One of the notable highlights in jazz in 2009 was the 30^th Montreal Jazz Festival.  Officially named the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, the Festival commemorated a number of milestones and anniversaries, and included 450 free shows.

There are 10 on-site indoor venues in the heart of the Festival: Théâtre Maisonneuve, Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Cinquième Salle, Théâtre Jean-Duceppe, Gesù – Centre de Créativité, Métropolis, Club Soda, Savoy du Métropolis, Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, and the newest addition L’Astral (Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan).  Two off-site venues are now Festival staples: the club Upstairs, and a daily jazz cruise on Bateau Cavalier Maxim, which featured the sultry voice of Ranee Lee.

Blue Note President, Bruce Lundvall, received a new award named in his honor, joined by Wynton Marsalis, Festival founder Alain Simard, and Director Andre Menard. 
(Photo © Kevin Mason)

Several awards were given at the 2009 Festival, including the Antonio Carlos Jobim Award, given to Toots and the Maytals, and the Ella Fitzgerald Award, bestowed upon John Pizzarelli.  Canadian singer Susie Arioli received the Oscar Peterson Award.  A new prize, the Bruce Lundvall Award, created to honor a non-musician who has contributed to the world of jazz, was given to Blue Note President Bruce Lundvall himself, in recognition of the 70^th anniversary of the Blue Note label.  Continuing the celebration of the illustrious label, a fantastic photographic retrospective was held, The Art of Jazz: 70 years of Blue Note Album Covers. The Festival also honored the 55^th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival and its founder, George Wein. Wein gave an in-depth press conference, and later performed a wonderful concert with the Newport Jazz All Stars: Lew Tabackin, Randy Sandke, Howard Alden, Peter Washington, and Lewis Nash. Looking to the future, Vincent Gagnon received the Galaxie Rising Star Award of the CBC for his composition, “Apres l’Une.” 

Two legendary jazz albums had 50^th anniversaries, Time Out by Dave Brubeck and Kind of Blue by Miles Davis.  Davis’ monumental achievement was noted with three different performances by Kenny Garrett, the musical project Miles from India, and Jimmy Cobb and his So What Band.  

Just a partial list of musicians who performed at the Festival includes Wynton Marsalis, Wayne Shorter, Lee Konitz, Vic Vogel, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Patrick Watson, Charlie Haden, Chucho Valdés Quintet, Al Di Meola World Sinfonia 09, Joe Cocker, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Jackson Browne, Sadao Watanabe, Florence K,  Jesse Cook and Rumba Foundation, Ben Harper, and Neal Cowley Trio. 

Stevie Wonder

The Festival started with a spectacular free concert by world-famous recording artist Stevie Wonder.  Earlier, Wonder received the Montreal Jazz Festival Spirit Award at a packed press conference.  Holding the award, a bust of Miles Davis, he said, “We know the greatness of Miles Davis and his contribution to the world of jazz, and we know the contributions that jazz has made to the world of music.  If you tell me that there haven’t been at least 500 people in the pop world who have used a major 7^th in their chords, I’ll tell you you’re a liar.”  After the press conference, an afternoon sound check turned into an impromptu mini-concert, where Stevie did several jazz improvisations. 

At the evening concert, the audience loved Wonder’s renditions of  “Overjoyed,” “Don’t You Worry 'Bout a Thing,” “Uptight,” “I Wish,” “Higher Ground,” “Sir Duke,” “For Once in My Life,” “Do I Do,” and “Superstition.”  When he sang “Michelle” in French, the Montreal crowd went wild.  Stevie also paid tribute to Miles Davis and Michael Jackson.  Fireworks followed the concert, a fitting nod to the star power of Stevie Wonder. 

Eliane Elias
Brazilian-born Eliane Elias first made her name as a jazz pianist, but has become just as well known for her singing.  She displayed both talents when she performed cuts from her latest CD, Bossa Nova Stories, and spoke of meeting Antonio Carlos Jobim when she was playing piano in San Paolo at the age of 17.  Jobim asked her to go on tour, and they worked together for many years.  Eliane ended a great set with “The Girl From Ipanema.”  In the 50th anniversary of bossa nova music, Ms. Elias is keeping the form alive and well.

Jeff Beck sold out two performances at Salle Wilfred-Pelletier (Photo © Kevin Mason)

Jeff  Beck
At Jeff Beck’s press conference, Jacques-Andre Dupont, founder of the Montreal Guitar Show, started with some descriptions of Mr. Beck that he had requested from fans.  They included, “Guitar God,”  “Innovative Alchemist,” and “Zen Master.”  Beck was then given the Montreal Guitar Show’s Tribute Award.  Accepting the award, Beck mentioned that the creative process and feedback he gets from fans are great motivators. Jimi Hendrix and Ravi Shankar are among those who have influenced his sound. When asked about his spontaneity when playing, he quipped, “It’s a form of musical Tourettes.”  At his concert, Beck showed why he’s considered one of the best guitarists in the business.

