Hot Jazz Hour with Sarah Kennedy, Silk Purse Arts Centre, Aug. 11, 4:30 p.m. as part of the Harmony Arts Festival (harmonyarts.ca).
When Sarah Kennedy performs her sultry sets, she taps into her diva side: “I dress up, I wear my hair up, I try to look glamorous … and I often incorporate humour into my interpretations to jazz music,” she explains over the phone from her home in Vancouver.
But at this year’s upcoming Harmony Arts Festival, which from August 4 to 13 will showcase local food, film, music, literature and art at venues across West Van, Kennedy’s performance at the Silk Purse Gallery will be a little more introspective, and a bit deeper, than usual.
The set is a collection of new works written by Kennedy along with local jazz musician Dan Reynolds, and is inspired by the poetry of Rupi Kaur, Rumi and Hafez, an ancient Sufi master who dedicated his life to poetry. It’s some of the latest from the locally trained singer whose sound is inspired by 20th century jazz icons Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O’Day and Sarah Vaughan, as well as newer voices Esperanza Spalding, Grechen Parlato – and even Joni Mitchell.
“I’ve (also) done a Blossom Dearie tribute show. She was known for her cute girlie voice and humorous interpretation of show tunes.” The songstress, who as a child began taking classical music lessons at school and in church, and listened to jazz in her early twenties, released her first album, Portrait, in 2015, which includes ten jazz interpretations.
While Kennedy’s music career has taken her around the globe, with extended stays in the U.K. and performances in Berlin, London and France, the singer enjoys playing for crowds in her hometown at venues such as Frankie’s Jazz Club, and of course, the Harmony Arts Festival, which last had the pleasure of her presence in 2015. “It’s a pretty cool variety of performers. Also, (the outdoor stage at Millennium Park) is just a really beautiful scene; the nature in the background, the water … I think the environment that you’re playing in hugely influences the effect of the music,” Kennedy explains.
On Kennedy’s festival must-see list is Vancouver-based Dawn Pemberton: “I’ve seen her perform many times and I’ve always loved the depth and richness of her voice. Her sound is soulful with strong jazz and funk arrangements.
In her most recent album I really hear advocacy for self love and holding your ground,” she quips. There is also Khari McClelland, who “blows me away with his ability to draw the audience into the musical story of his ancestry. (He’s got) very strong gospel and roots influences and is an incredibly engaging performer.” There’s also Tanga: “I actually haven’t seen this band yet but their rhythm section sounds amazing and I know it’s a line up of pretty smokin’ players. I’m guessing this’ll be a really groovin’ show,” Kennedy says.
While the festival will be the last performance of Kennedy’s for a little while, other than a “Blossom Time” show at Frankie’s on November 26 and one with Nick Peck at the Heritage Grill in New Westminster on October 4, there is a strategy behind the hiatus. “The performance at Harmony will be filmed to create a music video which will be used to apply for a grant to further develop the project,” says Kennedy.
Kennedy’s also turning her attention to the meaning behind her music: “I’m looking in to how music can support people who are in grief which is something that is influencing the composition and where I’m going with it in the future,” she says.
The Harmony Arts Festival takes place August 3 to 14 at venues around West Vancouver. For tickets visit harmonyarts.ca.
