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GINO VANNELLI & Bert van den Brink. a DUO-CONCERT at the International Montréal Jazz Festival 2008, Saterday 5 July 2008, with a very well known guest: bass guitar player Alain Caron and a percussionist from the audience.
THE VERY FIRST REACTION FROM GORD BAIRD WHO LIVES IN TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA dated Sunday the 6th of July with the subject: Gino and Bert Van Den Brink at Montreal's Jazz Festival
Intimate! Innovative! Daring! Performing many songs from his outstanding career and new songs from his new CD - scheduled to be released on October 15th, 2008 in Europe - was nothing short of brilliant.
Pairing down the musical instruments to showcase only his outstanding voice For me, last night Gino took me on an incredible journey. Though I have always appreciated his music and lyrics, Gino's performance last night allowed me to further explore the impact of his words and music. I felt I could relate more to the story he was singing than ever before. Watching Gino perform last night, I felt he was comfortable where he was. Here. Now. I saw the many faces of Gino that has only been continuing to grow over the years. He was funny, especially when and with the percussionist that volunteered to join him on stage. To the warm and tender expressions he bestowed upon Bert. I have never heard such an incredible pianst before as I have with Bert van Den Brink's playing and interpertation of Gino's Music. It was magically breathltaking. I thought Gino's performance a few years ago at La Petite Theater in Quebec City was the best I have ever seen, but last night's performance was an evening that I will always say that the bar has been raised. I am not alone as everyone showered Gino and Bert with 3 standing ovations.
An e-mail from Susan P. in Montréal, Québec, Canada dated Sunday 6 July 2008 with the subject: Gino was in top shape
Hi Barend & Trees, Gino was in top shape and his voice was warm and powerful. He mentioned that after his performances, he returned to the studio to finalize its next album due out next October, I can not wait...
But, I will see him on August 23rd to the Bel Canto Festival.....it wil make me wait..
Hi, I agree with the first message of Gord from Toronto!
Hello B & T
The concert was absolutely fabulous.
Anyhow, one of the pictures I am sending is of the placard that was in the lobby of the theater………They misspelled Gino’s last name - couldn’t believe it – in his hometown. If this email becomes too large due to the photos, I will send more in a separate email. I am sure you will also hear soon from Mary in Ohio. We had a wonderful time and have lasting memories of the concert and also visits with Gino’s family – but I will let Mary tell you that story. Take care and we can’t wait til we can see another show!! Susan
This Gino Vannelli & Bert van den Brink event feels for us like the best concert ever and we were not there! Reactions we received by phone and by e-mail and by sms messages is incredible! And the most fantastic reaction is from the Master Himself!!! Gino was so very happy about this Montréal concert, He praised the audience in a big way but Gino also praised Bert van den Brink and Alain Caron and the percussionist from the audience. In spite of the jet lag and extreme tiredness after all this hard and difficult work in the studio and the travelling, the interviews, and the rehearsals Gino came down the stairs of the plane with a big smile and a very happy heart, ready to rest for a day and than hit the road again for another two weeks of very hard work in the Dutch and Italian world of music, again travelling and rehearsals and the whole press thing... We have deep respect for this Man! Anyways, Gino said: "One of the BEST concerts..." And that means a lot! Gino could not stop talking about the Montréal duo-concert, so good to hear and to feel the kind of satisfaction after all the struggles, dead-lines while the time races by... Next Saterday the 12th of July 2008 will be an even bigger challenge at the North Sea Jazz Festival when Gino goes live on stage with 11 musicians... Thanks to Susan Gegg for the first pictures, we and many more people appreciate this very, very much! And Susan the bass-guitar player is Alain Caron, Many many Gino Vannelli fans saw Him play with Gino many times in the last 10 years. One of the best and the nicest professional bass-players!!!
We go on with this Montréal web page because we see such a wonderful
Dag Barend en Trees. Laat ik proberen de gebeurtenissen die op mij veel indruk hebben gemaakt in een paar kernwoorden weer te geven.
Wat het zo heerlijk en overweldigend maakt is nauwelijks onder woorden te brengen. Begrippen als:
dat hartverwarmende publiek dat door Gino in vervoering raakte. Kortom: een geweldige ervaring... een heerlijk concert zoals ik er nog een heleboel met Gino hoop te mogen geven. Bert van den Brink English/Engels: An e-mail from van BERT VAN DEN BRINK dated Monday the 7th of July 2008 with the subject: keywords Hello Barend and Trees. I will try to report and reproduce all the events which made huge impressions on me with some keywords.
It makes it so beautiful and glorious because it's so overwhelming and I can hardly describe it with words. Understandings like:
In a word: A fantastic experience...
