On February 27, 8pm in the Chan Shun Concert Hall, Dee Dee Bridgewater, the epitome of this era’s jazz songstress, and Irvin Mayfield, virtuoso trumpeter/ bandleader & visionary educator, will whisk concert-goers to New Orleans on a tour through jazz history, from the genre’s early beginnings, to its modern day expressions.Performing works from their first-ever collaborative album Dee Dee’s Feathers, the jazz giants, alongside Mayfield’s own celebrated New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, will give audiences a true taste of the Big Easy’s verve and style. The Chan Centre’s Co-Managing Director Joyce Hinton shares her excitement with us.
What are your feelings and thoughts on the upcoming concert?
I think this is an amazing opportunity for UBC and for Vancouver, because we’ve got these artists combining both traditional and contemporary. I’ve been wanting to present her (Bridgewater) at the Chan for a long time and when I heard she’s going to be touring with Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, I really wanted to have her and she is here – it’s like icing on the cake.
Why bring jazz to the Chan?
I’m a jazz fan myself, and at the Chan we have have such a gorgeous and amazing venue recognized internationally, bringing in the best artists in the world. It’s a great opportunity to have such profound artists.
What is special about this project?
I loved and was drawn to this particular project because these two artists work really well together. When the jazz education centre in New Orleans opened, Bridgewater said to Mayfield why not make an album together, and within a month they were recording. It really celebrates New Orleans, its history and culture, as they have taken new and old songs and given it their own twist. She’s singing “Big Cheese” which never before has been sung by a woman. There’s also a song Louis Armstrong sang. But most of all it’s mesmerizing to watch because she is such a great performer and playful on stage, while Irwin is a great trumpet player, along with the rich orchestra accompanies them.
What is the inspiration ?
It’s New Orleans through the lens of Bridgewater, and Mayfield is a huge part as the group leader . He’s brought New Orleans to her. Irwin lost his dad in Katrina, and starting the orchestra is a reflection of the culture, to bring back joy to the city.
What will this concert mean for the community of Vancouver’s performing arts?
I am always very conscious that we are a university centre, and UBC along with the greater Vancouver audience. Along with that, I try to bring women performers to encourage them alongside male performers.When artists come it’s very inspirational for people who are into music.
Vancouver has a history with Jazz, has that changed today?
So many people have come to Vancouver and they have brought in great art, especially The Coastal Jazz and Blues Society. I think jazz takes on a lot of different influences depending on what country it comes from and what decade, so I do think there are younger people performing and liking jazz. It’s really hard not to get engaged in it.
What are your opinions of these two different artists together?
They are a generation apart, and they are so different, and their life experiences are different too, but there is also respect for each other. They have created something unique. When I first heard it I was like “Wow!”
Any special aspects of the show?
Firstly, we are doing a pre concert talk with CFRO’s A- TRANE radio program host, Nou Dadoun at 7:15pm. If you have a ticket to the concert, come hear him. He’s passionate and knowledgeable talking of the birthplace of jazz and the artists.The Chan Centre also commissions students to write fanfares, at 7:30pm – 7:45pm in the lobby, Dunkin Maunders has written a composition which students will perform. There are also a handful of student tickets at the ticket office for 15$, and you just have to show an ID the night of.
So please come and enjoy the party we have in store for you, and experience the happening jazz music by these great artists!