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Home , Albert Mangelsdorff, Alfred 23 Harth, Anouar Brahem, Baloise Session, Bobo Stenson, Brussels Jazz Orchestra

86| DEUTSCHES JAZZFESTIVAL PRESENTS 50TH EDITION 88| FESTIVALS 94| NORTH CAROLINA FEST FOSTERS JAZZ EDUCATION 96| INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS 101| ACCLAIMED ARTISTS CONVERGE AT BELGRADE JAZZ FESTIVAL

NOVEMBER 2019 DOWNBEAT 85 Jazzmeia Horn is shown performing at the 2018 Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle. (Photo: Daniel Sheehan) SASCHA RHEKER

Multi-instrumentalist Matthias Schriefl makes a big impression during a collaboration with the hr-Bigband at the 2018 Deutsches Jazzfestival Frankfurt in .

he history of jazz in Germany includes good musicians like the Mangelsdorff broth- Frankfurt widened its scope and began initiat- one of the darkest chapters in human ers, so they decided to do this,” explained Olaf ing unique collaborations, generating signifi- Thistory: The Nazi regime of the 1930s Stötzler, who’s been the festival’s artistic direc- cant, resonant partnerships between German was a bulwark against the spreading populari- tor since 2016. musicians and visiting U.S. players. In 1978, ty of the genre, labeling it a degenerate art. After The festival will present its 50th anniversary associate George Adams per- 1937, American musicians couldn’t get into the edition Oct. 23–27 with programming that formed with fellow saxophonist Heinz Sauer—a country and the government eventually out- reflects how its curatorial approach has expand- sideman with Albert Mangelsdorff from the lawed jazz. But a developing ardor for the music ed well beyond its native focus to capture a kalei- early Frankfurt days—while in 1980, David finally blossomed when World War II ended, doscopic, global view of jazz. After its first seven Murray collaborated with Alfred 23 Harth, a key particularly in regions where U.S. forces were years, the festival switched to a biennial schedule figure in German avant-garde jazz. Subsequent stationed. In cities such as Frankfurt, jazz LPs in 1960, and it remained on that path until 1990, pairings included saxophonist Pharoah Sanders were available and jazz musicians had oppor- when it resumed mounting the event annual- working with Eberhard Weber, as well as tunities to perform. Indeed, jazz flourished ly. In 1964, Jazzfest was launched, and brothers Joachim Kühn (piano) and Rolf Kühn there, even producing important homegrown over the years the country has hosted a grow- (saxophone/clarinet) collaborating with bassist talent, such as legendary trombonist Albert ing number of festivals. Facing fierce competi- and drummer . Mangelsdorff and his saxophone-playing broth- tion from its neighbors, Frankfurt was forced to “The basis to make the festival unique is to er Emil. sharpen its programming and reach beyond the do as many premieres as possible, to give a ‘wild In the early ’50s, a loose consortium of musi- local scene. card’ to a musician,” Stötzler said. “You’re an cians, club promoters and radio journalists The festival has hosted a parade of U.S. interesting musician—let us know who you formed the Federation to share titans, including , , want to play with, and we’ll give you the oppor- resources and information, and by 1953, that Keith Jarrett, Chet Baker, the Thad Jones/ tunity to form a band and premiere it at the fes- organization had pooled its resources to pro- Orchestra, , the Brecker tival. We can’t do it with every act on the bill, but duce one of the first major jazz festivals in the Brothers, Joe Henderson, and Charles this has always been [an important part of] the world: the Deutsches Jazzfestival Frankfurt. Lloyd, who first performed at the event in 1966 history of the festival.” Though the inaugural edition of the festival and returns this year with his quartet. One German musician who’s benefited featured U.S. singer Big Bill Broonzy, the At the same time, the festival has provided greatly from such opportunities is saxophonist lineup was largely comprised of German musi- an important platform for some of Europe’s most Christof Lauer, who first performed at the fes- cians, celebrating the achievements and bur- important figures, such as Stéphane Grappelli, tival in 1978, when he was only 25, in trumpet- geoning talent from a nation that was already a Irène Schweizer, Peter Brötzmann, er Uli Beckerhoff’s band Riot. He said as a late- European stronghold for jazz. “It was inspiring and . As jazz gained popularity comer to jazz, hearing artists perform at the for the people living here, and there were very and festivals flourished, Deutsches Jazzfestival event was important to his education. “The

86 DOWNBEAT NOVEMBER 2019 festival helped me a lot to be better known in musical portfolio, open to be melded with the the 50th anniversary of ECM Records with Germany,” he said. “And compared to other fes- other’s musical languages. I currently writ- sets by guitarist Jakob Bro, bassist Michael tivals I played at this time, Frankfurt was a real ing a new composition for that sextet, and it Formanek’s Ensemble Kolossus performing highlight for me.” will be my first piece about climate change and with the hr-Bigband, and Albanian singer Elina In 1984, Lauer returned, playing with trum- Earth’s destruction. I am excited to see how it Duni. Also slated to perform at the fest will be peter and pianist , will sound with the others. To meet through Enemy (the bracing trio led by British keyboard- and in 1988 he joined forces with Joachim Kühn improvised music is a precious chance to com- ist Kit Downes), the Crosscurrents Trio (bass- and drummer . For the 2019 edition municate ... . I desire these chances for open ist , saxophonist Chris Potter of the festival, he’ll collaborate with the Turkish spaces, for different people to meet each other and percussionist Zakir Hussain), saxophonist ney flutist Kudsi Ergüner, reflecting another and share good things that can spread out to the Nubya Garcia, Polish pianist Marcin Wasilewski frequent thread in the festival’s programming: world.” and the taut quartet Boulez Materialism, led by pairing jazz practitioners with varied masters of Among this year’s other anticipated high- Berlin-based drummer Christian Lillinger. traditional music styles from around the globe. lights is the opening evening, which celebrates —Peter Margasak In 1984, the artistic direction for the festival passed from original organizers and Fritz Rau to the public broad- casting corporation Hessischer Rundfunk. Apart from broadcasting most of the festival live on the radio and programming the lineup, it also sponsors one of the strongest jazz orches- tras in the country, the hr-Bigband (aka the Frankfurt Radio ). The large ensemble has maintained a steady presence at the festival and frequently pushes beyond jazz’s traditional boundaries. In 2006, the orchestra performed with Cream bassist Jack Bruce, playing his orig- inal tunes, while in 2016, the group performed with British keyboardist to create a fascinating interpretation of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band—a collabora- tion captured on Bates’ 2017 Saluting Sgt. Pepper (Edition). One of the most anticipated acts of this year’s festival will be a fascinating project fea- turing Joachim Kühn, one of the few pianists to maintain a working relationship with saxo- phonist Ornette Coleman. During their part- nership, Coleman left the pianist with numerous unpublished and unrecorded compositions, and earlier this year, Kühn recorded solo renditions of those pieces for Melodic Ornette Coleman: Piano Works XIII (ACT). But in Frankfurt, he and the hr-Bigband will debut new arrange- ments by himself and Jim McNeely, with spe- cial guests that include drummer , clarinetist and bassist François Moutin. For decades, the festival has shown a com- mitment to up-and-coming talent, and this year it revisits a concept mounted at the festi- val’s inaugural edition: the German All Stars. This performance will showcase an impressive sextet, assembled by Stötzler, featuring some of the most important young players based in Germany: saxophonist Angelika Niescier, trom- bonist Johannes Lauer, guitarist Ronny Graupe, pianist Julia Kadel, bassist and drum- mer Eva Klesse. Each group member will con- tribute a composition to the sextet’s repertoire. Kadel, who’s released two albums of con- templative, lyric post- trio music for the German division of Blue Note, said, “We all play in different projects and offer a certain

NOVEMBER 2019 DOWNBEAT 87 UNITED STATES

ing , Kris Davis’ Diatom Ribbons, Egberto Gismonti, Brian Blade’s Life Cycles, Jenny Scheinman & Allison Miller’s Parlour EMRA ISLEK Game, Joel Ross’ Good Vibes, Bria Skonberg, , The Westerlies, Fay Victor & Myra Melford, , Youn Sun Nah, Kassa Overall & Sullivan Fortner, Knife Knights, Sounds of Zamar, Makaya McCraven. earshot.org

