AprilCadence2013

Short Takes Canada: Calgary
received the 2013 ASCAP Herb Alpert Composers Award, which says a lot. The
combination of neoclassical and jazz, while very sophisticated music, is,
in Goodman's case, played with a light hand to powerful effect, and never
overpowering. Perhaps chamber jazz will be a more common occurrence locally
in the months to come. Only a few weeks after the Goodman concert, the Calgarybased
Hutchinson Andrew Trio (comprised of Western Canadian Music Award
nominated bassist Kodi Hutchinson, CBC Galaxie Rising Star pianist Chris
Andrew, and Downbeat award-winning drummer Karl Schwonik) played a
show with the Lily String quartet, the first of its kind produced here. In February,
progressive jazz fans were treated to a night of Grammy-nominated saxophonist
Donny McCaslin playing with the aforementioned Hutchinson Andrew Trio,
with whom he recorded six numbers on their most recent CD, Prairie Modern,
followed by a full concert with McCaslin leading his own group. The audience at
this JazzYYC event was one of the youngest I have seen at a jazz show in a long time.
In March, we also enjoyed a brief flurry of Polish jazz. For several years, Calgary
drummer Tyler Hornby has played and toured Poland and Canada with Polish
saxophonist Maciej Sikala, and bassist Piotr Lemanczyk. This the Poles' sixth tour
of Canada. Hornby has been to Poland for 13 tours. They produce a solid tight sound
that was very well received. That same weekend, Poland's legendary saxophonist
Zbigniew Namyslowski played the Polish Canadian Cultural Centre.
The variety of jazz music available will extend into the spring. On the outside,
we are looking forward to appearances by such notables as the William Parker
Trio from the U.S. and Michael Tiefenbacher and Engl Mayr from Europe.
In the mainstream, American veteran trumpeter Bobby Shew will guest with
Calgary's longest-running big band, Prime Time Big Band, now celebrating 11
consecutive years of performing at the Ironwood Stage & Grill. The University
of Calgary Jazz Ensemble will end their year with a special performance with
guests New York-based jazz veterans Walt Weiskopf (tenor saxophone) and
Peter Zak (piano). South African jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela plays April
23. Among the Canadian stars in concert will be vocalist Holly Cole, and one
of our country's best known jazzmen, pianist Tommy Banks. Trumpet player
Brad Turner will be in town to perform with the 17-member Calgary Creative
Arts Ensemble. On the Latin side, U.S. trombonist/composer Luis Bonilla will
be in town for several days performing in numerous configurations. On the
new wave side, Canadian improv jazz/indie pop group, the Worst Pop Band
Ever, will make a club appearance. And riding the highest wave of all, multiinstrumentalist
Esperanza Spalding, brings her Radio Music Society tour to town
on June 26. Sounds like time for a party, and we can look forward to one a month
for the next three, beginning with JazzYYC's events to commemorate International
Jazz Day on April 30. Starting with a free concert and a Lunch and Learn jazz
talk downtown during the noon hour, free performances also will be staged
at shopping malls and other public places around the city throughout
the afternoon. A free evening concert at the National Music Centre
will open with CADME student ensembles, followed by some of
Calgary’s top professionals. Party number two is the second annual National Jazz
Summit, May 22-25. Last year's inaugural summit was tremendously successful. It