MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL OUTDOOR EVENTS
June 2004
This morning on a boat in Montreal harbour, the Montreal International Jazz Festival announced there complete schedule, complete except for who's going to fill the slot opened by Elvin Jones' death. These are what look like promising concerts in the free "outdoor" schedule. I'll list them day by day but you will need a schedule for the locales.
The Jam Sessions at the Hyatt Regency this year will be hosted by pianist Thuryn Von Pranke with Frederic Alarie on bass and Wali Muhammad, drums and groups like The Streetnix, The Fat Tuesday Brass Band and Sweet Dixie make numerous appearances during the Festival
THURSDAY, JULY 1
The Josh Rager Sextet featuring Ingrid Jensen, one of the top jazz trumpeters in today's jazz world appears at 7 and 10 pm
Susie Arioli with Jordan Officer at 9 and 11 pm
FRIDAY, JULY 2
Pianist Bryn Roberts Quartet with reedman Will Vinson, Matt Penman, bass and Mark Ferber, drums at 7 and 10 pm
Pianist Julie Lamontagne Trio at 7 and 10 pm
Belgian David Lynx and pianist Diedrik Wissels in a quartet setting. Lynx is one of Sheila Jordan's favourite young singers--at 8 and 10 pm
SATURDAY, JULY 3
One of the best days for outdoor events.
My good friend David Amram, who wrote the music for the film, "The Manchurian Candidate", led the first group to play the original Five Spot in NYC, Travelled to Cuba with Dizzy Gillespie, did farm aid with Willie Nelson, etc. etc., can be heard at noon and 9 pm. He plays too many instruments to count and for many years did led the MSO in a series of Children's Concerts.
Reedman Mike Murley and pianist David Braid appear in a quartet setting at 6 pm
Drummer Karl Jannuska who now lives in Paris leads a group with Brodie West and Kelly Jefferson on saxophones and Fraser Hollins on bass at 7 and 10 pm
Tenorman Chet Doxas, who has a CD upcoming on Justin Time, leads a quartet with John Roney, piano, Zack Lober, bass and brother Jim Doxas on drums at 8 and 10 pm
The "Shuffle Demons" with tenorman Richard Underhill are back and appear at 9 and 11 pm
SUNDAY, JULY 4
Pianist Andree Boudreau leads a trio at noon
Last year's concours winner pianist Nancy Walker (with a new Justin Time CD on the market) leads a quartet with hubby Kieran Overs, bass, Kirk MacDonald, tenor and soprano and Barry Romberg on drums at 6 pm
Bassist Frederic Alarie appears at 7 and 10 pm
Jazz violinist Mireille Proulx appears in a duo session with John Sadowy at 8pm
MONDAY, JULY 5
"Blake Tartare" is group led by Montreal born Michael Blake, who lives in NY and works in groups like "The Herbie Nichols Project". He is joined by three Danish musicians, Soren Kjaegaard, piano, Jonas Westergaard, bass and Kresten Osgood, drums at 7 and 10pm
TUESDAY, JULY 6
Guitarist Sylvain Cossette appears with Bruno Lamarche on saxophone, Marc Lalonde on bass and Ugo Di Vito, drums at 8 and 10
WEDNESDAY, JULY 7
Former Concours winner, pianist Jean-Francois Groulx hits with a quartet at 6 pm
Guitarist Marc Villemure is joined by reedman Frank Lozano, Daniel Lessard, bass and Pierre Tanguay, drums at 7 and 10 pm
Veteran vocalist Johanne Desforges appears with Josh Rager, Dave Watts and Jon McCaslin at 8 and 10 pm
THURSDAY, JULY 8
Saxophonist Michel Cote, a Quebec City legend, brings "Lapon Baleze" to the stage at 7 and 10 pm
FRIDAY, JULY 9
A superb singer, guitarist and oboe player, Marcia Seebaran appears at noon. A warning the last time I heard her she was joined by the most tasteless drummer I have ever heard in my long listening career. One wonders if he could play if you took away his bass drum.
The Effendi Jazz Lab with people like Christine Jensen, Steve Amirault and Kelsley Grant play at 6 pm
Reedman / composer Joel Miller can be heard at 7 and 10pm
SATURDAY, JULY 10
The big band of Vic Vogel and Streetnix appear at 6 pm at Place des Nations where the very first festival took place--I remember sitting with Vic and my then 12 year old daughter for the Ray Charles concert.
Another friend, Dorothee Berryman, "Louise" in Denis Arcand's Academy Award winning film, "The Barbarian Invasions", brings a superb voice and an exciting group to the stage at 8 and 10 pm
The "Three Crooners", Montreal's John Labelle and Toronto-based George Evans and John Alcorn can be heard at 9 and 11 pm
SUNDAY, JULY 11
Trumpeter Bill Mahar leads a quintet at 7 and 10pm
Get a schedule and prepare to have a great time listening to some diverse music - all for FREE!
© Len Dobbin 2003
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
