Okay, so it rained. We were all aware – those of us crowding into the tent and other shelters to listen to some really great music. But organizer Linda Williams was undaunted, and the 21st annual Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival went ahead on Saturday as planned, thanks in part to the sunny cheerfulness of the 31-member Carnival Band who kicked off the show (“Rain? What rain?”) with a festive stroll through the Landing, and the professionalism of the many great acts who did not hold back because of a little weather.
As MC Michael Maser (dressed in his West Coast raingear) put it, the jazz faithfuls in the audience were “legendary.” Amid the aroma of kettle corn, coffee and fresh blooming flowers, the atmosphere on Gower Point Road was festive.
Karen Graves led off the stage show with her wailing sax and a dream team of a quartet: Miles Black on piano, Jodi Proznick on bass and Buff Allan on drums. Who wouldn’t come out in all weather for Miles Black? He’s one of my favourites. Graves is very versatile, both as a singer, saxophonist and flautist; she was also exploring a groove with musician Budge Schachte at Sita’s restaurant the previous Tuesday during a lead-up performance to the festival.
The Elphinstone Jazz Band, a high school band, did a great job with Tom Kellough taking the conductor’s role. The students helped set up the tents as well – making the audience appreciate them all the more. Silk Road was a musical surprise – their Chinese instrument (called the pipa), the Spanish guitar and piano created a sound that definitely had Celtic influences and maybe a bit of the blues as well.
Coast resident Daniel Brubeck heated things up with his Quartet, and the day closed with the Sweet Pea Swing Band. Hard to define their style of music – they played driving saxes and trumpet, and some serious drums and guitar. Add in jazz standards from singer Samantha Scott, and you had a mellow wind up to the day.
That evening the Carnival Band got everyone up and dancing at Gibsons Legion. Based in Vancouver’s East End, the eclectic group of colourfully costumed brass and percussion musicians didn’t let up. The band’s founder, Ross Barrett, noted to the audience that people like street bands. “It’s really kind of a movement,” he said. “It just hasn’t surfaced yet.”
The crowds turned out in force on Sunday for the free concert with three bands in Winegarden Park. Of course they did – the sun came out.
