Sweet Basil Singer's Festival

Women in Jazz Series

Sep 11, 2004 – Centennial Theatre - 8pm
Sheila Jordan w/ Strings
Babayaga Strings Quartet Tribute to Bill Evans – Opening Set

$32
Call Ticketmaster 604-280-4444 or Centennial Theatre Box Office 604-984-4484

Sheila Jordan’s an original. For her unique musical trademarks and vocal styling; she has won the prestigious DOWNBEAT Artist Deserving Wider Recognition Critic’s Poll 9 times! Born as Sheila Jeanette Dawson in 1928 and raised in poverty in coal mining country Pennsylvania, Sheila began working semi-professionally in Detroit clubs in her early teens. Influenced early by Charlie Parker and by instrumentalists rather than singers, and working chiefly with black musicians, Sheila met with disapproval from the white community. Her early vocal trio sang versions of Parker’s solos akin to the works by the later Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. After moving to New York in the early 50’s, she married Parker’s pianist Duke Jordan & studied with Lennie Tristano after Charles Mingus introduced them.

Credit goes to Harold Birston of the Babayaga String Quartet who came to me with this fabulous Sheila Jordan Heart Strings album w/ beautiful strings orchestration. I listened and promptly agreed with Harold to bring the great one to Vancouver.

The Babayaga String Quartet and jazz piano trio will open with a Tribute to Bill Evans featuring Harold’s arrangements of tunes made famous by the late legendary pianist.

Sep 12, 2004 – Norman Rothstein Theatre 8pm
Kitty Margolis Quartet

$28
Call Ticketmaster 604-280-4444 or NRT Box Office 257-5111

“If anyone is the epitome of a jazz vocalist in the ‘90s”, raves JAZZIZ magazine, “it’s Kitty Margolis.” In 1999, Kitty earned for the fifth straight year the DOWNBEAT jazz vocalist “Deserving Wider Recognition” praise in the International Critics’ Poll. She has won the San Francisco Bay Area Music Award for “Outstanding Jazz Vocalist in 1997, received the “Certificate Recognizing Exceptional Creativity” from the Bammies three times and was nominated for the Soul Train “Lady of Soul’ Award in 1999. The great Stan Getz says “Kitty is a very talented singer steeped in the jazz tradition. I really enjoy listening to her” and Sheila Jordan says that “After hearing Kitty’s wonderful work, I’m sure that the future of jazz singing is safe and sound!”

Margolis fourth CD “Heart&Soul Live in San Francisco” just released in March 2004 has already surged to the top 20s on the US radio charts. The Jazz Times says “Margolis, an equally potent blend of class, integrity, and chutzpah, delights the SRO audience with 75 minutes of thrilling showmanship; and All About Jazz says this about Margolis’ new CD “Wow, this woman can sing. This disc is good—very good. Margolis skilfully whips her audience into an appreciative frenzy”.

Do not miss Margolis’ premiere debut performance in Canada!

Sep 17, 2004 – Vancouver Public Library 8pm
Jeri Brown Quartet w/ Miles Black
Tribute to Oscar Peterson – Miles Black Trio

$25
Call Ticketmaster 604-280-4444

Jeri Brown is arguably Canada’s best female jazz vocalist. Pianist Fred Hersch says “Jeri Brown has it all – adventurous spirit, superb musicianship and technique to spare” and Gene Lees says “Jeri is a singer of remarkable range – she can negotiate four octaves effortlessly, most singers work with an octave and a half or two at the most – and inventive ingenuity ….a gifted singer.” Jimmy Rowles says “She’s outstanding …she has a really pretty voice…I don’t normally like scat singers, those scooby-doo people, but she does something different with it”. Kenny Wheeler says “It is always a pleasure to work with Jeri Brown. Jeri probably has the best ears of anyone I have even worked with. I get a wonderful feeling when I listen to Jeri improvise over mine or anyone else’ changes.”

Best of all, Jeri Brown is Canadian and has recorded nine world class albums with Justin Time Records. Her recordings have earned her numerous awards in Europe and North America, inclusive of the Jazz Report 1998 Jazz Vocalist of the Year, Canadian East Coast 1997 Jazz Artist of the Year, France’s Jazzman 1997 and 1996 CHOC Awards, and numerous nominations which includes JUNO nominations in 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000 and 2004.

By special request, Miles Black will open with his famous Tribute to Oscar Peterson trio set to showcase his masterful transcription and performance of Peterson’s music.

Festival Finale 2004

Sep 18, 2004 – Norman Rothstein Theatre 7:30pm
Mark Murphy w/ Miles Black Quartet
Sweet Basil All-Star Fundraiser – Opening set

$35
Call Ticketmaster 604-280-4444 or NRT Box Office 604-257-5111

The appreciative crowd gave the amazing 6-time Grammy nominee and international jazz legend Mark Murphy a standing ovation at last year’s Sweet Basil festival. Called the “real thing or the real McCoy” by all knowledgeable jazz fans and professionals, Murphy reveals that he is the epitome of vocal jazz with every tune he delivers on stage. “He is my favourite jazz singer bound for the DOWNBEAT Hall of Fame” says festival director Michel Pan. Paired with Murphy’s favourite pianist in Canada Miles Black, this show will again be an unforgettable festival finale.