Hi Barend and Trees, Gino was very relaxed and seem to enjoy himself immensly. We all enjoyed the humour between songs, his stories and his teasing Bert and the percussionist from the audience. The song selection was fantastic!!! His new songs and his classics, the audience was thrilled I am so impressed with the new songs. His performance of "Somewhere West" was a soul reaching experience, one I will never forget! And of course the beautiful "These are the Days" was done with such perfection of voice, piano and emotion that it brought me to tears. He also brought a new flavor to "Wild Horses", "Black Cars" and "People Gotta Move". I can only describe these versions as a mixture of Jazz and Classical. But that is not even close to what Gino has done with these songs. I believe in the future that Gino will have his own classification in the music world. It is an experience of a lifetime!!!!! And I cannot wait for the new CD, "Knight of the Road". Also, I want to thank Gino for all his kindness to the fans after the show. He was in a hurry to leave, but he was so gracious and wonderful to us. He came out to say hello and get his picture taken with fans. I felt so bad because we all kind of "mobbed" him for pictures and hugs and I am sure he was very tired and needed to get on his plane. However, he was very, very kind and humble. Thank you so much Gino!!!!!!!! You are a truly a wonderful, caring human being. Mary W's part 1 and 2 and 3 and 4...
Hello my friends, We’ll play again in August but this time with the Sherbrooke symphony. I hope to be back in Holland soon and
I also hope you’ll have a great summer and stay healthy.
Les Productions
Alain Caron inc.
Dear B&T, I have to first tell you, that I need some time to gather my thoughts........ LOL.......I am almost at a loss for words....Wait till I can get my head together
Dear Barend & Trees,
Songs we had the pleasure of hearing.
Gino took a chance with this show in his hometown.
an e-mail review from Terry & Ken in PA, USA dated Tuesday 8 July 2008 with the subject: When I Think About Those Nights in Montreal....
No arguing with Gino, it was definitely "One of the Best Concerts!!" After opening with a crazy jazz rendition of Wild Horses, Gino then treated everyone to A Good Thing teaching, then encouraging the crowd to sing the chorus. This song is unbelievable!!! He asked everyone to bear with him a little longer before getting to familiar favorites, and he then sang Somewhere West. If these two songs are an indication of the new cd - it will be phenomenal!!! Then, Gino announced in French that a famous musician would be joining him on stage. I couldn't understand so I asked his Mom what he was saying but she just explained in French too!! Haha! We started laughing but then I heard Alain's name and I said I understood! (We had just watched him at the Cabaret) He then asked for a volunteer from the audience to play percussion. The guy was great. Gino did a little slapstick with him and had people laughing tears. Gino followed up with These Are The Days, Right Where I Am, None So Beautiful, Canto, Black Cars, Brother to Brother, I Just Want To Stop, People Gotta Move. Not necessarily in that order but the best I can do! Ross Vannelli did a magnificent job with the sound once again!!! Gino's peppered the show with his funny stories about his tour experiences. He had the crowd in hysterics and his Mom a little nervous about his "dirty jokes!" The Japanese fan story elicited an, "Oh Gino!" Her only complaint was that she had to keep applying hand cream because her hands hurt from clapping so much!
We heard a lot of great jazz performers this weekend but none compared to Bert and Gino!!! We snapped only a couple of photos at the end of the show, since pictures were forbidden. But I do have some after the show. As you know, Gino had a plane to catch and had very little time to spend with his fans after the show. He came out briefly for some pictures, hugs and kisses. But there was a "Meet the Artist" in the afternoon at the Hyatt where we were staying. We had a fun time and it was great to see everyone from Montreal; Uncle Vic, Pasquale, Tony, Ron and Caroline and especially Mrs. Vannelli. But it was over too soon and hard to say goodbye. Here is a link to Wild Horses that the artists allow to be taped.
Hi Barend and Trees, I was standing next to his manager while he was being interviewed and I was AWESTRUCK... Mary H., Susan and Michelle whom I was with earlier that day were not there!!! I felt bad for them. I was there by his mananager and his manager wanted me to run up and give him a kiss... I was too shy to do that and didn't want to interupt his interview... but he keep telling me to go up to him. Finally the interview was over and the manager told Gino that this lady (me) who came from Ohio would like to meet you!!!!..... OMGOSH!!!! I almost fainted on the spot. Gino turns and walks towards me and gives me a big hug!!!! I hug him back and tell him I think this is a dream... then I babble about you and Donja and how I had spent the day with Tommy Villa and how I talked to Uncle Vic on the phone... (Another story to come). And then I say that I think I am going to cry and he hugs me again.. He is so sweet!!!!! I just cannot believe how beautiful this man is inside and out. I will tell you more stories very soon... Mary W's part 1 and 2 and 3 and 4...
