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30 Years of jazz in Montreal
Friends
Alain Simard and André Ménard started a musical
collaboration 30 years ago that has become the world’s largest
jazz festival
By
Peter Kerr
The
Montreal International Jazz Festival is celebrating its 30th
Anniversary this summer. The musical partnership between co-founders
Alain Simard and André Ménard began the 70’s while
André was a student at CEGEP Maisonneuve. “Alain is a
little older than me, and he was promoting bands in the Montreal-area.
I was in charge of booking bands into our school for entertainment, and
that’s how we got to know each other.”
The two friends continued to
promote concerts, and in 1977 they formed Équipe Spectra, which would
grow to become recognised by The Financial Post as one of Canada’s 50
Best Managed Companies.
André continues; “There was a longing
in Montreal for the ambiance of Expo ’67 and the ’76 Olympics.”
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1979 André Ménard, Denyse McCann
and Alain Simard |
The
young promoters came up with the idea of an outdoor Jazz Festival, and
on July 2, 1980; Ray Charles took the stage at Man and his World (the
former Expo ’67 site) and the Montreal International Jazz Festival was
underway. “Right from the beginning, we had a gathering of all the
‘clans’ in Montreal,” noted André; while attending the launch party for
Jazz Expressions; a double CD celebrating the festival’s 30th
Anniversary.
"We didn’t know it at first – but in the summer
there is no politics. So there’s lots of media space available for
coverage; especially when you’re bringing in internationally famous
performers like Ray Charles, Dave Brubeck and Ella Fitzgerald.”
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30 years later: Alain Simard and André Ménard |
Soon
jazz writers and critics were coming to Montreal from all over North
America and Europe. The first festival welcomed 12,000 fans; and now
2.5 million people annually attend the collection of paid and free
concerts over a 10 day period, which has been extended to 13 days for
2009. The Guinness Book of Records claimsstates that it is the
World’s Largest Jazz Festival.
Alain Simard, André Ménard and their colleagues at
L’Équipe Spectra aren’t resting on their laurels.
The company will soon be moving into a renovated building at the corner
of Bleury and Ste-Catherine; La Maison du Jazz, which will be home to a
state-of-the-art performance space L’Astral, reminiscent of the
hugely popular Spectrum. One block over, La Place du Quartier des
Spectacles will be the new main stage area for the mega-outdoor
concerts. Its full steam ahead… “We can now project into
our new phase of development,” says an animated André
Ménard.
The 30th edition features many long-time festival favourites, including
Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsalis, and the Glenn Miller and
Harry James Big Bands facing off in a Battle of the Bands.
There’s a musical style to satisfy most tastes. Local favourite
Oliver Jones will inaugurate L’Astral on June 29th, with special
guest Ranee Lee. joining in the celebration. In all, There will be 650
performances over the festival’s 1213 days, including 450 free
outdoor concerts.
The two friends - two music fans – have built the world’s
largest jazz festival; plus The Montreal Highlights Festival, Les
Francofolies and several related businesses. They have provided a
significant opportunity for Montreal musicians to build a fan base, and
have helped launch the careers of many successful artists, including
Diana Krall. Along the way they have brought hundreds of $millions into
Montreal.
Each year Alain and André pose for a “family photo”
with Montreal jazz musicians. It’s more than a public relations
gesture. They share a deep appreciation for the music and the people
who create it. That why it’s still fresh – 30 years and
thousands of performances later. Bravo!
The 30th Anniversary edition will take place from June 30 – July
12. For information about all the shows and ticket sales, please visit:
www.montrealjazzfest.com
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Kool & The Gang
35 years, 70 million albums and still electrifying audiences
Kool
& The Gang give credence to the expression; - …and the hits
keep on coming! In addition to superbe musicianship, their performances
feature an incredible string of hit songs, many that have become
popular classics – blending a driving R & B beat and the
catchy musicality of pop songs. It’s proven to be an enduring and
successful recipe for the group.
Kool & The Gang has sold over 70
million albums worldwide and influenced the music of three generations.
Thanks to songs like Celebration, Cherish, Jungle Boogie, Summer
Madness and Open Sesame, they’ve earned two Grammy Awards, seven
American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R&B hits, nine Top Ten Pop hits,
and 31 gold and platinum albums. Kool & The Gang has performed
continuously for the past 35 years, longer than any R&B group in
history.
In 1964 Khalis Bayyan (AKA Ronald Bell) and his
brother, Robert “Kool” Bell, joined Jersey City neighborhood friends
Robert “Spike” Mickens, Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, Ricky Westfield,
George Brown, and Charles Smith to create a unique musical blend of
jazz, soul and funk. They tried four names before settling on Kool
& The Gang.
Their self-titled 1969 debut album introduced
their signature instrumental sound and fierce horn arrangements, and
spawned their first Billboard R&B charted single, Kool and the Gang.