Amelia Island Jazz Festival Fernandina Beach, Florida Oct. 6–13 This festival presents world-class jazz in many styles, including swing, , big band, Latin and contemporary. LINEUP: Delfeayo Marsalis, Jamil Shar- if, Trio Caliente, the Dynamic Les De- Merle Jazz Quartet featuring Bonnie Eisele, the UNF Jazz Ensemble 2. ameliaislandjazzfestival.com Saxophonist Roxy Coss leads her quintet during the 2019 Winter Jazzfest in City. 3LWWVƓHOG&LW\-D]])HVWLYDO Frost Music Live! LINEUP: Shawn ’s New Tomor- 3LWWVƓHOG0DVVDFKXVHWWV Coral Gables, Florida row, Sara McDonald, NYChillharmonic, Oct. 11–20 JVR3, Afro Caribbean Jazz Collective. The 15th edition of this festival will include September 2019–April 2020 Renowned guest artists will collaborate cujazzfest.wixsite.com/cujazzfest a jazz crawl featuring local artists, a prodi- with faculty, alumni and students during gy concert presenting a young artist, two this series of more than 100 events at the Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival headline events, jazz brunches and more. University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina LINEUP: Dayramir Gonzalez, Veroni- LINEUP: , José Feliciano, Raul Oct. 4–6 ca Swift with Stephanie Nakasian. Midón, Sheila Jordan, Miho Hazama, Emmet This annual free event features regional berkshiresjazz.org Cohen, Maria Schneider, artists in a celebration of jazz and culture. Institute Orchestra, Egberto Gismonti, LINEUP: Last year’s lineup included Dan- Duck Jazz Festival Brass, Stamps Brass Quintet, Horacio Gutiérrez. iel D, Don Colton, Leroy Harper. Duck, North Carolina frostmusiclive.com myrtlebeachjazzfest.com Oct. 12–13 Featuring outdoor concerts on two stages, Angel City Jazz Festival Oregon Coast Jazz Party this festival is a free, nonticketed event. Los Angeles, California Newport, Oregon LINEUP: Benny Green Trio, Caroline Davis, An- Oct. 2–13 Oct. 4–6 drew Sanchez & His Hip Six, Triangle Youth Jazz This festival offers an eclectic program Fans at the 16th edition of this fes- Ensemble, Sidecar Social Club, Leroy Jones. of innovative, cutting-edge perfor- tival can expect multiple sets from duckjazz.com mances by established and rising stars renowned jazz stars, nightcap perfor- from the world of improvised music. mances and educational events. Edgefest LINEUP: Artifacts Trio (Nicole Mitchell, Tomeka LINEUP: Terell Stafford, , Ann Arbor, Reid & Mike Reed), Anna Webber Simple Trio, Roxy Coss, Dena DeRose, Veronica Swift, Oct. 16–19 Jenny Scheinman & Allison Miller’s Parlour Matt Wilson, Martin Wind, Holly Hofmann, Programming for the 23rd edition of this Game, Kris Davis’ Diatom Ribbons, Dan , Larry Koonse, Lewis showcase of experimental music will explore Rosenboom A.I.T.A., James Brandon Lewis Nash, , Randy Porter, Mike the historical contributions of West Coast Quintet, ’ Little Big, Ego Mondo, Wofford, Dave Captein, Gary Hobbs. artists in the development of avant-garde jazz Kokayi, Darius Jones & Joshua White, Dwight coastarts.org/oregon-coast-jazz-party and new music. There will be free and ticket- Trible, Terry & Gyan Riley, David Binney’s ed concerts, along with educational activities. Future Philosophy, Makaya McCraven. Earshot Jazz Festival LINEUP: Myra Melford, ROVA Saxophone angelcityjazz.com Seattle, Washington Quartet, Lucian Ban & Alex Harding, Michael Oct. 4–Nov. 6 Marcus Quartet, Oluyemi Thomas’ Positive CU Jazz Festival Respected for adventurous programming Knowledge, Ken Filiano/James Ilgenfritz/Piotr Champaign-Urbana, Illinois and a deep commitment to its home Michalowski/Sara Schoenbeck, William Hook- Oct. 3–6 community, this festival will present 50 er, Wayne Horvitz, Bobby Bradford, Vinny Go- This festival features a parade, poetry, Jazz events in venues all around the city. lia, Lisa Mizzacappa, Cooper-Moore, Andrew IN School, the VandoJam session, a Sun- LINEUP: Cécile McLorin Salvant, Chucho Bishop’s New and Used, Cycle of Restoration. day Jazz Brunch and nightly concerts. Valdés, Jamaaladeen Tacuma Trio featur- kerrytownconcerthouse.com/edgefest

88 DOWNBEAT NOVEMBER 2019 NOVEMBER 2019 DOWNBEAT 89 around the world. Venues include the Faye Spanos Concert Hall and the Take 5 Jazz Club. On Oct. 22 and Oct. 24, there will be

ROB DUVALL jazz jams with former Brubeck Fellows. LINEUP: Lucas Pino & No Net Nonet, Joel Ross & Good Vibes, Brubeck Fellows All- Star Big Band, Pacific Jazz Ambassadors. brubeckinstitute.org

Jazz For All Ages Festival Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Oct. 30–31 Held at The Jazz Corner and Sonesta Oceanfront Resort, this festival raises money for the Junior Jazz Foundation. LINEUP: Deas Guyz Orchestra featur- Sara Gazarek (second from right), the aristic director of DeMiero Jazz Festival in Edmonds, Washington, performs at the event. ing Reggie Deas, Jane Monheit & Clint Holmes with Dominick Farinacci. jazzforallages.com Sun Valley Jazz & Noel Freidline Quartet with Maria Howell, Sun Valley, Idaho Sidecar Social Club, Empire Strikes Brass, TD James Moody Jazz Festival Oct. 16–20 Charles Peterson & Against All Odds Band. Newark, New Jersey Fans can choose from among 200 scjazzfestival.com Nov. 9–24 shows on 10 stages at this festival, which features a variety of genres. Texas Jazz Festival Bassist and bandleader Christian McBride serves as the Jazz Advisor for this event, Black Market Trust, Blue Street, Corpus Christi, Texas LINEUP: which will include concerts at the New Carolyn Martin, Cocuzzi Courtet, Cornet Oct. 18–20 Jersey Performing Arts Center and host Chop Suey, Bob Draga, Yve Evans, Holland This festival is a free, all-ages event with special performances that combine music & Coots, Jeff Barnhart, Katie Cavera, Side four stages of live jazz, plus food, market and dance. The Inter- Street Strutters, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, vendors and a Salsa Jazz dancing experience national Jazz Vocal Competition (Sassy U.S. Coast Guard Dixie Band, Young Bucs. hosted inside the Solomon Ortiz Center. Awards) will take place on Nov. 24. sunvalleyjazz.com LINEUP: San Gabriel Seven, Tiburon, Jeff Lofton, Glen Garcia, Dirty River Brass Band. LINEUP: Houston Person, Steve Turre, Bobby texasjazz-fest.org Sanabria, The Roots, A Christian McBride Clearwater Jazz Holiday Situation, Christian Sands/Helen Sung/Tadata- Clearwater, Florida Mempho Music Festival ka Unno, Clint Holmes/Catherine Russell/Billy Oct. 17–20 Stritch, Steps Ahead, Michael Franks, Spyro Jazz, , pop and other styles will be Memphis, Tennessee Oct. 19–20 Gyra, , , Maurice Hines featured in the 40th anniversary edition with DIVA Jazz Orchestra, Nimbus Dance with of this event. Beautiful beaches make Fans at this outdoor event can experience good times and great music in one of the members of the New Jersey Symphony Orches- for a scenic setting, and a fireworks tra, , Mavis Staples, Chaka Khan. display will add to the memories. largest urban parks in the United States. njpac.org Wu-Tang Clan, The Raconteurs, Brandi LINEUP: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, LINEUP: Chicago, Boyz II Men, Alison Krauss, Daf- Carlile, PJ Morton, The Revivalists, Lovelythe- nis Prieto, Soul Rebels, Marcia Ball, Robert band, Margo Price, Valerie June, Missio, Will ’s Trance Blues Festival Boulder, Colorado Randolph & The Family Band, Blood, Sweat Sexton, John Paul Keith, Summer Avenue. Nov. 9 & Tears, Yonder Mountain String Band, memphofest.com This event will include an evening performance Ashley Smith & The Random Occurrence. after a day of public workshops and jams for clearwaterjazz.com Ragas Live Festival Brooklyn, New York musicians and fans of all levels and ages. Oct. 19–20 LINEUP: Otis Taylor, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival Now in its eighth year, this 24-hour fes- Mato Nanji, Guy Davis, Cassie Taylor, By- Rehoboth Beach, Delaware tival, inspired by Indian classical music, ron “Kidd” Cage, Nick Amodeo, Jon Paul Oct. 17–20 will feature more than 70 musicians.. Johnson, Beth Rosbach, Brian Juan. Now in its 30th year, this festival will trancebluesfestival.com present shows in multiple venues. LINEUP: Adam Rudolph’s Moving Pictures, Saraswathi Ranganathan, Namami Karmakar, Boney James, Gerald Albright, The Four LINEUP: Samarth Nagarkar, Arun Ramamurthy Trio, Freshmen, Will Downing, Peter White, Norman Taos Jazz Festival Dan Weiss & Miles Okazaki, Reggie Workman’s Brown, Brian Culbertson, Matt Marshak. Taos, New Mexico Cerebral Caverns, Brooklyn Raga Massive. rehobothjazz.com Nov. 20–23 ragaslive.org The premier fall jazz festival in Northern South Carolina Jazz Festival New Mexico, this event features five con- Cheraw, South Carolina Brubeck Festival certs honoring saxophonist Frank Morgan Oct. 18–20 Stockton, California (1933–2007), who called Taos home. Sax- Held in ’s hometown, this event Oct. 21–26 ophonist , an early protégé of will feature more than 20 regional musical art- Presented by the Brubeck Institute at Uni- Morgan, returns for her fifth appearance. ists performing in an eclectic array of venues. versity of the Pacific, this festival celebrates LINEUP: Grace Kelly Quartet, George Cables 25th LINEUP: Emmet Cohen Trio, Bruce Harris, Sam- and explores the musical and philosophical Anniversary Quartet (with , my Miller & The Congregation, Martina DaSilva, ideas of and his influence John Webber & Louis Hayes), Julian Pollack

