By Yorg
On the vibrant opening day of the Ottawa Jazz Festival, I had the privilege of experiencing an electrifying performance by the Montreal jazz quartet, Bellbird, on Confederation Park’s Main Stage. The ensemble was brilliantly led by two exceptional saxophonists: Claire Devlin on tenor saxophone and Allison Burik on alto saxophone and bass clarinet. Their dynamic sound was impeccably supported by Eli Davidovici on bass and Mili Hong on drums, creating a musical synergy that captivated the audience.
Bellbird’s music, deeply rooted in contemporary modern jazz, is a rich tapestry woven from a myriad of musical influences. Their performances are a journey through intricate atonal counterpoint, and catchy rock grooves, all skillfully blended to push the boundaries of the jazz genre. The quartet’s laid-back yet profoundly engaging style left a lasting impression, and I am eager to follow their musical journey in the future.
The energy continued to build as Trombone Shorty and his New Orleans Avenue band took the stage next. Straight from the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana, Troy Andrews, famously known as Trombone Shorty, brought his renowned charisma and musical prowess to the festival. With five previous performances at the Ottawa Jazz Festival, Trombone Shorty is no stranger to the festival’s passionate crowd.
The concert kicked off with an exhilarating rendition of “Here Come the Girls,” instantly energizing the audience and getting everyone on their feet, dancing and swaying to the infectious rhythms. The setlist was a vibrant mix of highlights, including “Lifted,” “Something Beautiful”,” “When the Saints Go Marching In,” and a spectacular condensed horn rendition of “O Canada.” The crowd’s response was overwhelmingly positive, as they reveled in the soulful and high-energy performance.
With the adrenaline still pumping from Trombone Shorty and his New Orleans Avenue band’s performance, I found myself eagerly anticipating the rest of the festival. The promise of a funky weekend ahead, especially with the upcoming performance by George Clinton and his Parliament-Funkadelic all-stars on Saturday, had me buzzing with excitement. The Ottawa Jazz Festival had truly set the stage for an unforgettable funkified weekend adventure.
