Rich Huang

Dawid Vorster Band

Joey Gilmore Band

The Kareem Kandi Band

Tsang Tak Hong Trio

Taichung's Time for Jazz: 2009 Taichung Jazz Festival

Oct. 17~Oct. 25

By Douglas Habecker
Translated by Naomi Lai

Sometimes it can be difficult to think of new superlatives to describe an event that goes from strength to strength each new year it is held. At the risk of sounding repetitious, this year's Taichung Jazz Festival promises to continue in its seventh year as the island's number-one jazz event, not to mention a music festival that continues to gain stature and attention in Asia and the rest of the world. Unless you've been hiding under a rock all these years, or are new to Taichung, it goes without saying that this is the musical event of the year, an international, world-class extravaganza that appeals to those of all ages and all musical tastes. Notably, that range has grown this year to include a special touch of American blues music (see below).

Perhaps it does bear mentioning that one of the biggest stars of the Taichung Jazz Festival--and a significant reason for its success--is central Taiwan's marvelous October weather, arguably among the best to be seen anywhere in Taiwan the entire year. Barring some stroke of very bad luck, this year's festival will once again see hundreds of thousands of spectators coming out over nine days to enjoy pleasantly warm, but not hot, afternoons and cool, clear evenings over nine days and two weekends, between the opening night on Saturday, October 17 to the closing concert on Sunday, October 25. As always, thousands of spectators will sprawl out on the broad grassy expanse of Citizens Square (aka People's Park) on the first and last nights from 7 to about 10 p.m. to hear the main highlighted jazz and blues acts, including the Joey Gilmore Band from the United States and Erico Rava Quintet (see Sept. Compass article) from Italy on October 17, and the Richard Galliano Quartet (see this month's separate feature) from France, catchy a capella German sextet Stouxingers, and Malaysia's multiethnic Aseana Percussion Unit on October 25.

To be one among the thousands lying in the grass under the dark clear night, surrounded by the lights of the city, is an essential communal Taichung experience that leaves a lasting impression of a culturally-rich, cosmopolitan city. As the years have progressed, the sophistication of local spectators has grown to the point where it is not unusual to see festival-goers show up with not only blankets and mats, but also knee-high tables, folding charis, candles and bottles of wine.

These big concerts bookend an even more diverse range of musical performances that will take place on smaller "J1" and "J2" stages along the adjacent JingGuo Boulevard, starting at 3 p.m. on both weekends, and at 6 p.m. on the in-between weekdays. As nice as the big stage and grass of Citizens Square is, many music aficionados consider the smaller stages to be the best spots for a true, close-up jazz experience, as audiences press up against the stage to watch artistry in action. Local and international acts that can be found in these locations this year will include the likes of Japan's Pia-no-jaC (see separate article), Tsang Tak Hong Trio, BoPoMoFo, Dawid Vorster Band, The Wilson Jazz Band, Stacey Wei Sextet, The Kareem Kandi Band, Jumbo Fusion Band, Michal Haack European Jazz Ensemble, Skyline, Rich Harper Band, Jeon Youngse Trio, Latin Family, Shuffle 5, National Chiayi University Jazz Band, and Taipei American School Jazz Ensemble. At the same location at 8 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, a Jazz Outdoor Cinema movie-showing will also take place, showing films about jazz greats, from Thelonious Monk to Herbie Hancock.

The common adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it", remains in place for all aspects of this year's festival, which will features a total of 55 food/drink and other vendors lining the JingGuo Boulevard, stretching from Citizens Square on GongYi Road (and Park Lane mall) most of the way up to TaichungGang (aka Taichung Harbor, Taichung Port, Taichung Kang) Road. Each year, this lively strip epitomizes the Chinese expression, "re nao" (hot and noisy), jam-packed with festival-goers window-shopping for a meal, snack or drink as they move to and from musical events. Vendors include a very eclectic, multicultural range of cuisine from Taichung restaurants, hotels and pubs, not to mention international alcohol distributors and other businesses. Needless to say, if you're heading for the Taichung Jazz Festival at any time, don't bother eating before you get there.

One of the most unique elements of this year's event is a cooperative effort with the American BBQ & Blues Month, organized by the Agricultural Trade Office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and other co-sponsors. This will bring an American BBQ and Blues Pavilion to the festival and live Oct. 17-18 performances by American Florida-based "bluesman" Joey Gilmore (Oct. 17 main stage, Oct. 18 J1 Stage). On that first weekend, live blues from guitarist Rich Harper, the Dawid Vorsner Blues Band, the Black Sheep, and the Jack Conqueroo Blues Band will also take place at AIT's pavilion, which will be serving all-American barbecued pork and beef, plus beers and whiskey. This unprecedented, colorful addition to the jazz festival helps ensure that the Taichung Jazz Festival will remain one of Taiwan's number-one annual musical and entertainment events.

For more information about the 2009 Taichung Jazz Festival events, check out the following schedule, or go to the official festival website, www.jazzfestival.com.tw.