TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival's Ironworks Innovation Series spotlights eclectic array of collaborations
Darius Jones and Strings, Like The Mind, and CANABRAVA NOW bring together local and visiting talents
Post Sponsored by Coastal Jazz
June 24, Darius Jones collaborates with a local dream team of artists in his Strings project. Photo by Ebru Yildiz
Cellist Peggy Lee of Like The Mind ensemble.
Sax artist Lisen Rylander Löve, of Like The Mind ensemble. Photo by Kristin Lidell
At this year’s TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, the Innovation Series at The Ironworks brings together Vancouver’s best improvisational musicians and those from around the globe
The atmospheric spot at 235 Alexander Street will host 16 electrifying explorations of experimental jazz.
Programming sees two shows per weekend, with performances at 9 pm followed by an 11:30 pm late show. Weeknights see 9 pm shows only.
All tickets are $29, including service charges, and are available for purchase at www.coastaljazz.ca.
“Always an eclectic array of creative musicians, the Innovation Series at The Ironworks provides some of the best and most talked-about festival performances,” says Nina Horvath, executive director of the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival.
American jazz alto saxophonist and composer Darius Jones kicks off the series—and the fest itself—with his Strings project on June 24. Illustrating the collaborative thrust of the Ironworks series, Strings brings Jones together with BC-based players Jesse and Josh Zubot on violin, Peggy Lee on cello, and James Meger on bass, as well as New York City-based drummer Gerald Cleaver. Their 9 pm show is followed by JOYFULTALK at 11:30 pm.
Catch Jones again at the same venue, closing the fest on July 3, with vocalist Amirtha Kidambi and Vancouver-based vocalist/composer, Dálava co-leader, and former New Yorker Julia Úlehla.
June 27, don’t miss the CANABRAVA NOW ensemble, featuring composer Douglas R. Ewart, who innovates on woodwinds and percussion, along with vocalist Mankwe Ndosi, violist Lucy Strauss, guitarist Matthew Ariaratnam, and pianist Lisa Cay Miller.
Another highlight at the Ironworks Innovation Series is Like The Mind—a collective of award-winning musicians from Canada and Sweden who share a deep musical curiosity and a relentless pursuit of artistic excellence. Playing June 28 at 9 pm, it’s comprised of Lisen Rylander Löve on saxophone, Meredith Bates on violin, Peggy Lee on cello, Emma Augustsson on cello, Elisa Thorn on harp, and Lisa Ullén on piano.
Jaimie Branch C'est Trois on Saturday, June 25 at 9 pm, and JP Carter, Lisen Rylander Löve, Luke Stewart, and Jason Nazary at 11:30 pm
Amendola vs Blades with Skerik and Cyro Baptista on Sunday, June 26 at 9 pm, and Anteloper at 11:30 pm
Wayne Horovitz Trio and Karen Ng on June 29 at 9 pm
Thumbscrew on June 30 at 9 pm
François Houle RECODER 4tet with Gordon Grdina, Mark Helias and Gerry Hemingway on July 1 at 9 pm and Gordon Grdina's Nomad Trio with Matt Mitchell and Jim Black at 11:30 pm
FIRE! At 9 pm on July 2, with Dave Rempis, Tammy Babin and Kenton Loewen at 11:30 pm
Amirtha Kidambi, Julia Úlehla and Darius Jones Sunday, July 3 at 9 pm and Jeff Parker in a solo show at 11:30 pm.