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Onward to yet another year to have the opportunity to visit the city
of Montreal, for the twenty-fourth edition of the Montreal Jazz
Festival, making it something like twenty out of the last twenty-four
years for me to attend this event, and about the tenth year in a row! Do
I like this festival and city? No question!
Got things kicked off with Elvis Costello, who rarely disappoints,
and Elvis and his band The Imposters put on quite a show. Next it was
off to see Benny Green and Russell Malone at the Spectrum, performing as
a duo as they did on their best selling Telarc release, “Jazz at the
Bistro”. Both Malone and Green really have that telepathy thing going
on real well, as they really seem to feel each others thoughts and
emotions, performing flawlessly, with a great deal of style and hi level
technique. Where does the time go? Its already midnight, and there is
one more stop to make to see one of the many Montreal Jazz Fest’s free
shows, Rick Holmstrom, who is playing at the Spectrum. Rick is recently
departed from Rod Piazza’s Mighty Flyers., and it should be noted that
Holmstrom was a integral part of the Mighty Flyers, as they were Handy
awarded, “best blues band” two years consecutively. Rick performed
many of the songs from his 2002 release, “Hydraulic Grooves” and is
showing that he is much more than the blues man he was for so many years
with Piazza. Rick put on quite the show, both breaking out the jam band
styles, and paying homage to his blues roots as well. It’s always
great to hear blues players, break out and take on new challenges, you
go Mr. Holmstom!
The next night got started with a lady I had the opportunity to see
for the first time in Montreal a couple of years ago, Molly Johnson.
Since that time Molly has been getting quite a bit of airplay in the NY
area, thanks to the sharp ears of WBGO’s program director Gary Walker,
who had the opportunity to check Molly this winter in her home town of
Toronto. For my own ears, I truly believe Molly has the potential to
break out as a major artist, given better distribution of her music in
the USA, and perhaps a mild makeover at a larger American recording
label, with a serious backing section of seasoned jazz session players.
Albeit, Molly put on a fine show, with her smooth and sexy vocals, she
had the Spectrum in the palm of her hand, and kept a warm glow with her
audience. Next stop, the Metropolis, to see the great Otis Rush, and
2002 Grammy Blues award winner Jimmie Vaughan. Now, I have been hearing
from several press friends in Chicago that some of Mr. Rush’s shows
were not up to par, just forget about those rumors, at least for this
night! Otis’s band came out, sans Rush, and hit it like jumping on a
speedway without any speed limits. I looked at our NY Blues and Jazz
Society photographer Judy MacKenzie and said, “we will know quickly if
Otis is going to be good”. He was red hot! Otis took the stage and
found that special sweet spot for his guitar, and never let it go,
throughout his near ninety-minute performance. Without question, Otis
Rush and his band was the musical highlight of my weekend. After
catching my breath, I was kind of worried about how Jimmie Vaughan would
be able to follow Otis, but his tight unit, with a great B3 player, and
Lou Ann Barton on vocals, put on a very high spirited set, which
featured Jimmie’s energetic guitar playing. Okay, midnight seems to
come quickly in Montreal, especially when the level of music and
performances are so high. Last stop for the eve, the Spectrum, to see
Canadian native of Ottawa, Sue Foley. I have been on to Sue for over ten
years, and I adore her guitar playing and song writing. Last year I had
the opportunity to have Sue and her band perform on my radio program,
and not only is she a talented musician, but Miss Foley has very
appropriate and strong opinions about the music business, and extremely
good street smart instincts as to how to survive in the music business.
Sue’s set was impeccable, her voice sounding better than ever, and
that wonderful creative guitar.
Unfortunately, I woke up Saturday morning not feeling well, and had
to cut my trip short. But it was good to see my buddy Jason Koransky’s
name (Editor for Downbeat magazine) kindly mentioned in the Montreal
Gazette, who was quoted as saying, “it’s the best place to see it
all”. And life in Montreal would not be complete without seeing fellow
NY area DJ, WBGO’s Michael Bourne around town, and to have some time
to talk about all the music in town, and compare notes as to what we
have been listening to both live in Montreal, and new and old cd
releases.
Well that’s my report from the 2003 Montreal Jazz Fest, and I am
definitely looking forward to their quarter century anniversary next
year!
Bob Putignano, President
New York Blues & Jazz Society
Radio Host @ WFDU’s, “The Sounds of Blue”
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