PEI Jazz and Blues Festival kicks off Thursday in Charlottetown

The 2016 TD PEI Jazz and Blues Festival runs Thursday to Saturday in Charlottetown, and organizers are feeling positive about the lineup, some recent changes, and the overall future of the event.

Dan Rowswell dropped by CBC Radio's Mainstreet to tell host Kerry Campbell about some of the shows, and to say the festival volunteers feel like the event is on solid footing these days.

"We do yes," Rowswell confirmed. "We had a great year last year. It's not like a money-maker, but we had a net gain from our festival last year, and most of that goes back to local artists, and just to make sure we can continue this great event through the years."

The festival is trying to attract a wider audience by broadening the definition of blues and jazz for today's fans.

Rowswell said it's become a need, as tastes have changed and music genres have blurred.

"I think it's important for all jazz festivals to be diverse," he said. "We have a mandate to turn a small profit, or at least to not lose money. That's part of it. People will see that all across jazz festivals in all of Canada.

"But personally, I have a pretty broad definition of small 'j' jazz, so that it encompasses things like Lighthouse or Port Cities, a hot, genre-busting band from Nova Scotia, and the areas of confluence between folk music and jazz and classical."

Pitching the tent

Another move forward has been to step back, and re-introduce an old favourite from past festivals.

Last year, the big tent was brought back as the main venue, for fans who loved the event when it was on Queen Street.

"Yeah, the tent came back and we're very happy. It went very well last year and a lot of feedback from fans and festival goers over the years, 'Is there some way to get back to tent?'" said Rowswell.

"So with folks at the city, and some hard work from our volunteer committees, we're back in the tent series, but in Confederation Landing down on the waterfront."

Wintersleep Thursday

This year, the tent features a major show each night. Thursday sees a rock night kick things off, with Wintersleep headlining, backed by local favourites Andrew Waite and the Firm.

Friday is the Girls Got Blues show, with Kendra Gale and Amanda Jackson, along with Australian Celtic-blues duo Hat Fitz and Cara.

Saturday night's show belongs to Canadian hitmakers Lighthouse, along with another local act, Lady Soul.

Molly Johnson should be highlight

Rowswell said he's personally most excited about the Molly Johnson show in St. Paul's Church Saturday, her tribute to jazz great Billie Holiday.

"A beautiful, beautiful album that she did back in 2014 called Because Of Billie, speaking to the influence of Billie Holiday on her life, and all of us on the jazz scene in North America," he said. "So a great tribute CD, and we're just blessed to have Molly plus a trio come for our church show, 7 p.m.Saturday."

For the complete schedule, and ticket information, go to www.jazzandblues.ca.

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