BEACHES JAZZ FESTIVAL @ WOODBINE PARK

The Beaches Jazz Festival kicked of its 24th year by hosting a series of concerts held at Woodbine Park. For three days, the crowd has been treated to tantalizing grooves, swinging harmonies, and good vibes all around by the many bands that have contributed to the enjoyment of the festival.

I attended the first two days of the festival at Woodbine Park and I was amazed at the diversity of styles each band displayed. Virtually every style of music was covered when I attended, performed to its full delight and satisfaction for the audience.

Countermeasure – Main Stage, 6:30pm

Countermeasure opened up the festival performing a set of intricate vocal music that was fun, invigorating, and funky. The 14-piece ensemble covered everything from movie tunes (“Pure Imagination”) to Top 40 material (“Anything You Want”), pulling it off with verve and excitement from start to finish.  

Afroteque – Main Stage, 7:00pm

One of the most exciting bands of the night, Afroteque, performed Afro-fusion music at the highest order. From the start the audience was treated to the pulsating rhythms of African percussion and birdcalls from the flute – the final product resembling an African safari. Then the band segues into a Middle-Eastern inspired number that brings the audience to the Kasbah and back. The band even investigated Reggae and Funk through the set. What highlighted Afroteque’s set was the high energy dancing by Sani Abu, heighted by the exotic costumes worn throughout he set.

Jamaica To Toronto – Main Stage, 9:00pm

Jamaica To Toronto capped the night by treating the audience to the soulful and spicy sounds of Jamaican Reggae and Ska music. The female act (working under the name “Dionne”) came on stage to perform Reggae and Soul classics such as “Killing Me Softly,” “Many Rivers to Cross” and “Turn Lights Down Low,” before turning the stage over to Jay Douglas’ high-energy brand of Ska, Reggae and Soul through performing classics such as “Simmer Down.” It was a feel good party vibe throughout the Reggae set, resembling bands of days gone by and reflecting Jamaican history as they settled in Canada from the 1960’s onward.

Rob Christian – New Generation Stage, 1:15pm

At such a young age Rob Christian has become one of the mainstays of the Beaches Jazz Festival, wowing audiences with his abilities on flute, saxophone, keyboards – and now vocals. He is capable of doing all four at the highest level, displaying his talent with such classics as “Footprints,” “On Green Dolphin Street,” and on R&B hits such as Musiq Soulchild’s “Just Friends” and Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me A River.” The band was killing it on every level, especially guitarist Lucien Gray who resembled a young Jimi Hendrix at certain points in his solos, while the Cuban rhythm section took the grooves and shaped them into their very own.

Treasa Levasseur – Main Stage, 3:00pm

Singer/songwriter Treasa Levasseur brought her brand of soulful Blues-rock with a groovy band and killer lyrical content. The content went from downright autobiographical (“I’ll Sleep On It,” depicting one’s wish to be an artist much to the disapproval of parents), empowerment (“A Little Pride Please” and “Shine Your Light”) right to downhome Soul (“Feel Good Time” a tribute to the Neo-Soul stylings of Erykah Badu). The material and performances were carried with a certain level of sass and attitude, giving the overall set an emotional bang from start to finish.

Blackburn – Main Stage, 5:00pm

Blackburn, made up of brothers Brook, Dwayne, and Corey Blackburn, brought their high-energy Soul/R&B grooves to the forefront. The band members’ solos were tight and full of energy, and throughout the set they were playing with such freedom and excitement that it was like going to a church meeting. The Blackburn family had its roots in Canadian history as well, being among the first black families to settle in Ontario as emancipated slaves back in the 19th century. One of the exciting closing numbers was a Funk tribute to Rosa Parks, highlighting a sense of hope, excitement and liberation from Rosa Parks’ actions in the Civil Rights Movement.  

Brass Transit – Main Stage, 7:00pm

For my final band of the day, I was treated to the sounds of a Chicago cover band known as Brass Transit. The fusion of Jazz and Rock that made the Chicago sound popular has been replicated to perfection with this group. Covered were such hits as “Saturday in the Park” and “Does Anyone Know What Time It Is.” It was exciting to see the horn players interact with the audience by putting on a New Orleans-style processional to some of the numbers. All together it was a great and exciting set that does justice to the music and the great Soul/Rock feel of an iconic Rock group.

