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Range of top-notch performers unveiled for 2019 Jazzfest lineup

Tickets go on sale this Friday for announced June shows at the Royal and McPherson theatres
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Guitarist and vocalist Raul Midón helps kick off the 2019 TD Victoria International Jazzfest with a co-headlining performance June 21 at the McPherson Playhouse. The multiple Grammy Award nominee will play on a bill with fellow guitarist Lionel Loueke. Photo by Blair Allen

Some fresh new faces, a few returning pros and a teenage jazz wunderkind are among the first group of headliners unveiled for the 2019 TD Victoria International Jazzfest.

The festival kicks off Friday, June 21 with a twin bill featuring guitarist/vocalist Raul Midón, a prolific writer and multiple Grammy Award nominee (Best Jazz Vocal Album), and African folk roots and contemporary jazz guitarist Lionel Loueke (Herbie Hancock band) . Both men have appeared at Jazzfest this decade and will play individually before teaming up in a duo.

CBC’s Saturday Night Jazz host and Juno nominee Laila Biali winds up this amazing evening at the McPherson Playhouse, performing hits from her 2018 self-titled CD, filled with catchy and sophisticated jazz-pop sounds. Tickets are $37.50 and $49.50.

Other upcoming shows include:

The Suffers, plus Aaron Scoones; June 23 McPherson Playhouse – This eight-piece band from Texas jumped into the national consciounsess with a triumphant performance on The Late Show with David Letterman in 2015. Led by the relentlessly souful Kam Franklin, they mix jazzy blues with a dash of reggae, a pinch of salsa and a hint of rock ‘n’ roll and more, all inspired by their magical Gulf Coast soul. Tickets are $27.50 and $39.50.

Patricia Barber Trio, with the Marc Atkinson Trio, June 24, McPherson Playhouse – Singer-songwriter-pianist Barber last played Jazzfest in 2013 and is another artist who blends jazz and blues. Known for her cool intellectualism and hip performance style that is more cabaret than concert hall, she’s a one-of-a-kind artist with dozens of impressive recordings. Tickets $27.50 and $39.50.

Joey Alexander Trio, plus Quinn Bachand; June 25, Royal Theatre – This Indonesia-born pianist/musical prodigy became an overnight sensation when Wynton Marsalis invited him to play at Jazz at Lincoln Centre at age 11. By 14, he had released two Grammy-nominated CDs. His newest CD, Eclipse, shows off his powerful gifts as a composer, arranger, and bandleader. Alexander will celebrate his 16th birthday at his debut performance in Victoria, on a bill with another former local child prodigy, Quinn Bachand. Tickets are $43.50 and $58.50

An Evening With Jacob Collier, June 28, Royal Theatre – British singer, multi-instrumentalist and one-time YouTube sensation Jacob Collier went viral on YouTube, catching the attention of Quincy Jones. His 2016 album, In My Room, won two Grammys and a Jazz FM Award, a project that led to collaborations and performances with Herbie Hancock and Pharrell, as well as a TED Talk, a BBC Proms concert and more. Collier’s 2018 album Djesse featured contributions from some of his worldwide musical inspirations. He is a fan of humanity who lives, sings and arranges songs that fight for something. His previous JazzFest appearance came as a solo artist in 2017, but he is joined this time by a talented band that will make for an awe-inspiring performance. Tickets are $43.50 and $58.50.

Find further musical act information as it gets rolled out at jazzvictoria.ca. Tickets are available as of Friday (March 22) online at rmts.bc.ca, by phone at 250-386-6121 or at the Jazzfest office on Alston Street (no service charges).



editor@mondaymag.com

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16054741_web1_MMA-LailaBialiCreditEdithMaybin
Juno Award nominee Laila Biali brings her smoky vocals and scintillating piano work to town June 21 for the 2019 TD Victoria International Jazzfest. Photo by Edith Maybin