Great to hear that Gino was so happy.
Have a great time at the North Sea Jazz Festival.
Hi Barend and Trees, I forgot about my sore feet when I saw that barbershop and met Tommy Villa, he was so kind and sweet! He showed us around the barbershop and all the beautiful pictures of Gino, his brothers and father. Mary H, Susan, Michelle and I were so excited !!!! And then Tommy called Uncle Vic on the phone and we all took turns talking to him. We all expressed our great love of Gino's music and I am sure Uncle Vic was very proud to know that his nephew is so well loved and appreciated. Uncle Vic asked to meet us after the show and we were so excited about that! We felt so fortunate to have had this opportunity to speak with him.. .. Thank you Tommy for making that call!
We were so impressed how kind and generous this family is and this was such
It was the perfect day! And to top that off, we go to the concert that evening Mary W's part 1 and 2 and 3 and 4...
Dear B&T, It was the trip of a lifetime!!!
He gave us the explanation of all of the pictures in the "museum"., and some awesome posters and newspaper articles on the walls, And YEP, I looked at the one wall and sure enough was the large version of the poster you sent me as a gift that came with the Las Vegas poster that I won on your website auction. Hmmm the poster of Gino with the "naughty" look !!! WOW !! You were there in spirit after all. LOL!! You and the Dutch Ambassador, Donja!!! . Oh the wonderful pictures on those walls and the stories he told !!! It was a real humbling experience. It almost made you want to cry, especially the pictures of Gino's Dad and the pictures of Gino's grandfather, Dad and his uncles standing at the barber chairs, pictures of Gino's parents at a celebration, pictures of Joe and Ross and a very special one of Anton meeting the pope. It made me think so much of the song "People I Belong To", that feeling just made your heart melt. Then all of a sudden we were told by Tommy to pick up the phone!!!! It was Uncle Vic!!!!! I could not believe it, all four of us got to talk to him!!! He talked to each of us for a long time, oh he is so nice and friendly. He told us that his seats were in the balcony but were told to meet him after the show. He said Gino had a flight to catch to Holland right after the show, but that we would be able to meet him. Whew!!! Oh Uncle Tommy and Uncle Vic are SO VERY PROUD OF GINO........They light up like Christmas trees when they talk about him and you really feel the love in the family!!
OH, THE CONCERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a magical evening!!!!! The thrill of seeing and hearing Gino for the first time!!!!!! I had goosebumps the whole time. When we entered the theatre, the musicians were setting up and there was a stage check going on and the lights were being tested. You could here the crew talk and they sounded Dutch!!!! LOL!!! It was great!!!! They did such a FANTASTIC JOB!! When Gino and Bert walked on stage, the crowd went crazy with excitement, and started off with a standing ovation! Gino, Bert and Alain had to feel the love and appreciation from the audience!, and that same feeling bounced back and forth all night from the stage to the audience, excitement and electricity all over the place!!! Gino looked fabulous on stage!!!! Gino and Bert are just magical together, the love, friendship and respect for each other just bounced off the walls, over and over!!!! Gino seemed to be so happy and relaxed!!!! He joked around so much during the concert, he even said that he and Bert got married!!! LOL...Oh what a laugh that got!!!! Gino sang most of the songs with a jazzy/blues flavor...OH IT WAS HEAVEN!!!!!! The songs I can remember are Wild Horses, These are the Days, None so Beautiful, I Just Wanna Stop, A Good Thing, Somewhere West, Black Cars, Canto, Right Where I Belong, People Gotta Move and Brother To Brother. The maestro's voice was perfect like it came from the heavens. It just went right through your body and hit your soul!!! You enter a state of total bliss and are taken off into another world that you don't ever want to leave or forget!!!! Just Magical!!! It is written on your soul forever! You are so right when you say Gino's voice and music go right through your bones!!!!! Gino had the audience join in on the songs I Just Wanna Stop and A Good Thing.....It was awesome!!! Gino was on fire all night and so full of energy!!! Every song was perfect, of course I cried during Canto, wow he brings out his powerful emotions straight to your heart!! Oh the songs, Good Thing, Somewhere West and Right Where I Belong were out of this world!!!! You could sense that Gino is at a place in his life that he is right where he belongs Oh my, and the version of None So Beautiful!!!!! Magnificant!!!! Bert played the accordian, and it was the best version of that song I have ever heard, Bert was awesome all evening. They are such a great combination. I hope some cd's of the two of them are released, they shine like bright stars together, true perfection. Gino's jokes were great, and the audience loved it!!! I especially liked the joke about the Japenese man and his wife, it was hilarious! The percussionist that came on stage was fantastic! Gino teased him and joked around and it was great!!!