BEACHES JAZZ FESTIVAL @ KEW GARDENS

This years main stage acts at the Beaches Jazz Festival provided a variety of music that audiences could dig into throughout the day.   Ranging from straight-ahead Jazz, New Orleans Jazz, Folk and Blues, there was indeed something for everyone at the Saturday portion of the Beaches Jazz Festival.

Julia Cleveland Quintet, 11:00am

Drummer Julia Cleveland brought the Jazz element into the main stage of Kew Gardens by bringing her world-class quintet to perform a set of her catchy original compositions. Among the highlights was her original tune, “Tumble Stumble,” which starts off as a funky march beat segueing into a Bebop Swing number. Julia’s composition “Police State” captured the fervor and intensity of a riot, whereas “Gotta Go” was a straight-ahead number that featured a great trade off between Julia and saxman Kelly Jefferson. Rounding out the quintet was trumpet and flugelhorn master Mike Malone, pianist Adrean Farrugia and bassist Ross MacIntyre.

Robert Scott Trio, 12:30pm

Pianist and keyboardist Robert Scott and his trio of bassist Lee Hutchinson and drummer Great Bob Scott has taken the audience through an eclectic exploration of varied musical styles and forms that has influenced Scott’s playing. Scott opens off by giving a nod to Jimi Hendrix through his intense take on “Hey Joe,” starting out peaceful then building up into a loud bang accentuated by the drums and bass line. The rest of the repertoire ranged from Vince Guaraldi’s funky composition “Little Birdie,” Ragtime via Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag,” Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” (accentuated by an exciting, acrobatic solo by Great Bob Scott), and into the Gospel-infused optimism of “Jerusalem.” All three members communicated effectively and brought the idea of a Power Trio into new and exciting heights.

Heavyweights Brass Band, 2:00pm

Probably the most exciting band to come out of Toronto in recent memory, The Heavyweights Brass Band features five young musicians bringing their own brand of New Orleans Jazz that is funky, contemporary, and just plain groovy fun. They even score high points by taking a Pop repertoire and making it their very own, ranging from Michael Jackson (“Beat It”), Bill Withers (“Just The Two Of Us”), Erykah Badu (“Telephone”) right to Justin Bieber (“Baby”). Another highlight of their high-energy set is that they brought in special guest tap dancer Carlos Bustamente from YTV’s “The Zone” to tap dance on the Heavyweights’ theme song “Heavyweight Don’t Bring Me Down.” Every time I see this band it makes me want to dance and have a good rocking time, and this performance at the Beaches Jazz Festival was no exception. Rounding out the band is trombonist Chris Butcher, saxophonist Paul Metcalfe, trumpeter Jon Challoner, sousaphonist Rob Teehan and drummer Lowell Whitty.

Liona Boyd And Michael Savona, 3:30pm

Popular Folk guitarist and vocalist Liona Boyd teams up with special guest artist Michael Savona to provide an ambient set of music that is peaceful, calm, and soothing to the soul. Liona’s compositions through her set range from biographical (“Emily Carr” about the famed artist), poetic (“Au Guitar”), right down to Canadian patriotism (“Canadian Summer Dreams” and “Canada, My Canada”). Liona’s voice throughout was heavenly and angelic, while Michael Savona’s voice complemented well with the melodies and the guitar playing was impeccable and heavenly throughout. A strong set from an iconic artist.

Sharie Williams Band, 5:00pm

The mainstage events on Saturday ended with a bang through the Gospel-tinged R&B of singer Sharie Williams. Sharie Williams comes from a tradition of R&B that goes from the convincing Soul of Mavis Staples to the hard rocking edge of Tina Turner. Williams got things off to a rocking start with her opening number “Hard Driving Woman,” which resembled the exhilaration of life in the fast lane of a highway. The power ballad “Can’t Nobody Do Me Like You Do” had a high surge of Soul, coupled with a killer guitar solo by guitarist Phil Potts. “Jealousy” was downhome Blues at its grittiest and finest, whereas tunes such as “I Need More Money” and “I’m Here To Stay” got the crowd on its feet, stomping away to a groovy beat. For me, the highlight would be Williams’ Gospel-themed take on “Out of The Darkness,” a song of hope and redemption after coming out of a dark period in one’s life. It was also highlighted by her testimonial on how she came out on top of drug addiction, seeking spiritual help to overcome such struggles. Rounding out the band is bassist Marco Franco and drummer Brian Nellems.

