chris wong in sync

Trick or treat has new meaning for Cal Koat. On Hallowe'en, Koat found out that Fairchild Radio no longer requires his services as international program director for 96.1 FM. Fairchild also abruptly relieved Koat of his many other duties at 96.1 and sister station AM 1470 (CJVB). Those responsibilities included hosting Worldbeat Wakeup and Crossing Cultures, two shows on the FM station that got the axe.

This is devastating news for Vancouver's world music community. Through these fine shows and his overall direction for 96.1's international programming, Koat enthusiastically supported local world music artists. He played their music, interviewed them, plugged their performances, and included them in the annual World Music Spectacular concert. At the same time, Koat exposed listeners to compelling music from around the world that you can't hear on any other commercial radio station.

Patrick Wong, Fairchild's vice-president and general manager, broke the news to Koat. I called Wong to find out the rationale for the firing, but he didn't return my calls. Instead, Wong assigned Fairchild promotion director Seme Ho to deal with me. "All I can say is they have a change of business plans," explained Ho. Koat said the official reason he was given was "corporate restructuring." While he wasn't told exactly what the restructuring would entail, Fairchild management has made one thing clear: "They're not interested in pursuing the whole world music, cross-cultural style of programming," said Koat.

Instead of World Beat Wakeup, which featured a wide range of increasingly well-programmed world music, Shadow at Dawn (6 to 7 a.m.) and Planet Aaj (7 to 9 a.m.) now occupy the airwaves during the weekday early morning hours.

Michael Sunner, who calls himself Papa Indian Lion, is the man behind Planet Aaj. I used to think Planet Aaj, which also airs in its original Saturday slot (1 to 3 p.m.), offered a fresh radio alternative. But Indian Lion's mix of Bhangra-heavy South Asian music with electronica, hip hop and r&b now sounds repetitive. Almost every song has a thumping beat-not my idea of morning music. Indian Lion's on-air patter also annoys.

Then there's Swaraj (weekdays, 2 to 3 p.m.), hosted by Lady B (Bal Deo), Indian Lion's former partner on Planet Aaj. While Swaraj's music isn't appreciably different from what Planet Aaj plays, Lady B is infinitely more listenable than Indian Lion. So now 96.1 has two South Asian-based shows. Night Shift (midnight to 6 a.m.) and Shadow at Dawn are Planet Aaj offshoots that also play some South Asian material.

What's going on at 96.1, the station that co-owners Fairchild and OK Radio launched in September 1997 with much promise? For one thing, the bottom line seems more important than musical balance. Planet Aaj and Swaraj are among 96.1's brokered shows, with hosts/producers who essentially buy airtime from the station and solicit advertising themselves to generate revenue. Ho acknowledged that a brokered program would likely replace Crossing Cultures.

At another level, these changes represent a retreat from the station's commitment to play the kind of diverse world music that Koat developed a passion for: international artists like Bebel Gilberto and local artists such as Alpha Yaya Diallo. Dumping Koat and his programs is nothing less than a slap in the face of the loyal audience for this music that 96.1 helped cultivate.

Hopefully the CRTC is paying attention and will consider these developments when 96.1's license comes up for renewal next year. Anyone observing the current competition for another local FM frequency, dominated by smooth jazz applicants, should also note how all this underscores the fickle nature of commercial radio.

Before he became co-owner of the Cellar, Cory Weeds brought New York trumpeter Brian Lynch to the Cat's Meow. I heard that Lynch, whose resume includes stints with Art Blakey and Horace Silver along with work as a leader, played superbly in the show last April. Lynch performs at the Cellar Nov. 14 with the Mike Allen Trio and Nov. 15 with the Brad Turner Trio.

I hate to generalize, but a lot of jazz recordings by Toronto-based musicians sound competent but generic. So it's good to hear Creation Dream, Torontonian Michael Occhipinti's latest album, which pays tribute to Bruce Cockburn. With help from solid players in the TO scene and guests, including clarinetist Don Byron and Cockburn himself, Occhipinti comes up with imaginative takes on well-known tunes such as "Wondering Where The Lions Are" and more obscure material by the Canadian icon. Occhipiniti will perform Nov. 23 and 24 at the Cellar with trumpeter Kevin Turcotte and drummer Barry Romberg from Toronto along with Vancouver bassist Chris Tarry.

For reservations and information, call the Cellar at 738-1959.

Every year Rosario Ancer and her Flamenco Rosario dance company, including guitarist/musical director Victor Kolstee, unfailingly put on performances that exude the exhilaration of raw flamenco. Expect Vancouver's Flamenco Rosario to do exactly that at the Norman Rothstein Theatre Nov. 16, 17 and 18 (8 p.m. each evening plus a 2 p.m. matinee Nov. 18). The central piece in the shows will be "Fantasia Flamenco", featuring angels and mermaids as the main characters. A duet between Ancer and Spanish dancer Gabriel Heredia will be among the other pieces. Kolstee and captivating singer Jesus Montoya will provide the music. Call 280-3311 for tickets.

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