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Live Reviews
Summer Montreal Jams
Ed Hamilton
He has met and interviewed the greatest musicians and singers of all modern timesThe sessions which go on every night of the ten day fest mixing a warm , happy group of Jazz loving people from all around the United States, specifically Angelenos, New Yorkers, and Bostonians. Singers, ED and April Ellington, players, tap dancers, all got chances to jam along to mostly traditional jazz songs played, “On Green Dolphin Street,” “All The Things You Are,” “Now’s The Time,” and “So What.”
There are some unusual aggregational mixes to concerts that would normally not sound like they would even work. An example of this was Prince and his Revolution performing before 2000, highlighted regular R&B bassist Larry Graham assisted by soprano sax playing Najee and trumpeter Roy Hargrove. It was a raving success. Another memorable concert , “El Rey’s” (Tito Puente) last Montreal performance, had Arturo Sandoval on trumpet, and Rocker, Stevie Winwood on keyboards. It was spontaneous combustion.
International music has been presented in grand fashion, teaming Chucho Valdes with 15 piece orchestra Cubanismo and Irakere, Dizzy Gillespie’s last Cuban discovery formed by Valdes. Cubanismo, with Valdes played 3 hours before an outdoor crowd of 200,000 on St. Catherine St. in 1997. Tombaloa, a 20 piece Brazilian band, opened its 2000 concert with a Mardi Gras parade and entertained 200,000 highly energized festival goers.
Dedicated to the memory of Montreal’s founding “Jazz Father,” Charlie Biddle, “The Genius,” Ray Charles, who launched the first FIJM, will open the 24th Annual Montreal Jazz Festival on June 26th. Andre Menard, VP-Director of Artistes brags about the talent and music of FIJM stating, "the public is invited to experience the thrill of discovery and pure listening bliss in our beautiful concert halls and on sites of outdoor stages. Our festival is a varitable crossroad of culltural dynamism."
It’s the number one jazz festival in the safest city in North America: Montreal. Alain Simard, President-Founder, says, "Ville-Maree, a new downtown addition opening in 2004, will solidify Montreal's international reputation as the 'City of Festivals"'." In all of the whole wide world, Mount Royal stands high above all music festivals. If you've never been, add it to your jazz festival itinerary---a once in a lifetime, unforgettable experience.
Related Links:
Review of the 2002 23rd Montreal International Jazz Festival
www.montrealjazzfest.com