Overall, the acts at this year’s Beaches Jazz Festival showcase the ultimate goal of what any festival strives to do: provide something for everyone. Whether your taste be Jazz, Blues, Funk, Soul, or Reggae, your needs were covered. These acts surely did not disappoint, and I am looking forward to what lies ahead for the 25th anniversary edition of the Beaches Jazz Festival in 2013.  

– Conrad Gayle

Covering an event like Edgefest is like running a marathon. You try to pace yourself knowing how much still lies ahead, but you’ll still be exhausted before it’s over. Luckily, this year’s festival was buoyed by a varied lineup, a hospitable crowd, and near perfect weather. Observing the crowd throughout the day, factions in taste became obvious. The Death From Above 1979 hipsters were easy to spot from the Sheepdog Stoners, so when someone asked me during DFA’s set if they were The Sheepdogs, it became clear that for some Edgefest itself is the draw. People come because they know it’s a spirited event, an oasis of liberation in a notoriously self-conscious city.  Some will find new bands to love, and some just want to dance on plastic cups.

The Pack A.D. – Main Stage, 12:40

U.S.S. – Main Stage, 1:30

The Dirty Heads – Main Stage, 2:20

The Darcys – Side Stage, 2:20

Young The Giant – Main Stage, 3:10

This was one of the performances I was most curious about.  Their singles, “My Body” and “Cough Syrup,” are undeniably infectious, showcasing a mature sense of dynamics, and a gift for melody. My expectations were easily surpassed. The band twists and turns like a single being with hypnotic singer Sameer Gadhia as its head. Their songs are channeled, not performed, absorbing the audience, feeding on its power, and spit it back in uncontainable eruptions. The only thing holding them back was that they saved those two singles for the last two songs, leaving some casual listeners realizing they’d missed a great show while they were filling water bottles and draining bladders.

The Sheepdogs – Main Stage, 4:10

Due to interview scheduling, I missed the first 20 minutes of The Sheepdogs set, although, to be honest, it didn’t bother me. From what I did see, they sounded just like their record and for a polarizing band, take that as you see fit. The most striking thing to me was watching them from the side of the stage, I felt like Patrick Fugit in Almost Famous (2000). For all I could see and hear, it was 1974. Ewan Currie sounds just as much like Burton Cummings live, and it is a great voice. But for me the songs are just too obvious an homage. Like an old dog, the songs are comfortably familiar and loyal to a fault, but eventually tire, and flatten out under their own weight, and can no longer be bothered to chase a rabbit down a hole.

Hacienda – Side Stage, 4:45

Silversun Pickups – Main Stage, 5:40

Again I missed the first few songs due to my interview schedule, but since they were playing a long set, I got to see quite a bit of Silversun Pickups. They’re a band that can be simultaneously playful, energetic and frustrating. Much like their best known song, “Lazy Eye,” the tempos and energy consistently string you along like your tenth grade girlfriend. Brian Auber and Nikki Monninger played coy games, constantly referring to themselves as “Sex Bob-omb,” delighting their fans with the Scott Pilgrim reference, but never coming close to the release of that fictitious band. Worse yet, they seemed to relish in our frustration. On a few occasions, drummer Chris Guanlao pushed the band further, leaving you feeling like you might get to second base. Unfortunately, by that time the whole exercise seemed so tantric that any payoff was insufficient for the time spent.

Library Voices – Side Stage, 5:55

Death From Above 1979 – Main Stage, 7:10

A source of exhilaration for some and confusion for others, DFA1979 were clearly the reason a large chunk of the crowd were there. Playing what appeared to be a one-off show as a victory lap, and to help cement the musical legacy of suburban Toronto, (USS, DFA1979, Billy Talent all on the main stage), they certainly looked the part of victors. Jesse prowled the periphery of his amp-cave feeding off the volume like a cougar protecting a carcass. Sebastien’s voice strained a little early in the set but quickly warmed, regaining its seductive raunch. Like a perfect soundtrack for a post-apocalyptic brothel, it was sweaty, dirty, and left your heart rattling the bars of its rib cage.

