reviewvancouver: Taras Luka concert - John Jane+Alexander M

Taras Luka is a Ukrainian award-winning composer and virtuoso accordionist, whose music direction spans live musical performance, theatre and film scores. His original compositions had first been publicly performed in Europe, then in 2023, released as a jazz album titled Part of the Journey and subsequently played at festivals and international tours with Luka in both solo and ensemble performances.

At North Vancouver's Civic Plaza, Luka presented a fascinating midday set drawing on selections from his recent album as well as newly written pieces expressly for the North Shore Jazz Series. Luka's musical style is a fusion of contemporary jazz and pan-Latin. Leading a quintet that featured guitar, saxophone, bass and drums, he opened the set with a lyrical piece that established the group’s rhythmic cohesion. The accordion provided the primary melodic thrust, supported by understated guitar voicings and a steady rhythm section. The saxophone contributed counterlines and ensemble textures.

Midway through the performance, a new composition offered a shift in tone, incorporating Latin rhythmic elements and alternating ensemble figures. The combo maintained a consistent dynamic balance, with each member contributing to the overall structure without extended solo streams dominating the form.

The midday audience seemed happy to settled into folding chairs arranged in front of and around the stage. Office workers, festivalgoers and passersby stopped to listen, not just because it was free, but with genuine interest, offering polite applause at each phrase’s conclusion. The open-air setting and warm weather lent a relaxed tone to the performance.

Taras Luka’s North Vancouver appearance illustrates his seamless integration of jazz, Latin grooves and East European folk. The set reaffirmed the accordion’s versatility beyond traditional expectations and demonstrated the Vancouver'l Jazz Festival goal of presenting inventive jazz in public spaces.