90 DOWNBEAT NOVEMBER 2019 Trio, Christine Fawson, Pete Amahl Quartet. Ensemble), Afro-Cuban All Stars, Tucson during afternoon sessions while at sea. taosjazz.org Jazz Institute Ellington Big Band (directed by The cruise is limited to 250 guests. John Black), “Aretha, A Tribute” (featuring LINEUP: , Dave Bennett, Allan Manchester Jazz Festival the Tucson Symphony, Capathia Jenkins Vaché, Warren Vaché, Bill Allred, Harry Manchester, Connecticut & Ryan Shaw), The Yolo County Line. Allen, Andrea Motis, Banu Gibson, Mark Dec. 7 tucsonjazzfestival.org Shane, Tardo Hammer, Gordon Au, Yve The fourth edition of this festival will bring Evans, Danny Coots, Charlie Silva, Chris an exciting mix of regional and interna- JazzFest at Sea Rottmayer, , Richard Simon. tional musicians to central Connecticut. Cruise leaving from Miami, Florida jazzfestatsea.com LINEUP: John Patitucci, Yotam Silberstein, Greg Jan. 17–28, 2020 Abate, Avery Sharpe, Vitor Gonçalves, The Hot This cruise features traditional jazz, par- North Carolina Jazz Festival Club of New England (Jason Anick, Atla De- ticularly styles from the first half of the Wilmington, North Carolina Champlain, Max O’Rourke & Greg Loughman). 20th century. Fans will have their choice Jan. 23–25, 2020 myshul.org/jazzfest2019 of performances each evening, as well as The 40th annual edition of this festival will

Winter Jazzfest Jan. 9–18, 2020 The 16th anniversary edition of this acclaimed festival will present multiple one-night concerts in and Brooklyn, plus its signature Friday-Saturday marathon pre- senting over 100 acts performing throughout Lower Manhattan. Once again, the event will participate in Keychange, an interna- tional effort to achieve a gender balance on festival stages; and again will emphasize the intersection of music social justice. LINEUP: Meshell Ndegeocello, Alfredo Rodri- guez, , Allison Miller, Alina Engibaryan, Amina Claudine Myers, Amir ElSaffar, Amirtha Kidambi, Arturo O’Farrill, The Bad Plus, Ben Lamar Gay, Ben Wendel, Bigyuki, Bilal, , Bria Skonberg, Butcher Brown, Camille Bertault, Chris Dave, Christian McBride, Domi & JD Beck, Edmar Castañeda, , Ezra Collective, Gary Bartz, Gilad Hekselman, Gilles Peterson, Helen Sung, David Virelles, Keyon Harrold, JD Allen, , Jamie Saft, Jenny Scheinman, Joel Ross, Jon Irabagon, Justin Brown, Kandace Springs, Kassa Overall, , Leyla McCalla, Louis Cole, Marc Ribot, Marcus Strickland, Mark de Clive-Lowe, , Makaya McCra- ven, Mary Halvorson, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Melissa Aldana, Nubya Garcia, Richard Bona, Roxy Coss, Shai Maestro, , , , The Westerlies, Tia Fuller, Vijay Iyer, Toshi Reagon. winterjazzfest.com

Tucson Jazz Festival Tucson, Arizona Jan. 10–20, 2020 The HSL Properties Tucson Jazz Festival has become a destination for jazz fans from across the country. The warm weather and world-class acts bring new winter visitors to town for shows at a variety of venues. Presenting partners this year are UA Pres- ents and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. LINEUP: Christian McBride & Inside Straight, Maceo Parker & His Big Band, David San- born, Mavis Staples, Allison Miller’s Boom Tic Boom, Grace Kelly, Aubrey Logan, David Hazeltine, Eric Alexander, Veronica Swift (with the University of Arizona Studio Jazz

NOVEMBER 2019 DOWNBEAT 91 feature a diverse group of internationally known musicians. The , Cory Henry, Kirk Whalum, Joey DeFrancesco, Cyrille festival’s jazz education program brings musicians to three area Aimée, Gerald Clayton, Emmet Cohen, Wycliffe Gordon, Niki Haris, schools for concerts and workshops, plus there will be eight master Joel Ross, Aaron Parks, Sullivan Fortner, Vicente Archer, Geoffrey classes for young musicians (all at no charge to participants). The Jan. Keezer, Ben Wlliams, Alex Han, Tom Kennedy, Immanuel Wilkins. 25 brunch will allow patron/musicians to play with the All-Stars. bluenoteatsea.com LINEUP: Houston Person, Veronica Swift, Emmet Cohen Trio, Adri- an Cunningham, , Nicki Parrott, Champian Fulton, The Jazz Cruise Nate Najar, Bruce Harris, Jon Hill Trio, Herman Burney, Chris Gelb, Cruise departing from Miami, Florida Ben Polcer, Dion Tucker, Jonathan Russell, Rossano Sportiello. Feb. 1–8, 2020 ncjazzfestival.org Now celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the Jazz Cruise features more than 100 jazz musicians performing more than 250 hours Charleston Jazz Festival of music. The cruise includes onstage interviews, meet-and-greet Charleston, South Carolina opportunities and other special events with the artists, such as a Jan. 23–26, 2020 wine tasting, martini hour, beer blast and cigars under the stars. The sixth annual edition of this festival will present a wide range LINEUP: , Christian McBride, Arturo Sandoval, Kurt of styles, including swing, salsa, blues, Brazilian, the Great Ameri- Elling, Artemis (, , Ingrid Jensen, Melissa can Songbook and more. In addition to internationally renowned Aldana, Noriko Ueda, Allison Miller), René Marie, Brubeck Brothers headliners, local bands and student groups will participate. Quartet, Steve Tyrell, Joey DeFrancesco, Houston Person, Benny LINEUP: Regina Carter, Jane Monheit, Freddy Cole, Charles- Green, Catherine Russell, Veronica Swift, Charles McPherson, John ton Jazz Orchestra, Trio. Pizzarelli, Byron Stripling, , , Gerald Clayton, charlestonjazz.com Jeff Hamilton, , Lewis Nash, Jimmy Greene, Wycliffe Gordon, Shelly Berg, Emmet Cohen, Sullivan Fortner, Niki Haris, Matt Wilson, Ken Peplowski, James Morrison, , Nicki Parrott, Blue Note at Sea Terell Stafford, , John Fedchock, Jennifer Wharton, Sean Cruise departing from Miami, Florida Jones, Dick Oatts, Antonio Hart, , Johnathan Blake. Jan. 25–Feb. 1, 2020 Produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions in partnership with thejazzcruise.com and Blue Note Jazz Clubs, this cruise will be hosted by , and Don Was. It will feature perfor- Newport Beach Jazz Party mances by more than 75 top-flight musicians. Fans can enjoy onstage Newport Beach, California interviews, meet-and-greet opportunities and other special events with Feb. 13–16, 2020 the artists, such as a pick-up basketball game organized by Glasper. Fans at the 20th edition of this festival can expect the unexpected as their favorite artists often collaborate in surprise jam sessions. LINEUP: Gregory Porter, Christian McBride, Melody Gardot, Robert Glasper, Marcus Miller, Kamasi Washington, , Don Was, LINEUP: Wycliffe Gordon, Houston Person, Veronica Swift, James Morrison, Emmet Cohen Trio, Jeff Hamilton Trio, Ken Peplowski, Scott Hamilton, Graham Dechter, Tony Monaco, Chuck Redd, Diego Figue- iredo, , Nicki Parrott, Lewis Nash, Katie Thiroux, Shelly Berg. newportbeachjazzparty.com

