Loose Blues News

Gains & Losses I: Nova Scotia's gain is Toronto's loss, as revered veteran local bluesman Morgan Davis and his family are moving to the Halifax environs in December. Of course, maybe the TBS will gain another east coast correspondent. We warmly wish them the very best.

Gains & Losses II: Singer, instrumentalist and composer Suzie Vinnick will be spending less time in Toronto starting this month, but her career advancement will be returning her frequently. Suzie, along with co-writers, just won the grand prize in the Northern California Songwriters Association songwriting contest. As well, Suzie has just received a grant towards her new record. Additionally, one of her bands, VS&H, is in the process of recording a live-off-the-floor CD with Alec Fraser, with a tentative CD release for early December, following her performance with the TBS Women's Blues Revue.

Gains & Losses III: While the loss of two of Toronto's too-few radio blues hours is still being mourned by former CJRT listeners, a new radio blues show is being developed at CFBU (Brock Radio) by Deborah Cartmer. The weekly show will air on campus, on cable and via the web. CDs are being solicited, especially from Canadian blues artists and women in blues, as are interview guests. To donate a CD or two to the Brock Radio library, or to send a bio, contact Deborah Cartmer c/o CFBU Brock Radio, 500 Glendridge Avenue, St. Catharines, Ontario L2S 3A1.

Gains & Losses IV: In Durham region, Dines-Eez, aka "Oshawa's Little House of Blues," closed last month, but with the intent to merge with another establishment this month, with the goal of creating a larger and better room for live blues. Dines-Eez has been a strong supporter of blues acts over the years.

Gains V: Last month, another revered veteran local bluesman, Michael Pickett, gained a year to complete his first half-century. Warm wishes to Michael on his 50th, which we're assured did not give him the blues, especially as this landmark birthday occurred while his newest release, Conversation with the Blues, continues to accumulate positive reviews and airplay.

Gains VI: True North Records is now distributing and promoting the highly-regarded American blues/roots label Tone-Cool Records in Canada. Based in Wellesley Hill, Massachusetts, Tone-Cool has a significant catalogue which includes artists Susan Tedeschi, Bernard Allison, and The North Mississippi Allstars, among many others. For further information, contact True North at their new email address: trunorth@istar.ca.

Gains VII: The Blues world has gained an ally on CBC morning radio, as blues-friendly host Shelagh Rogers has become the regular host of CBC Radio One's "This Morning." The highly-rated national morning radio show kicked off its new season with its new host by featuring Canadian blues guitarist Sue Foley as special guest. The band performed several songs live throughout the show, and Sue handled herself well in interview with Shelagh - but then they've met on a few occasions at the TBS's Women's Blues Revue, which Shelagh has emceed several times, and Sue a frequent guest performer. Sue's latest release "Love Comin' Down" (Shanachie/Koch) has been selected "Blues Album of the Month" by the prominent UK entertainment magazine MOJO. She has just returned from a tour of the Northeastern US which included a special performance at the new B.B. King Blues Club in New York City, for "B.B. King's Birthday Bash", on his 75th.

The Treatment of Triskaidekaphobia: Blues Doctor Julie Hill (pictured at right) will provide in-vivo desensitization on Friday the 13th of October 2000 at the Silver Dollar Room when she & her band will perform blues to shake loose your fear of the number 13. Don't miss this rare performance by the too-busy Psychologist. Photo by Judee Bramm

Altruistic Blues I: The Blade Restaurant at Beatrice Ice Gardens, York University, and the Humber River Regional Hospital Foundation are pleased to present the first annual "Uptown Music Festival" on October 27 at The Blade, with all proceeds from the event in support of the Humber River Regional Hospital Foundation. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with music at 6:00, featuring Downchild Blues Band, Maureen Brown and Big Hand, and The John Borra Band. "The Blade" is reported to have superb acoustics and sight-lines, as well as food and beverage specials, and plenty of free parking. Tickets are $20 and are available by calling Angelika at 416-747-3859.

Altruistic Blues II: Jim Krueger sends his warmest appreciation to all those who contributed to the success of the Smile Down On Me Benefit held last month, a memorial concert for Roxanne Raczycki with the Racyzcki and McKinnon families in attendance. Musicians who graciously donated their performances at Mr. Slates included Fathead, Morgan Davis, Grant Lyle, Phillip Sayce, and Big Daddy G and Tortoise Blue.

