Coastal Jazz: The Great Classical Joint Reunion
The Classical Joint rhythm section at the reunion
It was a sold-out show. The Ironworks Studios at 235 Alexander Street was packed and jumping with jazz fans celebrating a long-awaited reunion of performers from the fabled Classical Joint, an intimate little cafe in Gastown popular as a jazz venue from the late ’70′s to 1990. Any jazz lover who has visited Vancouver in the past would remember this funky restaurant where some of the best of today’s local jazz stars got their start. The event kicked off the start of the Coastal Jazz Fall concert season.
The event took two years in the creation, and was organized by popular jazz vocalist, the lovely Kate Hammett-Vaughan and her two beautiful co-hosts, singer Colleen Savage and artist Mariken van Nimwegen whose painting of the Joint truly captured the spirit of the place. An enthusiastic crowd of jazz fans spent a memorable evening listening to the music of Vancouver’s jazz greats including Gavin Walker, Sal Ferreras, Michael Dunn, Jennifet Scott, Dick Smith and many others, backed by a rhythm section of Classical Joint All-stars including the great pianist Chris Sigerson, bassist Ken Lister, guitarist Michael Guild and drummer Craig Scott.
Mariken van Nimiwergen presents Andreas Nothiger with a painting
The evening was a special tribute to the legendary Classical Joint and it’s longtime proprietor Andreas Nothiger. For over twenty years, “The Joint” was a popular venue in Gastown and launched many a jazz musician’s career.
Saxophonist Gavin Walker related anecdotes of the years he spent playing at The Joint, and Andreas Nothiger added his amusing stories of behind-the-scenes events that had taken place at the popular club.
There were many familiar faces in the audience, and reunions of friends. Lots of “Joint” memorabilia and a video show of past jazz sessions were provided along with the legendary ‘dark coffees’ that used to be served ‘under the table’ at the Classical Joint, which had no liquor license. It was definitely a night to remember!
In addition to this special treat for local jazz fans, the Coastal Jazz Society, producers of the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, is bringing a number of other musical events to Vancouver as part of the Fall concert sason.
The Ironworks is just one of several venues in Vancouver where events will be held through to December 11, celebrating the Coastal Jazz Fall Concert Series. It’s a heritage building used as a multi-purpose facility for the artistic community of Vancouver, providing a venue for film, television, art and performance works.
Some of the up-and-coming events presented by Coastal Jazz include
- “Mural”, an outstanding concert of improvised music led by Oslo-based guitarist/composer Kim Myhr at the Western Front (map), Sunday Oct 17, 8 pm
- Orkestra Futura: Meeting of the Minds, an exciting new project of electronics and acoustic instruments, at the Western Front, Oct.15, 8 pm
- Darius Jones Trio, from New York City at the Ironworks (map), Oct 22, 8 pm
- The Gretchen Parlato Band, an extraordinary acclaimed jazz vocalist at SFU Woodward’s (map) Oct. 23, 8 pm
- The Sacred Music of Duke Ellington featuring Dee Daniels, Marcus Mosely, Fred Stride Orchestra, the Sacred Music Gospel Choir and tap Dancer Alex Dugdale at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church (map). Nov. 19, 8 pm
- Benjamin Herman Quartet plays Misha Mengelberg, at the Western Front, Nov. 20, 8 pm
Tickets for the various performance can be purchased online. For updated weekly news with behind the scenes info and programming see the Coast Jazz blog.
You can also enjoy the Cross Border Jazz series with musicians on tour from the States, performing at the Cellar Restaurant, 3600 W. Broadway Street in addition to these main events. For performance dates and tickets contact the Cellar Restaurant and Jazz Club (map)
Photo credits: W. Ruth Kozak