Erik Truffaz

Trumpeter Erik Truffaz performed a three-part series at Gesù.  Each concert was a musical pilgrimage to different cities: Benares, Mexico City, and Paris. Joined by electronica artist Murcof, percussionist Phillippe Garcia, and vocalist Sly Johnson, Truffaz’s creativity was clearly in evidence in each performance.  His shows were some of the most daring and innovative of the Festival.  Though the music was often more experimental than improvisational, the cultural flavors of each city could be clearly heard.

Stanley Jordan

Musical magician Stanley Jordan bowled over the crowd at Cinquième Salle by playing the piano and guitar simultaneously! He was one of 10 guitarists invited to participate in the Festival’s Guitarissimo solo performances. With his incredible tapping guitar method, he amazed the crowd with the speed and dexterity of his gifted fingers. Jordan performed pieces from his CD, State of Nature, and some standards, leaving the audience astonished by his virtuosity.

Tony Bennett

Renowned Tony Bennett showed that age is but a number.  The dapper octogenarian sang many standards, including “The Good Life” and “The Shadow of Your Smile.”  Even though he has been singing these songs for decades, he still managed to make them fresh.  On “Fly Me to the Moon,” he wowed the crowd by turning off the microphone and singing with only guitar accompaniment, and was rewarded with seven curtain calls!  After all these years, Tony Bennett can still sell a song with the best of them.

Jamie Cullum
Jamie Cullum is one of Great Britain’s best-known jazz artists.  He embraces many musical influences and is a charismatic showman.  Looking like a wandering troubadour, Jamie opened the piano and played the inside like a drum.  He humorously recalled collaborating with Clint Eastwood on music for the films Grace is Gone and Gran Torino, imitating Eastwood’s unmistakable gravelly voice.  Cullum also paid tribute to Michael Jackson with a jazzy version of “Thriller.”  He spoke of the untimely passing of Swedish jazz musician Esbjorn Svensson, and played one of Svensson’s songs.  After seeing Jamie Cullum perform, it’s easy to understand why he has become so popular outside the UK.

Hilary Kole performed songs from her Haunted Heart CD (Photo © Joe Tuitt)

Hilary Kole
Hilary Kole was Jamie Cullum’s opening act, and she’s one of the freshest new faces on the jazz scene.  Ms. Kole, who did her own showcase at L’Astral, has recorded with jazz legends Oscar Peterson and Hank Jones, and has appeared alongside Houston Person, John Pizzarelli, Quincy Jones, and Herbie Hancock. Hilary performed songs from her debut CD, Haunted Heart.  Her rendition of Irving Berlin’s “What’ll I Do?” was touching and heartfelt.  In a totally different vein, her performance of “The Snake” by Oscar Brown, Jr. showed just the right tone of cynicism.  Hilary called the song a cautionary tale, saying, “Pay attention, you might learn something.”  The talented Ms. Kole has a lot of musical stories to share.

Oliver Jones

Who but Oliver Jones, whose Montreal gigs stretch back many years, would be chosen to open the new Festival performance space, L’Astral?  This masterful pianist and Montreal native grew up down the street from the legendary Oscar Peterson, who greatly influenced his style.  Jones shared the stage with fellow Canadian artists, double bassist Eric Lagace, drummer Jim Doxas, and saxophonist Chet Doxas. The swinging set gave everyone a chance to shine, and showed Jones’s generosity and talent.

Renaud Garcia-Fons

The bass, an important rhythm section component, is mostly supportive within the jazz ensemble, but in the hands of a master like Renaud Garcia-Fons, the beauty of its total conversation is clear. The textures in the creative fingers of Garcia-Fons were beautifully interwoven into the flamenco dance of Sabrina Romero.  Both artists evoked images of distant lands and cultures. Flamenco Dancer was the first in Garcia-Fons’s three-part series at Gesù.  The fans were enraptured by the stories told through the instrument of this gifted double bassist.

Joshua Redman

Phenomenal sax man Joshua Redman was a featured artist in the Festival’s Invitation Series. His first grouping at Gesù featured drummer Eric Harland, pianist Aaron Parks, and double bassist Matt Penman. In Redman’s second serving, his impressive tenor solos were matched by renowned saxophonist, Joe Lovano, with fine support given by pianist Sam Yahel, bassist Reuben Rogers, and drummer Greg Hutchinson. The quintet jumped off with “Rounder’s Mood” followed by “Blackwell’s Message” in homage to avant-garde drummer Ed Blackwell.  At Theater Maisonneuve, Redman’s third offering was the double trio with drummers Brian Blade and Gregory Hutchinson, and bassists Reuben Rogers and Larry Grenadier. The hottest parts of the set were the up-tempo compositions in the traditional trio format.  Fans who attended any part of the series experienced a musical triumph.