Billy Talent

Billy Talent are quickly becoming the Thriller (1982) of Canadian music. Everyone knows it, many have bought it, but few admit it. When they first came out, I rooted for them. What wasn’t to like? They were a scrappy post-hardcore band that grabbed riffs from At The Drive-In, and their name from Hardcore Logo (1996). But two stiflingly overproduced albums have left many of their early fans disappointed as they became more of a mainstream Rock band. Thankfully many of the things that annoyed me on their albums were remedied in a live situation. Guitars were more ragged, the rhythm section more propulsive, and Ben Kowalewicz’s voice found an extra phlegm-shaking gear, spelling his trademark nasal shriek. In the audience, people sang and danced with every word, reveling in the bands power as a live unit. Highlights included “Surrender” which was dedicated to fallen Edge-booster Martin Streek, the early single “Try Honesty,” and encore-closer “Red Flag.” It was refreshing to see so many people singing along and (god forbid) more dancing than I’d seen at a Toronto concert in years. Seeing the enthusiasm they inspired in the crowd, one can only hope they can find a way to capture their live power on album, and quit polishing away their charm.

– Jeff Vasey

Picture this: 160 bands on multiple stages playing throughout the day; thousands of diehard music fans and a couple thousand more heavy drinkers. The ground soaked with a mixture of saliva, beer and the perspiration of love – the air clouded with all kinds of smoke and expelled breathes as lyrics are screamed out and melodies shake windows. Let me tell you the story of the 17th annual S.C.E.N.E Fest. Trust me, it won’t be pretty.

Die Mannequin @ Market Square (Pabst Blue Ribbon Stage), 2:30PM

Hair black as ebony, lips red as rose, and garter tights badass as ever. As one of the earlier bands to play, Die Mannequin sure did start of the day with some serious rocking out. Caroline Kawa, aka Cara Failure, has some serious rasp and some serious stage presence. Unfortunately, her band also brought disappointment. The start of the set shocked me as the sound was just not up to par; nor was the crowd. Die Mannequin is, from what I understand, a pretty widespread and celebrated band – I guess no one attending S.C.E.N.E was informed of this. Although they did have a strange timeslot, it’s hard to have such a stagnant audience. The only people remotely excited were the handful of older people hustled in the beer tent, who whipped out a few dance moves and lyrics.

I do have to hand it to the band though; regardless of what was going on around them they had an incredible performance. Cara never stopped moving and might have gone a little overboard when jumping into the crowd. Anyone could see that her heart is completely devoted to Rock ‘n’ Roll. It was really quite sad that the crowd wasn’t in it with her.

Die Mannequin really do bring something different to the music world and they have already been recognized on various platforms. So even though S.C.E.N.E was a letdown for the band, they’ve toured with the likes of Marilyn Manson – so maybe it doesn’t matter. The one thought that was left in my head as I headed for lunch however, was that there should be a ban on anyone covering Michael Jackson songs.

Said the Whale @ Market Square (Pabst Blue Ribbon Stage), 5:10PM

After being slightly disappointed earlier on, I regrouped and met up with some friends and reorganized the day’s schedule. Up next was a band that exploded this year both on my playlists and on almost every other music outlet I’ve come across. From the minute the first note was played I also knew that Said the Whale would explode at S.C.E.N.E Fest as well. The small crowd seemed hypnotized by the five people that had utter control of the stage. If you have heard Said the Whale before, you do not need me to tell you that they are very talented song writers, but what can only be seen live, is how in tune with each other and their instruments they really are. All of them were doing little dances, interacting with each other and so clearly in love with what they were doing. It was hard to critique or see the bad side of their performance because they just permitted this aura of a summer jam. Everyone was dancing and having fun – it felt as though this captured what festivals are really about.