GroundUP Music Festival Miami Beach, Florida Feb. 14–16, 2020 , which topped the Jazz Group category in the 2018 Down- Beat Readers Poll, helps organize this festival. The band will play on all three nights of the 2020 festival, with a different lineup each night. LINEUP: Last year’s lineup included Snarky Puppy, Chris Potter, Lalah Hathaway, David Crosby, Andrew Bird, Susan Baca. festival.groundupmusic.net

San Jose Jazz Winter Fest San Jose, California Feb. 14–29, 2020 The “cool” counterpart to Summer Fest, this win- ter event presents jazz, blues, Latin music and other genres in intimate venues in downtown San Jose. LINEUP: Last year’s lineup included Catherine Russell, Charles McPherson, Tiffany Austin, Aaron Diehl. sanjosejazz.org

Elmhurst College Jazz Festival Elmhurst, Illinois Feb. 20–23, 2020 Every year for more than half a century, many of the best collegiate groups in the country have converged on the Elmhurst College campus for performances and educational sessions. At the 53rd annual edition of this event, student musicians will be surrounded by some of the most accomplished professional jazz musicians in the world to create an unparalleled learning environment and a series of high-profile concerts.

92 DOWNBEAT NOVEMBER 2019 LINEUP: directed by Scotty by some of Miami’s top bands. considered the largest showcase of Louisi- Barnhart, Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Bobby LINEUP: Past performers include Dr. Lonnie ana food, music, and culture in the world. Floyd, Dennis Mackrel, Bobby Shew, Gary Smulyan. Smith, Arturo Sandoval, Regina Carter. LINEUP: Irma Thomas, Chubby Carrier & The elmhurst.edu/jazzfestival miamidowntownjazzfestival.org Bayou Swamp Band, Ellis Marsalis, Charmaine Neville, The Dixie Cups, Rockin’ Dopsie, Sweet PDX Jazz Festival Next Generation Jazz Festival Pre- Crude, Robin Barnes, Erica Falls, Lost Bayou Portland, Oregon sented by Ramblers, Tim Laughlin, James Andrews, Feb. 20–March 1, 2020 Monterey, California Jeremy Davenport, Little Freddie King. This festival will feature main stage performances April 3–5, 2020 frenchquarterfest.org by some of the most important jazz artists of to- More than 1,300 student musicians will day, as well as numerous free events throughout participate in the 50th annual edition Eau Claire Jazz Festival the city. In addition to concerts, there will be ed- of this event, which welcomes middle, Eau Claire, Wisconsin ucation events, jazz conversations and lectures. high school and collegiate students. April 24–25, 2020 LINEUP: Last year’s lineup included Pharoah LINEUP: Past performers have included en- Founded in 1967, this event is pre- Sanders, Charles McPherson, Stanley sembles from throughout the United States. sented in partnership with the Uni- Clarke, Terence Blanchard, The Bad Plus. montereyjazzfestival.org versity of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. pdxjazz.com LINEUP: Cyrus Chestnut, James Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival Morrison, . Jazz Festival Galesburg, Illinois eauclairejazz.com , Idaho April 16–18 2020 Feb. 28–29, 2020 This festival brings together Knox College, New York City Jazz Festival This event is the largest educational jazz festi- the Galesburg community, area musi- New York City val in the nation. Students from more than 100 cians, music lovers and arts supporters. April 24–25, 2020 schools will attend more than 90 workshops. LINEUP: Matt Wilson, Knox Alumni Big Held at Symphony Space, this festival gives LINEUP: , Vertical Voices, Band, Knox College faculty members. instrumental and vocal jazz ensembles the op- Steve Kovalcheck, Erik Applegate, knox.edu portunity to perform as part of a ticketed day- Lionel Hampton Big Band. time performance, receive comments from a uidaho.edu/jazzfest French Quarter Festival panel of experts, have a private clinic with one New Orleans, Louisiana of them and attend an evening performance DeMiero Jazz Festival April 16–19, 2020 of select professional and amateur musicians. Edmonds, Washington This event will feature more than 1,700 LINEUP: Past professional collaborators March 5–7, 2020 musicians on 23 stages, plus 60 food vendors have included , , At this event, jazz students will have the and numerous special events scattered John Fedchock, Paquito D’Rivera. opportunity to experiment in a noncom- throughout the French Quarter. This festival is mcp.us/nyc-jazz-festival petitive, nurturing environment. Vocalist Sara Gazarek is the artistic director. LINEUP: Sara Gazarek, Soundsation Jazz Choir, Greta Matassa, Johnaye Kendrick. demierojazzfest.org

UM Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival Missoula, Montana March 12–13, 2020 This festival will celebrate 40 years in 2020 and host more than 1,200 stu- dent musicians. Evening concerts will be held in the Dennison Theater. LINEUP: Allison Miller, Brad Leali, Nate Kim- ball, Laura Caviani, Jim Sisko, Chris Finet. umt.edu/music

Big Ears Festival Knoxville, Tennessee March 26–29, 2020 Big Ears explores the connections between music genres and other artistic disciplines. The festival presents more than 100 events, featuring concerts, films and visual art. LINEUP: Last year’s lineup included the Art En- semble of Chicago, Richard Thompson, Carla Bley, Béla Fleck, Rhiannon Giddens, Bill Frisell. bigearsfestival.org

Miami Downtown Jazz Festival Miami, Florida April 2020 (Dates TBD) The festival is focused on free performances

NOVEMBER 2019 DOWNBEAT 93 devoted to working bands. The show will open with Wilmington-based drummer Jon Hill’s band, followed by internationally renowned

MARK ROBBINS pianist Emmet Cohen leading his namesake trio. Following that set, the trio will back sing- er Veronica Swift, and the evening will culmi- nate with Professor Cunningham’s Traditional Jazz Jam. The following two evenings will offer jam sessions, featuring 15 artists who will combine in different lineups. Among the par- ticipants will be Person, Redd, bassist/vocal- ist Nicki Parrott, pianist/vocalist Champian Fulton, trombonist Dion Tucker and bassist Herman Burney. Unlike jazz cruises, however, the NCJF has a strong educational outreach program. On the morning of Jan. 24, the master musicians will fan out into three Wilmington schools to hold jazz workshops with students. That afternoon, a select number of students will be invited to the hotel to get small group lessons from nine different professionals. “Back at the hotel, I’ll have six or seven stu- dents on drums and vibes,” Redd said. “I’ll assess their abilities, and I’ll find a drummer who can maintain a rhythm and someone who can play mallets. I’ll give them a riff, maybe a blues or something, and we’ll develop it into a tune. We can play something for the parents, and the kids feel like they’ve done something meaningful.” The NCJF was founded by Harry Van Velsor, a dermatologist and pianist who led a local trad-jazz band. In the late ’70s, he found himself in a Chicago bar with a piano, and after Trumpeter/vocalist Bria Skonberg is among the international asking the bartender if it was OK, Van Velsor artists who have performed at the North Carolina Jazz Festival in Wilmington. commenced to play. Before long a stranger sat down on the bench beside him and began to pound out some dazzling boogie-woogie. It was Art Hodes, who had collaborated with Sidney Bechet and recorded leader dates for Blue Note. The two became friends, and Van Velsor showcased Hodes as the star of the inau- axophonist Houston Person and drum- the fans to get to know the musicians, and the gural NCJF in 1980. mer/vibraphonist Chuck Redd—two musicians to sell themselves to the fans. It’s In 2006, Van Velsor handed the leadership Sof the headliners at the upcoming great.” role to Sandy Evans, who serves as president 40th annual North Carolina Jazz Festival in Like many jazz cruises, the sets are a com- of the festival. Evans set out to diversify and Wilmington—recently compared the fest to bination of working bands doing their usual expand what primarily had been a trad-jazz a jazz cruise. The NCJF will take place Jan. show and jam sessions where players are mixed affair. She added the working-band sets and 23–25 at the Hotel Ballast, firmly planted on and matched with peers they might not have the educational activities in schools. And for the bank of the Cape Fear River. All the musi- played with previously—just to see what sparks the jam sessions, she insisted on booking play- cians and most festgoers will stay at the hotel, could fly. Each jam session has a leader to ers from a broader array of styles to reflect which becomes as self-contained as any cruise choose repertoire and tempos, but one session’s more of the jazz spectrum. ship. leader might be the next session’s sideman. “It’s all different kinds of jazz,” Evans said “It’s akin to a jazz cruise, where everyone’s “It’s a nice format because you get to play of the jam sessions. “I always tell the musicians, together,” Redd explained. “The musicians run with a lot of different guys,” Person said. “It’s a ‘Please stretch—do what you want to do when into the patrons in the lobby or in the restau- way of keeping abreast of what your peers are you’re the leader.’ One year, we did a tribute to rant, and you develop a connection. ... It has doing. When everything’s not so rehearsed, Charlie Parker With Strings. Someone called become a destination festival, especially for there’s more improvisation. It leads to a lot of me up and said, ‘Sandy, have you lost your people on the East Coast.” work, because you meet guys you click with. mind? Harry will be turning over in his grave.’ “On a jazz cruise,” Person noted, “the ship You leave your ego at home and have a lot of The morning after the show, the same person is like a hotel, so it’s the same thing. It gives the fun.” called back and said, “All is quiet in the grave- fans more contact with the musicians. It allows The first night of the 2020 festival will be yard.’” —Geoffrey Himes

