Burlington Discover Jazz Festival

Chaz Longue · March-15th-2008, 06:18 PM

Like fimav, it's the 25th anniversary

BDJF 2008
May 30 - June 8

I'm callin' it The Trio Festival this year...

Lionel Luecke trio
Trio 3 (Lake/Workman/Cyrille)
Jason Lindner Trio
Joshua Redman Trio

Also, a certifiable living legend/genius type, appearing with ...3 bass players and a drummer.

...and a whole bunch of stuff that ain't trios, too, tba

Bill Barton · March-15th-2008, 06:55 PM

Nice lineup, Chaz!

The first three trios especially...

Have a great festival.

Chaz Longue · March-16th-2008, 12:11 PM

Thanks, Bill

I just sent you a PM...

David Beckett

Pete C · March-16th-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaz Longue

Also, a certifiable living legend/genius type, appearing with ...3 bass players and a drummer.

I preferred the group before he added McDowell.

Lois Gilbert · April-9th-2008, 11:55 PM

Brubeck, Coleman lead legendary jazz lineup
Sweet sounds of Discover Jazz Festival's silver anniversary

Free Press Staff Writer

The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival needed a big name to make its 25th anniversary celebration special, and it will deliver not one but two jazz legends — piano man Dave Brubeck, perhaps more responsible than anyone for bringing jazz to the masses, and Ornette Coleman, cited as one of the most inventive saxophone players in jazz history.

Brubeck and Coleman will play the Flynn Center on consecutive nights, June 6 and 7, and highlight a schedule announced Wednesday that also includes an opening-night performance by the rising Grammy-nominated jazz/R&B star Ledisi on May 30; the young sax master Joshua Redman on May 31; pianist/vocalist Marcia Ball headlining the blues tent on June 5; the return of the world-music tent June 7 featuring reggae veteran Eek-A-Mouse; and a finale June 8 with two of the Burlington area’s top jazz guitarists, Paul Asbell and Nicholas Cassarino.

Non-ticketed events will include the annual Jazz on the Marketplace feature with school bands on the Church Street Marketplace; the Waterfront Gospel Tent on June 8 with The Lee Boys; and a 25th-anniversary closing-night jam at Red Square hosted by Gabriel Jarrett, the son of jazz legend Keith Jarrett who’s best known for his work with the Burlington-based jazz trio Vorcza.

“Twenty-five years really is a big deal,” Arnie Malina, artistic director for the Flynn Center and the jazz festival, said in announcing the schedule Wednesday afternoon at the Amy Tarrant Gallery. “Anniversaries are always about the past, and they’ve got to be about the future.”

Here’s the complete list of ticketed shows:

* 8 p.m. May 30, the charismatic R&B singer Ledisi, a Grammy nominee this year for Best New Artist, with Fattie B.’s Beat Biters, Flynn Center. $20-$35.

* 8 p.m. May 31, the sax-driven Joshua Redman Trio, with the Vermont All State Jazz Ensemble, Flynn Center. $26-$39.

* 7 p.m. June 1, winner of a Grammy this year for Best Latin Jazz Album, Paquito D’Rivera’s Funk Tango Quintet, with the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival Big Band, Flynn Center. $26-$39.

* 8:30 p.m. June 2, Trio 3, featuring Oliver Lake of the World Saxophone Quartet, FlynnSpace. $25.

* 8:30 p.m. June 3, West African guitarist-vocalist Lionel Loueke, FlynnSpace. $23.

* 8:30 p.m. June 4, sax player Tim Berne’s trio hardcell, FlynnSpace. $23.

* 9 p.m. June 4, a club show with jazz-funk musician Adam Dorn, aka Mocean Worker, Nectar’s. $10 in advance, $15 day of show.

* 6 p.m. June 5, the blues tent features the woman Malina called the “undisputed queen of boogie piano,” Marcia Ball, with Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie, Waterfront Park. $23 in advance, $28 day of show.

* 8:30 p.m. June 5, pianist Jason Lindner’s Now vs. Now Trio, FlynnSpace. $23.

* 6 p.m. June 6, the annual Dixieland cruise with the Onion River Jazz Band, Lake Champlain Ferry at King Street Dock. $18.

