Latin-Caribbean Jazz band Canefire takes Toronto

Trinidad/Canada

Cuba

Calypso-Latin-Jazz band Canefire, last month released its second project, a CD entitled Pandemonium, in western Canada.  Revisiting Vancouver, British Columbia in April, took the core group of four full circle to where they started their summer 2009 tour.  Now the five-year old group took Toronto  on Thursday, May 19, 2010 at the Glen Gould Studio.

The Glen Gould patrons were in for a Pandemonium of Caribbean and Latin rhythms from first-hand practitioners: trumpeter Alexis Baro, drummer Chendy Leon, percussionist Alberto Suarez and bassist Yoser Rodriguez, all four of whom are Cuban-Canadians; Trinidad-Canadian pannist Mark Mosca; as well as Canadian sax and flute player Braxton Hicks and bandleader Jeremy Ledbetter whose roles also include chief composer and keyboardist.

Together, they invoked the spirit of Trinidadian style gospelypso via “Donna Lee Goes South,” a reincarnation of Charlie Parker’s “Donna Lee,” a mesh of Afro-Brazilian and Trinidad steelband music channelled through “Welcome Home” and David Rudder’s unofficial national anthem “Trini 2 D Bone.”  (By the way, Ledbetter has served as Rudder’s Musical Director, producer and arranger since 2002.  Rudder himself appears on Pandemonium as the voice on “Trini“)

Heather Kitching on Pandemonium:

Now five years old, CaneFire is sounding uber tight and together on Pandemonium, with a lot more trading off between lead instruments, a lot more complexity to the compositions, and a lot more diversity too — with the addition of more Brazilian and Venezuelan sounds to its already eclectic mix of Cuban, Puerto Rican, French-Caribbean and Trinidadian influences.  The album opens with “The Madman’s Jig,” an outrageously energetic number written in 27/4 time.  Jokes bandleader Jeremy Ledbetter, “you don’t notice you can’t dance to it ‘til you try.”  Other notable tracks include “Baptism by Fire,” CaneFire’s take on a hybrid Trinidadian church music called “gospelypso”; “Donna Lee Goes South,” a calypisified cover of Charlie Parker’s “Donna Lee”; and “The Fountain of Youth,” an epic journey through the Amazon featuring Venezuelan guest vocalist Eliana Cuevas as well as the iconic Pascoal.  There are also two tracks inspired by the birth last spring of Ledbetter and Cuevas’ daughter, Leila.  The first is “Welcome Home,” a gentle ballad which combines Afro-Brazilian rhythm with a Trinidad steelband.  The second is the final bonus track, “If I Could Sing,” which Ledbetter crafted around the babbling sounds of the then five-month-old Leila.  A final song of note on the recording is the distinctly CaneFire cover of “Trini 2 D Bone,” Trinidad’s unofficial national anthem. David Rudder, the soca legend behind the original also sings on the CaneFire version.

The participation of Rudder and Pascoal in the creation of Pandemonium testifies to the esteem in which CaneFire is held in the world of Caribbean and Latin music.

Canefire played the Glen Gould Theater, Toronto, May 19

Caribbean Latin Jazz band, CANEFIRE played TOBAGO JAZZ EXPERIENCE, APRIL 25

Canada             Cuba          Trinidad

update 3 on April 25

The Arbor Room, Hart House, University of Toronto was the venue of a free concert on March 12 given by Canefire, a seven piece band featuring pan men, Jeremy Ledbetter, and Marc Mosca from Trinidad; Cubans Alexis Baró on trumpet, drummer Chendy León, Alberto Suarez on percussion and bassist Yoser Rodriguez; and Canadian saxophonist Braxton Hicks.

 

The previous weekend (Saturday, March 07), the band was at the Millpond Centre at 106 Victoria St. W., Alliston, Canada where, as simcoe.com has reported, “Canefire brought the house down with a blend of saxophone and steel drums, with an infectious rhythm of the island beat.”

Canefire’s sound is grounded on Trinidadian Calypso, Latin, Jazz and Blues.  No wonder since Ledbetter has lived and worked in Trinidad and Tobago and Cuba.

