Performers
James Hunter - 9pm Saturday, June 23rd at SAIT's Gateway Lounge
‘People Gonna Talk’ about James Hunter’s Calgary debut. Discovered by Van Morrison, James’ songwriting craft and impassioned performances have turned him into today’s hottest act in Roots and Blues. Sample his music at his website.
Joshua Redman - 8pm Friday, June 22nd at SAIT's Gateway Lounge
One of the most compelling and fearless saxophone voices in jazz. His latest cd, ‘Back East’ pushes boundaries and stimulates his creative juices in the classic acoustic trio format, with bassist Reuben Rogers and Antonio Sanchez on drums. Son of recently deceased legend Dewey Redman, Joshua burst onto the jazz scene in 1993 with his self-titled debut cd and "Wish". Both sold over a quarter of a million copies combined—unheard of in jazz. Although his muscular swing and earthy ballads may evoke Sonny Rollins, Redman has proven himself a wide-ranging musician at the vanguard of contemporary music. Michael Brecker simply called him “a genius.” Visit his website for a sample of his talents.
Kris Davis - 8pm Friday, June 22nd at SAIT's Gateway Lounge
Opening for Joshua Redman, Davis has quickly grown to become a vital contributor to New York's jazz scene. She explores the balance between free improvisation and composition. Her writing and pianistic prowess have been described as 'adventurous' and 'refreshing'. Sample her style at her website.
Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra - 9pm Sunday, June 24th at SAIT's Gateway Lounge
A double header dance party featuring the politically-charged, funk-driven Antibalas and the musically controversial Bad Plus. The eleven piece Afrobeat Orchestra incorporates elements of jazz, funk, dub, improvised music, and traditional drumming from Cuba and West Africa with strong lyrics in a driving beat. Sample their music at their website.
The Bad Plus - 8pm Sunday, June 24th at SAIT's Gateway Lounge
The Bad Plus is a midwest American collective that challenged the definition of jazz trio. Bassist Reid Anderson, pianist Ethan Iverson, and drummer David King mixed their own diverse compositions with covers of rock bands like Nirvana and Aphex Twin. Favoring group improvisation over individual solos, eschewing all jazz cliches, The Bad Plus rip into each set with precision, dynamics and reckless abandon, attracting new audiences to jazz. Sample their music at their website.
Barry Romberg - 9pm, Saturday June 23rd at the Beat Niq
Juno Award-winning drummer mixes contemporary with free jazz in a powerful performance. With supreme saxophonist Kirk Macdonald, trumpeter Kevin Turcotte and Rich Brown on bass. To sample his music, visit his website.
Brandi Disterheft Trio - 9pm Thursday, June 21st at CANTOS
National Jazz Awards Rising Star Brandi Disterheft “has the same lope or rhythmical pulse as my late bass player Ray Brown. She is what we call serious” says Oscar Peterson. Need we say more? Sample her new tunes at her website.
Christine Jensen Quartet - 8pm Wednesday, June 20th at the Beat Niq
The Montreal arranger and saxophonist has been labeled "one of the most important Canadian composers of her generation", by Globe and Mail jazz critic, Mark Miller. Her quartet are also Canadian jazz all stars - Dave Restivo on piano, Fraser Hollins on bass, and Greg Ritchie on drums. Sample her music at her website.
Chuchito Valdes and Ignacio Berroa - 9pm Thursday, June 21st at The Gateway Lounge, SAIT
Chuchito Valdes and Ignacio Berroa – Afro-Cuban double bill with two masters of the genre. Ignacio Berroa played the kid behind many of the greats, including over ten years with Dizzy Gillespie. He comes to Calgary as the leader of his own band with his new Grammy nominated cd, "codes". Chuchito Valdes follows in the steps of his legendary grandfather and father Chucho to deliver high energy Afro-Cuban, Bepop, Cha-cha-cha and more. Find out more about Chuchito here and Ignacio here
Coco Zhao - 8pm Sunday, June 24th at The Auburn
Avant-garde crooner from China charms all with his campy Sinatra-style performance. Out of a small town in the Hunan province of China comes the exotic Dream Situation. Zhao challenges the stereotypical jazz vocalist image, singing the lyrics in Chinese, but transcending cultures with contemporary American jazz idioms. Supported by arranger and violinist Peng Fei and the Possicobilities band. Sample his music at his website.
