Koktebel Jazz Festival 2005
The festival took place from 15th to 20th August 2005
Pictures of the Festival followed by reviews.
Photo's courtesy of Avdoshyn Andrej, Stan Goncharov Nina and Igor Saz.
camp Jamat Karadag mountain
Jimmy Bowskill and Jerome Godboo
Jerome Godboo and his holster of 'harps'
Jerome going crazy
Jerome on his knees
Jerome rises from the floor
Jimmy Bowskill and Alec Fraser
Band Soundcheck
Soundcheck Jimmy Bowskill and Alec Fraser
Jimmy Bowskill does a great solo
Jimmy Bowskill
Final Chords of THE TRUTH.
"After German band De Phazz finished their show, the lead singers rushed to the sea even not bothering to take their clothes off - so excited they had been with the whole atmosphere. The main stage was within 20 meters from the sea." Nina.
Koktebel International Jazz Festival, August 15-20, 2005
-- by Nina Saz & Joe Curtis --
The Koktebel International Jazz Festival is one of the most highly acclaimed concert events of the year in the Ukraine. It takes place in the small town of Koktebel, located in the southeast part of the Crimea Peninsula. Besides showcasing some of the finest Ukrainian and Russian blues and jazz musicians, this highly entertaining festival invites artists from all over the world, including Canada and the U.S.A.
The town of Koktebel where this great fest takes place is called 'The Land of Cognacs' because there is a distillery here that produces world-famous cognacs and wines. They were also one of the main sponsors of the Koktebel International Jazz Festival 2005.
Dimitry Kiselev is the founder of this festival, and he also happens to be a well-known Russian journalist and TV star. Kiselev founded the Koktebel festival four years ago, when he felt inspired to boost the economy and recognition in this area. His enthusiasm and efforts paid off soon after, when he convinced the Ukrainian government to provide money for reconstruction of M. Voloshyn Square and the museum in Koktebel. This ‘house/museum’ was built by Maksymilian Voloshyn a highly regarded poet, artist and ‘deep thinker’. Voloshyn lived here in the 1920s; and bestowed an invaluable poetic heritage.
On the first day of Koktebel 2005, US trumpet player Lew Soloff (ex-Blood, Sweat & Tears) performed with Kiev’s Valentine Quartet, (founded by talented bassist/trumpet player Andrey Arnautov). The audience really enjoyed Soloff’s virtuoso performance, and had a second opportunity to see him perform on August 17, when he appeared with Moscow’s JVL Big Band.
Another highlight of this fest was the hugely popular German acid-jazz band De Phazz. This is the third time they’ve returned to the Ukraine to perform at Koktebel. They performed songs from their new album, ‘Natural Fake’ and other outstanding compositions, on the fourth day of this festival. After this inspiring performance, the lead singers spontaneously ran into the sea, located near the main stage, to cool off.
The earlier main stage on August 17th included a jam with Russian jazz musicians. This was the first appearance of the Jimmy Bowskill Band at Koktebel 2005, featuring 14-year-old guitarist/vocalist sensation Jimmy Bowskill. The Bowskill band features a ‘who’s who’ of Canadian blues artists, including blues harp player/vocalist Jerome Godboo (ex-Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks), bassist/vocalist Alec Fraser (Jeff Healey Band) and drummer Al Cross. Fraser also toured the world a few years ago with former Muddy Waters bassist Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith and Juno-winning blues guitarist Jack de Keyzer. Fraser mentioned later, that Koktebel was one of his favorite international destinations he’s ever played at.
In this main stage jam, Jerome began with an amazing harmonica solo; then Jimmy joined in on the next couple of blues songs -- backed by the superb talent of pianist Vladimir Solyanik, who’s a well-respected Ukrainian jazz musician. He and Jerome played off each other on piano and blues harp, in an uplifting and truly musical conversation with one another.
Solyanik was highly imaginative on the ivories; playing beautiful melodies in response to Jerome's equally melodious blues harp and vocals renditions. The audience loved this musical interaction between Solyanik and Godboo.
Another highlight was drummer Al Cross, who was outstanding here and throughout all of the Bowskill performances in the Ukraine. He was always smiling and in the groove – inspiring each and every artist to new heights of musical creativity. He seemed to look into their souls as he endeavored to bring out the best in them, while at the same time complementing their talent with his own uplifting drumming technique.
The most prestigious event of the Koktebel International Jazz Festival 2005 was the main stage concert of The Jimmy Bowskill Band on August 19th. Part way through this erformance, it started to rain. It was pouring down in torrents, as lightning lit up the night sky over the Black Sea, but nobody left – in fact just the opposite happened! For the crowd, this raging ‘electric storm’ was like ‘fuel to their engines’, electrifying their enthusiasm and causing them to party even more. The audience started dancing and screaming: “Jimmy, Jimmy!” There was an incredible chemistry between the band and this audience … they completely energized each other!
