Montreal Jazz Festival 2005

[dizmonk]

Usually this is about the time, Montreal comes out with their indoor programming schedule. I know about the 6/7 concerts which have been on pre-sale for the last month or so...

Anybody know when the full indoor schedule is coming out?

thanks

[Gary Sisco]

After they've finished booking the artists, perhaps?

It might not occur to people, but most jazz festivals occur within a few weeks of each other, and most of them want more or less the same artists or at least artists from the same, clearly limited, available pool.

Do you think this makes for ease of booking or what?

Have a little patience. No one's later this year announcing festival rosters than they have been for any others.

[Pete C]

Montreal does not usually announce the full indoor schedule until early May. They sometimes announce a few mega-headliners about this time.

[dizmonk]

Montreal does not usually announce the full indoor schedule until early May. They sometimes announce a few mega-headliners about this time.


Despite Mr. Obnoxious's earlier posting (not yours), you're right - I forgot it usually does come out in May.... I was getting May and March mixed up...

thanks for clarifying...

[Pete C]

Some bookings listed on Pollstar:


Wed 06/29/05 Michael Buble Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier

Thu 06/30/05 Michael Buble Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier

Fri 07/01/05 Blind Boys Of Alabama Metropolis
Fri 07/01/05 Mavis Staples Metropolis
Fri 07/01/05 Dave Holland Place des Arts

Fri 07/01/05 Cesaria Evora TBA

Fri 07/01/05 Dave Holland Big Band Theatre Maisonneuve


Sat 07/02/05 Marc Ribot TBA

Sat 07/02/05 Bobby McFerrin Theatre Maisonneuve

Sun 07/03/05 Madeleine Peyroux Club Soda
Sun 07/03/05 Bonobo Metropolis
Sun 07/03/05 DJ Food Metropolis
Sun 07/03/05 The Herbaliser Metropolis

Mon 07/04/05 Madeleine Peyroux Club Soda

Wed 07/06/05 Toots Thielemans TBA
Thu 07/07/05 Al Jarreau Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier
Thu 07/07/05 Roberta Flack Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier

[kerrmit]

With Pat Metheny playing in Ottawa on July 9th, I expect he will make a stop in Montreal either within the Mtl Jazz Fets schedule or just outside it. That will go over well in Montreal.

[Chaz Longue]

Metheny's a sideman in an old friend's group on the 8th.

;-)

db

[dizmonk]

anyone know if any of the following are going to be there???

Charlie Haden
Karrin Allyson
Wynton Marsalis
Jackie Terrason
Brad Mehldau

[kerrmit]

Metheny's a sideman in an old friend's group on the 8th.

;-)

db

I am stumped, and the festival web site is only posting a full schedule in May.

[Gary Sisco]

Anyone know where is the Theatre Maisonneuve and/or if it's handicapped accessible? I'm assuming it's one of the large theaters, because of all the many times I've attended the festival, I haven't attended a show at one of them.

[Fred K]

Theatre Maisonneuve is in the Place des Arts (the front right corner, facing St. Catherine). I've only been in it once for Richard Galliano's Piazzolla Group. I don't remember specifically if it's handicapped accessible, but it's a new enough theater with several entry points, so I would think it would be.

[Gary Sisco]

Thanks, Fred. I'm remembering now. It's accessible but only in the back, seatingwise. I think I had a phone thing about it with the ticket office once, some few years back when Rollins was playing Place des Arts.

Well, thinking about it, to hear Holland, and Robin.

[Jazzzoline]

Read on PDA site:

Special Need Services Assistance for persons with reduced mobility

During the shows, a member of the reception staff is specifically designated to assist persons with reduced mobility. Customers who require assistance must report to the main security desk.
Place des arts - Théâtre Maisonneuve (http://www.pda.qc.ca/place-des-arts/nos-salles/theatre-maisonneuve.spec.en.html)

[Gary Sisco]

Thanks for that. I'm remembering, now.

[Chaz Longue]

I recently helped a Boston based PR firm organize a Montreal Jazz Festival Press Lunch for scribblers and other assorted press here in Burlington VT. Andre Menard is coming down and buying us lunch. I'm not sure how much specific booking info I'll be able to get from him, but I'll grab a press package and share here any news I can gather about specific gigs etc.

db

[dizmonk]

I recently helped a Boston based PR firm organize a Montreal Jazz Festival Press Lunch for scribblers and other assorted press here in Burlington VT. Andre Menard is coming down and buying us lunch. I'm not sure how much specific booking info I'll be able to get from him, but I'll grab a press package and share here any news I can gather about specific gigs etc.

db


sounds great!!!!!!!!! All sneak previews are welcome... :)

[Freetoojazz]

The full schedule will be available this Thursday, the 10th of May. Here some names not announce:

June 30
Eric Bibb
Hiromi
Brazilian Girl

July 1
Charles Lloyd

July 2
Charles Lloyd
Lizz Wright
Geri Allen

July 7
Terence Blanchard

July 8
Karen Ann

Those someone know if Metheny wil be there?

[Chaz Longue]

Metheny will be there as a guest in another leader's group on the 8th.