Dhafer Youssef & the Divine Shadows String Quartet - 8pm, Thursday June 21st at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer
Tunisian-born singer and oud virtuoso Dhafer Youssef’s haunting, Sufi inspired music has captured the hearts and minds of audiences across Europe. Hailed by The Guardian as world music’s most exciting new star, Youssef draws on the evocative sound of his Islamic heritage, combining it with new directions in European jazz to create a distinctive and atmospheric sound. Accompanied by Indian virtuoso tabla player Jatinder Thakur and the Divine Shadows Strings, (aka the Koehne Quartet), this will truly be a memorable performance. Sample his music at his website. Also with Amir Amiri and Sandro Dominelli.
Elmer Ferrer - 8pm Wednesday, June 20th at the Wild Rose Brewery
While being trained in classical guitar styles at Havana’s famed National School of Arts, Elmer saw a bootleg copy of the Armerican movie Crossroads and decided he wanted to play the blues. He secretly studied electric guitar until the same school that denied him his desire recognized his talent and hired him to teach at the new ‘Department of Electric Guitar’ Now widely recognized as Cuba’s best on the axe, Ferrer adds high energy Afro-Cuban flair to the blues. Sample his music at his website.
François Carrier - 3pm Sunday, June 24th at CANTOS
An inexhaustible improviser, Carrier pushes boundaries of creative evolution with his saxes and some of the biggest names in the business. His latest cd is a 1999 recording of him with the late Dewey Redman. He appears for a Sunday afternoon performance in Calgary with drummer Michel Lambert and French bassist Jean Jacques Avenel. Sample his music at his website
F.U.J.A The Funked Up Jazz Ambassadors - 9pm Wednesday, June 20th at The Auburn
Shannon Gaye and Kristian Alexandrov return from North Vancouver to re-unite the band for a night of smoking hot funk and grooves late into the night. With bassist Ben Harries and Andy Erickson pounding it out on the drums. Preview their tunes here.
Jan Verwey (with Jillian Lebeck and Paul Rushka) - 8pm Thursday June 21st at The Beatniq
One of the few who dared to play the chromatic harmonica in jazz, he created his own style. This Dutch innovator is accompanied by bassist Paul Rushka and Jillian Lebeck, one of Canada’s most dynamic and innovative vocalist/pianist/ composers. Sample his music at his website.
Jens Winther European Quintet - 10pm Friday, June 22nd at CANTOS
Denmark ’s leading trumpeter brings his hot, up-tempo band and arrangements to Canada. Internationally renown, Winther's talent has been recognised with numerous awards and prizes for his outstanding contribution to the world of jazz as a player, composer and bandleader.
Kellylee Evans - 8pm Friday, June 22nd at The Ironwood
Delivering a rich, smooth but unique vocal style through jazz, soul, R & B, and blues is garnering Kellylee world wide attention, including that of Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling and other judges at the Thelonius Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition. She earned the silver medal out of a field of 160. One to watch. Sample her grooves at her website.
Lynn Olagundoye and the Guerrilla Funk Allstars - Friday, June 22nd at Quincy's, doors at 8pm.
Lynn Olagundaye and the Guerrilla Funk Allstars are all Canadian born, but they present the rhythm of their roots in full on rhythm and blues hip hop party to rock the house. Last years show at Quincy’s was out-of-control! To sample her music, visit her website.
Marianne Trudel Quintet - 10pm Saturday June 23rd at Cantos
The award-winning pianist from Montreal offers a rich quilt of sonic colours seemlessly stitched together in compositional design and deft improvisational gestures. Drawing equally on the classical, jazz and free improv idioms, she cleverly balances these influences out on a razor's edge. With Chet Doxas (sax, clarinet - Montreal), Jonathan Stewart (tenor sax - Kingston, Ontario), Morgan Moore (bass - Montreal) and Kelby MacNayr (drums - Victoria, BC). Sample her playing at her website.
Mark Sonksen - Community Performance Series - 8pm Wednesday, June 20th at the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association
Chicago bassist and composer joins Calgary favourites Gerry Hebert on sax, Keith Smith on guitar, and Jon May on drums in this version of the monthly series for serious jazz listeners. Get a sample from his new album here.
Matt Masters - 8pm Thursday, June 21st at The Ironwood & 9pm Friday, June 22nd at Southwood United Church
The country crooner has found his true voice with Calgary expatriate Terra Hazelton (of Jeff Healey fame) and the Polyjesters. Best known as a country singer, Calgarian Masters manages to reinvent the classic honky tonk country western sound giving it his own personal touch. Sample his music here.