Gino was given 3 standing ovations through the evening, nobody wanted the evening
Gino did come out after the concert to greet people. He was really pressed for
What a wonderful trip this was. It was the experience of a lifetime!!! The only thing missing were both of you and Donja. Oh and of all things, when Gino came out to greet everyone, he was wearing the same shirt he had on when Donja gave him the roses from us!!! Yep, her spirit was there too!!!!
I will send pictures later.
Hi Barend and Trees! It was a few hours before Gino's concert at the Jazz Fest and I was going to the hotel to get ready. My husband and I were standing in front of the elevator in the lobby and the door opens in front of us.... and much to my surprise and shock here comes Gino off the elevator with a news crew!!!!!!!!!!.... I just couldn't believe what I was seeing!!! So we followed the news crew with Gino just to watch what was going to happen... then we all stopped in the middle of the street and Gino stood in the middle with the reporter. All the crowds of people were standing by watching and I was standing within a few feet of Gino and I happened to be standing next to a man whom I think was Gino's manager. Wow!!!!! I was in the right place at the right time!!!!!!! never usually happens to me ever! The sun was shining very bright and It wa s the most beautiful day and here before me was the Master of Music himself.... WoW... It was thrilling!!!!!! Then Gino's manager sees me and says, "run up to him and give him a kiss
And thank you Barend and Trees for providing this fantastic website!!!!!! Mary W's part 1 and 2 and 3 and 4...
The Fans: A few Gino Vannelli Fans pictures (5) from Mary H. The happy faces after a Gino Vannelli concert: An e-mail with 5 pictures from Mary H. in Ohio, USA dated 14 July 2008 with the subject: concert pictures!!!!!! A PICTURE OF ME WITH GINO ....OH MY WHAT A DREAM COME TRUE!!! PLEASE TELL HIM I SAID THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!! AND WITH ADORABLE UNCLE VIC!!!!!!! GINO WITH MICHELLE AND SUSAN!!!!! GINO WITH LEILA WHO WORKS IN THE BARBER SHOP , LOOK AT THE LOOK ON MY FACE IN THE RIGHT CORNER I WAS TOTALLY IN SHOCK THAT I WAS SO CLOSE TO HIM!!!! LOL!!LOL!....WE HAD ALSO MET HER WHEN WE VISITED THE BARBERSHOP, SHE WAS A DOLL!!! DEAR B&T, I KNOW YOU ARE BUSY TAKING CARE OF GINO AND MAKING SURE HE IS SAFE!!!! I AM GLAD HE HAD SOME REST. OH HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECOVER FROM VANNELLI HEAVEN?!!!! LOL!!! I AM STILL THERE, AND DON'T WANT TO COME DOWN!!!!! HE WILL HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME AT THE NSJF AND I CAN"T WAIT TO HEAR THR REVIEWS AND SEE PICTURES. I BET BERT IS HAVING A BLAST TOO!!!!! TAKE CARE LOVE, MARY
A PICTURE OF ME WITH GINO ....OH MY WHAT A DREAM COME TRUE!!! PLEASE TELL HIM I SAID THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!! AND WITH ADORABLE UNCLE VIC!!!!!!! GINO WITH MICHELLE AND SUSAN!!!!! GINO WITH LEILA WHO WORKS IN THE BARBER SHOP
, LOOK AT THE LOOK ON MY FACE IN THE RIGHT CORNER I WAS TOTALLY IN SHOCK THAT I WAS SO CLOSE TO HIM!!!! LOL!!LOL!....WE HAD ALSO MET HER WHEN WE VISITED THE BARBERSHOP, SHE WAS A DOLL!!!
What an experience this was, straight to the heart!!!!