[Freetoojazz]

Metheny will be there as a guest in another leader's group on the 8th.

At this moment, the only person i know who come this dat is Daniel Lanois. Is it him?

[kerrmit]

Gary Burton. Oops.

[Freetoojazz]

Gary Burton. Oops.

Thanks, this is logic! :D

[kerrmit]

I think the Burton gig is speculation. I do not have 100% certainty on that. Its all cloak and dagger Watergate type stuff.

[Gary Sisco]

Man, last time Blanchard played Montreal, if it hadn't been for Cassandra Wilson's guest shot with his band, I'd have taken a nap through his set. Cats acted like even they were bored that night.

[Freetoojazz]

I think the Burton gig is speculation. I do not have 100% certainty on that. Its all cloak and dagger Watergate type stuff.

I went to visit the site of Gary Burton and in the itinerary, and i saw the city of Montreal with Pat Metheny. Now, if this information is on is site (Gary), we could expect to see him the 8th of July! Thanks God! I never see Pat Methney Live. I hope it will be easy to buy tickets! :o

[Freetoojazz]

I found six others names not annonce for the Montreal Jazz Fest 2005:

June 30
Bela Fleck

July 2
Mike Stern

July 4
Bill Frisel Band

July 6
Femi Kuti Metropolis

July 7
Jolie Holland Club Soda
Spanish Harlem Orchestra Metropolis

[Freetoojazz]

At eleven o'clock (a.m) tomorow morning, the two founders of the team Spectra will release the schedule of the names of the musicians who coming in this 26th International Jazz Festival of Montréal. Indoor concerts only!

You can also listening the station 91,9 FM (http://www.couleurjazz.com/QuickPlace/couleurjazzfm/Main.nsf/h_Toc/2e6bba3902a86bdf85256f6100812cb3/?OpenDocument) to bring you the information about this happening.

[Jazzzoline]

Metheny au Gesù le 8 juillet
spectacle au réseau admission (http://www.admission.com/cgi/guide.cgi?l=FR&TITLE=*JAZZ&FROM=2005-05-10&TO=&n=41&p=2)

[Pete C]

The full indoor schedule is up. Great news:

http://www.musichall.org/Events/Big/paul_anka_1WebPhtoBIG.jpg

[jazzfiend]

Pete, is that Al Martino?

[kerrmit]

Its a Pat Metheny festival!! Wow. Wish I could be there. I will see him on July 9th...again.

[Jazzzoline]

Pete, is that Al Martino?

Paul Anka?
Anyways.. the guy's got a shirt...

[Pete C]

Paul Anka?
Anyways.. the guy's got a shirt...

Yes, apparently embalmed alive.

[Gary Sisco]

Gah. I'd not be in the same city with Paul Anka. 666, man. Some things just aren't done.

[Freetoojazz]

I'm very proud to see Pat this summer. I hope i'll have one ticket for the 80/81 concert. The Gésù is a 400 places. Good luck to everyone to have some tickets!

[Gary Sisco]

The finest room in the city and one of the very finest anywhere.

[Freetoojazz]

At 9 o'clock this morning (May, 14), I bought a ticket for the Metheny 80/81 Revisited concert at the Gésù (July, 8). I call at 8h57 am, and I got the line at 9 o'clock. The begining seat is A1 and the last one is O21. I'm in the E. Be sure is the end of the hour, the show will be sold out!

[Chaz Longue]

I'll see you there Freetojazz !

I've managed to get tickets for the 4 Metheny shows I'm most interested in:
the Gesu double bill, the Burton/Swallow et al reunion, the Trio , and the "Fresh Encounters".

I remember driving up without a ticket and managing to get in at (if memory serves) Theatre Nouveau Monde to see Haden,DeJohnette and Metheny. I just stood at the box office window like a lost dog until, half an hour after the show started, they sold me the last seat in the place that somebody hadn't claimed. That's the one from Haden's invitation series that DIDN'T get released on ECM. Anybody know what year that was? It was a Haden Invitation series...

The chance to see Metheny play outside the context of The Pat Metheny Group is one I'd never willingly pass up.












Actually, come to think of it I've never passed on the PMG either...

[dizmonk]

got my tickets for, PM & Gary Burton, PM 80/81, PM and Charlie Haden (that's going to be sold out fast...!!) and of course... Sonny Rollins...

looks like it will be fun....

I hope they have some "name" folks playing an outdoor stage or two...E.G., Rene Marie (vocalist) would be great....

[Freetoojazz]

I'll see you there Freetojazz !

I've managed to get tickets for the 4 Metheny shows I'm most interested in:
the Gesu double bill, the Burton/Swallow et al reunion, the Trio , and the "Fresh Encounters".

I remember driving up without a ticket and managing to get in at (if memory serves) Theatre Nouveau Monde to see Haden,DeJohnette and Metheny. I just stood at the box office window like a lost dog until, half an hour after the show started, they sold me the last seat in the place that somebody hadn't claimed. That's the one from Haden's invitation series that DIDN'T get released on ECM. Anybody know what year that was? It was a Haden Invitation series...

