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Vancouver International Jazz Festival
Kate Hammett-Vaughan
FYI
Obituaries: Canadian Jazz Singer Kate Hammett-Vaughan, Scottish-Canadian Folk Star Enoch Kent
This week we also acknowledge the passing of former Santana vocalist Alex Ligterwood and Jamaican ska pioneer Carlos Malcolm.
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Kate Hammett-Vaughan, a Vancouver-based and Juno-nominated jazz vocalist, died on May 7, at age 69, after a long illness.
An obituary posted in the Vancouver Province reports that "Kathryn Andrea Vaughan was born in 1957 in Nova Scotia. She studied English at Acadia University where she started singing jazz. The Great American Songbook would be her passion and profession for the next 50 years."
She relocated to Vancouver at age 22. Her obituary notes that "Kate was a towering figure in the Vancouver and Canadian jazz scene, with a Juno nomination for Garbo's Hat (Paul Blaney and Graham Ord), and two nominations for the KHV quintet (Chris Gestrin, Andre Lachance, Tom Foster, Jim Pinchin). Kate opened the first ever Vancouver Jazz Festival and appeared in it every year until her illness limited her ability to perform."
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"Despite never having been to music school Kate became a respected and much-loved teacher, passing on her love of jazz to her students at Capilano College and Vancouver Community College for over twenty years. She also greatly enjoyed teaching older musicians and friends at the BC Swing Camp in Sorrento every summer.
"In recent years Kate had a close friendship and artistic collaboration with singers Karin Plato and Jennifer Scott, and many will remember their Christmas performances as We Three Queens. Kate was a person of acute intelligence, deep artistic sensitivity, artistic integrity, and emotional depth."
Over her career, Hammett-Vaughan offered her interpretation of the jazz standard repertoire alongside contemporary vocal explorations with groups such as Garbo's Hat and the NOW Orchestra. She recorded for the Nine Winds, Word of Mouth, Les Disques Victo, CBC Variety, Maya and Maximum Jazz labels, and has appeared extensively on CBC radio and television.
She also had a stint as the host of the CBC Jazz Cafe series and was often featured in both West Coast and national jazz publications and other media outlets.
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In a Facebook post, noted Canadian jazz critic and author Mark Miller praised her artistic adventurousness. "'I think you have to play to the crowd to a degree,' she told me in 2002. 'But I’ve always felt it was part of my job to be in the business of audience education. Not in a pedantic sense, but just to say, ‘This is what an artist’s search is all about.’
"For Kate, that search was about finding ways of staying true to herself. As she also said to me, in a remark that I’ve always liked for its integrity, resolve and, yes, charmingly awkward imagery, 'I’m not wanting to make a painting to match anybody’s couch.'"
"Gettin’ Off Easy, Turnaround, Garbo’s Hat, the NOW Orchestra, Cheep & T’Audrey, We Three Queens and, of course, her own groups — each different from the next, by a little or by a lot, and some more challenging for all concerned, including Kate, than others."
In reviewing Hammett-Vaughan's acclaimed 1999 album How My Heart Sings, NOW Magazine critic Tim Perlich wrote that "At a time when substance in singing jazz standards has almost completely been outweighed by cocktail style, the winsome Kate Hammett-Vaughan whose daringly intuitive delivery reflects both the pragmatic economy of Sheila Jordan and the soulful assuredness of Abbey Lincoln — is redressing the balance."
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Upon news of her passing, many musical peers, friends and fans of Hammett-Vaughan posted tributes on social media.
Acclaimed and Juno-nominated Vancouver jazz vocalist and composer Karin Plato was both a musical colleague and close friend of Hammett-Vaughan. She sent Billboard Canada this tribute: "Kate was the epitome of style and grace. Musically speaking she was equally comfortable and passionate singing jazz standards, delivering the honest and heartfelt message within the song or, while freely improvising beyond any written music in the more avant-garde music that she also became recognized for.
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"She had a keenly sharp mind and an equally keen sense of humour. She was funny and could instantly recreate various Bugs Bunny cartoon characters, recalling the exact voices, inflections and conversations that took place in those famous clips. She remembered lyrics for hundreds of jazz tunes and other songs including the Beatles catalogue and many others.
"Kate was a generous and gifted teacher who inspired people of all ages and abilities to study the music and to honour the words and the melodies that the composers and lyricists wrote.
"Aside from music and humour, Kate was a loving and appreciative person and she would often say 'aren't we so lucky to have such wonderful and loving husbands?.' She was adored and admired by many of us who feel fortunate to have been in her orbit. We will dearly miss her and never forget her."
Mark Miller, on Facebook: "Folks who knew Kate well — I wish I had known her better — will speak of her warmth, grace and generosity. Folks who simply heard her sing will remember her as joyful, affecting and fearless, whether with words — Cole Porter and Joni Mitchell words, for example — or with pure sound."