Bare Bones @ The Chilli Pepper (Downstairs), 5:40PM

After making a pit-stop to grab a cold beverage and some nacho chips, I head down the corner and around the street to see a band that I was made to promise I’d go and see. A compilation of The Holly Springs Disaster, Dead and Divine, Straight Reads the Line and a few other talent members, Bare Bones on paper seems a little too good to be true. Add the fact that they are some of the nicest guys you will ever meet, and personal acquaintances of mine, I was hard pressed not to enjoy the set. Placed below the winding stairs at the Chilli Pepper bar, pushed against the back wall in this otherwise eating area, the band vibrated the walls. Although a heavier sound than I like, the laid back attitude and involvement of the crowd made me appreciate it more. There was little room to move around, but still my friends and I dance around and laugh as a small mosh pit grew and the people eating had to stop and rock out. Half way through the set a thought popped into my head – “Even in the smallest places, music breathes.”

Crysatlyne @ L3 (Upstairs), 6:20PM

After rushing from one band to the next I thought I knew what it meant to be hot, but enter into downtown St. Catherines’ infamous L3 and sweat becomes me. Despite the feeling of an indoor sauna, there was still a good turn out to see the petite figure placed centre stage. With a voice similar to that of Hayley Williams (Paramore’s fronting bombshell) Crystalyne seemed to have a good grip on the audience; however after a closer listen they fell a little short. Although the band were able to bust out some catchy as hell tunes, if you are going to go the route of upbeat Pop-rock you better bring something different. Face it, you will never be genre’s first or the last, so be memorable.

There is no denying that this band brought it – with their lead signer’s angelic voice (and ability to hit those high notes some can only dream of), and fact that, yes, this band could potentially be heard on the radio in the near future. I may have even swayed and danced a bit. But my issue is that there is just no ‘wow factor’. Marissa – the angelic girl – becomes more repetitive the more you listen and you come to realize that her fallback is the high note. Her hand flocks to her hair every three seconds which distracts from the performance and you end up praying that she’ll leave the long locks alone. The other bandmates dressed the part, but seemed less enthused. After listening to a few of their more popular songs, like “Weapon,” the heat had definitely got to me. Cyrstalyne has just released their debut EP Navigate, so all I could do as I moved on to the next band is wish them the best of luck and hope they will continue to improve throughout their career – if they get that far.

Dead and Divine @ Market Square (Jagermeister Stage), 7:10PM

Stopping to rehydrate after the sauna and seemingly mile-long walk, I head outside and follow the crowd back to Market Square. I feel like I’m home when the first song fills up the sky with familiar noise. One of the most loved metal bands in my home town are now on stage, and man does the crowd ever love Dead and Divine. After touring around the world and releasing two EPs and three full length albums, the band announced they were splitting up and played their last hometown show in Burlington this past May. In other words, everyone was really excited when they decided to play S.C.E.N.E one last time, and this showed as the band pulled in the largest crowd of the day. Playing all the hits, from almost every album, the audience went wild. Singing along myself, I knew the feeling that this band produced far too well. Arms swinging, and sweat dripping, even the security at the front of the stage bobbed their heads and smiled in enjoyment. Not only does the band’s frontman Matt Tobin have an incredibly magnetic stage presence, but the band just has no reservations about giving it all they’ve got.

illScarlett @ Market Square (Pabst Blue Ribbon Stage), 7:50PM

As Dead and Divine take a bow the crowd slowly turns and pushes their way to the next stage, where the ever-cool illScarlett is setting up. Starting off with one of their most popular tunes, “Nothing Special,” and playing to about half the crowd as the previous band, I wondered if they were losing their spark. However, as the hundreds of people scream out every known lyric towards the calm persona Alex Norman and the rest of the band, I understand that they’ve still got it. Nobody really does stoner songs about love quite like illScarlett and their funky and almost beachy vibe really translated well onto a live stage. Being one of my favourite bands throughout high school I might be slightly biased, but the audience reaction solidified the fact that I’m not the only one who thoroughly enjoys every note they play. Unfortunately, I had arranged a meeting just after 8:00 so I had to exit early. As I made my way through downtown St.Catharines the streets seemed alive as the sun pushed through the clouds. Nearing my meeting spot, I realized the street was empty. As the sun warmed my entire body I could still hear illScarlett amplified throughout the city. They started to play “NTF” (one their best songs in my opinion), so I closed my eyes, lifted my head to the sky and twirled around, remembering why I love music so much.

