It’s time once again for the TD Victoria International JazzFest, featuring more than 425 musicians in 95 performances on 13 stages. Get your tickets at the Victoria Jazz Society office (1031 Vancouver) to avoid service charges. Here are some of Monday’s top picks for this week:
Balkan Beat Box
A uniquely dance worthy, gypsy-punk spectacle — A fusion of klezmer, Mediterranean and Balkan tradition with electronica, hip hop, dancehall beats and Jamaican dub.
Tuesday, June 26, 7pm
Centennial Square
George Benson
Ten-time Grammy winner and one of the most revered guitarists in jazz history, George Benson’s groundbreaking Breezin’, which came out in 1976, was the first jazz album to go triple platinum. Best known for his pop/R&B vocals, Benson is a master of versatility who can play any style, be it swing, bebop or R&B.
Sunday, June 24, 7:30pm
Royal Theatre
Chris Botti
Five-time Grammy nominee Chris Botti has played his trumpet with Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Marc Cohn and Natalie Merchant. His new CD Impressions features appearances by Vince Gill, Herbie Hancock, David Foster and Andrea Bocelli.
Monday, June 25, 7:30pm
Royal Theatre
Delhi 2 Dublin
Described as “the United Nations of rock ‘n’ roll” by Hour Magazine, Vancouver’s energetic and infectious Delhi 2 Dublin have come up with an amazing party sound that seamlessly blends Celtic and Bollywood style Bhangra music with elements of dub reggae, hip-hop, and electronica, With DJ RAAJ, who helped pioneer the Bollywood nightclub scene in San Francisco.
Sunday, June 24, 7pm
Centennial Square
Get The Blessing
This punk like, post-punk quartet is here from England to kick jazz in the pants. Underpinned by a sophisticated but churningly powerful rhythm section, the dual sax and trumpet frontline blast out strong riffs filled with interesting melodic and harmonic ideas.
Wednesday, June 27, 9:30pm
Upstairs Cabaret
Pablo Cardenas Project Fusion
Cuban-born pianist Cardenas combines classical training with jazz, fusion, Latin, plus traditional and modern Cuban styles. With Peter Dowse on electric bass, and Kelby MacNayr on drums.
Sunday, June 24, 1:30pm
Centennial Square
Mederic Collignon
It will be jazz music with a twist as French trumpet player Médéric Collignon makes his debut in Victoria at the TD JazzFest. Known for his shouting, his deliberately trashy bouts and his flashes of genius, this multiple award winner is wildly eclectic, having been influenced as much by funk and jazz-rock as the works of composer Oliver Messiaen.
With Jus De Bocse
Tuesday, June 26, 8:30pm
Hermann’s Jazz Club
The HIFI
The HIFI is a high-energy musical collective that knows all the best ways to have a great time on the dance floor. A mash-up of jazzy New Orleans funk, hot soul, rock and R&B, this group comprises some of Victoria’s most gifted musicians.
Monday, June 25, 12pm
Centennial Square
Monday, June 25 and Tuesday, June 26 at 4pm
Canoe Brewpub
Donato/Bourassa/ Lozano/Tanguay
Tribute to Bill Evans
Even though legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans died over 30 years ago, his unique legacy of intelligent romanticism lives on. That influence is the inspiration for Autour De Bill Evans, a recent tribute album by Effendi Records artists, including Michel Donato, bass, François Bourassa, piano, Frank Lozano, saxophones, and Pierre Tanguay, drums.
Tuesday, June 26, 7:30 p.m.
Alix Goolden Hall
Twin Bill with the Phil Dwyer Sextet
