Paul Bley and Chet Baker
Paul Bley and Chet Baker made a beautiful recording in 1985. They were booked to
perform in Montréal in 1986 but Chet Baker was in no condition to play. The disastrous
show eventually led to a working relationship between the Festival and Gil Evans.
Dorothy Donegan and Phil Woods
The Piano Plus series used to alternate between solos and duets, which
created fascinating parings. In 1988 an agent offered eccentric pianist Dorothy
Donegan and old school saxophonist Phil Woods as a duet. Legendary jazz expert Len
Dobbin's reaction: "Really? Donegan and Woods together?" The only people not surprised
– or disappointed – by the 'duet' were Len Dobbin… and the avaricious agent.
Astor Piazzolla
The Festival brought Astor Piazzolla to North American for the first time in 1984
and his concert was a sensation, immortalized on a TV recording. Charles Dutoit
missed an opportunity to perform Piazzolla's symphonic music with the MSO.
Michel Legrand
Michel Legrand was an international celebrity for his jazz music and film scores.
He loved playing with Québec superstar Ginette Reno in 1986 but treated the musicians
like cattle.
Vic Vogel
Vic Vogel played the first 30 festivals in different formats. Zoot Sims and Vic
loved drinking and playing together. Mel Tormé denigrated the local band and its
conductor. Vic’s strangest experiments were a Cuban evening without Cuban musicians
and a Swing Dance Ball where Vic’s band played feverish, undanceable bebop.
Weather Report
André Ménard and Alain Simard had presented Weather Report in their pre-jazz partnership. Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter were booked for a double bill in 1990 but declined to perform an impromptu – and unremunerated – reunion.