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The 30th Anniversary of the MONTREAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
 Experience Quebec's Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM), also called the Jazz Fest, the largest jazz festival in the world.
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FEATURE BOOK
‘Red, White and Drunk All Over–a Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass'
By Natalie MacLean
Natalie MacLean’s award winning book ‘Red, White and Drunk All Over’ is an informative, often hilarious trip through wine cellars and vineyards around the globe.Read more |
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42nd Quebec City Summer Festival Features A-List Line-Up
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Posted by: Publisheron Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 05:51 PM |
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By Kris King
 The 42nd Quebec City Summer Festival began with a video interview with Thomas Lauderdale, founder, artistic director, pianist and primary songwriter for Pink Martini behind the massive festival stage on the Plains of Abraham. Lauderdale, a funny and engaging man talked about the early days of playing for political and environmental causes as a student studying history and literature at Harvard.
Singer China Forbes was also a student at Harvard, although neither of them were studying music, their late-night musical get-togethers eventually evolved, and in 1994 Pink Martini was formed. Beginning with four members, over the years it grew to twelve members that have since performed with symphonies around world. They have performed at the Hollywood Bowl, the Kennedy Centre and opening party for the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
 Being back in one of my favourite North American cities during mid-summer allows one to stroll the cobblestone streets inside the fortification walls to the sounds of street performers and happy tourists mining their way through the numerous outdoor cafe and restaurant patios. Our 20th floor hotel room at the Hilton has fantastic views of the Parliament Building and the Plains of Abraham and the mighty St. Lawrence River. I have toured the Plains of Abraham on previous trips but the large scope of this beautiful park was realized with the view from above.
A visit to the famed jazz club Largo Resto to meet and interview owner Gino Ste-Marie and that night’s performers for the Summer Festival, Kevin Dean, Janis Steprons and Andre White was an afternoon delight. Ste-Marie is also the president and founder of the Quebec City Jazz Festival that will be held in late September and features a great line-up of jazz artists, including pianist McCoy Tyner. There will be more information on the festival on eJazz Travel soon as well as interview footage on eJazzTV.
 The warm summer night was perfect for the opening of the festival. With numerous stages set-up, we began with Pink Martini and their joyful world music before heading over to the Molson Stage for guitar rock-god Jeff Beck. We were able to catch a few songs at the end of Quebec guitarist Steve Hill’s set. Hill revved up the crowd with ‘rock-god’ stage antics that allowed for great rock-god photos.
At 65 Beck is calm and confident and has nothing to prove, he emerged on-stage as he was in interview, a humble man with a desire to play and share the stage and the limelight by showcasing a very talented young female bassist. Beck's set was the complete opposit of Hill, his melodic syle and sensitivity didn't need the theatrics to engage the vast audience. This was musical history on-stage, a dignified man with a shy smile who was appreciative of his adoring crowd.
 With so much music to catch in one night we were off to the world beat stage by way of a long evening stroll through Old Quebec City. Once we arrived at the world beat stage we caught the end of the last song of the fabulous Kasai All-Stars from the Republic of Congo. This exciting group would perform again on Saturday.
Day 2, Friday night brought us back to the Plains of Abraham for sets by Quebec singer Claire Pelletier who has an amazing voice and was the perfect opening for Loreena McKennitt.
 Again blessed with a perfect summer evening the crowds were huge, filling the hills and valleys, the top of the fortification walls and beyond. McKennitt took the stage in what might be described as a sexier version of a Victorian outfit, ankle-length black silk skirt with deep purple strapless bodice under a long-sleeved chiffon covering. Her long blond hair flowed over her shoulders as she sat down at the harp for her first song. She went over to the electric keyboard for the second song; then took over the accordion for the Mummer’s Dance, the hit that put her on the map of the world in 1998. The purity of her vocals soared over the summer breeze across the Plains of Abraham. It was the perfect setting for an artist who coveys an ethereal fantasy world where Knights and Queens and unicorns and dreams might just become reality.
Note: All video interviews are posted on wwww.youtube/ejazztv.
Photos at: www.kriskingphoto.com
Loreena McKennitt photo: Bill King
All other photos: Kris King
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