Jazz Fest: Bootsy Collins + Trombone Shorty @ Metropolis

Tuesday, June 28th's double billing of Trombone Shorty and Bootsy Collins at Metropolis promised to brand Montreal as "the funkiest place on earth". It did not disappoint. Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews and his group Orleans Avenue kicked off the night with their sizzling brand of funk infused with jazz, rock, hip hop and soul.

Playing several tunes from their Grammy nominated 2010 album Backatown, Shorty and co. brought the funk from the opening note. Orleans Avenue provided funky horn lines, and an impeccably tight rhythm section, while Andrews displayed masterful proficiency on both trombone and trumpet. Shorty also showed off his vocal prowess on Allen Toussaint's "On Your Way Down" and Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On".

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly during a surprise rendition of the jazz standard "On the Sunny Side Of The Street" (dedicated to Louis Armstrong) in which Andrews used circular breathing to hold a single note on the trumpet for several choruses, electrifying the crowd.

The group ended their show with an encore that began with a N'awlins funk rendition of "When The Saints Go Marching In" followed by a Blues Brothers-like performance of Solomon Burke's "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love". The grand finale saw the band swap instruments (Andrews hopped on the drum kit) for one impressive final funky foray.

After a lengthy intermission, Bootsy's band took the stage and tantalised the audience with "We Want Bootsy" before the grand marshal of funk finally graced Metropolis with his star eyed, gold lamé clad presence. Backed by a goliath ensemble of 14, Collins hammered the crowd with P-Funk favourites, though the spectacle of his stage show overshadowed the musical aspect of the evening. It didn't help that the grooves would often fade into kick drum driven spoken word interludes that slowed the momentum of the evening. Add that to Collins' two lengthy absences (costume changes), and it was difficult to maintain any kind of musical flow.

The highlight of Bootsy's set came when he launched himself into the crowd to be mobbed by his adoring fans. After thanking everyone within a ten mile radius, Collins capped off the night with "P Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)."

From an entertainment aspect, Bootsy and friends delivered in spades, but all musical fulfilment came from Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue.

-Gordon M co-hosts The J-Spot every Tuesday from 4-6pm