Veteran record label executive and jazz musician Scott Morin, on Facebook: "Adding to all the love outpouring over the passing of the wonderful Kate Hammett-Vaughan. Kate was my first exposure to a truly improvising vocalist and I looked up to her as a towering presence in the jazz scene in Vancouver in the late 90s when I lived there. I can’t imagine the loss the Vancouver jazz community must be feeling right now and send my condolences to her friends and family."
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Vancouver jazz musician Jason Clarke, on Facebook: "I had the pleasure of playing with Kate back in the day. She couldn’t have been warmer, more welcoming, or more encouraging of creativity. An absolute loss for Canadian music, and musicians."
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Enoch Kent, a Scottish-born, Canada-based folk singer who had a big impact on the folk scene in the U.K. and Canada, died on April 28. His age has not been reported.
The Electric Scotland website's bio notes that "Scotland-born and then Canada-based, this legendary interpreter and songsmith’s love of traditional music was first inspired by his family. His father played the concertina, and popular songs, Scottish songs and old-time favourites were often sung at home.
"After graduating from the Glasgow School of Art in sculpture and ceramics, Enoch Kent formed the traditional Scottish group, The Reivers, with Josh MacRae, Rena Swankie and Moyna Flanagan. The group researched the history, lyrics and music of Scottish folksongs which were published by The Scotsman. Scottish Television then signed the band to perform these old songs every week to a new and ever-widening audience.
"The band’s live shows and steadfast interest in promoting traditional music formed the foundation of the Scottish folk music revival that took place in the 1950s and 1960s. Later, when Enoch moved to London, he kept this music alive and well with his folk band The Exiles, with fellow Scotsmen Gordon MacCulloch and Bobby Campbell.
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"Enoch Kent’s own songwriting craft was further developed through The Singers Club (a.k.a. “The Critics Group”) which he co-founded with internationally renowned folksingers, Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger. Since immigrating to Canada in the '60s, Enoch performed in many folk clubs and festivals across the country to wide acclaim.
"During that time, he focused on live performance and decided to put recording aside for awhile. However, after a 36-year recording hiatus, at the age of 70, Kent well made up for lost time with his return to the studio and the release of two outstanding CDs on the Canadian indie label Second Avenue Records: ’I'm A Workin’ Chap (2002) and Love, Lust & Loathing (2003)."
Kent released two more albums on Second Avenue (all four at that imprint were produced by noted Toronto folk artist and producer Tim Harrison), then recorded for prestigious Canadian folk/roots label Borealis Records, who released the albums One More Round (2008) and Take A Trip With Me (2010). Well-received critically, they also earned wide airplay and tour offers across Canada, the United States and U.K.
Electric Scotland observes that "Enoch Kent's music is treasured by traditional music enthusiasts with a passion for story-songs, love & betrayal ballads, and gritty politics. While his songs are deeply rooted in the traditional Scottish style, much of his subject matter is Canadian, giving his music a unique cultural blend. His natural storytelling style is complemented by a ferocious wit and kitchen-range warmth."
A longtime accompanist and friend of Kent after the latter settled in Canada, Ian Bell noted on Facebook that "Enoch was an early architect of the folk revival in Scotland and the rest of the UK, but was a fixture in the Toronto folk scene from the early '70s on. He was one of my very best gurus."
Fellow Canadian folk artist Ian Robb shared stages with and befriended Kent. He gave this tribute to Billboard Canada: "Enoch Kent was a giant of my generation’s British folk revival, though I suspect many younger folkies on that side of the pond may not know his name. With that distinctive voice that any blues singer would be proud of, he could sing everything from a rant to a lullaby, but as a singer of the big story songs — the “muckle sangs” — he was unsurpassed, and an inspiration to all of us who try to master those songs.
"I miss his singing, his jokes, his company, and his wisdom. One of folk music’s great characters, and a dangerous man to drink with."
Another popular Scottish-Canadian folk singer, Bobby Watt, forwarded this tribute to Billboard Canada: "As well as being one of the finest interpreters of Scottish song, especially those by Robert Burns, Enoch was a fantastic writer of songs, the most famous of which is probably 'The Farm Auction.'
"He was also a great storyteller. One of my personal favourites was his recounting of a holiday back in Scotland after many years in Canada. He and his wife had taken off from his native Glasgow and headed up to the beautiful western Highlands and Islands by car. They arrived at a Bed and Breakfast on the Isle of Skye and checked in. It became obvious right away that the Lady of the House was quirky because there were little notes everywhere- Don't forget to turn your lights off when you go out! The heating in your room is controlled by the meter on the wall, change can be provided by The Proprietor! (At the front door). This door is locked every night at 10:30. Should I have to get out of my bed after that time to let returning guests in, a ten shilling surcharge will be added to the bill! Etc.
