Written by I seem to be making a habit of covering jazz festivals on islands, from St Lucia, Nevis, St Kitts and Tobago in the Caribbean to Mallorca and Malta in the Mediterranean and just recently I came across another interesting festival on the archipelago of the Canary Islands. The 2024 Canary Island International Jazz Festival, “Canarias Jazz Y Mas” takes place in the summer month of July across town squares and theatres spread over its eight inhabited islands, with Tenerife and Gran Canaria among the most prominent locations.
TUESDAY JULY 23rd
Tuesday night’s concert was held in the Teatro Leile, one of the 10 most beautiful theatres in Spain, located in the colonial city of San Christobal de la Laguna, the former capital of Tenerife and just a short stroll from our home for the night, the charming Hotel La Laguna Nivaria, a renovated 16th Century manor house. There, the much-lauded American saxophonist Chris Potter together with pianist Brad Mehldau, described by the New York Times as, “the most influential jazz pianist of the past 20 years…”, multi-award-winning bassist John Patitucci and the modernist drummer, Jonathan Blake take to the stage to appreciative applause from the sell-out audience.
Potter is touring his recent album “Eagles Point” which provides much of the material for his current festival shows. Among the numbers that impressed the ethereal ‘Dream Of Home’ shimmers to life with some minimalist piano chords from Mehldau and the ballad, ‘Aria For Anna’, a number the saxophonist wrote for his daughter provides enjoyable interplay between Patitucci and Mehldau. ‘Malaga Moon’ is an able showcase of Potter’s flawless phrasing and rich tone with Mehldau’s playing sometimes evoking memories of the great Bill Evans.
With the bandleader moving to the side to allow his musicians more soloing space, we enjoy intricate bass lines from Patitucci and further fine improvisational probing from Brad Mehldau while Jonathan Blake’s subtle cymbal swirls, swinging brush work and percussive tom-tom and snare drum patterns shows off his flamboyant skills to good effect. Most definitely a high spot of the evening and it is good to know that the (almost) 5-minute drum solo is still alive and well!
Afterwards we decant to the atmospheric Bodegon Tocuyo in the old town to nibble on Tapas and sample local wines from the barrel as we reflect on the concert. The consensus seems to be that whilst appreciating the high standard of the musicianship the set was a tad predicable. For myself I thought it a shame that Potter had not thrown in a few numbers from his extensive back catalogue to inject a little more variety into the show.
WEDNESDAY JULY 24th
Next day we drive to the capital, the port city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, for the concert at the Teatro Guimera, the oldest theatre in the Canary Islands dating back to 1845. I am looking forward to hearing the singer Cecile McLorin Salvant whom I have not seen live before, wondering if all I have heard about her stage persona is true. I soon found out I am not about to be disappointed.
The American born vocalist with a strong French pedigree is a true original, not only singing in English, French and Spanish but also often restructuring and re-interpreting songs in mid show as well as deciding on the night’s repertoire depending on how she feels in the moment ….no fixed set list for Cecile!
Setting the tone of what is to come, McLorin Salvant appears on stage in a multi-coloured dress along with pianist Sullivan Fortner, bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Kyle Poole. Shades of Sarah Vaughan show in her flawless timing and a marked gospel and blues influence on her singing also draws on the dramatics of artists such as Billie Holiday and Nina Simone, Cecile’s vocals at once delicate and then soaringly expressive on Bert William’s ‘Nobody, a perfect example. Her special take on numbers by artists such as Gregory Porter and Diana Reeves, is especially apparent in a swinging, funky interpretation of the latter’s “I’m All Smiles”.\
Other highlights included Chilean folk singer Violata Parra’s poignant “Gracias a la Vida” which Cecile sang in Spanish much to the delight of those watching following some hard work from pianist Sullivan Fortner navigating new harmonies for the song and Willie Dixon’s much covered blues classic, “Spoonful” took on a life of its own in Cecile’s a capella version, the audience assisting in handclaps to echo the kick drum beats of another fine percussionist, Kyle Poole.
The following day we take a short one hour forty-minute ferry journey over to the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to enjoy the remainder of the concerts marking the end of this year’s jazz festival. These are taking place at Plaza Santa Ana, next to the Cathedral with its neo-classical façade in the historic UNESCO World Heritage area of Vegueta, a cool, artistic neighbourhood with an abundance of welcoming bars and restaurants.