The chance to see Metheny play outside the context of The Pat Metheny Group is one I'd never willingly pass up.

Actually, come to think of it I've never passed on the PMG either...

Hope to see you there too! I bought tickets for the PM 80/81, PM trio, and Zakir Hussain, Charles Lloyd & Eric Harland at the MN. The Monument National is another place who i like to see concert. It's a good place!

You were lucky to have one ticket when Haden, Jack and Pat came to the Theatre du Nouveau Monde.

I got all THE MONTREAL TAPES of Charlie Haden. I hope one day Verve or ECM will release the Haden, Metheny & Dejohnnette concert. I don't know why it took so long to put this music on cd??

[Chaz Longue]

Hope to see you there too! I bought tickets for the PM 80/81, PM trio, and Zakir Hussain, Charles Lloyd & Eric Harland at the MN. The Monument National is another place who i like to see concert. It's a good place!

You were lucky to have one ticket when Haden, Jack and Pat came to the Theatre du Nouveau Monde.

I got all THE MONTREAL TAPES of Charlie Haden. I hope one day Verve or ECM will release the Haden, Metheny & Dejohnnette concert. I don't know why it took so long to put this music on cd??

The Metheny, Haden, DeJohnette trio performance may actually have been at one of the PDA rooms, rather than the TNM. I remember parts of that evening vividly, but the visual memory I have of the venue and box office is a bit sketchy, and it could have been either one. The reason it wasn't ever released, as was much of the rest of that Charlie Haden Invitation series, is simply that the players didn't think it was good enough for release.

[Freetoojazz]

I saw in the newspaper (Cahier Week-end Arts & Spectacle, La Presse) of May 14th, that Metheny open the door for a concert with The Pat Metheny Group for The Way Up Tour after the Festival (maybe this fall).

Open the door means that Metheny seems interesting to bring the Group here in Montréal, but later!

[Chaz Longue]

At the Press Conference hosted yesterday by Andre Menard of The Montreal Jazz Festival I learned (for starters) that...

The other 350 (Free outdoor) shows will be announced on 7 June.

Theatre Jean-Duceppe is being used for the first time. This room, located beneath Theatre Maisonneuve in PdA, will be used each evening for perfomances of a show called "Tango Flamenco" by 25 member Compania Talent Danza Ballet Espanol from Madrid.

John McLaughlin, who isn't on tour at the time, is flying in specifically for one performance with Zakir Hussein at the end of Hussein's Invitation series - on 3 July. This year, Zakir Hussein's Invitation series will mark the first time a "world music" person (rather than somebody who's nominally a "Jazz" artist) is presented in The Invitation Series. Pat Metheny was the first musician to be presented in this format - Metheny's Invitation Series concerts take place this year during the second half of the week.

Caesaria Evora's concert has been cancelled due to upcoming heart surgery.

The Spectrum will (finally) undergo a 2 year total renovation/reconstruction starting after The Montreal Jazz Festival this year. The row of buildings just below it on Ste Catherine will (finally) be torn down. When it's all done, The new Spectrum will be joined by 7 movie screens and a performing arts park. Presumably they'll finally connect to The Garden Complex and the hotel next door. Plans for a new Symphony Hall on land behid the bank etc directly across the street from The Spectrum are still, well, plans. But there's no telling how long it will take to finalize them or break ground, because it turns out all the financing must be private.

Couleur Jazz FM at 91.9 is not yet webcasting. But the first "books" (demographic listenership statistics by the rating companies) are out since they've begun to broadcast - and the numbers were surprisingly good, according to Andre Menard.
M. Menard himself has been contracted to host a 2 hour afternoon drive slot (4 to 6) year-round, even during the festival. As if he needed another job! He'd never done radio before and wasn't sure what he was being asked to do when the station management mentioned "afternoon drive". He's agreed to do this for one year.

Paul Anka's new recording is called "Rock Swings". It's swing versions of rock songs.

This year the festival will inaugurate the SIMM, a sort of hands-on trade show for musical instrument manufacturers, in Complexe De Jardins. This years presenters will be Montreal based musical instrument manufacturers. Next year the festival will begin inviting Countries to showcase thier musical instruments and related wares. Italy has accepted the invitation to present it's instruments next year. It sounds like a sort of international NAMM gathering. Expect some very expensive Italian pianos tinkling just off the food court next year ;-)

M. Menard also said a lot about the Cine-Jazz series at Cinemateque Quebequois. Hours worth of footage to be shown that's never been seen in North America before.

I'm also expecting new venues to be reclaimed/restored/rehabbed for use by the MJF to replace The Spectrum, and I think Spectra is likely to reclaim one as well as making a new Spectrum. Think of what Spectra has done with Metropolis...When you own a venue (as Spectra owns The Spectrum and Metropolis) things become possible that would be difficult at best if everything had to be negotiated for every show. It seems to me that's one of the reasons Montreal has such a vast array of festivals and performing arts offerings: empty venues cause a loss...or represent an opportunity which can efficiently be turned into a gain.



Who else is going to Montreal this year?


db

[dizmonk]

I'll be there for about 1/3rd of it...

