‘Not low-key at all’: The Dino Martinis making Medicine Hat JazzFest debut

Guitarist Brent Kawchuk says it’ll be a lot more than just a stationary camera on the band for an hour.

“It’s not low-key at all. We kept it moving and we had a steady stream of really interesting guests as well and I think that helps the energy too in a format like an online one because the show constantly changes,” he says. “So it’s not like ‘Oh OK there’s the band and they’re going to play for the next hour.’ We keep bringing more, bringing new things, changing people out and then bringing all these guests through.”

Kawchuk says the show is re-purposed from a project called Stampede City Sessions. Re-purposing a show instead of creating one for Medicine Hat JazzFest led to a higher-end experience.

“We get the feed of what the switchers are doing, all the different angles and the jib and the sound and the lights. And you get that other production value to it,” he says.

The original show was closer to two hours long and included multimedia elements from The Dino Martinis’ 25-year career. That plus the live audience gives extra energy to tomorrow’s show, Kawchuk adds.

This will be the band’s Medicine Hat JazzFest debut. They had been in talks to perform at the popular parkade show in 2020 before the entire festival was cancelled.

Kawchuk says they hope to get here soon.

“We’re hoping this is an audition for Lyle and people that we’ll get to come do that one day.”

Tonight’s show is a double bill with Caity Gyorgy and Carol Welsman.

You can find links to tickets and more information for the rest of the week at medicinehatjazzfest.ca.

All shows start at 7:30 p.m.

by Chris Brown

‘Not low-key at all’: The Dino Martinis making Medicine Hat JazzFest debut

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