THURSDAY, JULY 25th
On the Thursday night the crowd begins to gather in front of the stage in expectation of the first concert of the evening featuring the Latin American inspired Perinke Big Band with their show ‘Mango Fever’. Along with several guest vocalists the audience is soon swaying to the exotic Mambo, Rumba and Salsa rhythms of Cuba together with a couple of numbers in homage to the great Tito Puente.
The second show features Yoruba singer and guitarist Adedeji, the new Afro-funk phenomenon from Lagos Nigeria with his nine-piece band whose exuberant African Highlife influences combine with jazz-funk and soul to create a show that is a joy to watch, listen and dance to. Snappy horns provide a punchy backdrop to the driving rhythms whilst two gold sequined backing vocalists provide a glittering chorus backdrop for Adedeji’s funky guitar playing and powerful vocals to delight the highly responsive crowd.
Friday morning and there is much to explore in Las Palmas de Canarias, a favourite holiday destination for the Spanish. Our hotel, the landmark AC Hotel Gran Canaria, is within walking distance to the sweeping promenade and one of the best urban beaches in Europe, the Playa de las Canteras.
Further afield there is also plenty to see; banana and sugar cane plantations, the imposing gothic Cathedral in Arucas, picturesque villages and towns and family run restaurants such as the Casa Romantica in the sub-tropical Agaete Valley where they grow their own ingredients as well as producing their own coffee and wine. With a mouth-watering selection of delicious dishes on the menu their talented head chef Aridani Alonso will soon to be reaching for the stars, a Michelin star no doubt – a treat for both gourmets and gourmands alike!
FRIDAY, JULY 26th
But there is another double bill to enjoy over at the Plaza Santa Ana, the first featuring the celebrated American trumpeter Theo Kroker and his quartet. Kroker is known as a storyteller who speaks through his trumpet whilst embracing genres such as hip hop, swing and African percussion. Tonight’s story finds the band in multi-media mood as they play a largely electronic set which seems to be more club orientated than suited to an outdoor space with overdubs of voices, sample loops and pulsating psychedelic-like graphics on the screen behind the stage. Although keyboardist Mike King’s synth touches are a little heavy at times the concert still showcases Kroker’s fine, highly lyrical trumpet playing, evoking memories of the early Miles Davis.
Next on stage was the award-winning Sebian singer and guitarist Ana Popovic and her five-piece band who bring us back to a dance groove once more. Popovic is a fine guitarist, veering more to contemporary blues rock than pure blues but nevertheless with her funky Stax inspired horns and tight rhythm section she certainly knows how to put some soul into the blues. Her enthusiastic stage patter is a little new age and patronising at times, but Popovic has gone through a tough period recently and she more than makes up for it by the energy of her show highlighted by some rocking guitar riffs and soul-edged vocals that get the crowd dancing until the end.
SATURDAY, JULY 27th
Saturday evening sees the traditional end to the festival with New York guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg and his quartet whose gently swirling rhythms provide a perfect backdrop for Jonathan’s melodically expressive guitar chords which fall like so many fluttering musical leaves….. what technique! They are followed by the Canarian pianist and composer Polo Orti debuting his new project bringing together an international group of young, talented musicians including the Galician drummer, Naima Acuna, Hungarian bassist Samuel Keri and Venezuelan trumpeter Chipi Chacon. Orti’s eclectic ‘New Project’ is a perfect mix of original compositions, jazz-fusion, Latin rhythms and funky Electro Jazz beats to finish the festival in high style.
Founder and festival director Miguel Ramirez is always keeping an eye on what is happening on the international scene as well as looking to discover new talents and giving visibility for local musicians to be able build a good program each year. With twenty-eight concerts in different locations across all eight islands of the archipelago this year, Miguel acknowledges that with jazz and creative music always evolving, choosing the right artists for each space is very important and already he has started to prepare his ever-growing wish list for next year’s festival.
It was great to be back in island vibe again and to discover ‘Canarias Jazz Y Mas’, now in its 33rd year, with its interesting diversity of genres, from straight ahead jazz to Latin and Afro Beats to jazz-fusion, blues and more and to experience the welcoming environments of two very special places, Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
More Information on the Canarias Jazz Y Mas Jazz Festival can be found here on their website.
Last modified: September 5, 2024