I'm interested in there will be any "big names" who offer free shows... Doesn't happen a lot but Renee Rosnes did one about 3 years ago....

[Ed Swinnich]

I'm there June 30- July 4.

I've always enjoyed the free outdoor shows whether they be jazz or on the fringes of jazz, well known or completely unkown. Those free outdoor shows also contain some gems and have broadened my musical horizons considerably.

[Chaz Longue]

Dizmonk - I guess it depends who you consider "Big Names". I guess we'll see. I often enjoy seeing people on the outdoor stages who are Big Names somewhere else, but not particularly Big Names in North America. That's one of the things I particularly value the MJF for.

Ed - Me too. I'm always discovering somebody cool on an outdoor stage I'd never heard of before.

I hope to see you both there. Closer to the festival perhaps we can make plans for an early dinner, lunch, or some other sort of hang.

[Ed Swinnich]

I'll keep an eye on this thread. I'm travelin' solo so meeting some people would be nice.

Some freebies I've heard over the years - off the top of my head - Barbara Dennerlein, Sonny Greenwich, Steve Amirault, Alain Caron, Bernard Primeau Orchestra, Jean Francois Groulx, Django Bates, Nicolas Payton, Patrick Roy's (Goalie) father Michel - who was very good, tons of guys from across Canada and Europe whose names I can't recall but who kicked ass. Not to mention the Blues - Junior Wells, Charles Musselwhite, Duke Robillard, Sue Foley, Pinetop Perkins, Memphis Slim. Also the salsa, groove, swing, klezmer, vocals, zydeco, African music, and tons of other stuff I've heard over the years. I'm getting excited already.

[Jazzzoline]

Who else is going to Montreal this year?
db
I'll be there, that's for sure. This year, I'm not into any vacations at that time of the year.

I still don't know which concerts I'll choose. I usually go to 3.

[dizmonk]

If you're thinking about a Pat Metheny show... better grab your tickets now... the gig at the Salle de Gesu is sold out (granted it's a very small, intimate venue)... But I do think many of his other shows will sell out...


I'll be there, that's for sure. This year, I'm not into any vacations at that time of the year.

I still don't know which concerts I'll choose. I usually go to 3.

[Jazzzoline]

If you're thinking about a Pat Metheny show... better grab your tickets now... the gig at the Salle de Gesu is sold out

It's not sold out.
At least, when you order online.

[kerrmit]

I found this post on the Pat Metheny Group message board:

"Pour ceux qui parlent français, le PMG serais "officieusement" sur scène exterieure pour un concert gratuit sur le site du FIJM le 10."

Essentially saying that PMG will be doing a free outdoor show in Montreal on the 10th. They do their PMG - The Way UP show in Ottawa on the 9th, so that makes some sense, all their equipment and personnel will be in the area.

If it is anything like the last free outdoor concert he did in Montreal many moons ago, this will be of Woodstockian preportions (at least in jazz terms).

[dizmonk]

It's not sold out.
At least, when you order online.

that's interesting 'cause I just checked for the Missouri Sky show online and that said it was sold out... as well as the 80/81 Revisited show...

[Freetoojazz]

The Metheny, Haden, DeJohnette trio performance may actually have been at one of the PDA rooms, rather than the TNM. I remember parts of that evening vividly, but the visual memory I have of the venue and box office is a bit sketchy, and it could have been either one. The reason it wasn't ever released, as was much of the rest of that Charlie Haden Invitation series, is simply that the players didn't think it was good enough for release.

You! What did you think about this night. Il was good? Do you remeber if the night was magic?

[Jazzzoline]

that's interesting 'cause I just checked for the Missouri Sky show online and that said it was sold out... as well as the 80/81 Revisited show...
Well, I didn't go again on the site, but when I posted, only Bubblé and Madeleine Peyroux were sold out. I also could get tickets online. But I didn't confirmed since I've already seen Metheny. I'll go for Truffaz...

[Chaz Longue]

The PMG show in 1989 (I think it was was) was not as well attended as some others in that series. But it's taken on a mythic status. There were only something like 110,000 people, but it was particularly well done and went off like a charm. At the time it was the biggest audience Metheny had played for, and the biggest event of it's kind in Montreal. It was the free outdoor show that gave Equipe Spectra, the City of Montreal and the MJF the feeling that they could go forward with shows of this kind in the future without much fear of problems.

The MJF always offers one evening - right in the middle of the festival - called "Grand Evenment" if memory serves. This year there will be two of them. They are always worth catching imho. The festival offers little else in the way of programming that day so people can make the most of the event. A number of years ago the MJF staged a celebration of Cirque Du Soleil that was memorable: tango dancers illuminated in the windows of The Wyndham Hotel and on the balcony of The Wyndham, illuminated by spotlights parked 6 blocks away, giant sillouettes projected on the hotel's wall, and a cirque de soleil band which features special guests like Toots Thielemans and Jean Luc Ponty. The Cirque Du Soleil was also featured last year if memory serves - and the staging looked to be even more dramatic. One year the Grand Evenment was the largest gathering in celebration of Brazil's 350th anniversary to be held outside Brazil. Timbalada played (without Carlinos Brown) and it was amazing.