Co-produced with Fish Creek Concerts
Mr. Something Something - 8pm Tuesday, June 19th at The Auburn
More than just sweaty dance music. Juno nominees, chart topping recordings, and energetic live shows, the ‘Mr. Sum Sum’ afro-funk collective is a guaranteed good time. Sample their tunes here.
No Name Jazz Sextet - 10 pm Tuesday June 19th at CANTOS
Saxophonist Alexandre Côté and drummer Ugo Di Vito lead this hot young Montreal group. Influenced by the '60's Hard Bop movement, but updated with a fresh new sensitivity they put the sex back in sextet. With Roberto Murray (tenor sax), Aron Doyle (trumpet, flugelhorn), Frédéric Grenier (bass), and Éric St-Jean (B3 Hammond organ).
Show opener: The Trio at 9 pm October Trio - 8pm Tuesday June 19th at the Beat Niq
Vancouver Jazz Fest’s Galaxie Rising Stars Award winners deliver up a tight show of everything from intimate, subtle renderings to blistering grooves like no others. Evan Arntzen (saxophones), Josh Cole (bass), and Dan Gaucher (drums) are claimed as that city’s most creative musicians, but we won’t forget Dan’s strong Calgary roots. Sample their music at their website.
Pierre Dørge and the New Jungle Orchestra - 10pm Thursday, June 21st at CANTOS
Guitarist Pierre leads a wild, ten piece Danish ensemble that combines swing, bop, and Euro-classicism in rich, bursting, dadaistic freestyle harmonies. Definitely not easy listening, but a once in a lifetime experience. Sample their tunes at their website.
Rollanda Lee and The Canadian Hot Stars - 8pm Wednesday, June 20th at Quincy's
The original ‘Dixie Chick’ has entertained audiences all over the world.. Her own seven piece Canadian Hot All Stars (including Calgary trumpeter Al Muirhead) swing with traditional 1920's and 30's jazz New Orleans style. Guaranteed good times.
Sophie Milman - 8pm Tuesday, June 19th at Quincy's
This 24 year old vocal sensation has seen and done more than people twice her age. Her debut album sold more than 100,000 copies. On this tour she is releasing her much anticipated new album: Make Someone Happy. Check out Sophie here.
Terra Hazelton - 8pm Thursday, June 21st at The Ironwood & 9pm Friday, June 22nd at Southwood United Church
Sharing the double bill with Matt Masters, prominent Toronto-based vocalist Hazelton is known for sharing the stage with the great Jeff Healey. Sample her style at her website.
Co-produced with Fishcreek Concerts
Tim Leacock and Kit Johnson host OPEN STAGE - The Jazz Version - 8 pm, Wednesday, June 20th at The Ironwood
The co-hosts do jazz for this edition of the weekly tradition. So get out of your basement and onto the stage! Everyone is welcome. Come down early, put your name on the list and show us your chops. No cover charge!
UMO Jazz Orchestra - 9pm Saturday June 23rd at Quincy's
Arguably one of the best big bands in the world is from Finland. Continuous support by the city of Helsinki and the ministry of education has helped keep UMO together for over thirty years, record 26 cds and have a repertoire of 1200 compositions.
The Polyjesters - 8pm Thursday, June 21st at The Ironwood & 9pm Friday, June 22nd at Southwood United Church
These guys put on the most entertaining show in Calgary! They fuse swing, folk, roots, jazz, country, bluegrass and ragtime. These local heroes have sold out shows across Canada, the US and Europe. To sample their music, visit their website.
Co-produced with Fish Creek Concerts
Vijay Iyer with Rudresh Mahanthappa - 9pm Saturday, June 23rd at
The Ironwood
Cutting edge jazz from two leading innovators at the heart of the New York scene. Vijay is a forceful, rhythmically invigorating performer who with a unique sense for compositional balance. Described as "one of the most original and accomplished young pianists in years’. He often works with saxophonist Rudresh, who was just awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for ‘distinguished achievement in the past and exceptional promise for future accomplishment’ in composition and performance. Both men draw on their Asian heritage and American influence to create dynamic, stunning performances that could well be one of the best shows of the festival. Check out Vijay and Rudresh at their websites.
ZMF Trio - 10 pm Wednesday, June 20th at CANTOS
National Jazz Awards violinist Jesse Zubot (aka Zubot & Dawson) presents his latest cutting edge jazz project with Toronto drummer Jean Martin and the infamous American bassist Joe Fonda. Blurring the lines between contemporary improvisation, composition and old school free jazz, it’s always an incredible performance. Sample their newest release here.
Show opener: Eric Hamelin at 9 pm