His experience in and with Trinidad has seen him share the stage with all-out Calypso bands and the calypsonian, David Rudder – with whom he has a seven-year working relationship as his pianist, musical director, arranger and producer – and artists like Ralph McDonald and Andy Narell who have found a happy medium at the Calypso-Jazz junction.

Jeremy Ledbetter, who can now be said to be at home there too, earned himself a degree in Jazz performance from York University in Toronto.

Canefire goes back to Trinidad off and on and was originally scheduled to return to the Caribbean in April for the Tobago Jazz Festival, now deceased.  They in fact made the trip on April 25, but to the replacement festival called Tobago Jazz Experience.

The band was on the same Latin Jazz stage with Trinidad’s Élan Parlé led by pianist Michael Low Chew Tung aka Ming, and Mungal Patasar.

Canefire has one CD on the market, a 2005 recording of original material called Kaiso Blue.  Narell is in there as a guest.  But that was then; this is now: The Andy Narell Group, steel pan Caribbean Jazz, 8 p.m. April 3, UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Auditorium; and April 22, Pan Jazz in d Yard, Tobago Jazz Experience with Liam Teague and others.

Second edition of Jazz Artists on the Greens TOBAGO all set for April 25 (updated April 20)

Trinidad

 

Postcard to JAOTG, Tobago, April 25 2009 by Nigel A. Campbell, Production One Ltd.

originally edited by Israel, WEC on April 18; updated on April 20

GLENCOE – With the successful production of the seventh edition of Jazz Artists on the Greens (JAOTG) recently completed in Trinidad, Production One Ltd. ventures to the sister island of Tobago for the second TOBAGO edition of this flagship event, and continues to break new ground in entertainment options there.  Jazz Artists on the Greens will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2009, in the middle of the Tobago Jazz Experience Weekend in Tobago.  This event heralds the inclusion of a dose of real Jazz into a week of concerts and events which will see thousands of spectators and music fans converging in Tobago for the festivities.

The 2009 edition of the event to be held at the Pigeon Point Heritage Park, Pigeon Point will highlight Local and Latin Jazz performers, and further expand the repertoire for jazz lovers on the island during the Tobago Jazz Experience Week organised by the THA.  Performing from the Main Stage at the Pigeon Point Heritage Park are Cuban group Bellita y JazzTumbatá led by the phenomenal pianist, Lilia Expósito Pino (a.k.a. Bellita), CaneFire from Canada led by keyboardist Jeremy Ledbetter, Caribbean/World fusion ensemble élan parlé out of Trinidad, and World beat masters Mungal Patasar & Pantar also from Trinidad.  The show begins at 8:00 p.m. with gates opening at 6:00 p.m.

Production One Ltd. were invited by the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) to continue its promotion of the annual event, and be part of their Tobago Jazz Experience after the demise of the CL Entertainment produced Plymouth Jazz Festival.  The renewed focus of the THA for this week-long music festival places JAOTG Tobago event closer to the forefront of event options there.

Tickets are $250.00 and are available in Trinidad at Stechers mall outlets, Nigel R. Khan – Bookseller mall outlets nationwide, and at Penny Savers Supermarket and R.T. Morshead Gourmet Foods, both in Tobago.  They can also be purchased in advance at http://www.jaotg.org.

Bellita y JazzTumbatá

Bellita

Performing at 11:00 p.m.
http://www.myspace.com
Lilia Expósito Pino (a.k.a. Bellita) is a rarity in the male-dominated Cuban-jazz movement.  A successful female bandleader and top instrumentalist schooled in the “Nova Trove” movement of the 60’s and 70’s, she combines a driving, sparkling keyboard style with (a) funky vocal unison à la Tania Maria, delivered with Afro-Cuban sensuality.  Bellita and her group Jazztumbata have performed at festivals around the world in the Americas and the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa.  The group released their debut CD BELLITA Y JAZZTUMBATA in 1999.

When Bellita sings, she radiates her Cuban roots.  She and her quintet, one of the foremost on the contemporary Cuban music scene, create a special sound that reflects a refreshing perspective of Cuban Jazz fusion by incorporating elements of both modern and traditional Cuban music flavored by the Brazilian Bossa Nova.

