Dec 9, 2025 12:28 PM
In Memoriam: Gordon Goodwin, 1954–2025
Gordon Goodwin, an award-winning saxophonist, pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger, died Dec. 8 in Los Angeles.…
Composer D.D. Jackson and poet/librettist George Elliott Clarke will preset their Canadian jazz opera, Québécité, at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre on Oct. 17 and 18.
According to the artists, the story chronicles the downs and then ups of two interracial couples living in Quebec City, whose “developing romances expose the inherent minefield of establishing relationships that cross racial and cultural backgrounds.” The story borrows from the real-life story of Jackson’s African-Canadian father and Asian mother.
Presented by the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society, the production will feature Jackson on piano, Peggy Lee on cello, Brad Turner on trumpet, Jean Martin on drums, Mark Dresser on bass and vocalists Haydain Neale (African-Canadian), Kiran Ahluwalia (Indian-Canadian), Dean Bowman (African-American) and Yoon Choi (Korean-Canadian).
As the plot throws cultures together, so does the musical map Jackson created using influences from the different backgrounds of the couples.
“It has always been my mission to transcend rigid boundaries of categorization,” he said. “In this light, Québécité represents the most exciting challenge of my career, as the musicians with whom I am working with are the most conceptually varied I have ever encountered.”
Clarke has a slightly more abstract view. “Québécité is an Absinthe-Champagne-Chartreuse-Chicoutai-Grappa-PalmWine-Pastis-Rum-Saki-Sangri-Scotch-Tequila-Vodka opera,” he said, “one colored intensely with notes of ebony, dark-cherry, India indigo pink, and bronze-beige, the shade of papyrus.”
A free public panel with Jackson, Clarke and select cast members about the issues of cultural and musical diversity that are central to the opera will take place Oct. 16 at the Vancouver Public Library’s Alice McKay Theatre.
For more information, go to www.coastaljazz.ca
Goodwin was one of the most acclaimed, successful and influential jazz musicians of his generation.
Dec 9, 2025 12:28 PM
Gordon Goodwin, an award-winning saxophonist, pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger, died Dec. 8 in Los Angeles.…
Flea has returned to his first instrument — the trumpet — and assembled a dream band of jazz musicians to record a new album.
Dec 2, 2025 2:01 AM
After a nearly five-decade career as one of his generation’s defining rock bassists, Flea has returned to his first…
“It’s a pleasure and an honor to interpret the music of Oscar Peterson in his native city,” said Jim Doxas in regard to celebrating the Canadian legend. “He traveled the world, but never forgot Montreal.”
Nov 18, 2025 12:16 PM
In the pantheon of jazz luminaries, few shine as brightly, or swing as hard, as Oscar Peterson. A century ago, a…
Dec 11, 2025 11:00 AM
DownBeat presents a complete list of the 4-, 4½- and 5-star albums from 2025 in one convenient package. It’s a great…
Seth MacFarlane takes a turn from his television and film career to sing arrangements made for Frank Sinatra, but never recorded.
Nov 18, 2025 12:04 PM
“I’m not gonna lie to you — I don’t know why I thought this was about The Naked Gun, but I’m happy it’s…