94 DOWNBEAT NOVEMBER 2019 NOVEMBER 2019 DOWNBEAT 95 INTERNATIONAL

Lyssarides, Isabella, Lundgren, Viktoria Tolstoy. stockholmjazz.se

Baloise Session Basel, Switzerland Oct. 12–31 For the past 34 years, major stars have been coming to this popular boutique festival to play jazz, soul, funk and blues.

BARCELONA VOLL-DAMM JAZZ FESTIVAL LINEUP: Past performers include , Buddy Guy, Beth Hart, . baloisesession.ch

DølaJazz Lillehammer Jazz Festival Lillehammer, Oct. 17–20 Founded in 1978, this event has become one of the most acclaimed jazz festivals in

Barcelona Voll-Damm Jazz Festival Norway. Venues include the Lillehammer Art Museum and the historic Kulturhuset Banken. LINEUP: The Real Thing, Urban Gardening International Jazz Festival Angra Jazz Festival & , Jonah Nilsson, Carsten Hong Kong, Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal Dahl Trinity, The Necks, Olga Konkova. Sept. 22, Sept. 25–27 Oct. 3–5 The 15th edition of the festival will include For the past 20 years, many of the most dolajazz.no established and upcoming performers important international jazz artists representing a wide range of genres. have played this festival. Jazz Festival LINEUP: Quintet, Shaolin Fez, LINEUP: Miguel Zenón, Orquestra Angrajazz Skopje, Republic of Macedonia SJZ Collective, Morten Schantz Godspeed, with Carlos Azevedo, Emile Parisien Quintet Oct. 17–20 Greg Osby, Anne Evenou Quartet, Maria Sfumato with , João Mortágua’s This year, the festival focuses on ECM Baptist & Jan von Klewitz Duo, Ron Ng Trio. Axes, Frank Kimbrough, Allan Harris Band. Records’ 50th anniversary, with perfor- mances by musicians connected to ECM. hkijf.com angrajazz.com The work of Slovenian photographer Ziga Koritnik will be showcased in an exhibit. Jeonju International Sori Festival Jarasum Jazz Festival David Torn, Trio, Sokratis Jeonju, South Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea LINEUP: Sinopoulos Quartet, Oct. 2–6 Oct. 4–6 Founded in 2001, this fest showcas- The festival, set for its 16th edition, Quartet, , Art Ensemble es music from around the world, in- is a special place where fans can relax Of Chicago, Joëlle Léandre, cluding traditional Korean styles. in picturesque surroundings. Trio, James Brandon Lewis Unruly Quintet. skopjejazzfest.com.mk LINEUP: Tres Bobon, The Tune, Akdangwang- LINEUP: Terence Blanchard’s E-Collective, chil, Ogamdo, Tanemotion, Sori Frontier with Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentle- KB Bank, Tamikrest, Imperial Kikirstan, Sinoy. men, The Danish Radio Big Band & Marilyn Jazzmandu sorifestival.com Mazur, 4 Wheel Drive, Matthew Whitaker Kathmandu, Nepal Quartet, Makiko Hirabayashi Trio, Morten Oct. 17–23 Enjoy Jazz Schantz Godspeed, Maureen Choi Quartet, The festival, now in its 17th year, gathers Soojin Suh Band, Dima Jazz Orchestra. world-class musicians and enthusiastic fans Heidelberg, Mannheim, Ludwigshafen in one of the most unique cities on the planet. & Baden-Württemberg, Germany jarasumjazz.com Oct. 2–Nov. 16 LINEUP: Faby Medina, RSxT, Paul Tynan & Jake Programming for this fest includes a celebra- Stockholm Jazz Festival Hanlon, Palouse Forro Experience, tion marking the 50th anniversary Stockholm, Tropic Green. of ECM Records. Jan Bang is the Artist-in- Oct. 11–20 jazzmandu.com Residence this year. Spread across 60 venues around Stock- LINEUP: Jan Bang, Rolf Kühn, , holm, the festival is one of Sweden’s oldest Akbank Jazz Festival Joachim Kühn, , Richard and largest events with 200 concerts. , Turkey Bona, Alfredo Rodriguez, Theon Cross, Trond- LINEUP: Carla Bley Trio, Lucky Chops, China Oct. 17–27 heim Voices, Tord Gustavsen, Kevin Hays, Lionel Moses, Ayanna Witter Johnson, Oum, James This festival was launched in 1991, and it has Loueke, Mark Guiliana, Kokoroko, Marie Kruttli Brandon Lewis, Lisa Ullén, /Nerve, grown steadily over the decades. Akbank Trio, Cory Wong, Yazz Ahmed, Yonathan Avishai Richard Bona & Alfredo Rodriguez, Jonah Nils- has hosted the most prominent artists in jazz Trio, Apparat, Ryan Porter & The West Coast Get son, Sarah McKenzie, Oz Noy Trio, Osunlade, while also expanding its scope by including Down, Marie Kruttli Trio, Emma-Jean Thackray. Art Ensemble Of Chicago, Leszek Mozdzer & classical, electronic and world-music projects. enjoyjazz.de , Oddjob, Joel LINEUP: James Carter Organ Trio, Vaudou

96 DOWNBEAT NOVEMBER 2019 Game, Alfa Mis, Trio, Jakob HÜTTE, Dragon’s Fuel, Rastko Obradovic Graupe, Julia Kadel, Eva Kruse and Eva Klesse. Bro Trio (featuring Joey Baron & Thomas Quartet, Milan Stanisavljevic Quintet. LINEUP: Jakob Bro Quartet, Michael Formanek’s Morgan), Charles Lloyd Sky Trio (featuring bjf.rs Ensemble Kolossus with hr-Bigband, Gerald Clayton & Marvin Sewell), Sarah Elina Duni, Crosscurrents Trio (Dave McCoy, & Erkan Ogur Deutsches Jazzfestival Frankfurt Holland, Zakir Hussain & Chris Potter), & Friends, Maisha. Frankfurt am Main, Germany Charles Lloyd Quintet, Dinosaur, Enemy, akbanksanat.com Oct. 23–27 Marcin Wasilewski Trio, Joachim Kühn/ The festival will present its 50th edition, and Michel Portal/Jim McNeely/hr-Bigband, Canterbury Festival the programming includes a tribute to ECM Nubya Garcia, Alfa Mist, Uwe Oberg & Silke Canterbury, Records in honor of the label’s 50th anniversa- Eberhard, Christof Lauer & Kudsi Erguner, Oct. 19–Nov. 2 ry. Also, in a nod to the inaugural edition of the The German All Stars, Boulez Materialism Canterbury Festival offers more than 200 festival, organizers will revisit the concept of (Christopher Dell, Johannes Brecht, Chris- events—from jazz and classical music to a German All Stars band and present a group tian Lillinger & Jonas Westergaard). contemporary dance, comedy, theater with Angelika Niescier, Johannes Lauer, Ronnie hr2.de/musik/jazz/jazz-festival/index.html and visual arts. Venues include Canterbury Cathedral and Kent College’s Great Hall. LINEUP: Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young, FB Pocket Orchestra, Laura Mvula, Juan de Marcos’ Afro-Cuban All Stars, Classico Latino with Omar Puente, Orphan Colours, Invicta Jazz, The 360 Band featuring Hamish Stuart. canterburyfestival.co.uk

