The 2009 FIJM (Festival International du Jazz de Montreal) presented the Festival Spirit Award to Stevie Wonder, and last night he returned the love with a free outdoor concert that drew tens of thousands of people downtown to the Place des Arts. That audience estimate may be far too low. There were people in all directions as far as one could see.
Imagine, in New York, a concert at Lincoln Center and an audience that packs them in as far away as Columbus Circle..

Stevie opened with “I Can’t Help It,” his song that Michael Jackson recorded and Quincy Jones produced on MJ’s Off the Wall album, then rocked out with more Jackson tunes – reggae, disco, “Shake Your Body” – then stopped on a dime and launched “Michelle” by the Beatles but in this case it was “Michel.” Singing French lyrics in Montreal was a beautiful extra connection. The vocal line from SW to MJ is straight and short, do not pass go, and the emotional line as well. For a very good report on Stevie’s heartfelt, thoughtful comments about MJ at the press conference earlier in the day, jump to today’s Globe & Mail.

In summary, Stevie says the life is over, the love is not, don’t be tainted by the toxic media coverage, celebrate the music, the dance, the legacy.

Wonder declared he is a huge jazz fan (as has been clear throughout his career) and played “All Blues,” “Giant Steps” and Chick Corea’s “Spain” with a long, extended jam that showed off the whole great band – keyboards, guitars, trumpet and tenor, bass, drums and percussion. Munyungo Jackson was one of several awesome percussionists. “Spain” got the most airtime of the night.

The staging and illumination were beyond spectacular. Intensely colored lights played off rows of rows of building facades, huge projections danced (a Little Stevie image synchronized with old Stevie hits). This was surpassed only by the golden fireworks that erupted over and over, after the show.

For  2-1/2 hours, MR WONDER sang his music. (At the press conference, after several young reporters addressed him as such, he said “That Mr .Wonder thing’s not going to work.”) From “Up Tight, Outta Sight” (1960s) through the four or five unsurpassable IMHO albums of the 70s through new material, including a piece based on an eastern mode that he taught the audience to sing, Mr. Wonder’s voice did not tire. He nailed everything, sang his melodies and harmonies, leapt octaves and more. People stayed ON THEIR FEET (no seats!), each one dancing on his or her square foot of terroir, until the very end when the band took a bow and lingered onstage. At that moment, the Festival piped in Michael Jackson’s voice with Jackson Five hits, “Never Can Say Goodbye” and more, under a sudden driving rainstorm. As always at Montreal, the sound was great. Then fireworks shook the earth. A city tried to fall asleep. The 30th anniversary Jazz Festival has begun.

SOME OF HIS TUNES THAT HE SANG BUT NOT IN ORDER
Somethin bout your love The way you make me feel Higher ground Love is here to stay (Gershwin) Don’t you worry bout a thing Overjoyed Ma cherie amour Signed sealed delivered Isn’t she lovely Just called to say i love you Sweet and simple Always Superstition .. please help compile a more complete list!
Becca Pulliam

Filed under: FIJM 2009