* 8 p.m. June 6, the groundbreaking cool jazz of the creator of “Take Five,” The Dave Brubeck Quartet, with Silverslide: The Dan Silverman Quartet, Flynn Center. $37-$75.

* 6 p.m. June 7, the world tent returns with reggae acts Eek-A-Mouse and John Brown’s Body, with Rubblebucket Orchestra, Waterfront Park. $20 in advance, $25 day of show.

* 8 p.m. June 7, saxophone legend Ornette Coleman, “a true hero in the history of music” according to Malina, Flynn Center. $37-$75.

* 6 p.m. June 8, a local guitar showcase titled “Acoustic Explorations” with Burlington’s Paul Asbell and South Burlington native Nicholas Cassarino, with the piano work of James Harvey, FlynnSpace. $21.

Root Doctor · April-10th-2008, 08:45 AM

I wish someone other than the unbelievably mediocre Marcia Ball was playing with Geno Delafose.

Chaz Longue · May-16th-2008, 12:14 AM

- I keep reading and hearing these rave reviews of recent Ornette shows. Anybody seen him in the last few months?

- Did I mention Pete Robbins and Centric will open for Mocean Worker at Nectars?

- Anybody seen Jason Lindner's Now vs Now? I've only seen him leading a completely different sort of band, or playing in somebody elses.

David Beckett

Gary Sisco · May-16th-2008, 11:02 AM

Undisputed?

Pete C · May-16th-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Root Doctor

I wish someone other than the unbelievably mediocre Marcia Ball was playing with Geno Delafose.

Agreed. I recommended that David M go to the show for Delafose, and mentioned I wasn't as hot on Ball (I worded it so I wouldn't scare him off).

If Marcia Ball wasn't white she wouldn't even be in this race!

Pete C · May-16th-2008, 11:31 AM

I believe Ornette now only has 2 bassists--Greg Cohen apparently left.

Root Doctor · May-16th-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete C

Agreed. I recommended that David M go to the show for Delafose, and mentioned I wasn't as hot on Ball (I worded it so I wouldn't scare him off).

If Marcia Ball wasn't white she wouldn't even be in this race!

Ball's heart is in the right place, but I find her vocals and piano playing to be pretty pedestrian. Geno, on the other hand, is terrific. Always a great time.

Ball was standing next to me at Jazzfest during the Bluerunners' set. Calling her long, tall Marcia Ball is no exaggeration. She's about 6'5".

Pete C · May-16th-2008, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Root Doctor

Ball's heart is in the right place, but I find her vocals and piano playing to be pretty pedestrian.

She reminds me of a Vegas lounge act version of New Orleans R&B.

Bill Barton · May-17th-2008, 03:02 AM

Undisputed? No.

But I'm afraid that I'll have to chime in on the minority side here. I don't find Marcia Ball to be pedestrian at all. Admittedly, it's been a long time since I've heard her in live performance, but every time that I did it was thoroughly enjoyable.

Root Doctor · May-19th-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete C

She reminds me of a Vegas lounge act version of New Orleans R&B.

I see her as the Diana Krall of Gulf Coast music. She clearly loves and understands the styles she plays, but she's kind of boring.

Chaz Longue · May-19th-2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Root Doctor

I see her as the Diana Krall of Gulf Coast music. She clearly loves and understands the styles she plays, but she's kind of boring.

Ok, Ok, ...how's

"the scintilatingly controversial, ....and really tall ...Marcia Ball"

Chaz Longue · June-2nd-2008, 10:29 AM

So far I'm happy with the festival, and since I haven't spotted any cornerites yet, I thought I'd post a few quick impressions (no pun intended). (I did btw, overhear somebody mentioning he "writes for aaj" the other night, but I couldn't catch a word with him to find out who he is.)

