David Restivo a late-night JazzFest headliner

There is less than a month remaining until JazzFest 2017. Artists’ flights are being booked and final preparations made for their arrival and performances in Medicine Hat.

There are still volunteer opportunities if you would like to get involved in this community festival and have a chance to get behind the scenes and maybe even meet the band. Email volunteers@medicinehatjazzfest.com for full details about how to get involved and get one of the coveted CREW Tshirts.

One of the shows that has become a favourite for many is the Friday night late show in the lobby of the Esplanade. This magical space is transformed as the grand piano is placed in the middle of the pillars and an intimate atmosphere is created as soft seat chairs and sofas surround the stage along with tables and high seats in the back. The natural acoustics of this space are conducive to acoustic music and the interaction that happens between a finely tuned jazz ensemble and the audience that gives feedback to the improvisations on stage.

This year, the artist featured is no stranger to Medicine Hat audiences. David Restivo has performed many times over the years as a sideman with many groups, but it has been quite some time since he fronted his own band playing his own compositions. That is the treat in store for Medicine Hat audiences as one of Canada’s finest, most respected pianists brings his trio to JazzFest. David is a three-time winner of the National Jazz Award for Pianist of the Year, and is listed in the current edition of Canadian Who's Who.

He is well known for his work with Rob McConnell's Boss Brass and Tentet, the Mike Murley Quintet, and legendary songwriter Marc Jordan.

He has also performed and recorded with Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, John Abercrombie, Jerry Bergonzi, Mel Tormé, John Pizarelli, the Woody Herman Orchestra, Pat LaBarbera, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Ingrid and Christine Jensen, Kevin Mahogany, Randy Bachman (BTO/Guess Who), David Clayton Thomas, Molly Johnson, and many other artists.

David is one of Canada’s fine music educators as well, having served on the music faculty at the Banff Centre for the Arts, St. Francis Xavier University, Humber College and the University of Toronto.

David was voted Toronto’s Best Keyboardist in NOW Magazine’s “Best of T.O.” readers’ poll in 1998 and received a Juno Award for his work on the 2001 recording The Rob McConnell Tentet.

David Restivo’s new CD “The Waves” is his first release as a leader in 14 years. It features eight tracks and David says, “The title is evocative of the experiential power of music, of waves of sound that can wash over you like the waves of the ocean.” This is music deeply rooted in the traditions of jazz while being completely contemporary in its conception, tonality and structure. Those who have heard David play will know that this will be one of the magical moments of JazzFest. Joining David will be Vancouver bass sensation Jodi Proznick and New York drummer Alyssa Falk.

David Restivo will be performing in the Esplanade lobby on Friday, June 23 starting at 10:30 p.m.

Full JazzFest details can be found at www.medicinehatjazzfest.com Follow JazzFest on Twitter and Instagram at @medhatjazz.You can also find the Facebook page under the title, Medicine Hat JazzFest.

Brochures are available all over town, including coffee shops, the Esplanade, the Tourist Centre, the Cultural Centre and the Public Library. They will be in the Medicine Hat News in the weeks prior to JazzFest.

Tickets and passes are available at all Esplanade ticket outlets including www.tixx.ca.

Lyle Rebbeck is producer of Medicine Hat JazzFest.