News

11 August 2016

Larry Carlton headlines jazz festival at Horseshoe Resort

Rock and jazz guitarist Larry Carlton will headline the Jazz at the Mountain at Horseshoe, Saturday, Aug. 13.

 

Jazz and rock guitarist Larry Carlton will headline a full day of music this weekend at Horseshoe Resort.

Carleton, considered one of the most recorded artists in pop music history, with four Grammys and 19 Grammy nominations, will also be leading a ‘master’ class for the fifth annual Jazz on the Mountain, Saturday, Aug. 13.

The festival kicked off in Whistler in 2011, moving to the Village at the Blue Mountain for the last three years and featuring artists such as Gino Vannelli, The Commodores, Nikki Yanofsky, and Holly Cole.

The show’s founder and producer, Arnold Schwisberg, said the move to Horseshoe brings the event closer to the Greater Toronto Area audience.

Along with Carleton, other artists at Horseshoe on Saturday include Ray Montford, Stacey Kay, and Saishubi.

Schwisberg said the variety of talent on offer should make the day-long event appealable to everyone.

“We’re really trying to invite people into the experience, whether you’re a jazz fan, or not a jazz fan, we have something for everyone regardless of your taste in music,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong – I love John Coltrane, but programming intense jazz to a festival audience is a bit of a two-edged sword.”

The day’s activities include a series of five master classes starting at 10 a.m. designed to get attendees, regardless of whether or not they’re new to the genre, involved with artists.

“It’s an opportunity for festival goers to get up close and personal with the artists, and learn about how jazz is built from the ground up,” he said.

A day pass — including master classes, access to all main stage shows, and entry to the after-festival music jam at the Crazy Horse Sports Bar and Grill – is $24.95. The VIP upgrade, an extra $19.95, gives access to reserved seating, optimal sightlines, and a free music festival CD.

Kids under 12 get free entry, and other activities include wall climbing, bungee jumping, and wine sampling for the adults.

Schwisberg said while traditional jazz – the so-called “honk and snort music,” he said – may not have the appeal it once had, it’s being replaced by music that’s more approachable by a wide demographic, including young people.

“The old jazz purists might say that kind of jazz is losing its attraction, but when you consider the popularity of artists like Diana Krall or Michael Bublé, that’s part of the modern milieu of jazz,” he said. “You see kids with stuff on their iPods and it’s so eclectic – they’re listening to Drake one second, and Steely Dan the next, or they’re discovering stuff that we grew up on.

“I think the modern approach to jazz is to achieve a balance, knowing that jazz has these deep roots but it has this modern expression.”