Alright, so I know you’ve been reading about recording breaking temperature drops, polar vortexes and the kind of O-town freeze that makes you long for the warmth of Antarctica. Thankfully, the TD Ottawa Jazz Fest is back with another winter edition to heat things up. Sure, it’s not the bust out the lawn chairs, cuddle a brew and soak up the sun kinda’ feeling the summer festival brings but there’s a lot of reasons to step out of the ice and into the nice next week at La Nouvelle Scéne.
Here are some of my picks for TD Ottawa Winter Jazz Fest 2019:
Nellie McKay February 7 @ 6:30pm / Studio A Piano, vocals and a ukulele, Nellie McKay in Studio A is going to be a unique blending of melodies, for sure. If her vocals aren’t enough to charm you, she works in some humorous commentary that'll bring a chuckle or two. She last performed at the fest in 2012 and is a welcome return. If you’ve flicked on your TV in recent years you may have heard her tunes on shows like Mad Men, Grey’s Anatomy and Boardwalk Empire. Conjuring the image of a lonely all night truck stop along Highway 1 on California’s coast, all but lost in the fog that comes creeping along the shoreline, her latest and seventh album Sister Orchid was conceived in solitude, executed in darkness.
Artists-in-Residence – Collaboration 1 February 7 @ 10:00pm / Stuido B Why see one amazing artist when you can catch three for the same price? Organizers has invited three Artists-in-Residence: Marianne Trudel - piano; Kevin Breit - guitar and Michael Blake - saxophone to bring their own bands and perform in different combinations throughout the Festival. They will play with their own bands in their own show and perform with each other in four distinct collaborations featuring their unique creative strengths. Merging styles, impromptu jams, unlikely combos…it’s the best of jazz!
The 33z play Aretha Franklin February 8 @ 6:00pm / Studio A If you saw Ottawa jazz super group The 33z's take on Prince you were wowed. If you further saw their renditions of Michael Jackson hits you were both wowed and awestruck. How do you follow two knock it out of the park performances? You pay your respects to the Queen of Soul. This year they are taking on the iconic music of the one and only Aretha Franklin. Music for this production is arranged by Ed Lister and Petr Cancura. Singers such as Rebecca Noelle, Deedee Butters, Jeff Rogers and Kellylee Evans will select and perform their own interpretation of one song from the Queen’s poignant song book.
Kevin Breit’s Bona Fide Scoundrels February 8 @ 9:00pm / Studio A Well, well, welly, wellll, look who’s fresh of the heels of a JUNO nomination and strumming on into Winter Jazz 2019! Known for his inimitable guitar playing, exquisite lyrics and eccentric performances, Kevin Breit’s (along with his Bona Fide Scoundrels) sensitive and creative approach to music making has led to performances, recordings and collaborations with musicians and composers from across a wide range of genres and cultural backgrounds.
Pugs & Crows February 8 @ 10:00pm / Studio B Whatever could a pug and a crow have in common, you may wonder? Well, in this sense, a musical genre twisting blast of originality. This group is just fine slipping into soulful sounds as they are country and roots. They’ve joined forces with vocalist Marin Patenaude. Her earthy, soulful voice coupled with the band's trademark cinematic pacing, melodicism, and gritty elegance transports the music to new heights.
Megan Jerome Together Ensemble February 9 @ 8:00pm / Studio B Jerome really is one of my favourite local musicians. Every time I've seen her perform has been a delight. I mean, there’s a reason this fest keeps bringing her back year after year. Time to hear for yourself if you haven’t already. Performing Ooh Aah this evening, the magical music is sparkling with soulful songs drawing on vintage, contemporary roots and jazz. Every song has a story to tell, from sultry cowboy-tango “Candles” to the whispered campfire intimacy of “Let It Come”, to the rousing gospel-tinged “Love Lift Us”.