If asked which summer festival created a funk and march-inspired retro variety show, “The Ottawa Jazz Festival” probably wouldn’t be your first answer.
But with their retro-style performance, The PepTides are just one of several unconventional and experimental artists to take the stage at this year’s festival.
“[The festival’s] always included a wide range of music,” festival programming manager Petr Cancura said, “but we are trying to move forward.”
A varied lineup not only reflects the growth in the genre of jazz, it also gives all different audiences and age groups something to get excited about, Cancura said.
Many artists with crossover appeal can be seen at the festival’s late night stage, where performances begin at 10:30 p.m.
These performances “are geared more toward dancing, without trying to impose on traditional jazz,” Cancura said.
The Ottawa band was the first group to perform at the late night stage June 23.
Five vocalists filled the front of the stage, decked out in retro formal wear.
Their choreographed dance moves did not lack in booty-shaking or exuberance. The stage was decorated with props including leaf-less trees and 70s-style home furnishings.
Front-woman DeeDee Butters described their sound as “multi-genre pop retro noir,” and likened listening to it with “that special weirdness of looking at an old photograph.”
Butters said they adapted their set for the festival by “jazzing it up a little” and making it less heavy on the classical elements.
Though The PepTides don’t see themselves as a strictly jazz outfit, Butters said they fit right in at the jazz festival because they can appeal to anyone — jazz purists, young people, or art geeks.
Cancura said another of this year’s acts with crossover appeal is Soulive, who rocked the late night stage on June 26.
Guitarist Eric Krasno said Soulive is definitely a “groove band,” but they shy away from genre labels.
“We try to stay away from classifying,” Krasno said. “We just play what we feel.”
Throughout their history, the trio has dabbled in hip hop, reggae, jazz, soul, funk, R&B, blues, and more that can’t quite be defined, like their release Rubber Soulive, a soulful, funky, and certainly groovy tribute to The Beatles.
“We’re unique at the festival,” Krasno said. “We’re all about people dancing, getting down.”
There are more unusual acts still to come at this year’s festival.
On July 2, Jaga Jazzist will perform in the late night series. Jaga is a 10-piece experimental jazz band with a fondness for electronics and synth-heavy pieces.
Additionally, Cancura said the festival is hosting two shows at Mercury Lounge as part of its club series.
The second of the series will also take place July 2.
For the more adventurous jazz fan, Cancura said the festival also puts on an improv series at the National Arts Center on June 30, July 2, and July 3.
Cancura said he thinks people react differently to the different aspects of jazz, so having a variety is important.
The definition of jazz can be stretched pretty far to encompass its ideals of creativity, originality and virtuosity and he doesn’t want to argue about whether an artist crosses the genre line, he said.
“The argument of crossing genres is not the focus,” he said. “Rather than focusing on huge crowds, we’re after quality music.”
He said he can understand why people debate whether the festival’s programming is jazz or not, but he’s not threatened by it.
“We’re still undoubtedly a jazz festival,” he said. “We [have to] be more open-minded.”
