Long the major jazz event of the Parisian summer, the Villette
Jazz Festival is shorter this year, and lacks some of the bigger
guns as well as a central theme. Still there are enough interesting
concerts spread out over the festival to entice most jazz fans
at least to one of the evenings.
Opening the event this year is veteran singer Helen Merrill, with her Special Project investigating her Eastern European
roots. Born Jelena Ana Milcetic, Merrill will be joined by soprano
saxophonist Steven Lackritz, better known as Steve Lacy, and bass-player George Mraz, together with an ensemble of Gypsy-influenced strings. Wonderful
vocalist Jeanne Lee performs free at 10pm, while July 1 sees the welcome return
of iconic iconoclastic pianist Cecil Taylor in a solo concert. Perhaps the best measure of his enduring influence
over the last 40 years has been the throw-away line, “it’s Cecil”
to justify apparently eccentric behavior. Of all the events throughout
the festival, this is the one to catch. Saxophonist David S Ware is appearing at the same time at the Trabendo; a programming
glitch, as many of Cecil’s fans would have wanted to have heard
Ware as well.
Sunday sees a return to more commercial programming with saxophonist
Michael Brecker teaming up with guitar superstar Pat Metheny. Here again is another programming conflict, for at the same
time brilliant pianist McCoy Tyner and his outstanding trio will be at the Cité de la Musique concert
hall. Tyner was discovered by Benny Golson then quickly stolen
by John Coltrane, becoming part of Trane’s legendary quartet.
After a two-day pause, the festival resumes with almost a whimper
on July 5, rescued by pianist Monty Alexander’s free concert at 10pm. Things heat up the next night thanks to
remarkably robust veteran drummer Roy Haynes, mixing it up with Danilo Perez on piano and John Pattitucci on bass. Alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett also gets a look in later in the evening at the Trabendo. The
festival comes to a close with a host of gigs including the Joe Zawinul Syndicate featuring guest singer Maria Joáo who will be singing happy birthday to the 68-year-old keyboardist.
After being off the scene for a while, saxophonist James Carter returns with an all-new, all electric band. Bass-ace Dave Holland is with his quintet and New York saxophonist Marty Ehrlich makes a rare Paris appearance, also in a quintet that includes
trombonist Ray Anderson and bassist Steve Swallow.
June 30 to July 2 & July 5-7, La Villette, 211, av Jean Jaurès,
19e, M° Porte de Pantin, tel : 01.40.03.75.75, concerts begin
at 8:30pm,150F/130F