Saxophonists Joshua Redman and Joe Lovano are joined by pianist Sam Yahel, bassist Reuben Rogers, and drummer Greg Hutchinson at Gesù. (Photo © Kevin Mason)

Esperanza Spalding

One of the hottest tickets in Montreal was Esperanza Spalding’s show at Gesù.  Esperanza trained for 10 years as a classical violinist before falling in love with the double bass. Spalding’s high energy was on display with drummer Otis Brown, pianist Leo Genovese, and guitarist Ricardo Vogt. The performance perfectly showcased Spalding’s talents as vocalist, bassist, and composer, and gave glimpses into her two CDs, Esperanza and Junjo. This whirlwind is turning heads in jazz.

Chris Botti
Trumpeter Chris Botti walked onstage, resplendent in a black bespoke suit, and started his show with a piercingly beautiful rendition of “Ave Maria.”  His concert included “When I Fall in Love” and the theme song from the film, Cinema Paradisio. On many numbers, he was accompanied by the Montreal Jazz Festival Symphony Orchestra.  He was also joined by singer Sy Smith and violinist Lucia Micarelli.  Between songs, he showed his charm and sense of humor, joking with the audience and encouraging a young aspiring flautist.  He ended the concert with “Flamenco Sketches” by Miles Davis.  Mr. Botti is at the top of his game, and his concert was one of the highlights of the Festival. 

The Gerald Clayton Trio
The Gerald Clayton Trio returned to the Festival for the second year, and Gerald spoke of the warmth of the people of Montreal.  The music ranged from moody and atmospheric to exuberant and joyous.  They performed a lovely version of “If I Were a Bell” from Guys and Dolls.  The trio also played “Major Hope,” which Gerald said was inspired “by recent events in American history.”  A humorous song of lovers with a problem, “Two Heads, One Pillow,” got a knowing laugh. The son of bassist John Clayton, Gerald has performed with Diana Krall, and his style is reminiscent of the late Oscar Peterson.  Clayton’s vibrant piano was anchored by the stirring solos of long-time friends, Joe Sanders on double bass and Justin Brown on drums. The trio recently released their first CD, two-shade.

Hiromi’s Sonicbloom

Since Hiromi Uehara’s debut CD, Another Mind, a legion of fans are flocking to see this gifted dynamo, who set ablaze the keyboards surrounding her at Gesù. The energetic Hiromi was in perfect harmony with electric bassist Tony Grey, guitarist David Fiuczynski, and drummer Maurico Zottarelli.  Hiromi often played several keyboards at once, blending jazz improvisations with classical melodies while giving the audience glimpses of Oscar Peterson and Mozart. Even an equipment change by Zottarelli during a song didn’t interrupt the quartet’s fiery pace. Hiromi’s original compositions, and the quartet’s inventive interpretations of “My Favorite Things” and jazz standard “Caravan,” got ovations from the crowd.  After several encores, the set ended with Hiromi playing “Place to Be,” the title track of her new solo recording.

Branford Marsalis
Branford Marsalis, saxophonist and composer extraordinaire, started his concert by bemoaning the fact that he had missed Joshua Redman’s show due to interviews.  He shrugged and said, “That’s show business!” and launched into “The Last Goodbye,” which he jokingly called, “My Big, Shiny-Ass Saxophone.”  Marsalis played numbers from his latest CD, Metamorphosen, including an intriguing take on Thelonius Monk’s “Rhythm-a-Ning.”  The show ended with a rousing version of “St. Louis Blues,” which was met with prolonged and enthusiastic applause at the Théâtre Maisonneuve.

Jazz Master Dave Brubeck delighted fans in Montreal
(Photo © Kevin Mason)

Dave Brubeck

The legendary Dave Brubeck performed reinterpretations of his masterwork, Time Out, to much acclaim.  Time Out is the first jazz album to sell over one million copies, and Brubeck still has the chops that first made this recording famous.  In the 50^th anniversary year of this masterpiece album, Brubeck’s set was aptly named “Time Out: Take 50.”

Brubeck received a standing ovation at the packed Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier arena before playing a note.  Judging from Brubeck’s continuous smile while observing his talented cohorts, he was enjoying every moment. The quartet started with a Duke Ellington medley, including “C Jam Blues,” “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” and “Take the “A” Train,” with brilliant solos from alto saxophonist Bobby Militello, bassist Michael Moore, and drummer Randy Jones. Of course, no Brubeck set is complete without “Take Five,” and he delivered the iconic song with style.

