25th Anniversary Jazz Festival in Vancouver BC.

As I enter into the eclectic establishment that is Ironworks I am immediately greeted with a high energy and eager ambiance. A rustic feeling of welcome.
Engaging your eyes are walls draped with abstract paintings and murals, funky sculpted art hanging precariously.
The subtle yet enticing drone of people engaging with one another while the stage is being set.

While I have never truly followed the jazz scene myself, I was always intrigued by the culture of the Jazz. The free spirited nature and individual expression instilled in the early 1920′s that became the heartbeat of youth culture right into the 40′s.

With that said I am going to try my best to “express” the story that was told to me that night, as I remember it.

Enter inhabitants to set the stage of what surely will be a sociological mind bender. The vibrant guitar rifts of Dave Sikula, the rhythmic drum beat of Skye Brooks, the subtle harmonics of Pete Schmitt and the pulsating trumpet sounds of JP Carter begin our dreamy and mysterious journey.

The second inhabitants set an already prepped mystical stage for a struggle, heavy with opinion. 2 rivals so in sync with each other. drum and bass vs trumpet and guitar.

The third set

Enter Carter’s improvised Trumpet. A slow steady and irrelevant sound. Sharp but strong. A sighed collaboration of relief that tempts you, mesmerizes you. Leaves you with an overly anticipated excitement.

The fourth set of the evening.

They are clearly getting into their groove at this point and this was by far my favorite of the night.
The deep chants of Pete Schmitt, leave a cherished and sweet taste in your mouth. The elusive Skye Brooks riveted to his upbeat fills and offset by the deep pulse of his bass drum. The trumpet dances with the drums in an abstract collaboration of the waltz and the 2-step.

The bobbing heads of the crowd around, as if nodding in agreement reaffirm and strengthen the unified sounds being played. It was as if they were dancing with the ocean. Encouraging and instigating the waves to grow high into the sky coaxing a false sense of hope and denying it (and us) the satisfaction to break against the rocks. Pushing them further and further away, until (finally)they release their grasp, and watch as the ocean crashes back to the shore in a sigh of relief.

Set 5 and my last for the night. Enter in Dave Sikula. A subtle energy that encourages you to sit back and relax as you close your eyes and go for a ride. The deep improvised rumblings of the bass compliment it exquisitely as they begin a telling of a story. A historical event, where laughter and joy fill your ears and remind you of reminiscent celebrations past.