But here's the most amazing thing about these gigs. They are safe and sane. Families go. The whole city seems to turn out for them. They have more the atmosphere of a picnic than a rock concert or a sporting event. The darned things seem to go off without incident. It's quite wonderful. Reading the papers during subsequent days gives a sense that the city really benefits from these gatherings - Montreal has a reputation now for cultural activities like this. The days following the first Cirque event I mentioned, the local papers kept revising thier crowd estimates upward. They stopped at about 230,000.

That Metheny Haden DeJohnette night you asked about FreetoJazz...good, but not so magical. I can understand how they would decide not to release it. DeJohnette was a bit overpowering.

[Pete C]

My second greatest regret about missing this year is missing Chaz.

My greatest regret is missing Jazzzoline.

[Jazzzoline]

My second greatest regret about missing this year is missing Chaz.

My greatest regret is missing Jazzzoline.
Awwwwwwwwwww
so kind..

[Chaz Longue]

The MJF just won't be the same without Pete...

[Jazzzoline]

The MJF just won't be the same without Pete...
So true..

[Freetoojazz]

The MJF announce the name of the band who will make the Grand Évènement General Motors:

Here the press realease:

The biggest party of the summer!with Champion and the G-Strings hosts of the Grand Événement General Motors, 2005

Montreal, Thursday, May 26, 2005 – It was the worst-kept secret in town, but it’s nonetheless a pleasure to announce that the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal has officially retained one of the most avant-garde artists on the Quebec music scene for the 2005 Grand Événement General Motors.

So make way for Champion, accompanied by his faithful G-Strings and
featuring Béatrice Bonnifassi in what promises to be the biggest party of the year. The brainchild of Laurent Saulnier (Vice President, Programming) and François Bérubé (Vice President, Production), the party will take place this coming Tuesday, July 5, starting at 9:30 p.m. on the scène General Motors, situated at the corner of Ste. Catherine Street and Jeanne-Mance, all to be filmed for high-definition TV and broadcast on the TV5 network the following
Sunday, July 17 at 8:30 p.m.

Following the historic show delivered by UZEB in 1992, this is only the 2nd time that the Festival has featured a Montreal artist for the Grand Événement. Champion’ G-Strings include guitarists Barry Russel, Jean-Luc Huet, Sébastien Blais-Montpetit, Stéphane “Fets” Leclerc, bassist Blanche Ballairgeon and singer Béatrice Bonifassi (made famous by Les Triplettes de Belleville). Not to mention Maxime Morin himself, alias Champion, on laptop and as conductor.

Add to that mix painter Zilon, a string quartet and a Brazilian drum section to spice up the techno/jazz mix, then apply projections on surrounding
buildings, giant-screens and sonic delay towers throughout and you’ve got a musical happening sans pareil, created by veteran creative team Jimmy Lakatos (projections), Bruno Rafie (lighting), and sound duo Guy Hébert and Christian Paquin.

Champion – Chill‘em all

Sizzling, rhythmic guitar is the trademark of guitar god Maxime Morin, aka Champion—composer, multiinstrumentalist and inveterate DJ of the Montreal music scene. He’s got it all, as legions of devout fans will testify.
A music lover since before he could walk, Maxime began his education at the age of 5, eventually stumbling on his best friend, the electric guitar. Throughout his musical development, he was a member of various punk and rock groups before dedicating himself to his newest passion: electronic music. Ten years of practice and productions under the names of Madmax and then Max led inevitably to an alliance of the two passions, eventually giving birth to his most daring project to date: Chill‘em all.

Chill’em all hits, and it hits hard. Infectious guitar riffs, sensual grooves and intelligently de-constructed rhythms grab audiences with their passion. A true one-man band, Champion builds impressive sonic environments with
an astute marriage of guitar-based melody and techno rhythms. Chill ‘em all is an accessible album, whatever your taste, delivering unique sonorities in live performance in two forms, each leading naturally into the other.
As a soloist, with his laptop and dynamite guitar loops, Champion’s surrounded by his four guitarists, a bassist and singer, taking on the roles of both performer and conductor to lead his creations to climax.
The proof is in the pudding: Chill’em all has been a hit in all its live performances (including France, Finland, Germany, Canada, Mexico and the U.S.) demonstrating that people of all cultures are receptive to its ingenious alliance of both the corrosive and the emotive.

Thanks to the generous contributions of its sponsors, the Grand Événement has invariably been a showcase for artistic daring and creativity, gathering larger and larger crowds over the years to become THE mega-event of Montreal’s summer season.

So absolutely do not miss the Grand Événement General Motors at this 26th edition of the Festival International de Jazz
de Montréal with Champion and the G-Strings, Tuesday, July 5, 2005 starting at 9:30 p.m. on the scène General Motors.

[dizmonk]

sorry but this just isn't working for me... I was coming up on the 6th... so I'd be missing this anyway...

