Memories of… 2010

They took to the streets filling Woodbine Park then jammed into Kew Gardens to hear first class talent.  Music with all in mind – Jazz, Latin, Blues, World, you name it – everything was there to be sampled.  The 22nd edition of the Beaches International Jazz Festival from the beginning had that 2010 return to Woodstock vibe.

After a mild yet economically slippery winter and short spring, the sizzling summer heat slowed the pace of the normally over active Toronto inhabitant and spread the word – please relax a bit.  The BIJF played right into that dynamic with the debut of New Orleans whiz kid – Trombone Shorty whose performance at Woodbine Park validated the park as a top notch performance venue.  10,000 strong moved and grooved to the backbeat of the Crescent City native’s rumbling churning funk aggregation.  Shorty’s night also gave a hint at what was to come.  Our demographic is changing – it’s expanding and growing younger.  Woodbine under the night sky brought to mind the Quebec City Music Festival situated on the Plains of Abraham – a wide open expanse that fills to capacity as the sun drifts below the horizon.

Daytime saw the likes of Johannes Linstead, Montreal’s hip hop delight Nomadic Massive, the Caribbean jazz flavoured Canefire, the virtuosity of guitarist Elmer Ferrer and Latin rhythms of Son Ache.  All kept onlookers engaged and smiling.  The New Generation Stage came with balance – the multi-talented Glenda del Monte-Escalente – newcomer and first year Berklee College of Music entrant Jenna Glatt and jazz singer Kinga,drew solid crowds.  The Youth Stage presented some of the finest from Humber Community Music and Prince of Whales Schools.

Down on the street – it was about motion – all things moving at a rhythmic pace.  It was thee street party of the summer!  One that Torontonians and visitors to TO alike anticipate with great expectation.

This year’s party gained new vibrancy with a refreshing makeover.  Into the mix new faces and new bands alongside the solid favourites.  The streets were the usual mass of people in motion – shopping – eating – stopping to listen and socializing as if this was the largest ‘get to know you center’ on planet earth.

The finale was as good as it gets beginning with the eclectic trio Griffith Hiltz – local superstar Dan Hill who turned the gardens into an intimate concert hall – the soul funk of Blackburn – the roots slide guitar of Rachel Van Zanten and the smooth jazz of Warren Hill and his band who fought back a downpour and held people in place.

Sunday is was all about the perfect day.  The sun held its penetrating sting in check and temperatures were moderate.  Heat was generated from the stage.  Newcomer and Berklee College of Music grad – saxophonist Haley Niswanger ripped through a seventy minute set of torrid jazz exploration.  Deanna Bogart and Band straddled space between blues and rhythm and blues giving the audience what they had come for – music that rocks the soul.  This day was a first for me in that I played back to back – with the Rockit 88 Band and Jane Bunnett’s African/Cuban Blues Project.  From a player’s view it was magnificent.  This was also one of the largest crowds in BIJF history!

Last but never least – the new Latin Square on the boardwalk where jazz really did meet salsa.  To say this was a hit would be under playing the three day series – this was a smash hit and serious gage as to what will happen in the summer of 2011. People want to dance with the breeze and lake at their back and sand under their feet and we’re listening.

A big thank you to everyone.  You make my association with the BIJF a privilege and a joy.  A special note – this was our first ‘Jazz in Motion’ photography exhibit curated by the lovely Joanna Katchutas.  Do visit the BIJF site and upload your jazz pics to our Flickr site.  Lido, Joey, Rico, Martine, Pat, Helen, Julie, Joanna, Norman, Terry, Tom, Wilson – the workshop co-ordinators, the volunteers - love you madly!  See you next season.

	Bill King Artistic Director		Lido Chilelli Executive Director

A big thanks to our corporate sponsors and to our media, government and local business partners for making our Festival jive!