Canadian Jazz Icons Kirk MacDonald, Lorne Lofsky & Derrick Gardner form The Canadian Jazz Collective
New album release ‘Live at Le Vauban’
- Derrick Gardner—trumpet & flugelhorn
- Lorne Lofsky—guitar
- Kirk MacDonald—tenor saxophone
- Virginia MacDonald—clarinet
- Brian Dickinson—piano
- Neil Swainson—bass
- Bernd Reiter—drums
- Recorded live in concert at La Vauban, Brest France, on May 21, 2023
- Recording Engineer: Phil Cabon. Mixing & Mastering: André White
- Cover and back photos: Herve Le Gall. Inside photos: Guy Chuiton
- Produced by The Canadian Jazz Collective. Executive Producer: Jordi Pujol
- Label: Fresh Sound Records
“Live at La Vauban” is the second recording by the Canadian Jazz Collective (CJC), following our debut release in 2023, ‘Septology’ (HGBS Blue 20217), recorded at the renowned MPS studio in Villingen,Germany. InMay 2023, the CJC embarked on an Album & CD release tour of Europe, traveling to six countries for 16 concerts in 18 days. During the tour, our dual objective was to present music from our debut release and to perform and expand our repertoire with new material, culminating in a live recording.
The music you are hearing is from the final concert of our tour, recorded remotely at Le Vauban in Brest, France. This was a beautiful way for us to document the music that so many listeners at our shows across Europe enjoyed and to bask in the amazing hospitality and ambiance we experienced in Brest, performing for a warm, appreciative, and welcoming audience.
The Canadian Jazz Collective originated from an idea conceived by Ottawa jazz artist manager Judith Humenick to combine the talents of Derrick Gardner, Lorne Lofsky, and Kirk MacDonald to form a new ensemble.We all agreed that this combination would produce an exciting, interesting, and balanced chemistry. We three started discussions about who would complete the group.
All the musicians heard on this recording are world-class jazz artists and leaders of their own groups, each bringing their unique voice to the CJC. The group truly came together over the course of the tour, playing very challenging original music. There’s a chemistry and a kind of magic that happens when a band becomes cohesive after playing night after night. The CJC has experienced rapid growth, transitioning through its early stages to a more mature state in a remarkably brief period.
After successfully releasing our debut album, ‘Septology,’ embarking on two European tours, and touring Canada, the moment had arrived to capture a live recording showcasing our current music and introducing new compositions to enrich our extensive repertoire. The music on this recording exudes freshness and spontaneity, providing an immersive experience that closely resembles being present at the performance. We hope that we have “captured the magic,” and we most certainly hope you enjoy The CJC – “Live at Le Vauban.”
—Derrick Gardner, Lorne Lofsky, Kirk MacDonald, January 2024
I met Jacques Person, the impresario of Jazz at Le Vauban in Brest, in Paris in 2017 and came to play at his iconic venue for the first time in 2018. Jacques is a true jazz lover and supporter, who immediately became a good friend, I have had the pleasure of returning to Brest several times. I was very honored when saxophonist Kirk MacDonald asked me to join the “Canadian Jazz Collective” in 2022, a true supergroup featuring Canada’s premier musicians. After tours of Europe in May 2022 and Canada in March 2023,we planned a second European tour with this project for May 2023. I knew that Le Vauban would be the perfect place to end our journey and put a live recording in place.When I introduced Jacques to the band and my idea, he was immediately enthusiastic, and so it happened! What you hear on this CD is the product of a special weekend in Brest with great food, wine, friends, a wonderful audience, and most of all,MUSIC! I’m very happy and thankful to have been part of this! —Bernd Reiter, January 2024
Le Vauban is the best jazz club in Brest and Charles Muzy, the owner, is the guardian of thismusic temple. Bernd Reiter, a great drummer and a very good friend gave me the opportunity to welcome The Canadian Jazz Collective to Brest on May 21, 2023, the last date of their European tour. It was an exceptional concert with fantastic musicians. Many thanks to my great friend Jordi Pujol from Fresh Sound Records for making this live recording possible. Enjoy your listening. — Jacques Person, January 2024
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Comprised of award-winning Canadian artists from different musical generations, The Canadian Jazz Collective brings its energetic program of creative collaboration to Dizzy’s Club! Expect an inspiring evening of original music and inventive arrangements from a tight ensemble co-led by saxophonist and composer Kirk MacDonald Jazz Saxophonist, Jazz trumpet player and composer Derrick E. Gardner and guitarist and composer Lorne Lofsky Jazz. Don’t miss this swinging one-night event! ticketing.jazz.org/16899/16900![]()
Virginia Frigault-MacDonald Bernd Reiter Judy Humenick Judith Humenick Productions Lydia Liebman Promotions
In New York City on Monday, July 1st? ![]()
Celebrate this Canada Day with the 2024 JUNO-nominated group, the Canadian Jazz Collective at Dizzy's Club, Jazz at Lincoln Center Shows at 7pm and 9pm. ![]()
www.facebook.com/events/446423844826Derrick E. GardnerrKirk MacDonald Jazz SaxophonistoVirginia Frigault-MacDonaldoLorne Lofsky Jazz Bernd ReitereJudy HumenickeJudith Humenick ProductionstLydia Liebman Promotionstions
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