Alberta Rallies to Keep Jazz Alive

Canadian Jazz News

Calgary, Edmonton to Present Jazz Festivals

Within the last year jazz music fans have seen big changes in the community with the Edmonton Jazz City festival folding in 2005, and the Calgary International Jazz Festival folding last week.

In both cases, enthusiastic musicians, organizers, volunteers and a host of others have rallied to fill the void left by the loss of the events. Edmonton’s jazz community launched their inaugural Yardbird Jazz Festival in 2005 and will run again this year June 23 to July 2, 2006.

Yesterday the Calgary C-Jazz organization announced it has stepped in to present the acts already booked to perform by the defunct organization, and is proceeding with plans for a jazz festival to run June 15th to June 25th.

Below is a schedule of festival events:

Thursday, June 15

Jazz Festival kick-off party
introducing “Love Biscuit” (Calgary)
Ilyxor

Friday, June 16

DOUBLEHEADER!

The ‘Best of Canadian Jazz Series’ / The Rabnett 5 (Vancouver)
Rich Rabnett (guitar), Mike Kennedy (bass), Ian Cox (piano), Kiyoshi Elkuf (tenor saxophone), Dan Gaucher (drums)
Beat Niq

The Hutchinson/ Andrew Trio / Calgary
Kodi Hutchinson (bass), Chris Andrew (piano)
Beat Niq

Saturday, June 17

The ‘Best of Canadian Jazz Series’
The Rabnett 5 / Vancouver
Rich Rabnett (guitar), Mike Kennedy (bass), Ian Cox (piano), Kiyoshi Elkuf (tenor saxophone), Dan Gaucher (drums)
Beat Niq

Tuesday, June 20

DOUBLEHEADER!

Manic Thematic / Calgary
John Hyde (bass), Ralf Buschmeyer (guitar), Andy Erickson (drums)
Beatniq

Outside Sources / Canada
Michael Bates (double bass), Quinsin Nachoff (saxophone, clarinet), Kevin Turcotte (trumpet), and Mark Timmermans (drums)
Beat Niq

Wednesday, June 21

DOUBLEHEADER!

Simon Fisk Quartet / Calgary
Simon Fisk (bass)
Beat Niq

Kenny Werner with Claudia Villela / New York, Brazil
Beat Niq

François Bourassa / Montreal
with Jean Derome (saxophone), Pierre Tanguay (percussion)
Cantos Museum

Thursday, June 22

DOUBLEHEADER!

Lorna MacLachlan Quartet
Lorna MacLachlan (piano), John Hyde (bass), Robin Tufts (drums), Keith Smith (guitar)
Beat Niq

Pianist Alister Spence (Australia)
Beat Niq

David Virelles Quintet (Cuba)
Cantos Museum

“Love Biscuit” and special guests (Calgary)
Ilyxor

Friday, June 23

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings with Binky Griptite
Gateway Lounge SAIT

Music of Herbie Hancock (Vancouver, Calgary)
George McFetridge (piano), John Gray (bass), Jon May (drums), Johnny Summers (trumpet), Jim Brenan (saxophone)
Beat Niq

Saturday, June 24

MARACA!!!
Latin Dance Party featuring Orlando Valle (Calgary)
Gateway Lounge SAIT

Music of Herbie Hancock (Vancouver, Calgary)
George McFetridge (piano), John Gray (bass), Jon May (drums), Johnny Summers (trumpet), Jim Brenan (saxophone)f
Beat Niq

Midnight jam
Beat Niq