Al Jarreau

Al Jarreau captivated the audience at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier.  He was joined by soulful songstress Debbie Davis on a beautiful rendition of “My Funny Valentine.” Known for his distinctive scatting style and uncanny ability to imitate guitar, bass, and percussion instruments with his voice, Jarreau delivered his songs with the joie de vivre that people have come to expect. Whenever he does a familiar song, even standards like “Take Five,” it’s always a fresh take, leaving his audience wanting more.

Rock Steady
The reggae group, Rock Steady, held a press conference/rehearsal where they practiced several songs, including “Stop That Train, I Want to Get Off.”  They also answered questions, discussed how jazz was at the core of reggae, and performed the theme from the movie, Rock Steady - The Roots of Reggae.  Their free concert the next evening featured many pioneers of reggae, including Stranger Cole, Marcia Griffiths, Hopeton Lewis, The Tamlins, Ken Boothe, Leroy Sibbles, and Judy Mowatt, a backup vocalist for Bob Marley.  The air was filled with good vibes (and some strong aromatic scents) as performer after performer did numbers like “Love Me This Evening,” “ Baltimore,”  “The Tide is High,” “Many Are Called,” and of course, “Rock Steady.”  The show ended with all the performers singing Bob Marley’s “One Love.”  The audience sang along, and that moment summed up the good feelings that permeated the Festival.

Lady in Satin - A Tribute to Billie Holiday
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the death of renowned songstress Billie Holiday, a tribute show was held in her honor.  Lady in Satin featured Kim Richardson, who bore a passing resemblance to Lady Day, and did an admirable job on “Yesterdays,” “Good Morning Heartache,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “Easy Living,” “Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do,” “Nice Work if You Can Get It,” and “God Bless the Child.”  Billie Holiday was a major force in jazz, so it was fitting that she was remembered in Montreal.

Ornette Coleman explores free jazz (Photo © Kevin Mason)

Ornette Coleman

Saxophonist Ornette Coleman received the Miles Davis Award, and gave a most enigmatic press conference.  It was actually more a stream-of-consciousness session than a question-and-answer period.  Coleman is known for his free-jazz style, which has clearly extended to his general philosophy of life.  He stressed, “We should be concerned with raising the quality of life.”  His concert included some classic songs and a number of free-jazz numbers.  Coleman’s instrumental genius was on full display, and the audience responded appreciatively.

Eval Manigat
The late world-music vibe giant, Eval Manigat, was honored by a concert with over 20 musicians, including members of both of his groups, Tchaka and Many Ways.  The Haitian-born Manigat was an outstanding composer, a master of vibes, bass, and percussion, and a mentor to many.  Several of Manigat’s songs were performed, each more joyous than the last.  It was a fitting tribute to the man known as “Quebec’s Father of World Music.”

Festival Notes

The Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan building, the new official permanent residence of the Festival, was the subject of some controversy.  Longtime Festival attendees had to adjust to the fact that the late-night jam sessions, previously held at the Hyatt Hotel for years, had moved to the restaurant, Bistro Le Balmoral, inside the Maison du Festival.  Many attendees have stayed at the Hyatt yearly, just to be near the jam sessions.  It remains to be seen if the sessions at Bistro Le Balmoral will become as popular.

Despite the controversy, there were some advantages to the new Festival residence. At night, the entire side of the Maison du Festival was lit up with huge pictures of musical luminaries who have appeared over the last 30 years, a striking sight that could be seen for blocks.  The new L’Astral club in the residence hosted some extremely talented musicians at nightly midnight blues sessions.  For the one-time price of $12.00 for a Festival CD, attendees were given free admission to the blues shows every night.  Standout performances by local guitarists Bob Walsh and Bob Harrisson, and the superior harmonica of Canadian Guy Bélanger, kept the club packed. 

 
The Festival was an embarrassment of riches. One of the best things about the Festival in this economy was the number of great acts performing for free.  If you only could afford one or two tickets for the major events, you could still spend every day immersed in free music.  A film festival highlighted movies that featured jazz in the soundtracks.  Films from Hollywood’s Golden age included Lady Windermere’s Fan, Lady of the Night, The Dock of New York, and Seven Chances. La Petite École du Jazz held a daily family-oriented, interactive show featuring dancers, singers and the blue Festival mascot, Ste-Cat.  Mascot Ste-Cat also appeared in the daily Festival parade, a New Orleans-inspired affair with stilt walkers, fabulously costumed characters, and an astonishing giant bejeweled alligator. 

The 30^th Festival International de Jazz de Montreal celebrated milestones and looked to the future. The Festival is one of the biggest jazz venues in the world, and will certainly continue for many years to come.