I LOVE Montreal... but this has been one part of the changes (in the last 10 years) that I have not liked... I can't recall one big blow-out event I liked...

oh well... Hey but I got my Pat Metheny tix... :)

[gonzo]

its paul anka!! new CD in which he croons contemporary rock tunes in the big band style is out june 7th. van halen,soundgarden,rem,bon jovi all in the relaxing big band sound. :o

[Freetoojazz]

The MJF have announced the name of the 2005 winners of their prizes:

Here an extract of the press release:

Khaled, Al Jarreau, Dave Holland and Bernard Primeau
to be honored by the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal Montreal,

Monday, May 30, 2005 — Singers Khaled and Al Jarreau, bassist, composer and arranger Dave Holland and Quebec drummer and band leader Bernard Primeau are the 2005 winners of prestigious prizes awarded annually by the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal to artists who’ve made xtraordinary contributions to the evolution of jazz. This year, they’ll receive, respectively, the Antonio Carlos-Jobim Award, Ella-Fitzgerald Award, Miles-Davis Award and Oscar Peterson Award.

Antonio Carlos-Jobim Award: Khaled Khaled is only the second winner of the Antonio Carlos-Jobim ...

Ella-Fitzgerald Award: Al Jarreau is the 7th artist to receive the Ella-Fitzgerald Award, established in 1999 on our 20th anniversary to reward a vocalist whose range, flexibility and improvisational talents have gained international recognition.

Miles-Davis Award: Dave Holland Dave Holland will be the 12th recipient of the Miles-Davis Award, created for our 15th anniversary in 1994 to honor the work of an internationally acclaimed artist and his or her contribution to the renewal of the genre.

Oscar Peterson Award: Bernard Primeau is the 17th artist to receive the Oscar Peterson Award, created on the 10th anniversary of the Festival in 1994 to honor a Canadian musician who’s made a major contribution to the world of jazz in this country.

[Freetoojazz]

It's not a joke, I read on the http://www.cyberpresse.ca/arts/article/article_complet.php?path=/arts/article/02/1,144,244,062005,1055367.php that Pat Metheny will come in Montréal with the Pat Metheny Group for a free concert, July 10th at 21h00 (scène General Motors).

Don't miss this opportunity!!!

[willfb]

Is anyone from this crew plannin' to be around 7/1 thru 7/5? Anything organized yet? I'm bringing my family up for an extended festival stay.

[Chaz Longue]

I'll be there.
I don't believe anything's organized yet.
I've often made plans to be at (say) the Cafe Depot just footsteps downhill from the main entrance to Complexe De Jardins at about 3PM. That gives us a chance to plan the evening's activities, work a simple and quick meal in, and be ready for the 6:00 Gesu show if anybody is going. That would be me, actually. One reason this matters is that that ROOM, Gesu, is the nicest the festival uses.

There's also often a sort of cocktail hour gathering in the hotel bar right outside the press room, upstairs in the hotel at ground zero. That's always fun - but for me presents a bit of a scheduling problem. If people want dinner right after THAT gathering... it runs right into that 600 show and I have to pass.

Another suggestion I've often made is dinner at 4PM at Le Commensal on Rue St Catherine on the second floor - right overlooking McGill College Avenue. That has the advantage of convenience, because the food there is superb and cheap and they serve beer, wine, espresso, desert etc. Another dinner idea is the little holes in the wall (at least one of which has excellent Pete Cherches approved chow) across Rue Bluerry from Gesu. They have tables right in the open windows.

We could also think about Lunch if that seems a better idea.
Heck, I'd even give a brunch/walking tour of the old city or the underground if anybody wants.

[Jazzzoline]

Outdoor concerts list is now available on the site
montrealjazzfest (http://www.montrealjazzfest.com)

[Freetoojazz]

July 6th, at the Gésù (22h30) The PAf trio is replace by Paolo Fresu and Uri Caine.

[dizmonk]

so I'll be up there from the 6th through the 8th... I've got all my tickets and there's one open slot which is the early evening of the 6th... I'm likely to see the free shows... but I'm debating if I want to see Toots...
Have never seen him... never thought I'd want to... don't own any of his records... The main reason I'm thinking about going is the "see the jazz legend before its too late" thought...

So who's going? And why should I cough up the $$$?

thanks

[Pete C]

Outdoor concerts list is now available on the site
montrealjazzfest (http://www.montrealjazzfest.com) Don't miss the Gangbe Brass Band:

Formed in 1994 by a collective of young players from Benin, the Gangbé merge African percussion with wind instruments (trumpet, trombone, saxophone, euphonium) into what they like to call “the sound of metal.” And how: with a flash of Dahomey Voodoo rhythm, these 12 musicians offer a stunning fusion of jazz and traditional Benini music powered by thunderous horns, setting a scene of mad onstage singing and dancing. Heavy metal!

[Chaz Longue]

Dizmonk:

Since I don't have time to write a real recomendation of Toots...I'll just say - "If you have to ask, you'll never know".

You'll want to be there though...trust me on this...

[willfb]

Enrico Rava was killin last night at the Spectrum. Really a master at his peak. His tone and ideas were gorgeous. Great band too. He closed with Poinciana and did a routine where he got the crowd to hum the tune and played obbligatos over it. He will be with Metheny later on in the fest and I am envious of anyone who gets to see him there.