As Jimmy said after show, “We had one of the best live audiences ever!” Bowskill later mentioned in his Oct. 2005 blog, “The coolest part was when it started to rain. While we were playing, it started to pour rain. But not one person left. When we looked out over the Black Sea, the lightening made an incredible light show. The next day, the mayor of Koktebel told us that it never rains there due to the Middle Eastern type terrain and when it rained through our set, it was a sign of good luck and riches.”
There was also something called 'Jam on the Hill'. This jam took place on August 20th, at the foot of Karadag Mountain, featuring the Jimmy Bowskill Band, with Ukrainian and Russian musicians sitting in. Jimmy and Alec sang two heartwarming country songs during this jam, at host Dmitry Kisilev’s request.
When Jimmy started singing an emotionally charged version of B.B. King's classic "3 o'clock In the Morning" many people in the audience came closer to Jimmy, and started taking pictures. At the end of this song, three Ukrainian and Russian sax players inspired by Jimmy’s performance, joined in with the band.
This part of the Koktebel Jazz Fest 2005 was a jam -- not the main stage concert. Nevertheless, there were several noteworthy musicians who did take part in this jam, including a great tenor sax player Dmitry ‘Bobin’ Aleksandrov. Also worthy of note was the ingenious trumpet player/upright bassist Andrei Arnautov, and energizing blues harp player/guitarist Alexander Suvorov from popular St. Petersburg, Russia blues band Big Blues Revival. This band also opened for The Jimmy Bowskill Band at the main stage at Koktebel on Aug. 19-05.
The atmosphere on the hill overall was fantastic. Imagine this: It was 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. on a very warm August night, and people were sitting on the grass at the foot of the beautiful Karadag Mountain. The air was fresh and clear. A chef was cooking a huge pot of unbelievably delicious tatar pilaf, which he treated us to. Everyone including the band and audience, were eating mouth-watering pilaf, drinking local cognac and delicious wines and enjoying a performance of world-class musicians.
This was one of those rare precious moments when one suddenly realizes, “Yes, this is a special time, with great blues – complemented by being on a gorgeous mountain filled with stunning nature all around.“
Many in this audience traveled thousands of miles from various locations in Russia and the Ukraine to see this festival and listen to real, authentic blues, played the way it’s supposed be played. This was truly a compelling and highly gratifying musical experience for all -- audience and musicians alike.
Fraser later enthused about what a great host Dmitry Kisilev was, inviting the Bowskill band to be part of almost every gathering that was part of this fest. Kisilev also arranged for the Bowskill band to entertain at a private party after this fest, in the plush resort town of Alushta. The band stayed in a world class hotel, featuring art deco style balconies overlooking a breathtaking view of the beach and the Black Sea. They also had their own private pool in each villa, and buffet food round the clock. They played a couple of private parties at this resort, including a birthday party for a young lady, put on by the owner of this ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous’-style getaway for the well-to-do.
Fraser remembers this Alushta resort as one of the best venues he ever played at. Jimmy was overjoyed at playing here too, as was the rest of the Bowskill band. The audience was going wild during this hour long, scaled down version of a Bowskill band performance at this birthday party. There were no amps available at this show, and drummer Al Cross didn’t even have a snare drum in his drum kit. The band played straight through the PA, but really made this work for them at this level.
This musical ingenuity with the PA, was no doubt due in large part to Fraser, who besides being a great bassist and guitarist, is also a Juno and Maple Blues Award winning producer in his legendary Liquid Toronto recording studio. He’s recorded many of the greats over the years, including drummers Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith and Levon Helm (The Band), guitarists Jeff Healey and Morgan Davis, as well as Downchild, Mel Brown and Snooky Pryor. Fraser also recorded the Jimmy Bowskill Band’s most recent Juno-nominated CD ‘Soup Bars and Dog Ears’ at Liquid Toronto, as well as Jimmy’s first recording as part of the ‘Live At Healey’s’ CD in 2003.
Fraser later had this to say about Alushta: “This was my favorite show with Jimmy. He rose to the occasion and had more fun than I had ever seen him have doing his regular rock show. That was worth the trip!”
This could well be the most successful collaboration of artists so far taking part with the Jimmy Bowskill Band. There were also many accolades of praise afterwards, for the Jimmy Bowskill Band performances, in the Ukrainian press -- and deservedly so, since they’re one of the finest blues bands around!
