SECRET SOCIETY NORTH
JOHN BASSETT THEATRE, METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE
2008 IAJE CONFERENCE
TORONTO
10 JANUARY 2008
SETLIST (click to listen/right-click or ctrl-click to download)
1) MP3: Flux in a Box
Solos: Erik Hove, alto sax; Gordon Webster, keyboard
2) MP3: Phobos
Solos: Jon Wikan, cajon; Joel Miller, tenor sax
3) MP3: Ferromagnetic
Solo: Kevin Turcotte, trumpet
4) MP3: Habeas Corpus
Solo: Mike Fahie, trombone
5) MP3: Transit
Solo: Ingrid Jensen, trumpet
Well, this was supposed to be the Big One. IAJE is our SXSW, our CMJ Marathon, and there isn't a single group performing at the conference who isn't hoping for a "big break" of some kind... whatever the hell that means these days. (And hey, it happens -- the Industrial Jazz Group's IAJE hit last year led to their appearance Amsterdam's legendary Bimhuis.) With audiences for jazz continuing to melt away, the IAJE Conference, for all of its flaws, is one of the few remaining opportunities for new artists to make some noise in front of people with open ears. Hence my ill-advised scheme to bring an 18-piece band there.
Our experience began somewhat inauspiciously, as stagehands approached the beautiful blond vintage Rhodes piano -- previously used in this venue by Nordic Connect's Maggi Olin, and just moments before by Christine Jensen's pianist, Dave Restivo -- and started to pack it up. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, don't do that, we need that!" -- me clambering over rows of seats trying to approach the stage, as the designers of the John Bassett Theatre apparently did not believe in aisles. No luck -- although I'd been assured last night that the instrument would be available for our set, apparently some other group had dibs on it. I guess I'm lucky the acoustic piano didn't get wheeled off alongside the Rhodes.
After that, it was just one thing after another -- not enough music stands, no one seems to know where to find more. No signal on the electric instruments. Effects boxes not working. No one can see their parts, no one can hear the people they need to hear. All of of the usual frenetic soundcheck stuff, nothing much to worry about -- until, approximately 20 minutes before we are scheduled to go on, I discover we have no drum music. We send runners all over the convention center but as far as anyone knows, it's gone gone gone. And before we have the opportunity to play a note of soundcheck as a group, they open up the hall and people begin to stream in. Begging the audience's kind indulgence, we have time to test about 30 seconds of our first tune, and take a collective deep breath. Then we're on.
The results you can hear above. I am incredibly grateful to the band -- and especially to Jon, it goes without saying -- for rising to the occasion. I am unbelievably appreciative of our individual supporters, who made it possible for us to travel to Montreal and Toronto in the first place. (It's not to late to join their august ranks, you know.) And I am moved beyond measure by all of the you who responded to this music, who stood up at the end to show your appreciation, who approached me afterwards to tell me that what we played meant something to you. It means a great deal to us as well, and all we want is the opportunity to keep on bringing it to you.
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Other perspectives...
I heard far less music at IAJE than in years past, but Darcy's Secret Society North gig was nothing less than explosive.
I had seen the NY version of the band and hearing it in a bigger room with a huge sound system seemed to make the music even more exciting (if that’s possible) and cranked the band’s energy level.
Tonight was the first time I have had the pleasure of hearing his music live (and from the third row!!!) and I am BLOWN AWAY. I actually had to leave the conference and go to my room to absorb and process everything.
He turned this place upside down; drawing from influences to which many a jazz musician refuse to open. Raucous and irreverent, all the while self-assured and honest.
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Our Winter 2008 Secret Society North Tour is now complete, but it's not too late to help support this effort by making a tax-deductible donation or purchasing a lovely Secret Society T-Shirt.
More photos below the fold.
Photos by William Paul
Jon Wikan:
Ingrid Jensen, Jon Wikan, Carl Maraghi:
Erik Hove:
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