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The Sputnik // Wednesday September 28

Jazzfest brings out musicians from all walks of life


Kiley Bell Arts & Entertainment Editor Just over a week ago, the city of Brantford was alive with the sound of musicmore specifically, the sound of jazz music. From September 16 to 18, downtown Brantford was home to this years fourth Annual Brantford International Jazz Festival. The streets were closed, the crowds were buzzing, and the musicians were raring to go. From solo artists, to high school jazz bands, to recipients of the Order of Canada, the Brantford Jazz Festival showcased jazz from all walks of life. President and Chair of the festival, Frank DiFelice, was ecstatic about the way the festival had come together. It was a dream of mine to be able to have the festival here in Brantford, said DiFelice. The festival was something that came out of the Brantford downtown jazz community and it has worked out really well. Its really a dream come true. DiFelice, along with his wife Nancy, created the festival four years ago as a way of bringing jazz music to Brantfords forefront. Its so important to be able to share music with the city of Brantford. To be able to create this after spending almost 50 years in the music business is very important to me because its my home, says DiFelice. Both festival fans and volunteers alike share this belief with DiFelice. Jazz lover Lori Scott and her husband Steve have volunteered for the festival for the past three years, and plan on volunteering again next year. The interest in the music is what made us want to come back for the past three years, says Lori Scott. I think the festival opens up peoples eyes to the diversity that Brantford can have because theres been so much hype about the downtown area. An event like this lets people know that Brantford is still a good place to go, and that we have interesting things to offer. While many Brantford residents came out to support the jazz festival, a lot of them acknowledge the fact that jazz may not be suited for everyone. Johnny Nixon, a musician that performed with his band at the festival, was among the people that felt this. I hated jazz for five years because I didnt understand it. But when you start to listen and understand how its performed, then you start to appreciate it more, Nixon explained. Its sort of an acquired taste. Some people love it right away, but I was definitely not one of those people, he laughs. Whether youre a fan of jazz or not, its exciting to see such a large festival taking place downtown, especially in a formerly unnoticed area of Brantford. Its all done by Frank DiFelice and his wife, and theyve done an awesome job promoting it and bringing in great acts, said Nixon appreciatively. Anything to revive the downtown is positive, and I think theyve done well. Its really getting back to life. Frank DiFelice plans to build on the success of the Brantford International Jazz Festival each year by gradually making it bigger and better. And with positive feedback from festival goers and high praise from the performers, its clear to see that the festival is here to stay in Brantford. This festival In 1968, The Beatles single Hey Jude hit the is focusing on top of the charts. To this day it still holds a the community. record for being the longest song to ever hit Im hearing some No. 1 at over seven minutes long. buzz from people saying that this is one of the nicest jazz festivals in the country, said DiFelice. That makes me really happy, it makes me feel as if were doing what were supposed to be doing.

On This Day...

A crowd gathers outside the Federal Building on Dalhousie to take in a show. (Photo by Venetia Bodanis)

An empty drumset sits on the main stage at Brantfords Jazzfest. (Photo by Venetia Bodanis)

One of many local bands play on the streets of Brantford during Jazzfest. (Photo by Venetia Bodanis)

Sounds Good: Wilfrid Laurier University Edition


Josh Linton Staff Throughout the past couple of years, Wilfrid Laurier University has had some amazing Canadian musicians perform on both Waterloo and Brantford campuses. Back in 2009, Juno-winning, platinumawarded, indie rock band Metric headlined O-week at Lauriers Waterloo campus. In the Canadian music scene, Metric is one name that will always come to mind whether you are a fan or not, simply because of the magnitude of their now widespread fame. Only a week after Metrics appearance, Alexisonfire, the band named after the worlds only lactating contortionist porn star, played at the main campus. When performing live they brought a ton of energy on stage with their high-enthusiasm dancing- or rather, their high-enthusiasm jumping- that pumped up the crowd like you wouldnt believe. Due to the bands recent break-up, Laurier students of 09 were blessed enough to see a now lost piece of Canadian music gold. This year, Laurier Brantford students were privileged with a performance by Candy Coated Killahz, Canadas version of the Black Eyed Peas just without those two losers, Taboob and Apple Crisp. At least I think those are their names. Candy Coated Killahz are Canadas next big party artists so for all you students who saw them perform at NV this year, you can now claim the hipsters motto, I liked them before they were big. And these are just a few of the great bands that have graced Lauriers campuses. This year, Classified, the Nova Scotian hip-hop artist known for his singles, That Aint Classy and Oh Canada performed that our school has managed to bring to us. at Laurier Waterloos O-week. Keep the good Canadian music coming our Ill Scarlett, the rock reggae fusion band way Wilfrid Laurier; youre doing a fantasfrom Mississauga, played during Brant- tic job. fords O-week in 2008. Down With Webster If there is just one request I can make came to Brantford last September to per- for the future, its to completely stay away form at the Sanderson Center for both stu- from Nickelback. I grew up in a small hick dents and residents of the city. Faber Drive town and even I dont like them. was my O-Week band last year, along with Vinyl Heart, an extremely underrated and unnoticed band that all of you need to check out. Like them or not, these are some pretty great, not to mention wildly 519.753.4921 Toll Free: 1-800-550-4900 popular, artists

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