Jimmy Bowskill Band official website: http://www.jimmybowskill.com/
Koktebel International Jazz Festival website:
http://www.promoua.com/en/projects/koktebel/
The 2005 Koktebel Jazz Festival Lineup Revealed!
by Paul Miazga, Kyiv Post Staff Writer
Jul 14 2005, 00:31
Among the artists set to perform from August 15-20 will be Japan's Shibusashirazu Jazz Orchestra, Canadian phenom Jimmy Bowskill and Germany's De Phazz
The last couple of weeks have really whetted my appetite for jazz. On July 11, for instance, I received some great news from Andrew Arnautoff, a project coordinator for the 2005 Koktebel Jazz Festival and a jazz musician himself. The final lineup for the festival is in, and those with an ear for jazz music are going to perk up when they hear who's going to be playing.
The festival, which runs August 15-20 in that beautiful corner of eastern Crimea near the city of Koktebel, features a balanced lineup of marquee performers and people or groups you may never have heard of, but should. For instance, leading off Day 1 of this year's festival will be the extravagant and mind-blowing Shibusashirazu (Never Be Cool) Jazz Orchestra, an ensemble of more than 20 musicians, Butoh dancers, theater actors and artists led by bassist Daisuke Fuwa, who really pushes the modern jazz envelope with his jazzy take on Japanese culture played both on modern jazz instruments and traditional Japanese ones.
As if that weren't enough, the first day will also include Israel's Leonid Ptashka Trio, the Andrew Valentine Quartet and American trumpet master Lew Soloff, who uses the Harmon mute to cool effect as he plays. He reworks Tchaikovsky and standards such as "Come Rain, Come Shine" and "My Funny Valentine" with simple elegance.
The festival moves into Days 2 and 3 with Kyiv's Man Sound vocal jazz sextet, followed by another and wholly different program by the Shibusashirazu Orchestra. Following them will be one of Eastern Europe's best big-band orchestras, the JVL Big Band from Moscow, who will be joined onstage by Soloff. Rounding out the two-day set of jazz classics will be the Kiev Art Ensemble "All-stars" led by extraordinary pianist Vladimir Solyanyk. The ensemble will celebrate its 10th year at the festival.
Day 4 will likely be the feature day at Koktebel this year. Widely popular German acid jazz artists De Phazz once again return to Ukraine, this time to present music from their new album, "Natural Fake." A great amount of anticipation follows De Phazz wherever they go, especially in Ukraine, where their most recent albums "Death by Chocolate" and "Daily Llama" have virtually flown off store shelves. Theirs is a grooving, vibrant sound that fills the air with sublimely blended vocals and excellent sampling and drum and bass arrangements.
Helping to close out an exciting Day 4 will be electro-trance jazz band VF-6 from Moscow and veteran Kyiv jazz quintet Skhid Side, who will unveil their new acid jazz sound.
St. Petersburg's Big Blues Revival - a southern blues band - opens Day 5, which will also feature other blues artists such as young Canadian blues guitarist Jimmy Bowskill - who's not even 15 years old! While Ukraine has been developing as a democracy, young Jimmy Bowskill, in case you hadn't heard, has been becoming one of the best blues guitar players around. Bowskill's amazing touch and feel make fans wonder how someone so young can have so much soul. This day is an absolute must for blues fans.
To close out the festival, Crimean guitarist Enver Izmailov and his Minaret Band will take to the stage, followed by German drummer Wolfgang Haffner and accompaniment, and then pianist Sebastian Studnitzky and his "Zooming" project.
In addition to music, this year's festival, which is entitled "Living in Jazz," will feature all manner of contemporary visual arts, including performance art, land art, visual art and more. See www.jazz.koktebel.info for more information on the 2005 Koktebel Jazz Festival.
Koktebel's Cultural Resistance
Against the backdrop of the whispering surf and thundering jazz music
By Olha STELMASHEVKA, special to The Day from Koktebel.
14-YEAR-OLD BOY WONDER JIMMY BOWSKILL PERFORMING WITH HIS AMAZING CANADIAN GROUP WAS A FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHT A NUMBER OF OTHER INTERESTING JAZZ ART PROJECTS WERE SHOWCASED
Today you don't have to travel to Montreux to hear jazz. Dmytro Kyseliov had the brilliant idea of organizing a jazz festival in Koktebel; this is the third time his idea has come to fruition on the lilac- covered shores of Karadag. In some mystical way the high jazz wave united the creators of the Silver Age with the broken rhythms of the 21st century. It was a definite yes to genuine and honest art, and a definite no to hopeless mediocrity and vulgarity. The lost time connection, swinging chimerically, was back in place near the Maksymilian Voloshyn building, against a backdrop of sea surf and thundering jazz music.