Joan Besen (left) played with gusto and had lots to share with a packed house at last month's Piano Workshop at the Top 'O The Senator. Photo by Brian Blain

More Appreciation: "Bear Claw" thanks all of the supporters of the First Annual Callander Blues Festival, both fans and musicians, the latter including Rita Chiarelli and David Rotundo from Toronto, the Chronics from Sudbury, and The Hurtin' Blues Band from Iroquois Falls.

Speaking of Blues: Local author/Electro-Fi partner Sandra B. Tooze will be the key note speaker on September 23rd at the Masters of American Music series honouring Muddy Waters at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Ms. Tooze whose Muddy Water's biography "The Mojo Man" (ECW Press) has just gone into it's third printing will be joined by musical guests James Cotton, Robert Lockwood Jr., Levon Helm and Bonnie Raitt.

Dollar Specials: October kicks off with a few special events of special interest to Silver Dollar regulars. Michelle, who is doing a fine job filling the shoes of the legendary Marlena is celebrating her birthday at the Dollar on Monday October 2. It will be a fun-filled evening in conjunction with the Danny Marks Stormy Monday jam. Michelle will providing snacks and all she asks in return is that everyone bring an article of warm clothing to donate. Later in the week, another Silver Dollar legend, Eddy B, will be setting up a photo exhibit on the newly-painted walls of the back room. "Snappin' the Blues" will be on display October 5-7 and features photos of blues artists in performance at the Dollar. Eddy himself will be celebrating his birthday on the 6th and hosting Mose Scarlett and the Crockodiles on the 7th for "Legal Blues 7".

Seeking the Blues: Ken Whiteley is doing something unusual for an artist who has just released a new CD (Listening on Borealis - see JV's review on page 8). He's taking off on a one-month trip to India and it doesn't sound like a publicity tour. Ken assures us that he'll be back in time for the Whiteley Brothers show on November 12th at the Tranzac.

The Susie Arioli Swing Band (left) from Montreal is the most blues-friendly group selected to showcase at the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (OCFF) Conference in Barrie at the end of October. See the OCFF website, www.icomm.ca/~ocff for the complete list of showcase performers and further information. When they were recently in Toronto performing for a week at the Top o' the Senator, they were filmed twice: once for TVO's popular Onstage programme, and then live by Daniel Berman of Blue Train Films, author of the successful `duets' jazz series also for TVO.

Bleues News: Last month the Montreal Blues Society, Song Corp and Ruf Records presented a listening party for the release of "Blue Haze", a blues tribute to the songs of Jimi Hendrix, which features Taj Mahal, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Walter Trout, Trudy Lynn, Bernard Allison, Popa Chubby, Eric Burdon, Michael Hill, Eric Bibb, Buddy Miles & Double Trouble, and Jimmy Thackery, and others.

Dual guitarists Smokin' Joe Kubek and B'nois King (right) turn The Silver Dollar Room into a Texas roadhouse on October 28. For 12 years now, the hard-rocking Kubek and the jazz-taught King have proved to be the perfect tag team in live performances. B'nois King is also featured as the vocalist in the Smokin Joe Kubek Band. The Bullseye Blues recording artists are touring to support their seventh critically-acclaimed album, Bite Me. Come prepared for a high energy evening.

Pioneer Awards Laud R&B Legends: Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, Erykah Badu, Bonnie Raitt, Sister Sledge, Dionne Warwick, and Stevie Wonder were among the stars who paid tribute to soul singers of the past at the Rhythm & Blues Foundation's 11th annual Pioneer Awards. While superstars such as the late Marvin Gaye were also honoured Wednesday night, the bulk of the four-hour ceremony was dedicated to lesser-known acts such as the Chi-Lites, whose harmonies on hits such as "Have You Seen Her"' helped define the sound of the 60s and the 70s. In addition to bestowing long-overdue recognition, the R&B foundation also awards most honourees with cash, as many did not receive their royalties and or adequate compensation, during their brief celebrity or today, even though their music is known and played. In addition to the Chi-Lites, the foundation gave pioneer awards to Huey "Piano"' Smith, who performed on the hit "Don't You Know It/High Blood Pressure'"; Sylvia Robinson, who had a hit with "Love is Strange'" in 1957 and years later helped start the rap revolution with the discovery of the Sugarhill Gang; Clyde Otis, who wrote and produced songs for artists including Nat "King" Cole and Dinah Washington; The Impressions, whose hits include "It's All Right"; Johnnie Johnson, a legendary pianist who discovered and played with Chuck Berry; and Betty Wright, who may best be known for her hit "Clean Up Woman."