Barcelona Voll-Damm Jazz Festival Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain Oct. 19–Dec. 21 Founded in 1966, this festival is a two- month marathon with music from every corner of the jazz world—and beyond, including a mini flamenco festival. LINEUP: , Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with , , Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Lizz Wright, Maria Gadú, Juan de Marcos & The Afro-Cuban All Stars, , & Uri Caine, Jon Cleary & , Crosscurrents Trio (Dave Hol- land, Zakir Hussain & Chris Potter), Alfredo Rodríguez & Richard Bona, Kyle Eastwood, Makaya McCraven, Bilal, Mark Guiliana, Peter Bernstein, Yonathan Avishai Trio, Andrea Motis, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Manu Dibango, , Martín Leiton Big Band, Rafael Riqueni, Chicuelo-Marco Mezquida, Las Migas, Tomatito-José Mercé. jazz.barcelona

Belgrade Jazz Festival Belgrade, Serbia Oct. 22–27 For 35 years, this festival has been devoted to showcasing new talent and prominent voices from all over the world. Nearly 30 concerts will be presented, and there will be a special showcase for young talent on the Serbian jazz scene. Panel discussion topics include Serbia’s history and its place on the contemporary global jazz scene. LINEUP: Charles Lloyd, , Dianne Reeves, Stanley Clarke, , Maciej Obara, Théo Ceccaldi, , Jazzmeia Horn, Gilad Heksel- man, Flat Earth Society, Henry Texier, Nikolov-Ivanovic Undectet with Magic Malik, Francesco Diodati Yellow Squeeds, Henry Spencer & Juncture, Axes, Dimitry Ilugdin Trio featuring Tanya Balakyrska, Laila Biali, Shake Stew, Max Andrzejewski’s

NOVEMBER 2019 DOWNBEAT 97 John Scofield at the 2018 Padova Jazz Festival in Italy Jazzfest Berlin Berlin, Germany Oct. 31–Nov. 3 The 56th edition of the festival will launch with

©MICHELE GIOTTO ’s “Sonic Genome,” which will feature 60 musicians drawing from up to 450 of the composer’s works for a six-hour performance. LINEUP: Anthony Braxton’s “Sonic Genome,” ’s Origami Harvest, Angel Bat Dawid & The Brothahood, Austra- lian Art Orchestra, Brian Marsella, Christian Lillinger, Marc Ribot, Elliot Galvin, Eve Risser, hr-Bigband, James Brandon Lewis Unruly Quintet, KIM Collective, Leila Martial’s BAA Box, Miles Okazaki, Sinikka Langeland’s Sauna val will present free events that cele- Cathedral, Australian Art Orchestra, Trickster Umeå Jazz Festival brate music, culture and the arts. Orchestra, Gropius Bau, Kaos Puls, Mopcut, Umeå, Sweden Moskus, São Paulo Underground, COCO. Oct. 23–27 LINEUP: Chucho Valdés, Miguel Zenón, Jane Bunnett & Maqueque, Berklee Global Jazz berlinerfestspiele.de/de/ Since 1968, this festival has served as a vibrant Institute (with Walter Smith III), Jose Alberto El jazzfest-berlin/start.html and vital international playground for artistic Canario, Joshy Y Su 4 Jazz, Trio Cubano, Arturo development. The programming empha- O’Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Josean Tampere Jazz Happening sizes the core values of tradition, creativity, Jacobo, Nando Michelin, Justin Kauflin Trio. Tampere, Finland curiosity and accessibility. On Oct. 25, there drjazzfestival.com Oct. 31–Nov. 3 will be a special performance by the Danish Every year since 1982, this festival has Radio Big Band and guitarist John Scofield. Padova Jazz Festival gathered the top names in jazz, pioneers LINEUP: Theo Croker, Jazz Orchestra Padova, Italy of the future and high-profile Finnish & Alf Hulbaekmo, Bobo Stenson, Danish Radio Oct. 25–Nov. 23 musicians for performances on con- Big Band & John Scofield, Ralph Peterson, Jen- The 22nd edition of this festival will fo- cert stages and in intimate clubs. nie Abrahamson, Sisters Of Invention, Rymden, cus on pianists, with performances from LINEUP: Ambrose Akinmusire’s Origami Harvest, Lalitha & Nandini, Sten Sandell, Lisen Rylander young and promising talents, rising Joëlle Léandre Tentet, Crosscurrents Trio Löve: Oceans, Shirley Davis & The Silverbacks, stars and masters of the keyboard. (Dave Holland, Zakir Hussain & Chris Potter), Scott Henderson Trio, Lisa Ullén, Roosevelt Col- LINEUP: Kenny Barron, Aaron Diehl Trio, Vijay , Das Kapital, Théo Ceccaldi lier, Kammarkören Sangkraft & Carl Bagge Trio. Iyer, Monty Alexander Trio, Benny Green, Freaks, Aki Takase Japanic, Omar Sosa & Yilian umeajazzfestival.se , Vanessa Tagliabue Yorke, Cañizares, Rodrigo Amado, Fred Frith Trio & James Brandon Lewis Unruly Quintet, Yotam Susana Santos Silva, Laura Perrudin Doksha. AghaRTA Prague Jazz Festival Silberstein Quartet, María Grand Trio. WDPSHUHPXVLFIHVWLYDOVƓ Prague, Czech Republic padovajazz.com Oct. 23–Nov. 23 Riviera Maya Jazz Festival Lucerne Music Bar and the AghaRTA Jazz Bologna Jazz Festival Playa del Carmen, Mexico Centrum host this festival, presenting a mix Bologna, Italy November (Dates TBD) of U.S. and European artists. AghaRTA takes Oct. 25–Nov. 26 This event is held close to 5th Avenue, its name from Miles’ Davis 1975 live album. This month long festival will present right next to a gorgeous beach. The LINEUP: JFK/PRG Dream Band featuring Karel international guests and offer special festival is free to enter with a small fee Ruzicka, Jamison Ross, Karel Ruzicka Jr. Quar- workshops examining the intersec- for the area closest to the stage. tet, & Jeff Lorber Fusion Project tion of jazz and other art forms. LINEUP: Past performers include Chick Corea, featuring & Jimmy Haslip. LINEUP: Trio, Trio, Wallace Roney, , Bobby McFerrin. agharta.cz Dena DeRose & The E.R.J. Orchestra, David rivieramayajazzfestival.com Helbock, Dianne Reeves, Trio, Guinness Jazz Festival Dave Douglas & Uri Caine, Simone Grazia- JazzMi Cork, Ireland no, Crosscurrents Trio (Dave Holland, Zakir Milan, Italy Oct. 24–28 Hussain & Chris Potter), Ralph Alessi Quintet, Nov. 1–10 Aside from a stellar international lineup, Cory Wong, Hermeto Pascoal & Grupo, Bobby With 150 events and hundreds of participat- this festival offers numerous free events Watson-Andrea Pozza Duo, Aaron Parks ing artists, JazzMi is a hub of synergy and and activities, including outdoor shows, a Little Big, Jazz In’it Orchestra, David Torn. collaboration dedicated to the development Jazz Bus, a jazz parade and a food fair. bolognajazzfestival.com of jazz. Concerts, interviews and exhibitions LINEUP: Kurt Elling, Aslan, Booka Brass Band, will take place in the center of the city. Mica , Band Explosion, Jen- Jazznojazz Festival LINEUP: Herbie Hancock, Kenny Barron, Hiromi, ny Greene, John Surman & , Zurich, Switzerland John McLaughlin, Archie Shepp, , Spyro Gyra, Elina Duni & Rob Luft, Arlid Oct. 30–Nov. 2 Nubya Garcia, & Chucho Andersen, Fred Hersch Trio, Martha Reeves. The 21st edition of this festival will offer an Valdés, The Wooten Brothers, Mingus Big guinnessjazzfestival.com exciting mix of jazz, soul, funk and fusion. Band, John Scofield & Jon Cleary, Afro-Cuban LINEUP: Charles Lloyd, John McLaughlin, All Stars, Ambrose Akinmusire, Spyro Gyra, Dominican Republic Jazz Festival The Comet Is Coming, Rymden, Chucho Giovanni Guidi & Fabrizio Bosso, Kokoroko, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Playa Alicia & Cab- Valdés & Stefano Bollani, Rickie Lee & Gianni Coscia, Marcin arete Beach, Dominican Republic Jones, Tony Allen, Morcheeba, Azymuth, Wasilewski, Rymden, Judith Hill, Melanie De Oct. 25–26, Nov. 1–3 Level 42, The Brand New Heavies. Biasio, Kassa Overall, Nik Bärtsch’s Ronin. The 23rd annual edition of this festi- jazznojazz.ch jazzmi.it