This festival's watchword is cultural resistance. Its organizers - Promo UA - declare, "Like you, we've been poisoned by tasteless and meaningless cultural products; by products stinking of stale TV channels, newspapers, radio stations, and shows staged on city squares. In the absence of a consumer rights protection association in the cultural domain, we have decided to boycott sales of mass culture goods from both folk and established professional suppliers, because these products are not fresh, to put it mildly. This is how the festival of life came about - a place where no one is a stranger."
The ceremonious opening by Anatoliy Kinakh of the newly restored Voloshyn House Museum was the first landmark event of the cultural resistance movement. In fact, this festival goes beyond the format of a regular art project, because its ideology is actively supported by Viche Ukrainy (Inna Bohoslovska), the Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, and the Koktebel Plant, who believe it's better not to wait but to act and improvise.
"Never be indifferent. Act or burn your bridges." This is the translation of the name of the world renowned Japanese free jazz orchestra Shibusashirazu, which raged on the concert square for the first two days of the festival and literally overwhelmed everyone. The Japanese put on a multifaceted show: a counterpoint musical development that leads to crazy jazz culminations. It was a theatrical spectacle combining archaic Japanese plasticity with the distorted, airy techniques of Buto dancing, with nearly naked bodies and unusual costumes. The combination of active and destructive music with the static plasticity of Buto artists produced an overwhelming impression on the audience.
The international lineup of musicians was represented by 130 participants from eight countries. The jazz bands presented a unique blend of professionalism and unity of spirit, regardless of the country being represented. The international Valentine Quartet, founded by Kyiv's talented bass guitarist Andriy Arnautov, performed with the legendary US trumpeter Lou Soloff. Moscow's JVL Big Band, with its unique jazz stars and excellent singers, performed sophisticated compositions, with guest star Lou Soloff.
Soloff deserves special mention because of his sparkling virtuosity, strong crystal-clear sound and at times heartwarmingly touching overtones. This is what has made him unmatched among the world's jazz trumpeters for many decades. He looked delighted to play his solo numbers and later improvised with other musicians.
As usual, Ukraine's Mansound Sextet captivated the audience. The a cappella group's spectacular professionalism and stage presence left the audience bursting with unforgettable impressions and regret that their concert appearances in Ukraine are so infrequent.
Continuing with the Ukrainian theme, the festival featured a surprise performance by the Skhid-Side jazz group, in an interesting combination with Tanok na maidani Kongo and the Kyiv Art Ensemble led by the festival's honorary director V. Solianyk, who organized a special jam session with the spectacular Lou Soloff, the one and only Enver Izmailov, and other musicians.
The Russians brought the St. Petersburg's group Big Blues Revival, which performed in the blues tradition, and Moscow's melancholy VFSIX.
The compositions performed by sparkling virtuoso Leonid Ptashka combined originality and the musical traditions of his teacher, Ihor Bryl.
The German group De Phazz, with its enchanting vocalists, featured various jazz styles, a light, sensual Latin component, and artistic improvisational transformability. What makes this group stand out is that each musician, especially the vocalists, appears to present his inner perception of jazz thinking.
One of the most spectacular performances was by the 14-year-old Canadian boy wonder Jimmy Bowskill and his band. The opening chords showed that the boy is not simply a wunderkind but an exceptionally brilliant phenomenon in the world of blues. His incredible guitar technique and his strong free-flowing vocal skills, along with his volcanic temperament, blew the audience away.
The final day of the festival featured a performance by Wolfgang Haffner, the drummer from the German group Zooming, who demonstrated his superb skills and the fantastic capabilities of Yamaha electronic equipment.
And, of course, there was the incredible Enver Izmailov with his Minaret Band, which is a separate jazz trend all on its own. This star jazzman and unique guitarist, who is wildly popular all over the world, is a regular and highly regarded participant in the Koktebel jazz festivals. Even though he has pupils, it is hard to believe that anyone will ever approach his mastery and popularity. His performances are a blend of unique musical thinking, the avant-garde, Crimean Tatar folk musical traditions, an overwhelming artistic temperament, and sophisticated performance.
A number of other interesting jazz-related art projects, including visual performances by young people, were launched into the festival orbit. Special thanks are due to Showcase, uniting talented groups of enthusiasts from Cherkasy, Kryvyi Rih, Zaporizhia, in whose programs Andriy Arnautov, bass guitarist and trumpeter, one of the festival's brilliant musicians, took an active part.
Karadag's wild and enchanting shores have once again produced a cultural shock, unforgettable moments of happiness, a sense of a true and eventful life- and, for all those who have yet to be initiated, the discovery that Koktebel is not just the land of cognacs, but also a cultural space of high art.
#26, Tuesday, 6 September 2005
http://www.day.kiev.ua/147972/
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