Sounds for the People
Casa del Popolo's free jazz stylin’ festival Suoni del Popolo
Suoni del Popolo (Sounds for the People) is the Casa’s way of saying to the big boys and girls at Montreal’s International Jazz Festival, “you’ve invited everyone and their Uncle Joes but left out the best from the free jazz movement - so we’re giving them their own space to perform." Either at the Casa itself or at the Sala Rossa for larger audiences, this hand-picked lineup give the crowds something they’ve probably never experienced before.
Free jazz? Think freedom of expression and you’re getting warm - jazzy beats and blips, instrumentalists and electronically made music, all improvised.
And at home is what you’ll be feeling when you’re at the Casa. The “mi casa es su casa” attitude is what has given this place their good reputation. As an artist friend said, “they’re on their way to institution status.”
Could it be the Italian family influence of owner Mauro Pezzente? Or is the long-lasting relationships he and his longtime girlfriend and co-owner, Kiva Stimac, have made over the years through their own musical touring and wandering about? In the end it really doesn’t matter, everyone is family to them. Jean-Sebastien Truchy, who played with Shalabi Effect the previous night, couldn’t repeat enough how well treated artists are at the Casa (although, his rising bar and food tab may have had an influence on him. Hmmm…).
Nonetheless, caring for the bar as their would-be home, treating friends as family, and buzzing around like social butterflies booking here and there is paying off. Long-time free jazz artists, some now in their later years and finished with touring, travel just to perform at the Casa one more time.
June 21 - Mitchell Akiyama, the minimal ambient dude with "sweet ass vocal harmonies"
June 22 - Polomo Polpo: "Lap-steel guitar and various electronics" combine for this CD launch performance
June 23 - "Kick-ass Surprise" closing show
514.284.3804 phone
la sala rossa
Closing out the Suoni Per Il Popolo Festival (All at the Casa. Limited seating. Shows start around 9:30 or 10 p.m.)
casa del popolo
4873 boul. St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec, H2T 1R6
514.284.5691 fax
info@casadelpopolo.com
4848 boul. St-Laurent
Montreal, Quebec, H2T 1R5
Jazz Rebels
Maybe baby
Digital Love
Turbo, take me away!
I can't fucking hear you!