Razzma-jazz

With over 400 shows in ten days, pursuing the Vancouver
International Jazz Festival program can be as intimidating as trying
to play Coltranes solo from Giant Steps, so heres our mini guide to good
shows:

Genre-bending
If youre looking for more than old
standards, pitch a tent outside Biltmore
Cabaret, where the most funky music goes down. Playing consecutive
nights are Alice Russell, The Heavy, King Kahn & the BBQ and Maraca
Salsa & Latin Jazz Bandall of which have plenty of mojo to spare.

Glamour girls
If you prefer your jazz big, bold and
backed by an orchestra, make it a ladies night and take in Pink
Martini, June 28 (8 p.m.) at the Orpheum. Vocalist China Forbes
sings Old Hollywood back to life and looks the part as well.

For the young (or young at heart)
Prepare to have
your socks blown off by Montreal prodigy Nikki
Yanofsky, July 5 (7:30 p.m.) at The Centre. The 15-year-old, who can
skat like a seasoned pro, was the youngest performer to headline at the
Montreal jazz festshe was twelve then.

Free-loving
For those who like free, David
Lam Park is the place to be. On the last weekend of the fest,
commandeer a patch of grass and make sure you catch the energetic
Irish-Indian fusion band Delhi 2 Dublin on July 4 (8-9:30 p.m.) and the
next big Canadian chanteuse Sophie Milman on July 5 (6-7 p.m.).

Vancouver International Jazz Festival, June 26-July 5, 2009, www.coastaljazz.ca