ON P121