I went to see Ledisi having nothing but buzz and the description of her as "straight up R & B" for guidance. I found her charming, talented, and authentic. I'm unlikely to listen to the cd except out of curiosity, but I enjoyed her - a lot. She's entirely at ease with an audience, sings her originals - (any of which could get a room full of comatose people doing the funky chicken in a heartbeat) and some well known material like God Bless The Child and My Funny Valentine without for a moment sounding like she wants to be a "Jazz Singer" - and brings a lot of herself to the audience with her patter and schtick. Call the Jazz Police, but I'd go see her again in a few years just to see what choices she's made for herself. Being a fan of singers, the first thing I noticed about her is that (no matter who reviewers compare her to) her voice is entirely sui generis. She's likely to remind you of other singers based on your own taste. If you like Carmen MacRae - the timbre of her voice will send chills up your spine, but if you're more familiar with Aretha Franklin, that's who you're going to think of. If American Idol was full of performers like this, it would be appointment TV for me. Which it's not. Have I mentioned her voice? I thought my eyeglasses might shatter - and that's a compliment.

David Beckett

Chaz Longue · June-3rd-2008, 03:01 PM

The next thing I saw was Joshua Redman's meet n' greet, hosted by Bob Blumenthal - followed by the performance later that evening. To the surprise of nobody who's heard him speak, heard him play, or who is familiar with his life story, Redman comes across as a cross between The Real Deal (in concert, when playing) and an awfully nice, thoughtful kid who's not out to impress anybody (when he speaks).

While there are a few saxophone players who seem to have more sheer blustering technique (you-know-who) and an attitude to match, there are few more impressive tenor players around for thier ability to play a coherent solo with a narrative quality, in the context he typically works in. I was impressed enough with his playing when he first emerged - but now he seems to be fulfilling his early promise.

People dismissed Stan Getz at this stage in his carreer too, for not being ...whatever...innovative enough, I guess. Phooey, I'd say, in retrospect. For my money Redman's the real thing - capable of playing chorus after chorus of terrific stuff over changes, without repeating himself. The 2007 Nonesuch recording Back East should be proof enough - or not - for anybody considering catching him this Summer. And if that disc makes it into your player twice - go see him with Larry Grenadier and Gregory Hutchinson and you'll be very excited by what he does live.

Grenadier, btw has never quite landed on me before. I knew he had to be special, being so important to both Brad Mehldau and Pat Metheny trios I'd enjoyed so much. But I'd never really been able to "get it" even after seeing him half a dozen times. But he's using an amplifier and cabinet I've never seen him use before, and this time I could hear every nuance. Very impressive. I'm a believer, now that I can really hear him when seeing him live. And Hutchinson was just on fire: all over every piece, making the thing transparent, illuminating the song's structure and swinging like hell....reminded me a wee bit of Kenny Washington, and that's meant to be high praise.

David Beckett

Chaz Longue · June-5th-2008, 02:05 PM

http://bcajazzlab.blogspot.com/

Chaz Longue · June-5th-2008, 02:06 PM

I thought Paquito D'Rivera's performance was thrilling. I think his show would have been an ideal one for people who don't think of themselves as Jazz fans, but who love good music - and the show itself delivered in spades.

Paquito's Funk Tango Sextet along with The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival Big Band, played the first half together. Ray Vega has recently joined the UVM faculty and was on hand too. So that meant that there were half a dozen players who can reliably uncork a big solo on stage: starting with Diego Urcola, Vega, Andy Moroz, Rick Davies, Dave Grippo (playing Baritone as he often does in this large ensemble), Alex Stewart, - a seemingly inexhaustable well of energy and excitement. The bassist in The Funk Tango Quintet is now Massimo Biolcati - which allowed him a few days off between this date and his upcoming appearance with Lionel Loueke.

Paquito's sense of humor, along with his passion for such an enormous range of music - made this show a highlight of the festival, and a chance to hear him play quite a bit of clarinet as well as Alto.

Chaz Longue · June-6th-2008, 10:30 AM

Trio 3 on Monday night created quite a buzz because of thier explosive set in Contois Auditorium a number of years ago at the festival. Surely they'd be just as exciting in an even smaller room this time, no?

They started with Gazzellioni (sp?) from Dolphy's out to lunch, and then played mostly pieces each of them had written which were unfamiliar to me.

They were wonderful, and the response from the crowd was very warm - Reggie Workman, particularly, spoke to the audience after the final applause faded about his pleasure at being so warmly recieved. But I felt something was missing this time. Some of the energy and the precision seemed missing. Is it my perceptions changing, or has anybody else noticed the vibrant colors this trio makes fading a bit? They've set such a high standard over the years, that perhaps it's not entirely fair to expect genius on any given Monday night...