Concert BReak Meets Vancouver International Jazz Festival Part 2: June 26 - July 3

As the Vancouver International Jazz Festival brouhaha draws to an end, venues all over Vancouver explode with music. Remember: there are many more events listed on the official VIJF Calendar, and there are many free ones to take advantage of.
Comment on your picks and thoughts!

Thursday, June 26
♦ Naturally 7 @ The Centre for Performing Arts (VIJF): These guys are a pretty cool a cappella group. That's right, cool a cappella. It's not stuff I'd listen to every day, but I'd be impressed by this live show.
♦ Harris Eisenstadt Vancouver Quartet @ The Western Front (Day One - VIJF): Eisenstadt is a drummer and a composer who was born in Toronto (and is now based in Brooklyn).
♦ Oliver Gannon Quartet @ The Ironworks (VIJF - 8pm): I was waiting for a jazz-guitarist to slip into CB, and Vancouver-based Oliver Gannon fits the bill!
♦ Tony Wilson 6tet The Ironworks @ (VIJF - 11pm): Wilson's compositions range from rock, to experimental jazz, to mournful ballads.
♦ Eccodek @ Performance Works (VIJF): Chill to the sounds of Canadian dub.
♦ Forest City Lovers @ Little Mountain Studios: A refreshing little Canadian indie group.
♦ Tea @ Yew York: Vancouver soul.
♦ The Constantines @ Commodore: Arts and Crafts alt-rock quintet is joined by Vancouver's Ladyhawk.
♦ The Dodos @ Bourbon: A psychedlic folk duo.

Friday, June 27
♦ Wynton Marsalis @ Orpheum (VIJF): Well, actually it's Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, and it's a real win as far as Vancouver Jazz Festival acts go! Marsalis is an incredible trumpet player and composer. He is a versatile musician is known as one of the greatest jazz players of our time (he's in his 40's). Both he and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra will be a force to reckon with.
♦ Jesse Cook @ The Centre for Performing Arts (VIJF): Does flamenco trump jazz in your books? If so, Toronto-native Jesse Cook has the show for you.
♦ The Grande Mothers @ Commodore (VIJF): The former member's of Frank Zappa's group reunite as a tribute to their leader. They'll be joined by Vancouver's Fond of Tigers.
♦ Wayne Horvitz Gravitas Quartet @ Roundhouse (VIJF): This Seattle-based composer merges chamber music with improv.
♦ Eisenstadt, Muller and Zubot @ (Day Two - VIJF): See above.
♦ Renaud Garcia Fons @ Performance Works (Day One - VIJF): Renaud Garcia-Fons is a French bassist with immaculate technique and style. I think this is one of the hidden (and well priced) gems of the Jazz Festival; Garcia-Fons' remarkable ability to warp the sounds of the stand-up is something that can be universally appreciated when seen live.
♦ Grand Theft Bus @ Media Club: More make-you-smile Canadian indie! It must be the summer air that's drawing them in.
♦ The Crookers @ The Plaza: Italy's The Crookers mix it up with Paul Devro and Expendable Youth.

Saturday, June 28
♦ Andy Bey Trio@ (VIJF): A great American jazz vocalist.
♦ The Budos Band @ Commodore (VIJF): This all-instrumental Staten Island group has a big sound (eleven members will do that). They love jazz, afro-beat and funk.
♦ Saul Berson Quartet @ The Ironworks (VIJF): Vancouver's Saul Berson is a saxophonist, composer and member of NOW orchestra (an improv ensemble)..
♦ Renaud Garcia Fons @ Performance Works (Day Two - VIJF): See above.
♦ Five Alarm Funk @ Roundhouse (VIJF): A local, upbeat, afro-funk group led by drummer Tayo Branston.
♦ Langhorne Slim @ The Bourbon: Classic folk-rock.

Sunday, June 29
♦ Corkestra @ Roundhouse (VIJF): A jazz-improve project out of Amsterdam.
♦ Brad Turner Quartet @ Ironworks (VIJF): This local boy is an internationally acclaimed trumpet-player and composer.
♦ Tim Berne @ Ironworks (VIJF): An eclectic improvisational sax-player from NY.
♦ Fernanda Cunha and Ricardo Rito @ Performance Works (VIJF): Fernanda Cunha is a youthful singer out of Brazil who sings classic bossa nova and samba pieces.
♦ Frog Eyes @ Media Club: Carey Mercer makes his way to Vancouver once again!

Tuesday, July 1
♦ Michel Donato Trio @ Performance Works (Free - VIJF): A perfect group to listen to an a sunny mid-week holiday. Features Donato on stand-up, Marin Nasturica on jazz-accordian and Jon Gearey on guitar.
♦ Kenny Wayne Shepherd @ Commodore: A blues-rock guitarist whose sound belongs on the stage at the Yale.

Wednesday, July 2
♦ The Savannah Leigh Band @ Railway Club: A folky local group led by female vocalist Savannah Leigh.
♦ True Colors: Cyndi Lauper, the B-52s, and Guests @ Deer Lake Park: It seems that these guys are trying to pony on with this retro-dance fad. I wonder if they realize that they're prettymuch copying themselves....

Thursday, July 3
♦ Mark Knopfler @ Orpheum: I was never too happy with the music and fashion styles of the 80's—but I did like Dire Straights. Mark Knopfler, the voice and founder of Dire Straights, has been a solo act since '95.