Keeping Jazz Vibrant In Canada
An Interview With Peter Shea: Artistic Director & Co-Creator Of The Festival
Peter Shea, artistic director of the Third Annual TD Niagara Jazz Festival, had a chance to sit down with Spill Magazine to fill us in on what to expect this year and about jazz in general.
ON THE BEGINNING PROCESS
βThe way the process started is that my wife Juliet (Dunn) and I started the βTwilightβ jazz series which is going into its fifth year, developing confidence and expertise as we go along . . . we had Mike Murley, Kevin Turcotte, Kevin Breit, Duncan Hopkins (a native of St Catharines who is a superb bass player who played with Kenny Wheeler and all the greats) and Barbra Lica among the 100 bands that have performed in the βTwlightβ jazz series. It has been hosted at Mahtay CafΓ©, across the street from the new Performing Arts Centre.β
ON BEING A MUSICIAN
βIβm a pianist, drummer and singer going on for 25 years; my style is influenced by New Orleans jazz, Dr. John, John Cleary and Harry Connick Jr. I am also passionate about Latin and straight-ahead jazz styles such as Erroll Garner, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, etc.β
ON THE OVERALL VISION
βAfter being in New Orleans, Iβve witnessed a gem of beauty and cultural exchange. Β The Niagara/Hamilton/GTA/Buffalo corridor has some amazing talent that needs to be supported, and transform the Niagara region into the βNew Orleans of Canada.β
ON THE CONCERTS/ARTISTS COMING TO THE FESTIVAL
βExcited that Manteca will be headlining the concert in the performance hall . . . brings me back to high school when I heard this band at Ontario Place and Charlie Cooley from Manteca took me under his wing and learned the ropes of music, even sitting in at one of his gigs. . . Dave Restivo and his trio will be coming on opening night. . . other guests include Alex Pangman, Buffalo Native Cinnamon Jones, and Juno Award winner Liberty Silver who has opened for Bob Marley at Madison Square Garden.β
ON COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
βWe did a Jazz for the Ages competition for youth who want to play solo, with the judges, or bring their own band. The tiers are from 12 and under, 13-17, and 18-23. The winner gets to play their own concert on the special festival park stage.Β Β We also have an edutainment series where it is a music clinic where wine is being tasted at one of the wineries. Recently we had Christopher Butcher from The Heavyweights Brass Band give a clinic about New Orleans Music. After that we have three more clinics, such as John Sherwood giving a talk about player pianos and piano players, playing on a special Steinway Concert Grand Piano.β
ON THE FUTURE OF JAZZ IN CANADA
βJazz is what we make it in Canada. It is easy to complain on the direction where things are going, but we are trying to do its best to make it flourish and vibrant in Canada. We did the festival to ensure that the next generation has a thriving support system and a growing live music community to find work in for years to come.β
The TD Niagara Jazz Festival Runs from July 29 to July 31 throughout the Niagara Region. Check out www.niagarajazzfestival.com for tickets and information, TWITTER at @jazzniagara and Instagram at @theniagarajazzfestival.
βΒ Conrad Gayle
FESTIVALΒ LINKS:
SPILL FESTIVAL REVIEW: KENSINGTON MARKET JAZZ FESTIVAL @ KENSINGTON MARKET, TORONTO
SPILL FESTIVAL REVIEW: BECAUSE BEER FESTIVAL @ PIER 4 PARK, HAMILTON (DAY THREE)
SPILL FESTIVAL REVIEW: BECAUSE BEER FESTIVAL @ PIER 4 PARK, HAMILTON (DAY TWO)
SPILL FESTIVAL REVIEW: BECAUSE BEER FESTIVAL @ PIER 4 PARK, HAMILTON (DAY ONE)
