(Excerpt)

Several things have changed at this year’s festival.  “The Neptune Studio Series is not so much roots this years as last,” [Susan] Hunter said on Tuesday.  “It’s a solid Canadian jazz, intimate series.  We’re experimenting with three shows a night.”

“In the Tent (World Music Stage) we haven’t had straight up jazz since three orchestras played a few years ago.  It’s more world music (than ever), because it’s coming from all over the world.  I went to a World Music Festival in Spain, met many managers and agents and organizers.  It was one of those opportunities that presented itself – but I have to learn to control myself.  I only turned down a few things as too much folklore – but everything here is rooted in folklore.”

Groups include Fiamma Fumana (North Italy), Besh O Drom (Hungary), the Warsaw Village Band (Poland), Kekele (Congo), and Vinicius Cantuaria (Brazil).

“What’s new is that we have introduced 10 p.m. concerts in the Neptune Studio Series, and moved our late night stage from the Sheraton to Stayner’s.

There will be three shows daily at Stayner’s, a matinee, an evening and a late-night till 3 a.m.  They’re going to keep the kitchen open.  Doug Riley will host the series on B3 Hammond organ and each night features a different sax player: P.J. Perry, Chris Mitchell, Mike Murley, Kirk MacDonald, and Don Palmer.”

Hunter has also schedule top jazz players, mostly, but not all, local, in the 4 to 6 p.m. slot at the World Music Stage.  It’s free in hopes of attracting people who are not sure they will like it to an informal venue where nobody notices if they stay or get up and leave after a bit.

“Student bands are back on the World Music Stage, (from 2:15 to 4 p.m.),” Hunter said, “now that there is no on-site tobacco advertising.”

Hunter was unwilling to push one act over another, though she has her favourites, including Middle East music by Abdullah Chhadeh and Nara in the Casino Concert Series (July 12 to 17).  Cyrus Chestnut closes the festival at the Casino on Saturday, July 17.

But she couldn’t help herself talking about Puerto Rico’s Plena Libre.  “That’ll be a big dance night,” Hunter said.  “I listened to their CD.  It’s one of those recording that you can’t listed to for two bars without getting on your feet.”

-Stephen Pedersen, Arts Reporter