Current News

People Get Ready: The Future of Jazz is Now!

GUELPH – A stellar lineup of internationally-acclaimed jazz artists will appear at the 14th Annual Guelph Jazz Festival and Colloquium, next September 5–9. Artistic Director Ajay Heble today announced the appearance of both established jazz names like Charlie Haden (USA), Carla Bley (USA) and Anthony Braxton (USA), as well as emerging artists like Marianne Trudel (Quebec), Loka (U.K.) and The Inhabitants (B.C.).

Highlighting the most exciting new directions shaping jazz in the new millennium, this year's Festival theme is "People Get Ready: The Future of Jazz is Now!" The title is borrowed from New York bassist William Parker’s tribute to the songs of Curtis Mayfield, which he will peform on Friday, Sept. 7, 2007 on the main stage of Guelph’s River Run Centre.

The Festival’s centerpiece is a rare, area appearance by Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra featuring Carla Bley. Haden is one of the world’s greatest bass players, a true jazz legend, and a committed social activist. The multi-piece Liberation Music Orchestra, with arrangements by Carla Bley, was founded in the late 1960s to link experimental free jazz with political music and activism. Haden’s orchestra appears at the River Run Centre on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007.

A full list of the artists appearing at the 2007 Guelph Jazz Festival is attached.

Over its 13-year history, The Guelph Jazz Festival has established a rock-solid international reputation for its bold mix of innovative programming and genuine community spirit. Heralded by The Globe and Mail as “one of the most visionary” music events in the country, it has repeatedly sought to celebrate performance practices that challenge and expand our understanding of the music’s defined limits.

Ajay Heble also introduced this year’s Interim Executive Director Derek Andrews, a veteran blues and world music producer at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, and most recently at the inaugural Luminato Festival. He takes over from long-time E.D. Julie Hastings, who served the Guelph Jazz Festival since its inception. Hastings resigned in May in light of a forthcoming restructuring of staff positions set to take place in October 2007.

Heble thanked Julie Hastings for her years of dedication, hard work and professionalism in building the Festival, and welcomed Andrews to the Guelph Jazz Festival community.

2007 Guelph Jazz Festival Schedule and Artist Lineup (subject to change)

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Macdonald Stewart Art Centre, 8 pm:

• Michael Snow and Jesse Stewart (Ontario)

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Macdonald Stewart Art Centre, 5 pm:

• Isaiah Ceccareli Ensemble (Quebec)

Mitchell Hall, St. George’s Anglican Church, 8 pm:

• Exploding Star Orchestra (USA/Brazil)

Mitchell Hall, St. George’s Anglican Church, 11:30 pm:

• Do Make Say Think (Ontario)

Friday, September 7, 2007

Guelph Youth Music Centre, 5 pm:

• Marianne Trudel Quintet (Quebec)

Main Stage, River Run Centre, 8 pm:

• Anthony Braxton and AIMToronto Orchestra (USA/Ontario/Alberta)

• William Parker Ensemble: The Inside Songs of Curtis Mayfield (USA)

Mitchell Hall, St. George’s Anglican Church, 11:30 pm:

• Loka (UK)

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Guelph Youth Music Centre, 10:30 am:

• Catherine Potter – Duniya Project (Quebec)

Upper Wyndham Street Tent, 11:30 am – 7:00 pm:

• Jayme Stone Quartet (USA/Ontario)

• The Inhabitants (BC)

• Damien Nisenson Trio (Quebec)

• Jah Youssouf, Jayme Stone, Lewis Melville, Dave Clarke, and friends (Mali/USA/Ontario)

• Lubo Alexandrov Group (Quebec)

Guelph Youth Music Centre, 2:00 pm:

• Trio M: Myra Melford, Mark Dresser, Matt Wilson (USA)

Main Stage, River Run Centre, 8 pm:

• Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra featuring Carla Bley (USA)

Mitchell Hall, 11:30 pm:

• TBA

Sunday, September 9, 2007

GYMC, 10:30 am:

• Anthony Braxton – Diamond Curtain Wall Trio (USA)

GYMC, 7pm:

• Eccodek with Kiran Ahluwalia (Ontario/USA)