A ROCKIN’ GOOD TIME
Writers recap top jazz fest concerts
JOE JACKSON
June 24 | Queen Elizabeth Theatre Is he really playing jazz fest? Indeed he did, putting on a career-spanning set boasting some dazzling musicianship — drummer Doug Yowell is a monster — and most of the big hits. He’s still the man. (SD)
LARRY FULLER TRIO
June 25 | Frankie’s Sometimes you can’t beat old-school jazz. Pianist Fuller, in the company of American drummer Lewis Nash and Vancouver bassist Russ Botten, performed parallel lines and ringing chords in a set that ranged from Clifford Brown to Joni Mitchell, closing with a New Orleans second-line rhythm. (MA)
OLIVER JONES TRIO
June 25 | Vogue Theatre Legendary Canadian jazz pianist Oliver Jones, 81, capped a career spanning more than seven decades with a masterful performance at the Vogue. From classic cuts by hero-- teacher Oscar Peterson to a medley of Gershwin’s works, Peterson played with a fluid, melodic gusto, backed impeccably by bassist Eric Lagace and drummer Jim Doxas. Considering his history, his call for more support for young artists at the end of the show was stirring. (FM)
MOON HOOCH
Tuesday | Performance Works A jazz gig where, in the first two minutes, everyone was up and dancing. This young NYC double-sax-and-drums trio slams out jams that pump up the punters like the best EDM DJs. Its groovy, fierce and really fun sound should certainly be seen on a major outdoor stage next time around. (SD)
JAZZ JAM
Wednesday | Frankie’s Joining a packed house Wednesday were saxophonist Joe Lovano and all members of his quartet, plus two horn players from the Tedeschi Trucks Band. They electrified the room and brought up the level of the locals on the jam stage. (MA)
ANA POPOVIC
Wednesday | Performance Works Blues guitarists often refer to their heroes as gods. But what if the new icons are goddesses? One night after Susan Tedeschi rocked the festival, Serbia’s Ana Popovic shredded a storm, using scorching runs, biting slide figures and lots of sustain. Her two Jimi Hendrix numbers weren’t out of place. (MA)
CASE/LANG/ VEIRS
Wednesday | Queen Elizabeth Theatre Three voices aren’t always better than one, but with case/lang/veirs we got a mix of both solo stardom and supergroup harmonies courtesy of Neko Case, k.d. lang and Laura Veirs. Their three distinct personalities could have clashed yet, as they did on their superb debut album, case/lang/veirs wowed everyone in attendance with power, charisma and emotion. (FM)
In the first two minutes, everyone was up and dancing. This young NYC double-sax-and-drums trio slams out jams that pump up the punters like the best EDM DJs.
— Stuart Derdeyn, reviewing jazz fest performers Moon Hooch
CHRISTINE TOBIN
July 1 | Performance Works British vocalist Tobin opened and closed her set with Leonard Cohen songs, a good choice given the richness of her low register. A beautiful, artful set that included originals, standards and poems set to music. (MA)
LAILA BIALI
July 1 | Performance Works Backed by Vancouver bassist Jodi Proznik and drummer-husband Ben Wittman, the singer-pianist performed bold originals and modified jazz and pop tunes, her voice soaring and falling with pinpoint precision. (MA)
ENDANGERED BLOOD
July 2 | The Ironworks Four veterans of the free improv scene made the music accessible by locking into set rhythms and using known melodies to launch themselves into the stratosphere. Forget Hillary and The Donald — vote drummer Jim Black for president! (MA)
BRUNO HUBERT TRIO
July 2 | Vogue This Vancouver band gave a lesson on how to deconstruct and arrange jazz standards, turning ballads into rumbas and swing tunes into Afro-Cuban explorations. Hubert’s piano solos were ace, bassist James Meger provided strength and Joe Poole proved he’s the best drummer in the city. (MA)