"Enoch pretty well understood all of the various instructions but one. He went to the desk and tapped the little bell to summon the landlady. Enoch says- 'Mrs McLeod, I understand most of your instructions apart from the one in the bathroom, where it says- 'Showers are free but a bath is two shilling extra'. Should we just count up the amount of baths we have and settle up at the end of our stay? 'The lady retorted firmly, 'Mr Kent, if you wish a to have bath, you will come to me and give me the two shillings, and I will give you the plug! 'He could spin that story out for twenty minutes easy!
"A joy to be around, to perform with, and to drink with. When we performed together at concerts, we would always argue about who was getting which of Burns' love songs to perform. This was a class of song that Enoch referred to as 'pantie droppers'. Different times indeed. I'll miss him."
Scott Merrifield paid tribute on Facebook: "Sad news. A major Scottish voice in the Canadian folk music community. I have been having a few drams, listening to some of his CDs and remembering a house concert he did here in this house a number of years."
Toronto's Acoustic Harvest folk concert series, on Facebook: "RIP Enoch Kent. He was a lovely. fine, man, a true gentleman, with a wry sense of humour, always a ‘twinkle in his eye’ and of course, a legendary singer who shaped the Trad music world here in Toronto."
International
Alex (Alexander John) Ligertwood, a Scottish singer, guitarist and drummer best known for work with Santana, died on April 30, at age 79.
Born in Glasgow in a musical family, he did not receive formal musical training, but started out playing guitar during the 1950s skiffle boom after singing in school choirs and playing in the Boys’ Brigade pipe band. He joined a skiffle group called The Meridians and also played with The Kwintones before joining The Senate, a seven-piece soul band.
The owner of a vocal range covering nearly four octaves, Ligertwood named Motown, soul and rhythm and blues as key formative influences, especially artists such as Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and Curtis Mayfield.
Ligertwood is best known as a lead vocalist for Santana, with five different stints from 1979 to 1994, which included the US Festival in 1982 and Live Aid in 1985. He is credited as lead vocalist on Santana songs such as "All I Ever Wanted," "You Know That I Love You," "Winning" and "Hold On." He also has co-writing credits for Santana songs including "Brightest Star," "E Papa Re," "Make Somebody Happy," "Somewhere in Heaven" and "The Nile."
He additionally performed with the Jeff Beck Group and Brian Auger's Oblivion Express. He also appeared with John Cipollina and friends, the Average White Band and David Sancious.
Ligertwood sang lead vocals on the song "Crank It Up" by The Dregs, (previously known as the Dixie Dregs), from the album Industry Standard (1982) and on "Double Bad" from Jeff Lorber's album In the Heat of the Night (1984).
From 1986 to 1988, Ligertwood was a member of Go Ahead with Bill Kreutzmann and Brent Mydland. During 2000, he toured with World Classic Rockers. In 2014, he toured in Japan and Europe with Brian Auger and the Oblivion Express and was invited by producer Gerry Gallagher to record with Latin rock band El Chicano.
In 2019, Ligertwood released the album Outside the Box, on Creatchy Records, produced by David Garfield. It featured a remake of Santana's "Winning."
Ligertwood's last performance took place at Bogart's Entertainment Center in Apple Valley, Minnesota) on April 10, 2026.
Carlos Malcolm, a bandleader, arranger and one of Jamaica’s acclaimed pioneer musicians, died on May 6 in Palm Bay, Florida. He was 91.
The South Florida Caribbean News website reported that "As leader of the Afro Jamaican Rhythms during the 1960s, Malcolm blended jazz and ska in his arrangements. This sound can be heard on songs like 'Bonanza Ska,' an instrumental inspired by the popular western television show.
"Malcolm also arranged scene music for two early James Bond movies, both starring Sean Connery. Dr. No, the first in the franchise, which was filmed in Jamaica in 1962, the year it was released, and Thunderball, which came out in 1965.
"Malcolm was born in Panama where his Jamaican father, Wilfred Malcolm, worked as a bookkeeper in the Panama Canal Zone. The senior Malcolm was also a musician and show promoter who brought American stars like Paul Robeson and Marian Anderson to Panama.
A self-taught musician, Carlos Malcolm was a contemporary of future greats like trombonists Don Drummond and Rico Rodriquez, guitarist Ernie Ranglin and organist Aubrey Adams. He lived in the United States for over 50 years, first in California, then Florida.
In 2000, Malcolm received the Prime Minister’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jamaican government. In January 2017, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association. Later that year, he was awarded the Order of Distinction (Officer class) for his contribution to Jamaican music by Jamaica’s government.
Carlos Malcolm also authored the 2017 book, A Personal History of Post-war Jamaican Music: New Orleans Jazz, Blues to Reggae.
On Facebook, acclaimed Canadian ska vocalist Chris Murray posted that "The Jamaican music community lost a true legend today, arranger/bandleader Carlos Malcolm, whose contribution far exceeds what a social media post can communicate. He was also a gentleman. I was blessed to be the vocalist for several performances in Southern California with his group at the end of the ‘90s. It was through his ska era recordings I was first introduced to many of the mento standards that roll around my head all the time these days. RIP good sir."
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