This morning the Atlantic Jazz Festival (July 10-18) announced their complete line-up to a packed house at 1313 Hollis. (Jazzfest also gets props for the best media packages of the year: each one came slid into a used jazz record sleeve. Hello Cleo Laine.) This is the first year programmed by new artistic director Lulu Healy, who is aiming to "realign jazz as the core of the festival" without ignoring all the various offshoots that draw their influences from jazz. Even at a quick glance, there's a lot here for different crowds—-I don't think they should have a problem competing with the myriad of concerts happening this summer.
Some of the highlights:
-Belle Orchestre: hipster symphony at the North Street Church, July 16, 17
-Valery Gore: one of the most charming albums this year. Jenn Grant fans will adore her, July 17 at the Seahorse
-Gypsophilia with Krasnogorsk, my favourite new Haligonian Russian folk band. When I go to the NSLC on Agricola, I stand outside their house and listen to them through the window. July 15 at the Seahorse
-Shuffle Demons: Get on the bus for the 25-year anniversary, July 17 at the Festival Tent
-The Bad Plus: The jazziest versions of "Lithium" and "Comfortably Numb" you've ever heard, Delta Baronet Ballroom, July 16
-Spontaneous Combustion: Each night a group of improv musicians (guitars, strings, horns, etc.) gets together at 1313 Hollis. Then on July 14, they all meet at Neptune as a full orchestra.
-The Company House is hosting a week-long series which pairs jazz musicians with spoken word artists, e.g. Shauntay Grant with Marinda & Solari, Coco Love Acorn with Hermit of the Woods
-Kenny Garrett: Legendary saxophonist kicks off at the Festival Tent, July 10
-V16: If you've never watched the legendary Granelli in action, do it now. V16 has a new album and they're playing with Sanctuary, July 15 at Cathedral Church
-Jazz around town: Kid Koala at the Paragon, July 17 followed by my favourite BBQ treat of all time, King Khan the next night
For full ticket info, everything you need is at atlanticjazzfestival.ca.