Recently, Bellita performed in Havana, Cuba in the monthly free music series in Havana’s Plaza Cultural Center.

HavanaTimes.org writer, Irina Echarry had this to say about her and her band: “For Lillia Expósito, what’s most important is the music.  It emanates from her soul, as she charismatically shares it with all who listen.  This excellent singer, composer and arranger is a woman of international fame in the world of the Jazz…When the music begins, it seems that you’re transported to a universe where energy, vigour and dynamism are the forces that govern.  Themes of traditional Cuban music fuse with Jazz.  Moreover, it’s in such a way that you might think that Bellita is possessed by some music god, and that this deity has also touched each member of her group.  Her band includes Emir Santa Cruz (sax and clarinet), Glenda López (flute, claves and voice), José Alberto Varona (trumpet), Eddie Hernández (on drums) and Miguel “Octopus” Miranda.”

To Echarry, Miranda is arguably the most acclaimed of Bellita‘s band who is “able to play up to four instruments simultaneously (that) capture admiration and euphoric screams from anybody close up.”

One can enjoy the contagious happiness that this group transmits when Bellita y JazzTumbatá perform at Jazz Artists on the Greens on April 25 at Pigeon Point Heritage Park from 8:00 p.m.

CaneFire

CaneFire

Performing at 10:00 p.m.
http://www.canefire.ca
CaneFire is a high-energy Caribbean music experience that features the steelpan (steel drum) in a way you’ve never heard it before.  The original compositions of pianist and bandleader Jeremy Ledbetter combine Trinidadian calypso with Latin rhythms, jazz, and blues to  create a unique, exciting new sound.  CaneFire premiered at Toronto’s Lula Lounge in May 2005, and has since performed at various jazz festivals in Canada and the Caribbean.  Caribbean jazz with FIRE!

 

 

élan parlé

Ming

Perfoming at 9:00 p.m.
http://www.myspace.com
élan parlé is a Trinidad-based music ensemble that blends Caribbean rhythms with global music influences to create Caribbean/World fusion.  Using free-wheeling improvisation over carefully crafted compositions, élan parlé brings a contemporary jazz perspective to the musical and cultural traditions of Trinidad and Tobago.  Formed in 2000, élan parlé has proven itself to be Trinidad’s finest musical aggregate.  After eight years, six CDs, numerous jazz festival appearances, glowing press reviews and music awards, the band shows no signs of slowing down.

Mungal Patasar & Pantar

Mungal Patasar

Performing at 8:00 p.m.
http://www.myspace.com
Mungal Patasar: “I am a musician of the world, India is my memory,Trinidad and Tobago the ground under my feet, Europe my door to the world, my music is a gift that belongs to everyone.”  The band Mungal Patasar and Pantar was founded in 1994.  Prior to this, Mungal was well known for his experiments with Indian Classical Music, Calypso and Jazz.  After completing studies, Mungal continued on the path of fusion music.  In 1996 he recorded his first album “Nirvana.”  His second album “Dreadlocks” (2001) was released by Virgin Records, France.  Two more CDs followed in 2005 and 2008.

About Production One Ltd.:

 

 

Production One Ltd. is an events-oriented company committed to the top quality production of high-profile concerts and to expanding the audience for live music genres in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean. This will be achieved not by compromising the music but through a dynamic and highly visible marketing strategy and by developing the public trust through a commitment to quality. In addition to fulfilling the role of a traditional concert promoter, we also specialize in providing opportunities for sponsorship by adding value to events through sophisticated marketing, advertising, design, public relations and production of collateral media.
Website http://www.productiononeltd.com

Tn’T Steelpan Jazz Festival ‘08 climaxed November 01

Trinidad

update 2 on November 04, 2008

The Trinidad and Tobago Steelpan Jazz Festival revved up and raced headlong from the media launch in October to the Festival Finale on November 01, 2008.  The Steelpan Jazz Festival was launched at the Kam Wah Restaurant by producer Ainsley Mark, Chairman of the Queens Royal College Foundation, a thirteen year-old charitable trust, established to assist the namesake college with its programmes.