Well, I never know what to write!! I don't know all the music lingo! We just know what we like! I also didn't know if I should mention Mrs. Vannelli. But I'll let you decide if it should stay in. Here's how we met. What an experience. Ken and I found our seats in the third row. We had two extra tickets that we couldn't give away!! We tried in front of the theatre but we kept getting chased by security! First in front of the ticket counter and then outside by the festival people! Haha! By this time it was 5:45 and they were ringing the bell. So, we went to our seats and I turned and saw DJ standing by the door. I told Ken I was going to say hello, which I quickly did. As I turned to leave, Mrs. Vannelli was behind me looking at her ticket. The bells rang so we walked out the door because our seats were on the other side of the theatre. I told her I had two extra tickets up front if she had someone she would like to sit with. She said she was by herself. So I asked if she would like to join me and Ken and she was so thankful. I couldn't believe it. She is soooo sweet. She told me she had just left Gino and that he was dressed, so she didn't know what was taking him so long! I said he was probably fussing with "that" hair!! She just laughed. She kept saying, hurry Gino, people are waiting for you! Haha!! She said he had been so busy with interviews and taping a show for CBS about the history of Canada. How Joe was so worried about he and Ross getting back to town and kept calling. It was so funny. She talked about hockey and our Penquin team and what a hockey fan she is. She said Ross and his boys are real fanatics. I swear, I never prompted her about anything!! Expecially Gino!!! She did say that he told her not to get sick this time before Vegas, that she had the flu in February. After the show, Gino came out and was oogoled and awed and had his picture taken until I thought his retinas were permenantly damaged. He gave Ken a big wave across the room. Just as I thought he was going to be whisked away, DJ grabbed my arm and weaved me through everyone, right up to Gino's face! Haha!! Only it wasn't so funny then!!! He said, "hey, how are you?" Gave me a hug and double french kiss!!! Can't ask for more than that!!! Except I couldn't say one word!!! Not even NICE SHOW!! NOTHING!!! What a moron!! Maybe another 100 shows and I'll be able to say, "Hi Gino!" We walked downstairs and were deciding where to go and I glanced over at a very handsome man. He was just staring at me and I smiled. I shook his hand and said my name was Terry. A man came over and introduced us; the gentleman's name was Pasquale. Just then Gino's cousin Ron walked over to him. I looked at the man and said, "Gino's Pasquale?" He gave me the biggest smile. I told him I was honored to meet him. That I understood he was a very wise man. He just kept smiling and shaking his head. I thanked him for taking such good care of Gino when he was a young man and keeping him out of trouble. He just smiled. It was so surreal but I'll never forget meeting him.
What else...... Oh yeah, when we were talking to Uncle Vic, he said you're from Pittsburgh? We were speechless! He looked from Ken to me and back. We just said yes.
Montreal Jazz fest unveils vast indoor concert lineup Montreal's massive International Jazz Festival will once again expand beyond just jazz for its upcoming 29th annual edition. Organizers on Tuesday announced details of the festival's indoor programming, including more than 150 shows distributed across 15 different series during the event's June 26 to July 6 run. Previously announced artists set to perform in Montreal this year include soul legend Aretha Franklin, clarinetist Woody Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band, and singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen (performing on June 23-25 just before the festival's start).
Dedicated to the memory of pianist Oscar Peterson, this year's event will officially Festival organizers have also introduced several new series and features for the upcoming edition, including:
Altogether, organizers expect more than 3,000 musicians from around the world to take part in this year's event. A complete list of indoor performances is available on the festival website.
Dans le calme relatif de l'Oregon, il partira à la recherche de lui-même sur les voies intérieures tracées par les grandes philosophies orientales. «J'ai beaucoup étudié les religions», nous disait-il au cours d'une entrevue récente en prévision de son deuxième passage au FIJM en deux ans. Et d'ajouter que la partie formelle de ses explorations religieuses s'était avérée beaucoup plus facile que la partie expérimentale qui, seule, par ailleurs, fait avancer vers la Vérité. Parfois par des venelles sombres, et toujours dans le doute: suis-je dans un cul-de-sac? ça débouche, mais sur quoi? L'homme cherchait, l'artiste aussi. «Au milieu des années 90, j'ai enregistré Yonder Tree, un album qui marquait un virage net avec ce que j'avais fait avant. Ce disque a été assez mal reçu, certains m'accusant même de manquer de respect envers mes fans: ils voulaient entendre le vieux Gino Vannelli...» Après la sortie en 1997 de Slow Love, un autre disque de jazz acoustique, il travaillera entre autres avec le bassiste Alain Caron (Uzeb). «Je ne suis pas un chanteur de jazz; Frank Sinatra ne l'était pas non plus. Le jazz est un idiome qui a des harmonies et un rythme propres que l'on retrouve chez des musiciens comme Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock ou Pat Metheny», dit-il. Et Gino Vannelli explique qu'il aime combiner toutes les influences qui ont fait de lui l'artiste, unique, il faut le dire, qu'il est devenu. Les grandes ballades, le rythm'n'blues, le classique: Gino est un fan de Ravel qui alliait «l'aventure harmonique» à un classicisme certain. Et le compositeur français admettait d'emblée l'influence que le jazz, naissant, exerçait sur lui; au cours d'un voyage aux États-Unis (et au Canada) au début des années 20, il avait même averti ses hôtes américains qu'ils ne traitaient pas le jazz, leur musique nationale en devenir, avec assez d'égards... Et ce concert au Festival? «Une autre expérience. En Europe, je chante tantôt avec un grand ensemble de 60 musiciens, tantôt du classique expérimental avec un orchestre de chambre appelé Magog. Et j'ai toujours mon West Coast Band, une bombe qui me procure le plus grand plaisir.» Installé aux Pays-Bas depuis trois ans, le chanteur s'est d'abord remis à l'écriture, un processus douloureusement solitaire - «J'ai dû oublier que j'étais Gino Vannelli», - puis s'est lié avec des jazzmen hollandais dont, récemment, le pianiste Bert van den Brink, «un des meilleurs de Hollande». «Les Hollandais acceptent mon côté expérimental. Bert et moi sommes d'ailleurs à mettre la dernière main à un CD qui sortira en octobre.» Entre-temps, Gino Vannelli propose ses grands succès dans ce Songbook Concert, en duo avec son ami aveugle (ils sont au North Sea Jazz Festival de Rotterdam la semaine prochaine). «Je prends le risque d'un concert d'une heure et demie avec juste un piano; ça m'oblige à utiliser ma voix différemment.» Le chanteur change...