Looking forward to Odean Pope tonight, another unsung master whom I have not had the pleasure of seeing for many many years. Great Festival so far.

[dizmonk]

Sounds great... how's the weather and the crowds??? I'm heading up on Wed....

have you gone to any of the late night jam sessions??? Anyone notable show up?

[Jazzzoline]

The weather is wonderful, I don't know if it will last til wednesday though. I go tonight for Truffaz and after the show, wander around the place ( Truffaz is at 18h00).

[Freetoojazz]

The cloud are here today. Tonight! I will see Pat Metheny trio at the Spectrum. Last Saturday, i went to see Zakir Hussain with Charles Lloyd & Eric Harland. The show was very good!

[Jazzzoline]

there's always less people on the 4th of july. But still this was very fun to be around last night. I've seen Éric Truffaz and he and his band were excellent. The only thing, he added a singer to his tour group, singing "bédouin-like" songs to his show. Not only he sings but he dances too. Annoying enough for my husband to not snore during the whole show.

I wasn't in Montréal during the week end, but people told me that there has been a manifestation against Canada (Québécois showing their disagreement toward Canada governmenet - Libérez-nous des Libéraux!), manifestants mixing with the jazz crowd.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...

[Slurpy]

Chaz, you going to see the free PMG gig or the PM trio or Pat with Charlie Haden?? If so, I'd love to hear about it!

[Slurpy]

Nice review of the free PMG gig here (http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=18282) , under Day 11:

[Chaz Longue]

I can't log into this site unless I'm on my own computer - so I missed Bill Beran's email to me and only got it just now, 12 July. How was Sonny Rollins, Bill? I tried to return your private message, Bill, but just can't manage to get it to work. I always enjoy getting these, but fear senders may think me rude for not responding - I simply can't get the thing to work. Email suits me better.

I had a stupendous time even if I seem to have missed even a glimpse of anybody from Jazzcorner (sniffle). So much amazing music - and so much to try to keep track of...

Slurpy - I passed on Metheny / Haden in favor of the Jean Derome / Francois Bourassa / Pierre Tanguay performance. Derome is a favorite of mine. His 10 compositions of Jean Derome - on the Quebec based Ambiences Magnetiques - in one of the year's best I think.

Metheny arrived on the 4th and was pretty well knackered from traveling from France. He watched Bill Frisell's quartet from the back of the hall and turned in shortly thereafter. His guitar, however, arrived the next morning, just in time for a 10 AM rehearsal with the various people he'd share a bill with the following night (see below). Metheny proceeded to rehearse from 10AM until his show started at 930PM - when he began his lengthy TRIO set...

I liked his appearance the next day with Meshell Ndegeocello/Chris Dave/Ron Blake et al as much as any of them. The first part of that night was also wonderful - Pat Metheny with David Sanchez, Scott Colley and Antonio Sanchez -and Enrico Rava for a couple of duets and a number with the band. I suspect I'll get other opportunities to hear him with Enrico Rava - but the set with Meshell and her band may well have been a one-off.

The evening with a reconstituted Gary Burton Quintet was ...well, as good as it gets, and welcome as hell after a 28 year break. Swallow is sui generis ...come to think of it, Burton is too.

The quartet with Dewey Redman, Matt Wilson, John Moneghan and Metheny was just terrific too, but what followed was equally rare (at least for those of us who never make it to Boston) - the first time Metheny and Mick Goodrick have ever played duets outside of Boston. It's been roughly 30 years...

The TRIO was sublime. If you're at all inclined, catch a TRIO gig soon while they are out touring...

The PMG on the street was very well received - and bore striking similarities to the 1989 performance on McGill College Avenue. Same rapport with the crowd, same bizarre weather. 1989 was hotter and the city was surrounded by thunderstorms - which seemed to part for the show. This year was cool and breezy, and immediately following the first loud clap of thunder - complete with near cinematic quality lightening bolt - the show went off without a hitch. I'm told CBC will broadcast this on 24 July.

[dizmonk]

I agree with your take on stuff... Sorry we didn't catch up... I too thought the Metheny/Burton gig was phenomenal.. Made me go out and see if I could find any of that band's CDs... Managed to snag "Dreams so Real" from the HMV on St. Catherine St...

Haden/Metheny was great... I'm sorry but I'm a HUGE Charlie Haden fan... and it lived up to what I hoped...

Sonny was actually a little bit of a disappointment... He didn't seem to have his usual Sonny-like stamina.... And I could completely do without Bobby Broom (guitarist) and whoever the percussionist was....

Overall... Made me want to go see even more Metheny... (I missed the trio show... :((((

[Slurpy]

Thanks, Chaz. Sounds like you had a fantastic time. Wish I could've been there. I do plan on catching the PM trio if they make it down here. Right now their tour schedule has them stalled in NC, but hopefully continuing south.

[Freetoojazz]

with the Dave Holland Big Band the 1st of July. Is it true?

[willfb]

Chaz: sorry I missed you, since this was the first time I've been able to come to Montreal in 5 years and was hoping to hook up with some northern folks. We actually drove thru Burlington on our way home to give some variety to the trip (took the ferry across Lake Champlain).

