For AV俱乐部 music prof Chris Mitchell, the Halifax Jazz Festival is a natural habitat: a sea of amazing, collaborative music.
鈥淎 festival is great because it really brings the music to the people,鈥� says Mr. Mitchell, who has taught saxophone and improvisation at AV俱乐部 for nine years, and who also directs the AV俱乐部 Jazz Ensemble.
鈥淲e always have great live music in Halifax, but there鈥檚 something different about a festival, in terms of the crowds. There are just so many great acts and artists to see.鈥�
Mr. Mitchell is no stranger to the Jazz Festival鈥攈e figures that this is at least his 20th year performing鈥攁nd he鈥檒l be playing as part of a number of different sets over the course of the week. His marquee performance will be the one that bears his name: 鈥淐hris Mitchell and Friends鈥� are scheduled to take over the Company House Sunday night, starting at 11 p.m., bringing the festival鈥檚 first weekend to a close.
The 鈥渇riends鈥� include percussionist Mark Kelso, trumpeter Kevin Turcotte, bassist Jamie Gatti and pianist David Braid, who won this year鈥檚 JUNO award for Traditional Jazz Album of the Year.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to play some originals by Jamie, David and myself. And I鈥檝e done up some spanking new arrangements of classics by Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Lee Morgan and others.鈥�
Tapping into jazz鈥檚 life pulse
Mr. Mitchell, originally from Kitchener, Ont., makes his home in St. Margaret鈥檚 Bay, but frequently travels to and from Toronto for shows. Those connections in both parts of the country helped him assemble his acclaimed set of players for his Sunday showcase.
He鈥檚 also excited about performing in an intimate, late-night setting.
鈥淭he late night is an environment that鈥檚 energized because it鈥檚 after the main stage show. It鈥檚 a place where people can take that energy that鈥檚 been building through the entire day and bring it home for one last set. And you鈥檙e so close to the audience that when you get into that vibe, you can dig deep and be creative.鈥�
To Mr. Mitchell, who鈥檚 released four solo albums and has won the 鈥淧rix du Montreal鈥� award, that鈥檚 what jazz music is all about.
鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 about exploring your creative side to communicate 鈥� both with the other musicians on stage, and with your audience. It鈥檚 tapping into that life pulse.鈥�
Mr. Mitchell鈥檚 other performances include playing with Riot Squad on Monday and the David Staples Septet on Tuesday. For a complete schedule of the week, visit the .