JazzFest another check mark for Tamashiro
Perform for Queen Elizabeth II. Check.
Sell a Christmas album at La Senza. Check.
Perform at Medicine Hat JazzFest. Check. In 15 days.
Calgary’s Tim Tamashiro has seemingly done it all. He’s been part of rock and jazz bands. He’s been a solo jazz artist. He’s emcee’d events for business and world leaders including the queen. He’s worked in sales in the music business. He currently hosts Tonic on CBC Radio 2.
He’s already lived a full professional life, but for more than 20 years one thing has occupied a place in his mind. Medicine Hat JazzFest.
“It’s a check mark,” Tamashiro said this week of his excitement over being invited this year to perform June 23 at the Esplanade on a double bill with Matt Savage. “I’ve known about it from the day it existed ... it’s always been on my list. No. 1 it’s a successful festival, No. 2 it’s on the map as far as successful Canadian festivals and I really, really appreciate how the festival has supported Canadian acts especially throughout the years.”
Tamashiro’s JazzFest debut will be unlike any other you see from June 18-25. This one will be created on the fly
“We’re not actually rehearsing. We’re going to come down and we’re going to make a show on the spot at the festival,” he said. “That’s the beauty of jazz.”
The quick turns and impromptu decisions that will happen at the show are nothing new to Tamashiro.
“Quick right or left-hand corners are a big part of what my life is about but I still come back to my standard core things — music, people, trying to become more mindful, finding more meaning in life,” he said. “I know I only get one turn on this big blue marble so I want to squeeze in as many things as possible.”
His main focus right now is with CBC, where he’s been since 1997. He says the chance to discover and promote the next generation of jazz and introducing this generation listeners to established jazz greats has been his single greatest honour of his role on CBC.
“It feels pretty good to pick up the phone and go, ‘hey, I’m helping you. Just know that I’m here for you.’” he said.
Tamashiro offers one piece of advice for anyone who wants to make it in jazz.
“Authenticity is No. 1. Find who you authentically are. Don’t try to emulate, don’t be a parrot. Try to be yourself and find new ways to express yourself and that’s going to take you places.”
Tamashiro’s show starts at 7:30 p.m. on the Esplanade main stage.
Visit www.medicinehatjazzfest.com for full details including schedules, ticket information, artist bios and more.