Gino Vannelli, The Concert Book, demain au Théâtre Maisonneuve de la PdA, 18h; avec Bert van den Brink au piano.
Vous le connaissez bien. Très bien, même. Après tout, ça fait 30 ans qu’il fait partie de notre paysage musical. Pourtant, le Gino Vannelli avec lequel nous allons renouer ce soir se présentera à nous sous une forme renouvelée. Gino Vannelli au Festival de jazz? Mais bien sûr. Il est vrai que bien des gens l’identifient encore et toujours à sa grande période pop, genre Black Cars et compagnie. N’empêche, Vannelli, depuis des lustres, démontre une palette de couleurs bien plus large que celle de ses bombes radiophoniques. À preuve les relectures de ses succès pour les besoins de l’album These are the Days (2006), qui se voulait un retour à une pop très sophistiquée, l’album Canto (2003) et le disque Slow Love, qui baignait dans les racines du jazz, il y a déjà une décennie. Et il y a la génétique. «Il y en a qui ne savent pas que mon père était musicien de jazz, dit celui qui reçoit notre appel à sa résidence de l’Oregon, alors qu’il est tout juste 9 heures du matin là-bas. À l’âge de quatre ans, je savais qui étaient Count Basie et Duke Ellington.» N’ayez crainte, ce n’est pas en formation big band que Vannelli va se produire ce soir au théâtre Maisonneuve. En fait, ça serait plutôt l’approche inverse. Une voix, la sienne, et un piano, celui du Hollandais Bert Van Den Brink. Là encore, la présence du pianiste européen peut surprendre. Pourquoi lui alors qu’il existe tant de bons pianistes à Montréal qui auraient accouru pour seconder Vannelli dans cette entreprise? Ce qu’il faut savoir, c’est que si le Montréalais d’origine réside sur la côte ouest des États-Unis depuis longtemps, ce n’est plus son seul pied-à-terre. SÉJOUR PROLONGÉ «Il y a environ un an et demi, je suis allé m’installer en Hollande (Pays-Bas), dit Vannelli. Pas pour deux semaines ou pour un séjour de courte durée, mais vraiment pour m’imprégner d’une autre culture et pour vivre une vie différente. «J’ai parcouru le monde, mais très souvent de la façon habituelle pour un artiste: en avion, en train et entre deux spectacles. J’avais pris la décision de ne plus vivre dans une bulle. Je voulais pouvoir ressentir ce qui se passait autour de moi. Donc, j’ai loué une maison là-bas et j’ai vécu comme tous les gens vivent. J’ai pris le métro, j’ai fait mes courses au marché et pris des mauvais cafés au bistro du coin.» C’est au court de cette période de vie qu’il a fait la connaissance de Van Den Brink. Comme les artistes qui ne se connaissent pas le font. Par hasard. En le voyant jouer sur une scène. «Je l’ai vu lorsqu’il jouait au sein de son trio, se souvient Vannelli. Quand j’ai vu la façon qu’il avait de toucher les ivoires, j’ai ressenti une grande émotion.» Rencontre, poignée demain, amitié: c’est là-bas qu’a commencé à germer l’idée de la performance que nous allons voir ce soir, performance que les deux artistes ont déjà offerte en Europe. L’embarras du choix
«Le défi, ici, dit-il, était de choisir les chansons qui peuvent se livrer en mode piano-voix. Certains choix étaient des évidences et ce furent des choix très faciles parce que pasmal de mes chansons sont composées à la base en piano-voix. Certains titres sont donc assez proches des versions que l’on connaît,mais d’autres disposent d’arrangements différents. «L’autre aspect capital, c’est que tu dois être à l’aise avec le musicien qui t’accompagne. Que ce soit sur le plan de la rythmique ou des harmonies, il faut pouvoir compter sur l’autre. Ce n’est pas comme si tu jouais au sein d’un grand ensemble.» Et, note-il, il faut que l’entreprise soit plaisante, sinon à quoi bon… «C’est une formule qui incite à la créativité. Dans le fond, c’est comme la vie. Il y a là un lot considérable d’improvisation. Ça fait si longtemps que je fais de la musique que je vois ça parfois comme une malédiction (rires)! Puis, quand je me mets à penser à la musique comme à un hobby, ça demeure une passion. »
