Of past, present and future

A few quick thoughts for today's post...

RIP Paul Motian
The music world is this week mourning the loss of groundbreaking drummer Paul Motian. Many tributes have already been paid by people who knew the man and his music much better than I. The thought that occurred to me on hearing of his death was this: I never got to see him live. I feel as though I could have - I'm sure in my trips down to New York I could have sought him out in some setting or another. But it was always "well, maybe next time." I'm not a big fan of sayings like "live every day like it's your last" or similar idioms - it's hard enough at times to just get through the day, never mind pretending that it's your last. But when something like this happens, I'm reminded that I should be sure to make as much as I can out of each day, and seize the opportunity to see masters in action whenever I can. I encourage you to do that too.

Encapsulating the challenge of booking in a single review
Last week we presented Trombone Shorty at The Opera House. It was a fun, high-energy show from beginning to end, and the sold-out crowd didn't stop dancing until well after the last note had been played. (Kudos go to the Heavyweights Brass Band for an excellent opening set.) Was it the most progressive jazz I've ever seen? No. And that's fine. In his review of the show for The Globe and Mail, I think J.D. Considine manages in a few paragraphs to summarize some of the issues festivals are grappling with daily. In the review, he lauds the band's playing, singing, dancing, and overall energy levels. But he also wonders if, musically, there could have been more on offer. And therein lies the challenge: should we at the festival primarily be booking music that is important and vital for the advancement of the art ("playing for critics", as J.D. calls it) or music that is fun, energetic, and sells tickets ("wowing the crowd"). I recognize that the answer is not exclusively one or the other, and acts do not fall exclusively in one camp of the other - the answer lies instead somewhere in between. It's the balance that's tricky. Read the full review here. If you were at the show, what did you think?

Sharing with the yutes
I have the pleasure this weekend of conducting a performance of the Durham Senior Honour Jazz Band in Ajax. The band is made up of 17 advanced high school musicians who have been recommended for the band by their music teachers. Our first rehearsal was a couple of weeks ago, and it was a blast - it's a great, diverse group of young jazz enthusiasts who are eating up the music, whether it's the swing, funk, Afro-Cuban or contemporary flavour of big band. It's an honour to be working with them, and a great reminder that the music is in great hands.

Finally, a Happy Thanksgiving to all of my friends, family and colleagues living south of the border.

Josh