By Denis Armstrong, Ottawa Sun
Photo by Matthew Usherwood, Ottawa Sun
What should have been a weather washout for the Ottawa Jazz Festival Monday night turned into a pretty darn fine party with two New Orleans favourites, Trombone Shorty and Allen Toussaint.
Headlining the festival for the last three years, the 26-year-old Shorty is what the kids call phat, which means he’s a tireless performer who’s always on, always giving a nonstop show of rocking, funky jazz — or is that New Orleans gospel rock?
Accompanied by his heavy-hitting gang of four with Mike Ballard on bass, Pete Murano on guitar, Dan Oestreicher on sax and Joey Peebles on drums, Shorty made quick work of the unfriendly weather, pumping up a jubilantly funky gig featuring tons of bass and drums up front, driving the beat home from beginning to end.
Read more: Shorty and sweet sounds
Related story: Jazzfest swings through rain, Ottawa Sun, June 24
