Legendary bebop singer Sheila Jordan returned to the Upstairs Jazz Club. The youthful 80 year-old Detroit native who scats from her heart once again wowed the crowd with her sublime senses of rhythm and humor, evidenced by an ability to improvise lyrics that rhyme time after time. The inimitable Lady Bebop was accompanied by a fantastic trio of resident musicians—Jeff Johnston on piano, David Watts on bass and John Fraboni on drums.
Though this reporter does not profess to be a clarinet lover, Anat Cohen’s concert at l’Astral gave me goose bumps from start to finish. The young Israeli who recently showcased two weeks at the historic Village Vanguard in New York City is a one-of-a-kind soulful stylist with gorgeous tone to boot. Cohen’s fine sidemen played solos that at times inspired her to dance—Gilad Hekselman on guitar, Joe Martin on bass and Daniel Freedman on drums. The versatile program consisted of originals taken from “Notes From the Village” as well as standards such as “Jitterbug Waltz,” a stunning “Body and Soul,” and a celebratory Brazilian Choro to conclude.
The Neil Cowley Trio left a lasting impression when they tore the house way down at their North American debut at Upstairs. Supported by Richard Sadler on bass and Evan Jenkins on drums, Cowley’s clever compositions are at the core of this group, as is his masterful piano playing. Frequently funny, the leader’s charming tunes give the British prodigy ample room to explore high volume without ever sounding tasteless—they navigate through seamless shifts in tone and mood, tending to culminate in dazzling fireworks.
Inspirational pianist, composer, and author Kenny Werner held an explosive concert at The Jean Duceppe Theater brimmed with brilliant sonic fire. His engrossing, often politically-charged compositions are dark, humorous, and challenging—ideal for his band mates Randy Brecker on trumpet, David Sanchez on tenor, Scott Colley, on bass and Antonio Sanchez on drums.
Spiritedly led by saxophonist Richard Underhill, Toronto’s formidable jazz-rap fusion group Shuffle Demons celebrated their 25th anniversary in style, playing a wildly entertaining outdoor show complete with playing, singing, rapping, and dancing. Tunes like “The Funkin’ Pumpkin” and “Cheese on Bread” are still irresistibly fresh. Underhill’s phenomenal fellow band mates are saxophonists Perry White and Kelly Jefferson, bassist George Koller and drummer Stich Wynston.
One disappointment this season was the new venue for the official festival jam session, previously held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, this year inaugurating the Balmoral Bistro. Comparing the two venues is like contrasting a gourmet gastronomic experience with a Swiss Chalet. Balmoral’s vibe was lacking due to a minimal capacity and inferior sound quality. A dozen festival regulars unanimously agreed with me, hoping that the jam returns to the Hyatt or is moved to l'Astral, a first-rate new space with a real stage and amiable acoustics. I chose to spend my nights jamming at Upstairs instead, where mighty fine bassist Alex Bellegarde hosted an after-hours session nightly.
On a tragic note—it was also at Upstairs, his favorite jazz club, that Montreal’s famed jazz broadcaster and journalist Len Dobbin suffered a fatal stroke toward the end of the festival. A self-proclaimed “friend to jazz” since 1948, he will be sorely missed for his honesty, humor, wide knowledge and undying devotion to this music.
Ori Dagan is a Toronto-based jazz singer and journalist.
