If the Festival welcomes artists from around the world over the next few days, such as Cécile McLorin Salvant, GoGo Penguin and Lucinda Williams in particular, the organization says it has first given pride of place to artists from British Columbia. to then invite foreign artists to celebrate with them.
It is a desire that we have at the Festival, to base our programming on local talent. It’s part of our history and our vision to create collaborations between local artists and international guest artists
explains Cole Schmidt, one of the Festival’s programmers.
These collaborations are part of the essence of the Festival, suggests Mr. Schmidt, who points out that several foreign artists have been part of the program since the beginning of the event.
It’s as if they were, in a way, local artists, so much did they contribute to developing the jazz scene here.
Collaborations to watch
On the opening night tonight at The Ironworks, American saxophonist Darius Jones will perform with British Columbian violinists Jesse and Josh Zubot, Peggy Lee on cello and James Meger on bass as well as drummer Gérald Cleaver.
This will be the place to be, if you want to see the result of collaborative efforts between local and international artists
says Cole Schmidt.
Next week in the same room, June 28, the concert Like the Mind will feature a collective led by British Columbia violinist Meredith Bates and made up of three Canadian and three Swedish musicians who create immersive pieces.
The musicians met during an artist residency program at the festival a few years ago.
This is another good example of what the festival creates as links between musicians from the local scene and international musicians.
says Cole Schmidt.
Indigenous artists and a new scene
A concert featuring Indigenous artists is also taking place tonight on Granville Island at Ocean Art Works, an outdoor pavilion that has been transformed into a concert venue, complete with a bar, for the occasion.
The programming for this stage was developed in collaboration with Full Circle, an organization that presents Indigenous events and artists, including the Talking Stick festival which is currently taking place.
The June 24 concert will feature artists JB The First Lady, Old Soul Rebel, DJ KoaKea and DJ KeiRose starting at 9 p.m. If you want to dance and party, I recommend this show
adds Cole Schmidt.
The Ocean Art Works stage will host several local artists throughout the festival. A scene that will “certainly be very popular this year”, provides the organization.
Free gigs
Some 60 free concerts are also on the festival program this year.
On Saturday, June 25, the festivities kick off downtown with a free afternoon concert on the Georgia Street Stage near the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG). One of the local artists performing on stage is keyboardist Mary Ancheta and her quartet, known for their energetic improvisations and creative songwriting.
Mary is well known locally. She has collaborated with all kinds of artists for a long time […] His music is really funky. I believe there will be good energy during his show
.
On July 2, a series of concerts will also be held at the Roundhouse. In the afternoon, festival-goers will be able to hear Gamelan Bike Bike.
Founded in 2012, the Vancouver ensemble, whose music is inspired by traditional Indonesian music, uses instruments made from bicycle parts and recycled materials.
It’s an original way to add an environmental touch to traditional music […] It will surely be interesting to see them playing, sitting on the floor on cushions, cross-legged, in the Roundhouse
believes Cole Schmidt.
Vancouver alt-jazz band Omianan, which was nominated in the category Global Artist of the Year to Western Canadian Music Awardsfor the first album Paper Dream released last February, will also perform for free on Saturday, at the Roundhouse, from 6 p.m.
This quartet, known for its improvisations mixing jazz sounds with those of indie rock, pop, progressive rock and blues, is composed of Jesus Caballero on drums, Thomas Hoeller on guitar, Nikko Whitworth on bass. , and Sara Kim on voice.
Another performance to watch on the Ocean Arts Works stage is Vancouver drummer Todd Stewart on July 2 at 4 p.m.
This artist, described by the organization as a “fabulous up-and-coming artist” who has earned a solid reputation with the local jazz scene, will perform with his quartet.
Support artists
Several other local artists, such as Brad Turner, André Lachance, François Houle, Missy D, Francis Baptiste, Jaimie Lee trio, Jocelyne Waugh, Aerialist, Moondle, DJ O Show, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, are also part of the festival program.
By including all these talents in the programming, the organizers of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival wish to encourage musicians to continue their creative work.
We want to help them create momentum after the more difficult period of the pandemic. We also want to give the public the chance to get to know them better or to discover them, because they are all excellent.
concludes Cole Schmidt, who believes that performances by local artists always hold a certain magic.
The TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival takes place from June 24 to July 3 on various stages in Vancouver.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca