John Kelman's Best Live Shows of 2009

John Kelman

Senior Editor since 2004

With the realization that there will always be more music coming at him than he can keep up with, John wonders why anyone would think that jazz is dead or dying.

Recent articles (2,367 total)

Published: January 1, 2010

It was a great year for live music, what with covering six festivals and a host of individual shows, from Canada to Germany to Norway. Perhaps most remarkable was just how consistently fine every show was, but of the 99 shows covered in 2009 for AAJ, 17 stood out as being especially memorable. In chronological order:

1. April 28, 2009: Five Peace Band with Chick Corea and John McLaughlin
Salle Wilfred-Pelletier in Montréal, Canada

Five Peace Band, from left: Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Christian McBride
Brian Blade, Kenny Garrett

2. June 13, 2009: John Geggie Trio, with Edward Simon and Jim Doxas
Fourth Stage in Ottawa, Canada

From left: Edward Simon, John Geggie, Jim Doxas

3. June 29, 2009: Enrico Rava/Stefano Bollani Duo
TD Canada Trust Ottawa International Jazz Festival in Ottawa, Canada

From left: Stefano Bollani, Enrico Rava

4. July 1, 2009: The Monterey 4, Festival International De Jazz De Montréal in Montréal, Canada

The Monterey 4, from left: Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chris Potter
Dave Holland, Eric Harland

5. July 3, 2009: Aaron Parks Trio
Festival International De Jazz De Montréal in Montréal, Canada

6. July 5, 2009: Kenny Werner
Festival International De Jazz De Montréal in Montréal, Canada

7. July 6, 2009: Jeff Beck Group
Festival International De Jazz De Montréal in Montréal, Canada

Jeff Beck Group, from left: Vinnie Colaiuta, Tal Wilkenfeld, Jeff Beck, Jason Rebello

8. July 15, 2009: Christian Wallumrød Ensemble
Molde Jazz Festival in Molde, Norway

Christian Wallumrød Ensemble, from left: Christian Wallumrød
Nils Økland, Arve Henriksen

9. July 16, 2009: Supersilent
Molde Jazz Festival in Molde, Norway

Supersilent, from left: Ståle Storløkken, Arve Henriksen, Deathprod

10. July 18, 2009: Arve Henriksen Festival Closing Concert
Molde Jazz Festival in Molde, Norway

From left: Ståle Storløkken, Jan Bang

From left: Linn Andrea Fuglseth, Tornn Østrem Ossum, Anna Maria Friman

11. July 18, 2009: Jaga Jazzist
Molde Jazz Festival in Molde, Norway

Drummer Martin Horntveth of Jaga Jazzist

12. September 3, 2009: Jarle Bernhoft
Punkt Festival in Kristiansand, Norway

13. September 4, 2009: Sweet Billy Pilgrim
Punkt Festival in Kristiansand, Norway

Sweet Billy Pilgrim, from left: David Preece, Tim Elsenberg
Anthony Bishop, Alistair Hamer

14. September 5, 2009: Arve Henriksen Cartography Trio
Punkt Festival in Kristiansand, Norway

15. October 8, 2009: Allan Holdsworth Trio
Maison de la Culture de Gatineau in Gatineau, Canada

16. October 25, 2009: Anouar Brahem Quartet
Enjoy Jazz Festival ECM at 40 in Mannheim, Germany

17. October 25, 2009: Enrico Rava New York Days
Enjoy Jazz Festival ECM at 40 in Mannheim, Germany

Photo Credits
Enrico Rava with Stefano Bollani, Five Peace Band, John Geggie Trio: John R. Fowler
Jarle Bernhoft, Sweet Billy Pilgrim: Jan Hangeland
All Other Photos: John Kelman