Sonny was good. Not great, good. It bears remembering that he's 75, after all. But he's still Sonny. I really, really am impressed by what a good musician Clifton Anderson is, since Sonny was throwing him a lot of solo space (more than he took for himself).

My true highlights were seeing Charles Lloyd and Enrico Rava at the Spectrum, and what a pleasure it was to sit in the Spectrum and not have to breathe all the second hand smoke. Enrico was truly sublime--really one of the great trumpet players of all time.

Looking forward to 2006...

[Chaz Longue]

WILLFB -

Glad you enjoyed Montreal. Sorry we didn't get to meet.

I enjoyed those shows too. Metheny will be doing some European dates with Rava this Summer. I liked Lloyd and Rava too. Metheny will also be revealing a surprise in the coming year...

Do you have the Label Bleu releases called Montreal A and Montreal B? Highly recommended. Rava from prior Montreal Jazz Fest appearances. One is Quintet, one is with Stefano Bollani. How about that young Alto player Cafiso, eh?


Did you see Eric Longsworth/Sylvain Luc? Remi Bolduc? Derome/Tanguay/Bourassa? Bill Charlap Trio? Tin Pan Aliens with Steve Swallow? Those were highlights for moi. As was the joyous Dewey Redman show at the end of the week in Salle Gesu.

Let's get together at Burlington Discover Jazz Festival and/or Montreal next year.

DB

[willfb]

I don't have any recent Rava recordings at all. That situation is going to have to change. On my most recent visit to Downtown Music Gallery they didn't have any cd's with the trombonist he had in his band, who was fabulous.

I did see Tin Pan Aliens. Good band, killer drummer. I love Gesu, too. I probably should have made more of an effort to get to the Randy Weston show, but I had my kids with me and couldn't get out to as many shows as I would have liked to. Didn't see any of the others you mentioned.

Mos def, see you in '06 (if I can squirrel away enough money)...

[Pete C]

How about that young Alto player Cafiso, eh?



How about him? I think he may grow into a real player, but when I saw him it was kind of like a child prodigy all-technique freak show.

[Chaz Longue]

Monsieur Mainframe!

How was Northsea?

Hope you had a ball...

I'll look for a thread on Northsea for your comments if you've laid some on us...

I agree - Cafiso isn't a mature talent.

...but he's, what, 12 or something? He'll grow.

Thanks for mentioning Petrella willfb.

Weston was the best I've seen him - or should I say I simply enjoyed him the most...What a treat to see Candido.

[willfb]

And thank you for telling me what his name is, I didn't catch it at the show and was reduced to asking the DMG store person for cd's by Rava with "a trombonist."

[gonzo]

metheny with me'shell!!! :cool:

[Freetoojazz]

July 24th, at 20h00 the Way Up show will be broadcast on tv at Radio-Canada.

[Chaz Longue]

That's French language CBC Television, friends. Thanks Freetoojazz.

Gonzo: Did you like the Metheny with Me'shell set? The TRIO set the day before, was preceeded by a 10 hour day of rehearsals with the players on stage during that evening - the Me'shell evening: Rava, David Sanchez, Ron Blake, Me'shell D., Grenadier, Antonio, Chris Dave et al. So I suspect Metheny enjoyed it too...

[Pete C]

Monsieur Mainframe!

How was Northsea?

Hope you had a ball...

I'll look for a thread on Northsea for your comments if you've laid some on us...


I couldn't make it to North Sea this year.

I hope to be in Montreal next year.

[Jazzzoline]

July 24th, at 20h00 the Way Up show will be broadcast on tv at Radio-Canada.
I've watched it last night. Pat Metheny and his band gave a wonderful performance. Too bad we could hear the wind blowing in the microphones.

[Chaz Longue]

Anybody else see this?

I actually found the travelogue-magazine-style material woven in almost as interesting...the musical instrument manufacturer's show, Gary Burton, the woman from the ministry of tourism, Michael Bourne, Andre Menard doing his Drive Time show on Colour Jazz FM, the site etc.

The rest of the featured performance was pretty good too, but there just wasn't time...


But I'd really like to see the footage with David Sanchez, ME'SHELL, Enrico Rava, Dewey Redman, Grenadier and Sanchez, Christopher Dave, et al.

[Freetoojazz]

John Scofiled play the Music of Ray Charles will be in Montreal the October 13th for The "série Jazz à l'année". It's not official, but it'll be soon.

If you go the the Festival de jazz of Rimouski, Brad Meldhau will be there the September 3rd.

[Chaz Longue]

Rimouski's a bit of a drive, but well worth it, eh?

[Freetoojazz]

In October, two goods musicians will come to Montreal. Both of them will be at the Spectrum (not the same day):

13rd : John Scofield
http://www.johnscofield.com/tour.html (http://www.johnscofield.com/tour.html)

15th: Victor Wooten
http://www.spectrumdemontreal.ca/spectrum/

[Freetoojazz]

The Jazz Festival of Montreal had prepare to schedule for the Jazz All-Year Round.

Here the link:

http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/jal2005_06/accueil_en.asp