Monster Truck @ Market Square (Jagermeister Stage), 8:30PM

When I was done with the silly moment to myself, I concluded my meeting and headed back to the stage where the hair said it all. The 30-something guys on the stage command the attention of all with their crazy long hair and ever so manly beards. By combining good old Rock ‘n’ Roll with a Country vibe, Monster Truck have created a new sound that is hard to resist. Now being played on Toronto’s The Edge, the band has started to be recognized for their unbelievably catchy tunes. Generally appealing to an older crowd, but slowly attracting the young and hip, these guys rock the fuck out of S.C.E.N.E. Playing their instruments with passion and precision the crowd can’t help but bounce, tap and shake. My friend is even compelled to jump up and trust the audience with her Truck loving body. When they play the widely known “Seven Sea Blues” everyone is suddenly in sync, loving every second. Although their new EP sounds great, and I love hearing them on the radio, they are definitely a band that is meant to be seen live.

Lambs Become Lions @ Mikado Café (Upstairs), 11:15PM

Amidst the downpour of pelting rain and illuminating lighting, I had found where the S.C.E.N.E. crowd had flocked. In the small room, made even smaller by the mounds of transcended people, is Lambs Become Lions. In all honesty, I had never heard of the musical styling of these so called Lambs; nor had I chosen to go to their set, in fact I was chorused by a friend and silently pushed through the front door. However, once inside I felt as though I had stepped into a dream sequence where beautiful music had taken over. I don’t believe that the music was revolutionary, or that the melodies were flawless and lyrics moving; instead I believe that these people are very good at playing simple yet addicting tunes and that they have an uncanny way of capturing their audience and giving them a perma-smile. Their almost entirely acoustic sound allows for that intimate feeling; as if the creamy voice of frontman Eric Conlon was belting out just for me. The venue also had a hand in creating this perfect atmosphere. With exposed brick, dark walls and a tiny stage, you felt cozy. Even though sweaty people surrounded and locked me in place, the band benefited because I understood how much other people enjoyed them. As I stood in the dimly lit café I believed that this could be the best part of S.C.E.N.E so far, and I would have been positive that it was if only for the lion. What I mean by that is, apparently the bands signature move is to have a guy swoon with the crowd dressed as a lion; which I get, I guess it could have been funny except human sized lions do not mix well with anxiety prone people. Had the lion not caught my attention, I would have liked to stay the entire night and listened with eager ears to my newly found favourite. 

KO @ Barracuda Pretty (Upstairs), 11:55PM

Now nearing midnight, and the rain letting up, there was no sober adult in sight. The entire room was flooded in black and the only source of light was a few red and white stage lights highlighting the band – if you can call it that. KO, with true style, has the audience enamoured and singing along as soon as he opens his mouth. Joint just a blazing, KO peels off his shirt and turns on the most swag I have ever seen a white guy possess. Without being in your face or cliché, KO is able to sing/rap some of his most popular hits such as “Kurt Kobain,” “Capable,” and “Let’s Blaze” in the most chill way. Although only a handful of people come to watch, you can tell that KO has some dedicated and admiring fans. Everyone in the room sways and raises their glass with every rhythm he produces; and as he passes along the joint to his band member, you can tell by his smile that he just loves what he does. I may be biased as he is one of my favourite artists to listen to, but it is just hard to deny the power his music has. KO is in no way technically amazing as he has limited range and his melodies are not overly complicated. But that is not what KO is about, his lyrics are either really deep and catchy or they come straight from the stoners handbook. He’s a white boy, born in Toronto and in love with Jamaica – you really can’t expect anything less than good tunes and a hazy time.

@ St. Catherines, 1:00AM

The night slowly comes to an end as the last band plays and the last shots are taken. Back at my apartment, now filled with everyone and their brother, people talk about this year’s S.C.E.N.E. Fest. Even though there are a lot of disappointments, no one can say they didn’t enjoy themselves. This musical festival isn’t about being perfect. It’s not pretty and a lot of people probably won’t even remember it. It’s a day filled with music and people of all kinds, and it is one of the only festivals where you will wake up the next day with various business cards and multiple different numbers, knowing that you bonded with people over one of the world’s most important aspects of life – music.

-Alexis MacNeil