Best of the rest of the fest

>> There’s still a weekend’s worth of good
free shows at the Jazz Fest

THE MAN...: Piknic partygoers

by SCOTT C

By now, you’ve probably realized that there’s just too much music to take in everything that’s going on at the Jazz Fest, even in its waning days, but here’s a few steps in the right direction so you don’t feel like you missed the boat, when it’s all said and done:

Moses Mayes: Who says there’s no such thing as Prairie funk? Moses Mayes and his seven-piece band score a prime spot in the festival schedule, bringing their Winnipeg grooves to the big stage, ready to make them move till it’s time to go home. Don’t front as these guys lay down some serious out-of-town joints. At the Bell Stage tonight, Thurs., July 5, 10 p.m.

Manouche: If you’ve lived here more than a year or two, then you know that Montreal has a particularly tight relationship with Gypsy music, demonstrated oh so well by locals Manouche. They bring their hyperactive melodies and contagious Gypsy jazz to not one, but several free stages this year. At Terrasse Amarula, Fri., July 6, 1 p.m. and Sat., July 7, 2 p.m., at the Alcan Stage, Sat., July 7, 4 p.m., and the CBC/Radio Canada/Best Buy Stage, Sun., July 8, 4:45 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Spam Allstars: Founded by Montreal-born, Miami-based Andrew Yeomanson, aka DJ Le Spam, the Spam Allstars aim to please with a heavy helping of breaks-laden, Latin-tinged electrofunk. If you’re looking to do some dancing in the street at this year’s festival, this is a good place to start. At the Samsung Stage on Friday, July 6, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Wax Poetic: Taking a laid-back lounge approach to the cultural sounds of the world, Wax Poetic, masterminded by Brazil’s Ilhan Ersahin, has produced three albums between the beginning of 2006 and now, mixing their own ethereal sounds with the musical influences of Istanbul, Copenhagen and Brazil. They’ve also worked with Norah Jones and N’dea Davenport, and this is your chance to check them out live in the flesh. At the Bell Stage, Sat., July 7, 10 p.m.

Papa Groove: This is one Montreal band that everyone should know about, championing the Afro-funk sound with an overwhelming 11-piece outfit. This is yet another show for the dancing crowd, filled with powerhouse grooves, a serious rhythm section and soul for days. At the Samsung Stage, Sun., July 8, 10 p.m.

For more info, go to www.montrealjazzfest.com