Montreal Mirror - Music : Montreal Jazz Festival

Fresh air,
pas cher

>> The Mirror’s calls on the free, outdoor Jazz Fest shows to catch

I’m a little disappointed that I’ve yet to see Montreal’s Gods of Taste live and in the flesh. This local next-level jazz quintet has a reputation that precedes them, and chances are they’ll impress a lot of people this year when they take the stage in the open air. Bass player Adrian Vedady, drummer Greg Ritchie, alto sax man Andrew Schinasi, keyboardist Kate Wyatt and guitarist Rich White obviously know what they’re doing, hence the name. On the Club DuMaurier stage (Ste-Catherine & St-Urbain), Wed., July 2, 7pm

I just recently discovered the brilliance of Montreal’s very own Afro-beat ambassadors Afrodizz when they stole the show at the Goods about a month back. This is authentic soul, funk and jazz wrapped tightly in the history and music of artists like Fela Kuti and the Nigerian sounds of the ’70s. Backed by a serious seven-piece band, singer Vance Payne sings from his soul in Yoruba, Nigerian and English. On the Bleue Légère stage (Bleury & Mayor), Thurs., July 3, 7:30pm

Armed with not only a five-piece band, but also a DJ, MC and singer to boot, Montreal’s Kobayashi continue to hone their subtle take on electronic jazz-funk from every angle. This outdoor show marks the release of their new record The Night We Took the City, an EP just in time for the sun and summer stage. On the Bleue Légère stage, Sun., June 29, 10pm

In perhaps the smartest move that Jazz Fest organizers have made since putting James Brown on the main stage, you can witness the soul genius of Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings on that very same special stage this year. Easily the greatest live show I’ve seen in at least 10 years, this funk/soul dynamo has enough energy to rouse anybody who shows up that night. This is one tight outfit with nuthin’ but the good stuff. On the General Motors stage (Jeanne-Mance & Ste-Catherine), Thurs., July 3, 9pm and Fri., July 4, 11pm

Alongside Daptone Records labelmates and bandmates in Sharon Jones’ gang, Neal Sugarman and his boys bring their raw, instrumental funk sounds front and centre for their first-ever Jazz Fest performance. It gets no rougher than this, and the people in the street are in for a treat when Neal and his extended Sugarman 3 roll out the nitty gritty. On the General Motors stage on Thurs., July 3, 11pm and Fri., July 4, 9pm

Don’t know much about Smokey and Miho, but Smokey has worked with Beck and Tom Waits and Miho is best known for her work in Cibo Matto and Gorillaz. The two became friends when Beck and Cibo Matto toured years ago, based on their mutual love for Brazilian music. Expect songs from Baden Powell, Edu Lobo, Tom Jobim and original works inspired by ’60s Brazil. On the DuMaurier/Radio-Canada stage (Ste-Catherine at Place-des-Arts), Fri., July 4, 8pm

Our own Kingpins need no introduction, unless of course you think ska starts and stops with the Specials. Since ’94 these dudes have been holding down old-school ska grooves, and still boast one of the craziest live shows that this country has to offer. This is not their first Jazz Fest appearance, and will most certainly not be their last, but if you get a chance, come check out a band of true Montreal originals. On the DuMaurier/Radio Canada stage, Fri., June 27, 8pm

Formerly known as Project XX, the Vanessa Rodrigues’ Soul Project fire up the Hammond B3, guitar and percussion for something the program calls "avant-funk, blues, soul and jazz." Having been compared to the sounds of Medeski Martin & Wood, perhaps this is one project worth checking out. On the Banque Nationale stage (St-Urbain & de Montigny), Sun., July 6, 8 and 10pm

If you’ve got an appetite for salsa, Latin soul and boogaloo, you’re about to get your fill for absolutely nothing this year. Jazz Fest welcomes the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and the rich musical history of el barrio that they represent, as this year’s main outdoor event. This 14-piece powerhouse of a band houses some of the most accomplished players in New York’s Latino community, laying it down bare in the open air. Don’t miss this opportunity to get schooled in the secret history of Spanish Harlem. On the General Motors stage, Tues., July 1, 9:30pm

No standards

>> Top pics for last-minute tix

So the big-name shows are hit or miss, too pricey and sold out anyway. You need a breather from the shoulder-to-shoulder outdoor cacophony and seek something less standard than the Chopsy McSwing school of jazz. Here are a few outside-the-bop picks for other shows that just may toot your horn, which at presstime still had tickets available.

Representing the cool, signature-sound German label ECM is the Tord Gustavsen Trio, joined by Swedish sax improviser Frederik Nordström’s quintet. Both have a fresh, un-commercial feel and are signposts of the Scandinavian sound. The Esbjorn Svensson Trio (E.S.T.), who shook up the Spectrum last year, are back with their crisp, inventive flare - think Medeski Martin & Wood with a less funky bent. There’s also Norway’s Theo Jörgensmann Quartet, an explosive, freeform ensemble inspired by giants Ornette Coleman and Eric Dolphy.

Senegal’s Orchestra Baobab caught onto the Latin craze in the ’70s and have ridden the resurgence brought about by Buena Vista Social Club. Their original Afro-Cuban stylings are sure to awe. Louis Winsberg melds upbeat flamenco sounds with Balkan and Indian influences on guitar and a slew of often-obscure stringed instruments in his Jaleo project. There were still tickets available at press time for Jack DeJohnette - who can be flaky, though he’s one of the best drummers ever - and Gambian cora master Foday Musa Sosa. This one’s worth splurging for.

Low-frequency aficionados should check out local stand-up bass player Michel Donato’s trio when he goes double with fellow bassist Guillaume Bouchard. Montreal trombonist Tom Walsh adds fellow slider Steve Swell to Phathead’s contemporary vibe. Sky Beneath My Feet blend Zappa-esque pop and free jazz into something they dub "paranoise." Byproduct do the electro-rock-actuelle-on-acoustic-jazz-instruments thing. And a horde of locals hold a horn-heavy summit of pieces specifically written for the Effendi Jazz Lab project. Lastly, the famed impromptu jam sessions at the Quartier Latin Pub (318 Ontario E.) are back and free this year - except on Fridays on Saturdays, when they’re $5.

» Matthew Woodley

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