The word in Dougall Park last Saturday was that the 14th annual Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival's main event was the best one ever. Under sunny skies, music fans moved to a seriously eclectic fusion of sounds from five acts starting with local performers, the Rakish Angles. With Boyd Norman on bass, Simon Hocking on mandolin, Dan Richter on guitar and Serena Eades on violin, the group kicked off with their distinctive blend of instrumental gypsy, bluegrass and hints of jazz.
Next up was the brilliant pianist Amanda Tosoff with the talented Evan Arntzen on sax, who let folks know what jazz was really all about. "They're so young," said one member of the audience. "You expect jazz performers to be older." Jazz, it seems, has hit the next generation.
Musical heritage is also important to Michael Occhipinti and the Sicilian Jazz Project. The musicians told stories and gave meaning to the Mediterranean flavour of their music, allowing the audience some understanding of this most unusual group. We thought we'd heard it all until the next act - Ta Ki Ta, was even more unusual. Blending jazz with middle eastern rhythms (with Hari Pal on tabla), a touch of calypso and north Indian music, this group fascinated the audience. The exotic fusion is derived from an all-Canadian ensemble. Karen Graves on sax and vocals added an interesting touch as in the song she wrote for the Dalai Lama's visit: "Tune into Gandhi radio and your consciousness will flow."
The Carnival Band got everyone up and dancing. The brass band with attitude that hails from the east end of Vancouver marched around the grounds, past the Stiltwalkers, the Deer Crossing art farm installation by Diego Samper, past the craft tables and Moroccan tent, gathering fans on the way. Their rousing tunes involved vocals, trumpets, percussion and three sousaphones (a type of tuba). It was a wild time.
Sunday in Winegarden Park was equally as grand, reports Jazz Festival maestro Linda Williams: "Lots of people, excellent music!" Once the jazz festival was over, her shoulders became a little lighter as she moved on to her next gig: organizing a summer program for Music in the Landing.
On Friday night Van-couver entertainer Sibel Thrasher gave her all on stage at the Heritage Playhouse accompanied by local musicians Graham Ord, Anna Lumiere, John Rule and Chris Andersen. Thrasher worked the musicians thoroughly, and they rose to the occasion. She was best on the old favourites including tunes from The Platters and Tony Bennett. Her impersonation of Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong on What a Wonderful World was excellent.
Thrasher's show felt the way summer on the Coast should: good acts at our local theatre, performed as a fitting crown to a week of jazz entertainment.