Wonder received the lifetime achievement award, while Gaye's children accepted the Legacy Tribute award on his behalf. Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, received the R&B Founders Award.

We remember: (Douglas) Allen Woody, a former bassist of the Southern rock group Allman Brothers Band, died last month in New York City at age 44. Woody joined the Allman Brothers Band in 1989 when the group re-formed after a break of seven years. Before Woody joined the band, it had lost three members, including two bassists and co-founder Duane Allman, who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1971. Woody more recently also performed with "Gov't Mule", who recorded five albums for Capricorn and was about to begin a live tour.

Walter "Wolfman" Washington (left) and his band make a long-awaited appearance at the Silver Dollar on Tuesday, November 7. It's an 8:00 pm start as the Dollar continues to accommodate week-night blues-goers who like to be home by midnight.

Musicians Take Note:

Project Grants to Artists and Annual Grants to Managers and Agents. These grants support activities that enhance public performances by artists in popular traditions (read blues). The grants allow artists to obtain the services of managers and agents to accomplish projects with defined goals that will increase public performance opportunities and audience access to works of excellence at the national and international levels. These grants allow artists to obtain the services of arts professionals (designers, photographers, etc.) for the development of a promotional kit; allow artists to audition for engagements and to work with a coach in preparation for auditions; support artists' managers and agents in their career development and audience development activities, including national and international marketing initiatives, on behalf of Canadian professional artists. The deadline is 1 November. Contact Gary Cristall at ext. 4294, gary.cristall@canadacouncil.ca.

Grants to Individual Musicians: This program provide grants to emerging, mid-career and established individual, professional, Canadian musicians, including composers. Grants provide musicians with an opportunity to pursue their own personal and creative development. Contact René Lavoie at ext. 5073.

Music Touring Grants: These grants are for Canadian and foreign professional music artists who perform as individuals, ensembles, bands, collectives, groups or companies and who wish to tour in Canada. Contact Gary Cristall.

Grants for Sound Recording: This type of assistance supports the recording of Canadian "specialized music" by Canadian professional artists, ensembles, bands, record companies and independent producers. Contact Gary Cristall.

Concert Production and Rehearsal Program for Classical, Aboriginal, Folk, Jazz and World Music: This program provides support to small, professional ensembles/bands/groups that wish to self-produce or co-produce one or more concerts in their city/town of residence, to rehearse for a special event or to incorporate new Canadian compositions into their performing repertoire. The program's particular emphasis is on encouraging the performance of music played or composed by Canadian artists, and on creating opportunities for the presentation of Canadian music. Contact René Lavoie.

Outreach Program: New Audience and Market Development Assistance: The purpose of the Outreach Program is to increase, enhance and broaden programming options for presenters and curators of professional Canadian artists and to assist Canadian professional artists and their managers in developing and reaching new audiences and markets. For further information, contact Sandra Bender, Market Development Officer, at ext. 5272.

The Canada Council's main number is toll-free at 1-800-263-5588, or (613) 566-4414, and enter the appropriate extension number. The Music Section's fax number is (613) 566-4409. You can also check out their web site for an assortment of directories listing festivals, presenters, sources of tour funding and more, www.canadacouncil.ca/grants/outreach

The Big Schmooze begun last winter, is a great opportunity to network in the music industry, find out the latest industry news, hear music industry veterans share their experience and expertise and to connect with potential creative and business partners. This month the guest speaker is Rob Rapiti from BLR Entertainment. He'll be talking about "How To Promote and Package Your Band For $ucce$$." There will be a free draw for a Session Guide - an indispensable resource for all serious contacts in the music industry in Canada, and a Free Seminar from Music Biz Seminars to be presented at The Learning Annex. The Big Schmooze also offers up-and-coming performers a live showcase to strut their stuff in front of major industry players. "It's a mini Canada Music Week in one-night," says music industry consultant and organizer Ellen Drake, who will introduce a new project: The Musician's Recording Fund. Attendees will find out details on how they can win money for recording and duplication. Wednesday September 27, 2000 at 8pm at Clinton's Tavern, 693 Bloor St. West (near Christie). Admission: $7.00. For information contact Ellen Drake 416 - 221 - 3285 or edrake@sprint.ca

Help! The Toronto Blues Society's Maple Blues Awards programme could use some help with sponsorship development. If you have any ideas or experience in this area, please contact Barbara Isherwood, Executive Director, 416-538-3885