John Kelman's Best Live Shows of 2013

Another tremendous year of travel, to find music in whatever nook and cranny it's hiding. From Montréal to Molde, from London to Luleå and from Oslo to Ottawa, it seemed as though there was an endless supply of great music to see—and even more that sadly had to be skipped. Having attended twelve separate events in seven countries and well over 125 separate performances, here's 25 shows that rose to the top of a very, very good list this year, in chronological order:

1. March 23, 2013: Stian Carstesen
Vossa Jazz Festival, Voss, Norway



2. March 24, 2013: Sinikka Langeland Ensemble
Vossa Jazz Festival, Voss, Norway



3. March 24, 2013: Trio Mediaeval Ensemble
Vossa Jazz Festival, Voss, Norway



4. April 24, 2013: Steven Wilson
Club Soda, Montreal, Canada



5. May 24, 2013: Jakob Bro
ELBJazz, Hamburg, Germany



6. May 25, 2013: Nils Petter Molvær/Jan Bang/Trilok Gurtu
ELBJazz Festival, Hamburg, Germany



7. June 1, 2013: Django Bates Beloved Trio/Norrbotten Big Band
New Directions Festival, Luleâ, Sweden



8. June 24, 2013: Christian Wallumrød Ensemble
TD Ottawa Jazz Festival, Ottawa, Canada



9. June 26, 2013: Steve Kuhn/Steve Swallow/Joey Baron
TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival, Ottawa, Canada



10. June 29, 2013: Wayne Shorter 80th Birthday Celebration
Festival International de Jazz de Montréal



11. June 30, 2013: Charles Lloyd/Jason Moran/Bill Frisell
Festival International de Jazz de Montréal



12. July 1, 2013: Christine Jensen
Festival International de Jazz de Montréal



13. July 2, 2013: Kurt Rosenwinkel New Quartet
Festival International de Jazz de Montréal



14. July 17, 2013: Bushman's Revenge
Molde Jazz Festival, Molde, Norway



15. July 19, 2013: Jason Moran & Jan Bang
Molde Jazz Festival, Molde, Norway



16. July 19, 2013: Maciej Obara International Quartet
Molde Jazz Festival, Molde, Norway



17. September 6, 2013: Arve Henriksen/Jan Bang Double CD Release Show
Punkt Festival, Kristiansand, Norway



18. September 7, 2013: Bugge Wesseltoft Solo
Punkt Festival, Kristiansand, Norway



19. September 8, 2013: Eivind Aarset Dream Logic
Punkt Festival, Kristiansand, Norway



20. September 12, 2013: Harry Partch, Delusion of the Fury
Ultima Contemporary Music Festival, Oslo, Norway



21. September 14, 2013: Gavin Bryars, Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet
Ultima Contemporary Music Festival, Oslo, Norway

22. October 5, 2013: Steve Hackett, Genesis Revisited
Casino du Lac Leamu, Gatineau, Canada



23. November 7, 2013: John Scofield åberjam Band
Enjoy Jazz Festival, Ludwigshafen, Germany



24. November 10, 2013: Nik Bärtsch's Ronin Rhythm Clan
Enjoy Jazz Festival, Mannheim, Germany



25. November 14, 2013: Third Reel
Enjoy Jazz Festival, Heidelberg, Germany


Photo Credits
Stian Carstensen: Ådne Dyrnesli, courtesy of Vossa Jazz
Sinikka Langeland Ensemble: Til Heimesida, Courtesy of Vossa Jazz
Trio Mediaeval Ensemble: Vidar Herre, Courtesy of Vossa Jazz
Charles Lloyd/Jason Moran: Dave Kaufman
Delusion of the Fury and Jesus' Blood: Ultima Contemporary Music Festival
All Other Photos: John Kelman