98 DOWNBEAT NOVEMBER 2019 Roma Jazz Festival Wollny/Émile Parisien, Omar Sosa, Jacques Guy, Angel Bat Dawid, Gary Bartz & Maisha Rome, ltaly Schwarz-Bart, Lucian Ban, Mat Maneri. with Dwight Trible, Faraj Suleiman Quintet, Nov. 1–Dec. 1 jazzdor.com Cleveland Watkiss, Elliot Galvin Trio, Laura Founded in 1976, this festival is one of Jurd Trio, Jean Toussaint, Omar Puente. the oldest in Europe and in the past has Era Jazzu/Poznan Jazz Festival efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk presented many legendary artists, includ- Poznan, Poland ing and Sarah Vaughan. Nov. 9, 2019; April 3–5, 2020 ECM 50th Anniversary Weekend LINEUP: Abdullah Ibrahim, Dianne Reeves, A nationwide series of performances host- Brussels, Archie Shepp, Crosscurrents Trio (Dave ing contemporary jazz stars culminates in Nov. 21–24 Holland, Zakir Hussain & Chris Potter), a multiday festival at prestigious venues. Flagey celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Antonio Sánchez, Linda May Han Oh, LINEUP: , Andrea Motis, trailblazing label ECM Records, the inde- , Donny McCaslin, Espen Eriksen, Czas Komedy Gala. pendent record label founded in in Elina Duni, Ralph Towner, Carmen Sou- jazz.pl 1969. Several ECM artists are scheduled to za, , . attend, as is label head . romajazzfestival.it Vilnius Mama Jazz Festival LINEUP: Anouar Brahem & Orchestre Royal de Vilnius, Lithuania Chambre de Wallonie, Anna Gourari & Reto PalmJazz Festival Nov. 13–17 Bieri, Enrico Rava Special Edition, Elina Duni, Tarnowskie Góry, Poland Founded in 2002, this festival hosts more than Big Vicious, Larry Grenadier, Avishai Cohen & Yonathan Avishai, Julia Nov. 5–Dec. 6 100 performers each year. The program pro- This 10-year-old festival, initially launched vides an in-depth look at Lithuania’s jazz scene. Hülsmann Quartet, Marcin Wasilewski Trio, Anja Lechner & François Couturier, Nik by Krzysztof Kobylinski, previously has been LINEUP: The Comet Is Coming, Oded Tzur held in select Polish cities and in . Quartet, GoGo Penguin, The Bad Plus, Django Bärtsch’s Ronin, Quartet. ŴDJH\EH LINEUP: John Scofield, Nils Petter Mol- Bates, Flat Earth Society, Brave Noises, vaer Quartet, Avishai Cohen Trio, Mi- Cinamono, Leonardas Pilkauskas, Trio Trys. kael Godee & Leszek Kułakowski, Roby vilniusmamajazz.lt/en Christmas Jazz Lakatos, Jean-Luc Ponty & Clara Ponty Tallinn, Estonia Quartet, Jennifer Kamikazi, Marcin EFG London Jazz Festival Nov. 29–Dec. 12 Wasilewski Trio, Jazzlab Orchestra, Blue London, United Kingdom This festival presents concerts and programs Brass Band featuring David Murray. Nov. 15–24 at churches, clubs and concert halls. palmjazz.pl The programming at this ambitious festi- LINEUP: Kurt Elling, Accent, Ma- val features talent from around the world, ria Faust, Pascal Schumacher. Leverkusener Jazztage including legendary jazz masters, cut- jazzkaar.ee Leverkusener, Germany ting-edge young bands, emerging British Nov. 7–17 stars and outstanding collaborations. Venues We Jazz Festival With more than 20,000 visitors as well as include concert halls, as well as clubs. Helsinki, Finland, and Tallinn, Estonia local attendees, Jazztage is one of the biggest LINEUP: Cécile McLorin Salvant & Sullivan Fort- Dec. 1–8 jazz events in the German-speaking world. ner, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Madison The seventh annual edition of this festival LINEUP: WDR Big Band featuring Yellow- McFerrin, Terri Lyne Carrington, Trevor Watts will take place at various venues in Helsin- jackets, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Billy Quartet, Marcin Wasilewski Trio, Ralph Peter- ki and Tallinn. Organized by the creative Cobham, Bill Evans & The Spy Killers son, Ingrid & Christine Jensen with the Whirl- collective and record label of the same with Wolfgang Haffner, Simon Phil- wind Recordings Jazz Orchestra, Chrissie name, We Jazz offers an exploration of the lips, Das Paradies, Mare Nostrum, Götz Hynde, Nik Bärtsch & Sophie Clements, Barry many shades of jazz. Many of the festi- Alsmann, Tina Dico, Jenniffer Kae. leverkusener-jazztage.de

POA Jazz Festival Porto Alegre, Brazil Nov. 8–10 This festival, which draws fans from outside Brazil, features concerts, mas- ter classes and other events. LINEUP: Jasper Bloom, Raiz de Pedra, Christian Sperandir, Rafuagi Jazz Combo, Amaro Freitas. poajazz.com.br

Jazzdor Festival Strasbourg, France Nov. 8–23 The 34th edition of the festival is set to offer 36 concerts at venues across Strasbourg. LINEUP: James Brandon Lewis, Olivier Lété, Francois Merville, Musina Ebobissé, Aki Takase/Daniel Erdmann, Miles Oka- zaki, Maria Grand Trio, Orchestre Na- tional de Jazz, Ikui Doki/Sofia Jernberg/ Jaimie Branch, Amir Elsaffar’s Two Rivers Ensemble, Alexander Hawkins, Michael