This TT$6 million event got going in earnest on Tuesday, October 21 with a Photo Exhibition at the National Museum.  Entitled ‘Steelpan and Jazz: the Trinidad and Tobago Experience,’ the exhibits stood through to the end.

The main launch was, however, a free event on Friday, October 24 at the Skiffle Bunch Theatre in San Fernando.

On Saturday, October 25, the action moved to Festival Square in Pointe Fortin, the Mayaro Resource Centre and Queen’s Hall in St. Anns.

Veteran Jazz pianist Raf Robertson led the pack at Festival Square; the John Arnold Quintet Jazz Ensemble of Tobago and Canadian pianist, arranger and composer Jeremy Ledbetter‘s Canefire were the headliners at the Resource Centre; and the Etienne Charles Quintet stood guard at Queen’s Hall, for a tribute to Slinger ‘Mighty Sparrow’ Francisco, the man dubbed the “Calypso King of the World.”

Boston’s Berklee College of Music Quintet and Ottawa, Canada’s Diane White Quartet held court on Sunday, October 26, again at Queen’s Hall.

All of the shows held were free events except for ‘Slinger: The Music of Sparrow.’

The members of Canefire gave a ‘Young Musicians Workshop’ on Monday, October 27 at Trinity College East, Trinicity; at San Fernando City Hall on Wednesday, October 29; and finally on October 31 at Cascadia, St. Anns.  Canefire also performed at the Exodus Pan Theatre in St. Augustine on the night of the 29th with the Diane White Quartet and others and as an opening act for Al Jarreau on November 01.

On the evening of the 27th, ‘Lyric Notes: Poetry, Rapso & Jazz’ took place at the Central Bank Auditorium (CBA).

Tuesday, October 28 saw a ‘Lecture/Demonstration’ by the Berklee Quintet at the CBA in Port of Spain and EVENING RHYTHMS OF PARADISE at the Harvard Club, St. James at 6 pm featuring Canefire and Cuban trumpeter Alexis Baró and Mark Mosca, a pannist of Trini descent, KV Charles, Tripolians, St. James Tassa Drummers, Parang and Chutney.

With Baró and Mosca’s help, Canefire concocted a hybrid sound from Calypso, Latin, Jazz and Blues, all the ingredients necessary for a truly unique Caribbean Jazz experience.  Little wonder that the Harvard audience lapped it all up.

Canefire is, from right in the above photo, Jeremy Ledbetter (leader, keyboards), Chendy León (drums), Mark Mosca (steelpans), Alexis Baró (trumpet), Canadian saxophonist Braxton Hicks (saxophone), and hidden from view are Yoser Rodriguez (bass) and Alberto Suárez (percussion).

Thereafter, the tempo picked up with several other heavy hitters that included local and international Jazz artists.

The bassist David ‘Happy’ Williams Quintet featured trumpeter Eddie Henderson and saxophonist Javon Jackson paid tribute to Miles Davis in a show dubbed Steel N’ Jazz held at the Central Bank Auditorium at 08:00 pm on Thursday, October 30.  Also on that bill was the saxophonist Oliver Lake Quartet as well as Trinidad’s elite Jazz group Èlan Parlè of pianist Michael Low Chew ‘Tung’ Ming.

To close the festival was Al Jarreau Live in Concert at Queen’s Hall, St. Ann.  Opening for Jarreau was Robert Greenidge‘s double second steel pans, first with the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra and then New York All Stars featuring Jazz singer Vanessa Rubin.

The New York All Stars in action

Vanessa Rubin

The New York All Stars was joined briefly on stage by Trinidadian trumpeter Etienne Charles who accompanied Rubin (of Trinidadian heritage) on a couple of songs, ‘Quiet Nights’ among them.

Pannist Robert Greenidge in the musical spotlight

Percussionist Ralph McDonald, calypsonian David Rudder and Canefire, and sax man Tom Scott rounded off the evening.

(Sources: Al Jarreau returns to TT; KV and Canefire light up Divali night show; Smooth jazz from Jarreau)

The Woodshed Coalition is putting out a call to patrons of the festival and to the Trinidadian Jazz artists alike to Comment on the shows here, either by e-mail or in Comments.