Saturday, June 30 Bios CONTINUED FROM PAGE 49
that, though embraced by the jam scene, keeps it epic and to the point. (FD) mule.net
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50 CITY • JAZZ FESTIVAL GUIDE 2012
Hakon Kornstad [ JAZZ ] The harmonies are beautiful, and so are the percussive bass notes that support the imaginative saxophone solos by Hakon Kornstad. It’s all the more remarkable when you consider that Kornstad is alone on the stage. Through an incredible expansion of the instrument’s vocabulary, he is creating the harmonies and playing the bass line on his sax while soloing. Born in Oslo, Norway, Kornstad studied sax at Trondheim Jazz Conservatory. But, judging from his truly distinctive technique, he’s spent countless hours reinventing his instrument. (RN) kornstad.com Jam Session with the Bob Sneider Trio See listing for Friday, June 22. Joanne Brackeen [ JAZZ ] Born in California, pianist Joanne Brackeen was precocious enough to play with musicians like Charlie Haden, Charles Lloyd, Bobby Hutcherson, and Dexter Gordon while still in her teens. When she moved to New York in her 20s, she added greats like Sonny Stitt, Woody Shaw, Lee Konitz, and George Benson to the list. Brackeen, who has the distinction of being the first and only female member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, also did significant stints in the bands of Joe Henderson and Stan Getz. Since the mid1970’s she has released two-dozen albums as a leader, showcasing her wonderfully lyrical style. (RN) joannebrackeenjazz.com Locarno [ LATIN ] Born in Mexico City, Locarno leader Tom Landa moved to Ontario, Canada, as a teenager and listened to American and Canadian pop music. But, when he heard a Mexican song on a Los Lobos album, his past came rushing back. Since then Landa has explored the music of his Mexican roots, but he’s spiced it up by adding Cuban songs, folk, pop, funk, and salsa into the mix. In Locarno, Landa’s gritty vocals are supported by guitars, bass, and drums, embellished by violin, and punctuated by trumpet and trombone. The result is an irresistible melting pot combining
the best of many wonderful worlds. (RN) locarnomusic.com Mario Romano Quartet feat. Pat LaBarbera [ JAZZ ] In the 1970’s Mario Romano was an excellent young pianist on the Toronto jazz scene. After a 36-year detour, spent as one of Canada’s major realestate developers, Romano has returned to his first love, music. He’s playing once again with tenor saxophonist Pat LaBarbera, who joined the Buddy Rich Band fresh out of Berklee College of Music. Influenced by the style of John Coltrane, LaBarbera went on to tour and record extensively with Coltrane’s drummer, Elvin Jones. More recently LaBarbera has been an influential figure, as an educator and player, on the Toronto jazz scene. (RN) marioromano.ca, facebook.com/pages/Pat-LaBarbera Mederic Collignon [ AVANT-GARDE ] It’s safe to say that you have not seen or heard anyone quite like Mederic Collignon. When he sings, he uses parts of the voice that you didn’t know existed — squeals, shrieks, and percussive noises that somehow make perfect musical sense. But that’s only half of it. In the middle of a song, he will pick up his tiny pocket trumpet and proceed to prove himself a virtuoso on this most curious of instruments. Did I mention repertoire? Collignon transforms it all, from jazz to King Crimson. Look out avantgarde; this guy will make you feel down right old fashioned. (RN) myspace.com/medericollignofficial Raul Midon [ JAZZ/FLAMENCO/POP ] New York City singer-songwriter Raul Midon stands alone, wringing funk out of his acoustic guitar with a deft attack of slaps, string pops, harmonics, and blows to its wooden body. Atop the froth of this polyrhythmic spree floats a warm voice of multi-dimensional soul. And then of course there’s his imaginary horn. Through just his pursed lips, Midon creates tones that sound exactly — exactly — like a trumpet. You could save yourself some time and simply file the man under jazz, but Midon’s multigenre, multicultural dalliances make him a little more global. He makes room for jazz,