We miss you, Gino!" Ce cri du coeur lancé par un spectateur à Gino Vannelli hier soir au Théâtre Maisonneuve résume très bien l'espèce de communion qu'a offerte l'artiste à ses amateurs. Et, non, ce n'est pas un cliché de le dire. Une preuve? Au beau milieu de sa prestation, le chanteur a fait monter sur scène un spectateur pour l'installer derrière les tambours le temps d'une chanson. Le bonhomme a même fait quelques petits signes de croix avant de commencer le morceau pour chasser sa nervosité apparente! Alors oui, on peut bel et bien parler ici de "communion". Bon. Vannelli était accompagné hier soir du pianiste hollandais Bert Van Den Brink, un musicien qu'il a rencontré lors d'un séjour de six mois au Pays-Bas. Avant de nous prononcer sur l'ensemble du spectacle, permettons- nous d'ouvrir une parenthèse sur cet accompagnateur hors pair. Van Den Brink a été tout simplement sensationnel, et on pèse nos mots. Capable d'émouvoir autant dans les passages lents et dramatiques que dans les folles envolées où les ivoires se font impitoyablement frapper par ses doigts agiles, l'artiste a su trouver le ton juste tout au long de la soirée. Particulièrement pendant A Good Thing, magnifique. "Je suis allé dans un petit club et j'ai rencontré cet extraordinaire pianiste, a raconté Vannelli au sujet de son compagnon. Je l'ai immédiatement invité à venir enregistrer avec moi à Portland." Une décision géniale, si on peut se permettre. Généreux
Se déplaçant avec une nonchalance bien calculée, Vannelli était en plein contrôle de sa soirée. La voix était à la limite de la perfection; il fallait entendre cette note finale de Somewhere West! Un ton égal, juste ce qu'il faut de trémolo pour susciter l'émotion recherchée et une chaleur incomparable sont les trois ingrédients qui ont fait de cette prestation un moment inoubliable. Nous avons déjà parlé de la complicité qui unissait Vannelli et son public, mais elle s'est révélée à son meilleur entre les chansons. Généreux dans ses commentaires de présentation (quelle émouvante histoire sur ce jeune homme américain tué en Afghanistan), le chanteur a mis en contexte à peu près tous les morceaux interprétés. Le genre de boni que le public sait apprécier. L'artiste avait promis une surprise de taille à ses amateurs. Elle est arrivée à michemin du spectacle, alors que le bassiste émérite Alain Caron s'est présenté sur scène avec tout son talent. En voilà un que l'on n'avait pas vu venir.
Et voilà une communion que l'on aurait bien prolongée.
PRE-FUN:
an e-mail from Donja in Holland dated Saterday 5 July 2008 with the subject:
When I met my sistas in space, they had one big dream; seeing Gino live in concert! They didn't know if it would ever happen..... I said; believe in it, nothing is impossible! Look at me! I am Dutch and I have seen Gino ten times in concert in Holland and the 11th is in view! Is it a Crazy Life or not ?!
When we saw that Gino would perform in Montreal, they were thinking about
I am so glad for all the prefun they had and shared with me! They are meeting
I have a lot of prefun too! Next week July 12th, it is my turn again to see Gino live on stage at the NSJF in Rotterdam, Yeah!
But that's another page! LOL
Well, tomorrow is the big day. Everyone is arriving tomorrow for the concert on Saturday. So far there’s 7 of us getting together so be ready for some photos and reviews of the show.
Susan
Hi Barend and Trees! Other fans from your website have contacted us and we hope to meet up
Dear Barend and Trees,
Mary W. and I will be thinking of you and Donja while we are in Monrteal and you will be with us in spirit!
Love from Ohio,
Mary H.
Just wanted to let you know that we’ve got several people coming in from all over the US and Canada that are getting together - see emails do work. Will have pics to you on Sunday – probably late in the evening. Looking forward to concert and thanks for the scoop for Vegas. I was planning for New Orleans so see if something similar can be arranged there (I know that you have the inside connection). Thanks again.
11 more days and Montreal!!!