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Kool And The Gang |
The
group began recording in 1969 with self-titled instrumental album, and
a second titled Live At The Sex Machine released in 1970. However it
was the group’s 1973 gold disc Wild & Peaceful took Kool & The
Gang to another level (#6 R&B, #33 Pop), spurred by the immortal
party anthems Funky Stuff, Hollywood Swinging and the platinum smash
Jungle Boogie. Hits like Higher Plane (#1 R&B), the classic Summer
Madness (featured on the Grammy-winning movie soundtrack Rocky) and LPs
Spirit of the Boogie, Love & Understanding and Open Sesame
followed. The latter’s title track was featured on the top-selling
movie soundtrack of all time, Saturday Night Fever, earning the group
their second Grammy.
In 1979, Kool & The Gang unveiled a smooth new sound with Ladies Night, which became the group’s first platinum
album.
The #1 R&B title track also reached #8 at Pop. It was followed by
Too Hot (#3 R&B, #5 Pop). The ’80s would see them dominate the
mainstream, starting with the double platinum-selling album Celebrate
(driven by the international monster hit Celebration, which spent six
weeks atop the R&B chart and became a #1 Pop single). Celebration,
which played as the American hostages returned from Iran, remains de
rigueur at joyous occasions worldwide. The smashes Get Down On It, Take
My Heart, Let’s Go Dancing, Joanna, Tonight, Misled, the #1 R&B, #2
Pop giant Cherish and the #1 R&B anthem Fresh (these last three
from the multi-platinum LP Emergency) solidified the group’s
international superstardom.
After an outstanding performance 7
years ago, Kool & The Gang are returning to The Metropolis on July
1. Metropolis Box Office: 514-844-3500 or online: www.jazzfest.com
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Susie Arioli – A new recording and a new show have her poised for international success
Montreal performer brings style and grace to popular jazz classics with her latest album – Night Lights
By
Peter Kerr
“I
started singing at jam sessions hosted by the Stephen Barry Blues Band.
I did that for many years, and it gave me a chance to gain confidence
and find my own style.” Susie Arioli is describing how she got
her start. “When I first began - like most singers – I
imitated my favourites. In particular I was influenced by Billie
Holiday.” Susie continues, “Eventually I learned to be
myself…”
And singing like “herself” is paying
off very well for Susie Arioli. She has recently signed a new record
deal with Spectra Musique, the record label owned by the same folks who
produce the Montreal International Jazz Festival.
It’s a
testament to Susie’s talent that the producers of the world’s largest
jazz festival are confident that they can realize a solid return on
their investment by producing her on their new label.
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Susie Arioli |
Susie and
her musical collaborator Jordan Officer have established a niche
performing jazz music that is accessible and entertaining; with a
repertoire comprised of songs from The American Songbook. Susie is a
true singer, interpreting songs with respect for the lyrics and a
graceful presentation. She has been greatly influenced by Ella
Fitzgerald and Django Reinhardt. “They basically sang the melody, and
then threw in a flourish.” It’s a nod to style and grace that we don’t
often see or hear in the era of vocal excesses - where volume overrules
the melody of the song. “An inelegant lack of modesty” is how Susie
describes performers who replace style with volume.
By contrast,
you can hear a pin drop when Susie, Jordan and their fellow musicians
are performing. With her natural charisma; Susie has the ability to
create an intimate atmosphere – even in the 3000-plus seat Salle
Wilfred Pelletier at Place des Arts. “I’m always happiest when I feel
that I have a connection with the audience.”
Susie and Jordan
impressed Jazz Festival audiences in 1998 – even though they were
relatively unknown at the time. They were so impressive that festival
Artistic Director André Ménard invited them to open for the legendary
Ray Charles a few days later in Salle Wilfred Pelletier.
Susie
and Jordan released their first album It’s Wonderful in 2001, earning
critical acclaim, including kudos from The Toronto Star’s Peter
Goddard, one of the toughest critics in Canada. “Susie is unerringly
right in what she chooses to sing and unrivalled in how she sings it,”
wrote Goddard.
Night Lights is the fifth album for Susie, and
was produced by Jordan Officer. Susie delivers wonderful
interpretations of classics such as Blue Skies, Can’t We Be Friends and
Beyond the Sea. Susie is optimistic that the Spectra international
contacts and relationships will help to open access to more and better
performance venues, and especially more jazz festivals.
This
fall Susie will be heading to Europe for performances in France and
Germany, with the possibility of more countries to be added to the
itinerary. Night Lights is already selling well, helping to build upon
her existing European following. Montrealers will be able to enjoy
Susie Arioli at Place des Arts’ Theatre Maisonneuve on July 4 at 6 pm.
For tickets, please call: 514-842-2112 or visit:
www.montrealjazzfest.com Bravo!
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