A whole lot of swinging and bopping
Canadian artists unleashed an embarrassment of riches in 2016, covering the genre’s full spectrum
When the jazz world gets its usual year-end retrospectives, Canadian music is generally elbowed aside by the glut of albums out of New York and beyond.
But for Canadian listeners who knew where to get their jazz fix, music made in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and even Ottawa distinguished itself in 2016. Canadian jazz players cranked out some scintillating recordings that put original compositions front and centre. Between them, 2016 year’s best jazz albums surveyed the full range of jazz, from hard-swinging bop to electric jazz to rarefied chamber music that also embraced improvising.
Plus, this was the year that even produced a fine jazz CD called The Great Regina Pizza Debate.
While the tastemakers who hand out Polaris Prizes and the country’s main jazz radio broadcasts may pass over the dozen albums below, fans of creative music should seek them out. As a bonus, there are six honourable mentions, because that’s how good a year it was for Canadian jazz.
JOE SULLIVAN BIG BAND: Unfamiliar Surroundings (Perry Lake Records)
Montreal trumpeter, composer and bandleader Sullivan says that his new two-CD set was sparked by his “nostalgic” love for the classic big bands led by greats such as Quincy Jones and Thad Jones (no relation). Still, Unfamiliar Surroundings feels fresh and even over-sized, brimming with Sullivan’s original composing voice and consummate craftsmanship, spread out over three ambitious suites. Vigorous improvisers such as Montreal hornmen Al McLean, André Leroux, Donny Kennedy and Jean Fréchette, as well as Toronto guitar star Lorne Lofsky, sound inspired.
DAVID BRAID AND EPOQUE QUARTET: Flow (Steinway & Sons)
The always-bracing Toronto-based pianist and composer reaffirms his eclecticism and sky-high level of artistry with this stunning release of original music for piano and string quartet. While lesser works that fuse jazz’s improvisatory impulses and classical music’s rigour and sonorities can feel forced, Braid’s profound art feels natural, lifelike and even revelatory.
PHILLIPPE CÔTÉ: Lungta (Mythology Records)
Montreal composer and saxophonist Philippe Côté’s debut disc is a grand, sweeping accomplishment, featuring soaring, heady writing for a 13-piece orchestra and a high-energy, A-list soloist in the form of U.S. alto saxophonist David Binney.
AMANDA TOSOFF: Words (Oceans Beyond Records)
The young Toronto-based pianist sets poetry to music with remarkable and unabashedly beautiful success. Her tautly arranged compositions draw on pop, classical, folk and jazz but the album’s diverse selections feel unified thanks to the pure, mesmerizing singing of Felicity Williams.
DARREN SIGESMUND NEW QUINTET: Jigtok (Independent)
A composer and trombonist deserving much wider exposure, the Torontonian released a disc of evocative, meaty music that reaches rhapsodic levels. Sigesmund’s group stands out with its one-of-akind instrumentation, and the band’s American members, keyboardist Gary Versace and violinist Mark Feldman, are especially potent.
DAVID RESTIVO: The Waves (Modica Music)
Fifteen years — far too long! — went by between the much-in-demand Toronto pianist’s 2001 debut disc and this year’s followup, The Waves. It’s a sparkling post-bop quintet record with Restivo’s compelling compositions and assured playing pushing his peers to play their best.
ANDRE WHITE: El Toro Suite (Independent)
White, a Montreal jazz icon who drums as well as he plays piano, released three digital-only recordings this year. This Spanish-themed one is a quintet album on which he plays piano, and which features Toronto tenor saxophone titan Kirk MacDonald. Fans of White’s tumultuous drumming would be equally happy with his album Give The Drummer Some! on which he and drummer Dave Laing are behind their respective kits, propelling an array of exuberant musicians through more White originals.
INGRID AND CHRISTINE JENSEN WITH BEN MONDER: Infinitude (Whirlwind Recordings)
Over many albums and concerts in recent years, the Jensen sisters — New York-based trumpeter Ingrid and Montreal-based saxophonist Christine — have a signature sound, above all fusing Ingrid’s wending, world-class soloing with Christine’s lyrical compositions. This small ensemble CD generally keeps to that formula, although Christine on saxophone hits new heights and U.S. guitar genius Ben Monder is a wild card who energizes the proceedings.
MIKE MURLEY TRIO: Ship Without a Sail (Cornerstone Records)
On this disc — an exception on this list because it’s focused on covers rather than originals — the Toronto saxophonist and his longtime collaborators Reg Schwager on guitar and Steve Wallace on bass, enjoy a perfect rapport, exemplifying consummate swing and musical elegance.
METALWOOD: Twenty (Cellar Live)
After a 14-year hiatus, the famed all-star electric-jazz band reunited in 2016 to release Twenty. For Metalwood (saxophonist Mike Murley, trumpeter/keyboardist Brad Turner, bassist Chris Tarry and drummer Ian Froman), the long layoff didn’t seem to hinder their forcefulness, creativity and grooving one bit.
JANE BUNNETT & MAQUEQUE: Oddara (Linus Entertainment)
Toronto-based Bunnett, a whiz on soprano saxophone and flute, and her all-Cuban, all-female band released a strong sequel to their 2015 Juno-winning debut. This is another uplifting album filled with vibrant vocals, earthy rhythms and sophisticated but folkloric songs.
ANDREW DOWNING, PETR CANCURA, RODDY ELLIAS: Trekan (Independent)
Toronto-based cellist Downing, clarinetist Cancura and guitarist Ellias, combine to make luminous, intimate folk-chamber-jazz that is by turns plaintive, quirky and fetchingly naive.
Honourable mentions:
The Great Regina Pizza Debate (Addo); Ted’s Warren Commission; Forest Grove (Independent), Allison Au Quartet; Moons (Alma Records), Myriad3; Border Crossing (Origin Records), Alex Goodman; MISC (Bonsound), MISC; Hollow Trees (Chronograph Records), Hutchinson Andrew Trio