Susan
Dear friends,
Thank you very much
Hi Barend and Trees, Also, I want to tell you the wonderful news! Mary H. and I are going to the I purchased the seats today, the show is selling fast!!!!!..our seats are not the best but we are still happy for what we can get.. I know that we will not be able to meet Gino after the show, he will probably not be able to do that. We are just happy to be in the same room with him and see him perform his marvelous music! Mary H. and I have never seen him in concert so this will be a ver y special time for us, you can imagine! Thanks again!
Hello Barend & Trees,
In the past days I have enjoyed reading all the reviews from the most recent shows. Great job keeping us all up to date. Just a quick word to let you know tickets went on sale this morning and the systems were jammed. There was a problem with getting the web page to translate into English so I guessed at everything since it was all in French. But the final result was success……tickets to Gino’s show on the 5th of July………
Just figured out – got 2nd row seats. The bad news it that it appears that photos
Will you guys answer one question that I have yet to find the answer to anywhere?
PS how about formulating a plan to get all of us together in Montreal – those who are coming in for Jazz Fest just for some Gino fun?
Susan
Hahaha!!! We just bought tickets to see and hear that singer!!!
We started calling a half hour before they went on sale and they kept telling us
Hey Guys!!!
I will definitely send pics.
I’m so happy! What a good news!
Back to all the concert dates Or have a look at the Montréal Jazz Festival
You are now on the Gino/Bert
To the TOP again... | ||||||||
This is a picture of some of the pre-fun.......Uncle Tommy gave us a tour of the barber shop, and the "Gino Museum" in the basement of the barbershop, he also called Uncle Vic and we all got to talk to him on the phone, I could not believe it, he even took us walking to the Italian market, and yes now you know why I am speechless!!!!! Yes you would not believe it.....
It was the most beautiful day in Montreal! Saturday July 5th, my Gino friends and I decided to walk to the barbershop because we have heard there were many interesting pictures of Gino on display. So the 5 of us started out walking, Me, my husband Jay, Mary H, Susan, and Michelle. (We have all met on your wonderful website and decided to meet up in Montreal.) None of us has been to Montreal before, so this was quite a great way to know the city too! We were having a great time... then my feet began to hurt because I forgot to pack my good walking shoes. Really would be nice to find a shoe store... and we sure did! My poor husband couldn't get us 4 women out of there!!!!!! I bought 2 pair and I think everyone else must have bought more. Well, I put on the new shoes to walk because I really wanted to see the barbershop and nothing, not even sore feet was going to stop me.... well, I walked a awhile in those and had to change into the other pair.. and this kept going on and on until we finally got to the barbershop!!!
We finally made it to the street where the barbershop is............We saw the sign and were greeted with open arms by "Uncle Tommy"!!!! Oh what a NICE person he is !!! He gave us a tour of the barber shop, we did not want to be intruders but he was really excited that we stopped by. He told u s we could take pictures and then he took us to each picture in the shop and gave us the story for each one!!!!! Oh it was like being in the Canto documentary. LOL. Then he said he would take us to the "Gino Museum" in the basement and he was going to call Uncle Vic so we could talk to him. WOW !!! It was such a thrill. We were in total awe of what was happening.
Well, as we were leaving, Tommy walked with us to the end of the street, he then said he would take us on a little tour of the area!!!! He is a great tour guide!!!! Lots of talk about the history of the area, more Gino stories, and as a bonus, a walk through the Italian market!!!! Wow, what a place, and what an adventure, and still the concert to attend.
PART 4:
A Gino Vannelli t-shirt and the editors mean a real Gino Vannelli t-shirt!!! A gift from Gino Vannelli Himself for the auction, is that special or not??? Nobody asked anything, nobody ordered anybody around for stuff and nobody begged for anything but we received this Montréal t-shirt from GINO VANNELLI and we received programbooks and brochures and newspapers from Terry & Ken Scelfo and Mary Hendricks as a gift for the auctions.
À 56 ans, Gino Vannelli a la crinière plus épaisse et plus noire que jamais, pas une ride ni une livre de trop. Top Gino, malgré le millage... Des chemins, Gino Vannelli en a pris de toutes les sortes depuis qu'il a quitté Montréal il y a 30 ans. Il a connu la lumière des avenues de la grande pop - alors que tout le monde roulait sur le highway du rock. En 1990, il laissera les boulevards de Los Angeles pour les rues plus tranquilles de Portland.
Avec 200 chansons sous la main, ce n’est pas le choix quimanquait à Gino Vannelli pour mettre sur pied son spectacle Songbook. Mais il avait quand même des paramètres à respecter.
La vedette de la soirée, maintenant. Le chanteur est apparu en toute simplicité sur une scène dépouillée, sur laquelle ne se trouvait qu'un piano, un clavier et une minuscule section rythmique.