Indeed Mark Murphy is one of the world’s greatest and hippest jazz vocalists performing today. Vocal greats Betty Carter, Peggy Lee, Cleo Laine and Shirly Horn all sing Murphy’s praises as one of the best in the business. The legendary Ella Fitzgerald declares “he is my equal” A six-time Grammy nominee; Murphy has enjoyed a prolific forty year recording career with over 40 releases.

The Sweet Basil All-Stasr Fundraiser opening set features many of the top artists & musicians in the lower mainland who will showcase their talent by opening for jazz legend Mark Murphy. Artists like Lorraine Foster, Michel Pan, Steve Maddock, Carman Price and others will be on hand to support this special evening.

Sep 9, 2004 – Vancouver Public Library 7pm
Vocal Jazz History 101

FREE ADMISSION

Enjoy this free seminar on the history of vocal jazz. Distinctive periods and the notable singers within each period will be discussed. Trademark songs and great performances by historically important singers will be sampled during the seminar to increase your appreciation of the vocal jazz art form and its evolution. Limited to 300 people.

Workshops

Sep 12, 2004–Tom Lee Music 929 Granville Street 12noon to 2pm
Sheila Jordan Vocal Workshop

$150 & $120 Early Bird
Limited Enrolment on a first come first register basis, to register
call 604-872-2346

Sheila Jordan’s engaging workshop will cover many important topics faced by professional singers. Absorb what this legendary artist has to share about her originality & years of experience!

How to communicate with instrumentalists
• Suitable keys
• Importance of lead sheets
• Dedication to the music
• Unimportance of Scat
• General Performance
• Other topics based on class level

See WORKSHOPS section for more details

Sep 18, 2004 – Tom Lee Music 929 Granville Street 10am to 12noon
Jeri Brown (5-JUNOs) Vocal Workshop

$130 & $100 Early Bird
Limited Enrolment on a first come first register basis, to register
call 604-872-2346

Jeri Brown’s engaging workshop will cover many of the important topics faced by professional vocalists. This legendary world-class Canadian performing artist and teacher has tons of knowledge and experience to share in her one only 2004 workshop in Vancouver. Topics include

• Healthy Singing (Physical Balance, Breathe Easily, Staying Present),
• Preparing to Sing (Focusing, Movement, Warming up Your Voice),
• Selecting Music to Sing (Range & Tessitura, Melody, Text, Rhythm)
• Learning Music Efficiently (Words, Rhythm, Melody, Putting it all together)
• Practice Habits (Small Room, Checklist for Practice Session)
• Performing (Nerves, Presence, The Message)
• Improvisation
• Back phrasing
• Anticipation
• Contours
• Extra Topics (editing, silence, melismatic ornamentation, angular leaps, stick, glissando)

See WORKSHOPS section for more details

Sep 15, 2004 - Alliance Francaise 8pm
Melonai et SON Quatuor / Quartet Melonai featuring francophone singers Melonai Brisdon, Davidian Chorley, Budge Schachte, & Jose Sanchez

$15
Tickets at Zulu Records or at door before show starts or call Alliance Francaise 604-327-0201

Melonai Brisdon was brought up in Manitoba and now calls Vancouver her home. She has made her mark on the French scene and has been chosen best French singer in British Columbia three years running in the Galas de la Chanson with appearances in Coup de Coeur, Festival d'Ete and in various French CBC Radio and other Television Broadcasts. Melonai's groovin music fuses FUNK, LATIN & FOLK with JAZZ as its foundation.

Sep 16, 2004 – Vancouver Public Library 8pm
Rising Star Laura Doyle & The Lads

$15
Tickets at VPL Bookmark store, Zulu Records or at the Library Alice MacKay Rm before show starts

You’ve probably already heard her music without knowing it. Laura Doyle is becoming quietly famous for having her music featured in movies and TV shows and they aren’t just obscure background pieces. Her music is often used to help communicate the emotional themes in montages and character moments; to express the subtext and inner thoughts of the people on screen. She has a knack for getting to the heart of things and the entertainment industry has noticed.

She will be performing with her band The Lads which includes music producer Sean Eyre. Check out www.lauradoyle.com.

The evening will commence with Sweet Basil’s Open Mic invitation featuring some of Vancouver’s finest rising talents, singers and songwriters. Groups and artists like Mystic River, the winners and talented participants of the Sweet Basil Star Search Final 2004 will be invited to perform subject to their availability, the number of open mic participants and overall time allowance.

