Taiwan isn't a very jazzy nation, but Taichung City is looking to change that with a 22-day international jazz festival that starts tomorrow. Some of the major acts set to perform include Jon Faddis, the Lou Rainone Jazz Band, Helio Alves and the Bill Mays Piano Trio, along with local favorites Delta on Main Street, Metamorphosis Jazz Band and the Universal Project Ensemble. Best of all, many of the performances will take place in the city's parks, tourist districts and night markets, which should jazz things up a bit.
This is not only the first major jazz festival for Taichung, it's a first for Taiwan as well, said the festival's director, Amy Huang (
In keeping with its grand aspirations, the festival starts tomorrow with a parade. Beginning at 3pm, live jazz bands and mini cars will make their way from Taichung City's Cultural Affairs Bureau to Fengle Sculpture park for a six-hour concert in the park with Faddis, Mays, the Universal Project Ensemble and Japanese piano trio Jivestakes.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TAICHUNG JAZZ FESTIVAL
Trumpeter Jon Faddis has been called the heir apparent to Dizzy Gillespie. He spent much of his youth trying to imitate the famous trumpeter and, by some accounts, surpassed his abilities. He now serves as the music director of the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra.
Bill Mays' career behind the keyboard spans 40 years as a pianist, composer and arranger. He's played with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Frank Zappa and recorded some 13 titles under his own name. He'll be joined this weekend by Taiwan's own Lin Wei-shing (
Another opening night highlight is the Universal Project Ensemble (UPE). Established last year by trumpeter Chiu Chien-erh (
In the festival's second and third weeks, piano virtuoso and recording artist Lou Rainone and his band take the stage for several sets, starting on Oct. 11 with the Metamorphosis Jazz Band. Rainone is a highly sought hired gun for other artists wanting the best studio musicians they can find. He also teaches piano and is scheduled to give a jazz master class. Faddis and Mays are scheduled to do the same.
Music isn't the only thing on offer, as the venues chosen for many of the performances will showcase the best of Taichung. The opening day concert is in the city's sculpture park, the closing day concert is in Taichung Park and several highly anticipated sets will be played in a variety of locations; scenic Chingming 1st St, the Green Aisle of the Art Museum and Fengchia night market, to name a few.
At many of the venues, and particularly on the festival's opening and closing days, foreign resident restauranteurs will be serving up a smorgasbord of "exotic cuisine" and authentic Taichung snacks that festival organizers promise will "take your stomach on a trip around the world" -- for better or worse.
Getting there couldn't be easier as Taichung's Cultural Affairs Bureau is sponsoring a "one-dollar train" from Taipei and Kaohsiung. One NT buys you a one-way ticket to Taichung tomorrow morning only. Taipei residents should meet at West Gate 3 of Taipei Main Station before the train's 10am departure. Kaohsiung residents should meet at the front gate of the city's train station for a 9am departure. Additional information and a complete schedule of events can be found on the culture bureau's bilingual Web site at http://www.tccgc.gov.tw/report/2003-jazz.
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