NOVEMBER 2019 DOWNBEAT 99 val’s venues change from year to year. Portico Quartet, Alfa Mist, Jaimie Branch Fly or year of Ludwig Von Beethoven. In addition LINEUP: Past performers include Logan Die II, Antoine Pierre, Eric Legnini, Commander to concerts, there is a film program, as well Richardson, Phronesis, Timo Lassy. Spoon, , . as an exposition dedicated to the piano. ZHMD]]Ɠ ŴDJH\EH LINEUP: Nelson Goerner, Herbert Schuch & Gülru Ensari, Bram De Looze, Walter Hus, Frank Gold Coast Jazz Fest Havana International Jazz Festival Braley & Gautier Capuçon, Tamara Stefanovich. Flamingo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica Havana, Cuba ŴDJH\EH Dec. 6–8 Jan. 12–20, 2020 Fans who visit the Gold Coast of Costa The 35th edition of the festival is set to be Rica can enjoy 18 performances during its biggest yet. Last year, 142 musicians two days of music on two stages. from dozens of nations performed. International Jazz Festival Toronto, Ontario, Canada LINEUP: Richard Bona & Alfredo Rodriguez, Jim LINEUP: Past performers include Chucho Markway Quartet, Sammy DeLeon Septet, Valdés, Arturo O’Farrill, Adam O’Farrill, Feb. 12, 2020 Kenny Anderson, Jackie Warren Trio, Hubbs Roberto Fonseca, Bobby Carcassés. OPIJF’s third season presents the world Groove, Cece Teneal, Joe Hrbek & Sambossa. jazzcuba.com premiere of Oscar Peterson’s suite titled goldcoastjazzfest.com Africa, arranged by John Clayton. Present- ed in partnership with The Royal Conser- Umbria Jazz Winter Panama City, Panama vatory, at Toronto’s magnificent Koerner Orvieto, Italy Jan. 13–18, 2020 Hall, the suite will be performed by an The 17th edition of this festival will shine a Dec. 28, 2019–Jan. 1, 2020 all-star multinational band. The evening spotlight on Panamanian alto saxophonist This festival is aimed at avid jazz fans, as also will include the presentation of the Reggie Johnson. The fest typically presents well as those who are just discovering the Canadian Jazz Master Awards. The festi- more than 30 concerts, 70 master classes and genre. Concerts take place at the Teatro val’s artistic director is Renee Rosnes. a music therapy symposium. The festival’s Mancinelli, the Palazzo del Popolo and the LINEUP: John Clayton, Benny Green, Chris- artistic director is pianist . Palazzo dei Sette. There also will be music tian McBride, Mike Murley, Reg Schwa- at the Ristorante San Francesco, an ide- LINEUP: Danilo Pérez, Dianne Reeves, Isaac ger, Lewis Nash and many others. al place for music on New Year’s Eve. Delgado, Ravi Coltrane, John Patitucci, opjazzfest.org Terri Lyne Carrington, Cyrus Chesnut, LINEUP: John Scofield, , Sulli- van Fortner/Joe Sanders/Greg Hutchinson, David Sánchez, Patricia Zarate Pérez, Fiesta Del Tambor Isaia Thompson Trio, Joel Ross, Warren , Lucia Pulido, Jazz Havana, Cuba Wolf, Joe Locke, Paolo Fresu, Danilo Rea. Festival All-Star Band, . March 2020 (Dates TBD) umbriajazz.com panamajazzfestival.com This annual festival of rhythm and dance includes an immersive percussion and Port-au- International drum workshop presented by festival Festival Internacional de Jazz Festival sponsor/collaborator KoSA Cuba. Jazz de Punta del Este Port-au-Prince, Haiti LINEUP: Past performers include Mark Guil- Finca El Sosiego, Punta Ballena, Jan. 18–25, 2020 iana, Aldo Mazza, José Eladio Amat, Dafnis Punta del Este, Uruguay This festival offers dozens of concerts in Prieto, Delvis Ponce, Eduardo Sandoval. Jan. 3–6, 2020 different venues around the capital. ƓHVWDGHOWDPERUFXOWFX This outdoor festival, which was founded in LINEUP: Past performers include Christine 1996, takes place in green pastures among Jensen, , . Jakarta International horses and cows. Throughout the festival’s papjazzhaiti.org Java Jazz Festival history, its programming has remained Jakarta, Indonesia faithful to jazz. This year’s edition includes Dubai Jazz Festival March 2020 (Dates TBA) tributes to , , Ella Dubai, United Arab Emirates This event was launched in 2005 with Fitzgerald, Miles Davis and J.J. Johnson. February 2020 (Dates TBD) about 150 shows, and it is now one of Over the years, this festival has presented more the largest jazz festivals in the world. LINEUP: Paquito D’Rivera, Kenny Barron, Diego Urcola, Terrell Stafford, Grant than 450 shows. Program details for the 18th LINEUP: Past performers include Chick Stewart, Joe Magnarelli, Jason Brown, annual edition will be announced in late 2019. Corea, Arturo Sandoval, Dr. Lonnie , Anthony Wonsey, Alex LINEUP: Past performers include Keb’ Mo’, John Smith, Dewa Budjana, Dira Sugandi. Brown, Eric Doob, Zachary Brown, Kiyoshi Legend, , Snow Patrol, . javajazzfestival.com Kitagawa, Johnathan Blake, Nat Reeves, dubaijazzfest.com Eric McPherson, Rick Germanson, Steve Cape Town International Davis, Eddie Henderson, Joy Brown, Lucy Winter Jazz Jazz Festival Yeghiazaryan, Nate Pence, Tim Warfield, , Cape Town, South Africa Chris Beck, Bruce Barth, David Felman, Pipi February 2020 (Dates TBD) March 27–28, 2020 Piazzolla, Popo Romano, Nicolás Mora. Held every February since 2009, this festival Affectionately referred to as “Africa’s Grand- festival.com.uy showcases the top artists in Scandinavia. est Gathering,” this festival will present its LINEUP: Past performers include 21st annual edition in 2020. The program- Brussels Jazz Festival Jean-Michel Pilc, Gilad Hekselman, ming includes South African artists, as well Brussels, Belgium Benjamin Koppel, Scott Colley. as performers from around the globe. Jan. 9–18, 2020 winterjazz.dk LINEUP: Past performers include Abdul- This event’s concerts are held at Flagey, a lah Ibrahim, John Scofield, Jonathan 1930’s art deco concert hall with high-tech Flagey Piano Days Butler, Don Vino, Nicole Mitchell, Eliane acoustics. Also, a series of films, workshops Brussels, Belgium Elias, Sho Madjozi, Keyon Harrold, Shek- for children and late-night sets are planned. Feb. 7–16, 2020 hinah, The Soweto Gospel Choir. LINEUP: Makaya McCraven, Joshua Redman, This festival is set to mark the 250th birth capetownjazzfest.com

100 DOWNBEAT NOVEMBER 2019 STANISLAV MILOJKOVIC

Terence Blanchard performs at the Belgrade Jazz Festival in 2009.

ojislav Pantić, the artistic director of the had been sold. the New Quartet,” he wrote in an email from Belgrade Jazz Festival, can recount all The festival’s draw can be attributed to Taipei, Taiwan, where he was on tour. “We had Vsorts of stories about the jazz greats who Pantić’s careful curation. As usual, this year’s a wild and wonderful concert in the festival the- have played the event, which will present its 35th lineup reflects the talent mix he prefers: rough- ater, a rather depressing, concrete building. Many edition this fall. ly one-third U.S. musicians, one-third European of the concert halls in the former Communist There was the time in 1971, the festival’s musicians and one-third local Serbian musi- countries have this same feeling. We tried to blast inaugural year, when trumpeter Miles Davis cians, many of whom studied abroad at notable through the cold, gray walls and bring in some wouldn’t go on until he was sure that his pianist, U.S. and European schools. light—we [heard] the cries for freedom that are a very late Keith Jarrett, had arrived at the concert “The names in the first concerts were so big, embedded in the walls and [tried] to release them hall, straight from the tarmac. Another time, in we have a responsibility to carry on that tradi- through sound.” 1980, saxophonist continued play- tion,” he explained. “But we don’t want to just For Lloyd, whose heavy touring schedule has ing on a dark stage without amplification well look to the past, at jazz 50 years ago. We want to him jetting from one international capital to past the government curfew that mandated lights look at jazz now.” the next for much of the year, the Belgrade out at midnight. In 2009, saxophonist Joe Lovano This year’s edition includes a glittering con- date stands out for its diverse, jazz-savvy audi- insisted on playing with his arm in a cast, having stellation of headliners at all levels of celebri- ence and the skilled management of the BJF suffered a fracture on tour the day before. And ty, representing sundry approaches to the lan- team. “[Pantić and Program Manager Dragan trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, like Davis, first played guage of jazz. All told, about 30 acts will share Ambrozic] run the festival extremely well, with the Belgrade festival in 1971—returning to per- the festival’s three concert stages over the course an openness to new experiences and expansion form four additional times, more often than any of six days. Among the U.S. artists are vocal- of ideas,” he noted. other artist—before political upheaval in Serbia ists Dianne Reeves and Jazzmeia Horn, bass- On Oct. 27, Lloyd and his newest ensemble, shuttered the event for 15 years. ist Stanley Clarke and saxophonist Charles Kindred Spirits, are set to play Kombank Hall— Pantić, who’s been with the festival in various Lloyd. The European contingent includes pianist formerly known as Dom Sindikata, a Soviet-era capacities since 1988, took over as artistic direc- Michael Wollny, guitarist Francesco Diodati’s trade union building that underwent a modern- tor in 2005, at the end of the 15-year hiatus. In a band Yellow Squeeds, violinist Théo Ceccaldi, izing facelift in 2017–’18. This time, Lloyd’s view nod to the festival’s anniversary and its improb- trumpeter Henry Spencer and saxophonist from stage will be different: Kombank Hall is able longevity, this year the event will run for six Maciej Obara. Serbian acts on the bill include now a chic performance space that gleams with days instead of five, from Oct. 22 to 27, and will the ensemble Nikolov-Ivanović Undectet, sax- possibility and optimism. be billed as a “Jazz Celebration.” ophonist Rastko Obradović and pianist Milan Venues aside, though, some things about the “If there hadn’t been that break, we would be Stanisavljević. Belgrade Jazz Festival remain unchanged. nearing our 50th anniversary—but we’re happy Of all the visiting musicians, only one has Pantić and his team continue in their seemingly that it survived,” said Pantić from Belgrade played the festival before—saxophonist Lloyd, indefatigable efforts to honor their city’s proud during a phone interview. He noted that 85 per- who returns for his third appearance. “I first per- jazz traditions—and to fill its walls with great cent of seats for this year’s spate of shows already formed in Belgrade in 2011 with [my ensemble] new voices. —Suzanne Lorge

NOVEMBER 2019 DOWNBEAT 101