Sep 11, 2004 – Tom Lee Music Downtown 1pm
Sweet Basil Star Search 2004 Final – Solo/Duet Category
Grand Prize, 2nd & 3rd Prizes

FREE ADMISSION
Entry Deadline August 30, 2004
Entry Forms @Tom Lee Music Downtown

Hear the future Sarah McLachlan, Bruce Cockburn, Stef & Bef or Garth Brooks at this inaugural Sweet Basil Star Search 2004 Final. The newly renamed Sweet Basil Singers’ Festival has gone beyond jazz to include pop, soft-rock, gospel, folk, jazz, ethnic, aboriginal and contemporary music. This event invites you the songwriter, the vocalist and artist to showcase your talent! Up to ten finalists will be featured on stage at Tom Lee Music. Grand prize winner will receive Northland acoustic-electric guitar, Sonic wood snare drum & 2 Sheila Jordan concert tickets. First runner-up will receive Northland acoustic guitar & 2 Kitty Margolis concert tickets, and second runner-up will receive MRW electric guitar & 2 Jeri Brown concert tickets.

Entry Deadline August 30, 2004. Solo / Duet acoustic format, music genre and styles can be folk, jazz, pop, gospel, reggae, contemporary, soul, soft-rock, bossa nova, ethnic or mixed. Entry forms outlining contest and application rules are available at Tom Lee Music 929 Granville Street. Artists who can not afford the contest entry application fee can be subsidized by the festival. Participate, strut your talent & don’t miss out on the fun!

Sep 11, 2004 –Vancouver Public Library 11am
Silk Road Music featuring Qiu Xia He on pipa & Fen Jun Wang on vocal

FREE ADMISSION

Silk Road Music plays wonderful Chinese music but unlike any other ensemble in North America, the ensemble has managed to successfully combine Western music elements into its Chinese based repertoire of great folk songs and classics to a level of performance virtuosity that is unparalleled. The ensemble features vocalist Fen Jun Wang and pipa master Qiu Xia He, Middle Eastern lute & guitar master Andre Thibault plus singer and bassist Willy Miles.

Sep 11, 2004 Vancouver Public Library Downtown 12noon
Khac Chi Ensemble featuring Bich Ngoc Ho - vocal & rare Vietnamese instruments

FREE ADMISSION

The Khac Chi Ensemble features two of Vietnam’s premiere musicians---Bich Ngoc Ho and Chi Khac Ho---whose talents, superb musicianship and virtuosity have won them numerous awards for excellence and invitations for international appearances. Their concert performances provide rare insights into the wealth, depth and sophistication of Vietnamese culture. The songs they sing and vocalize are authentic Vietnamese songs. The many instruments they play are rare and unique musical instruments from the mountain peoples of Vietnam.

Sep 12, 2004 – Vancouver Public Library 12noon
Tzo’kam Ensemble featuring aboriginal singers & songs

FREE ADMISSION

Tzo'kam, a word and expression from the Lil'wat (Stl'atl'imx) which means "chickadee" and "visitors are coming," evolved out of a family's desire to learn and share a part of culture that was not always free to express. The language and songs stand as a testament of defiance by the elders to a system that tried to erase their culture. The dream to freely sing these songs with her family has been with Lil'wat elder Flora Wallace for many years.

Sep 12, 2004 – Vancouver Public Library 1pm
Everyday Dirt – Folk, Blues, Country, Gospel & Bluegrass

FREE ADMISSION

Georgina Betts and Nancy Herb, seasoned professionals with a rich and varied musical background, are the founding members of Everyday Dirt. They will be joined by musical friends Rob Burns, Alison Pervis and Derek Cave. This talented group has compiled an eclectic mix of songs and original compositions which draw heavily upon influences from folk, blues, country, gospel and bluegrass. With soaring vocal harmonies and stellar musicianship, Everyday Dirt brings their warm, engaging stage presence and infectious energy to the festival this year. Come and shake the dust out of your tail feathers!

Sep 11, 2004 – Tom Lee Music Downtown 10am
Jose Sanchez Cuban Drumming Workshop

FREE ADMISSION

Jose Sanchez is a recognized master of Cuban Percussion. This workshop will include theoretical discussions of the brief Cuban history (political scene in Cuba at the beginning of Spanish conquest); socio economic conditions inspired in Cuban colonial times; importance of slaves as a substitute of natives in the island (main ethnic groups and settlements); origin of Afro-Cuban instruments; importance of religion in the formation and development of Cuban music (syncretism phenomena); Cuban folklore and main styles; Bata drums ensemble; Rumba cycle (Yambú, Guaguancó and Columbia); origin of Cuban Son; influences of other cultures in the formation of Cuban music and the main music styles in the XIX and XX centuries.

See WORKSHOPS section for more details

Sep 18, 2004 – Tom Lee Music Downtown 12noon
Two Pianos – Improvisations Jazz Standards featuring Chris Gestrin, Tony Foster & Miles Black

FREE ADMISSION

Having watched two legendary pianists Barry Harris and Tommy Flanagan play in a duet setting with two grand pianos many years ago; the inspiration to present Two Pianos has been brewing within me for a while. The festival would like to thank Tom Lee Music for the provision of the two acoustic pianos, and participating pianists Chris, Tony and Miles who will dazzle all of us with their interplay and spontaneous improvisations of jazz standards. Rare to have two finely tuned high performance pianos and three world class pianists jamming--Wow!