Loose Blues News
Magic Slim and the Teardrops have repeatedly packed the Silver Dollar Room to the rafters (usually on the hottest night of the summer) and their return engagement on Saturday, August 25th will probably keep up the tradition. Come early if you expect a seat and be prepared for some genuine Chicago-style houserockin' music. Slim's most recent release on Blind Pig Records, Snakebite, is a studio record that comes close to the electricity of his live show, but there's no substitute for the real thing. If you only see one blues show this year...well, if you're reading this, you've probably seen many blues shows this year, but don't miss this one!
Back Breaking News: Big Joe (of Big Joe and the Dynaflows) has been forced to cancel his appearance at the Beaches International Jazz Festival due to a fall down some stairs. He will be replaced by Sugar Ray Norcia and the Bluetones on Sunday July 29. They were a big hit at the Beaches jazzfest a couple of years ago.
What is going on at the border? Recent reports of Wilson Pickett's strip search as he crossed into Canada for the Ottawa Bluesfest and our own Michael Pickett being denied entry to the US for a major festival appearance only a few days later have been the talk of the town. Tab Benoit, a seasoned road-warrior, also noted that recent experiences have left him feeling harassed and degraded and not much inclined to return to Canada (he is scheduled for the Beaches International Jazz Festival next week).
TBS prez Derek Andrews is on the front lines of this debacle as music programmer for Harbourfront Centre and though he maintains that 99% of his artists arrive without any hassle, there are numerous challenges that extend far beyond getting an American blues band into Canada (imagine trying to get a band across a war-torn continent before they can even begin to make their way to America). Blues fans are justifiably concerned that some of their favourite stars will bypass Canada because it's just too much of a hassle (so much for free trade!).
The other Pickett incident (ie Michael) demonstrates an extra hurdle for Canadian artists trying to break into the States. Both situations illustrate the absolute power of the border guards who operate with complete discretion and can turn away anyone they deem questionable.
The internet discussion that has ensued has also provided a few valuable tips for musicians crossing the border. Take heed!
If you're not in the union, you have two strikes against you already. If you are in the union, they can expedite matters. Consult your local.
• Cross the border on land and then fly US city to US city.
• Have your paperwork prepared well ahead of time (make copies)
• Have a passport
• Be polite
• Be professional
• Avoid showing off your sense of humour (and here it starts to get a little ridiculous...)
• Don't cross your arms in front of you
• Look the customs guys in the eyes when you talk to them
• Don't wear sunglasses
Changes at the drum chair: Fathead, Toronto's most danceable blues band is losing a key member with the departure of drummer Ed White. Different drummers have been sitting in with the band as they reshape what has become a very tight ensemble.
Whistler's 20th: Whistler's Bar and Grille in the city's east end (Broadview and Mortimer) has been a big supporter of live jazz and blues for many years and will be celebrating their 20th Anniversary on Thursday, August 23 with the Downchild Blues Band. They will be performing in the McNeil Room, the upstairs banquet hall which was once home to the Maple Blues Awards. There's no cover, so take advantage of this to see Canada's national blues band for free.
Ottawa "Harp Blow-Off": Jed "Rocket" Rached advises that Dan Guberman became this year's Harmonica champ in this annual Ottawa event. The competitors were backed by a host band of Trevor Finlay, Steve Lund and Barry Buse.
Cruising? The Rick Fines Trio is playing a Blues Cruise on Sunday, August 12 as part of the Peterborough Folk Festival. The Island Princess sails at 4pm and 6:30pm. Each cruise lasts 2 hours. Tickets are $20 and include hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets available online at www.infoshaper.com/pff.
Wayne Buttery & The Groove Project with special guest saxophone player Russell Strathdee play a blues cruise on the Ms Georgian Queen in Penetanguishene. The cruise boards at the Penetanguishene Town Dock August 5th at 7:30 p.m. The ship will cast off at 8:00 p.m. and begin it's cruise of the Georgian Bay 30,000 Islands while the entertainment gets underway. Tickets are only $15.00 each and on sale now. For reservations and information contact: (705) 549-7795
Finnish? Finland has a great connection to the Toronto blues scene, thanks largely to former MapleBlues layout guy Matti Temiseva, and even though there wasn't any Canadian content, former Toronto resident Merja Kiviluoma reports that the Pori Jazz Festival in Finland had over 70,000 tickets were sold. The president of Finland herself, Tarja Halonen, participated in the event. "This huge festival includes 13 stages, a long riverside jazz street, radio and TV stations, theatres, churches, clubs, restaurants, museums, galleries, art exhibitions and events like jazz jog and jazz rowing contest. The big open-air concerts are held in the beautiful Kirjurinluoto concert park on a riverside and featured Erykah Badu, who visited Pori for the first time, many jazz greats and blues stars John Hammond, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, Peter Green, Robert Cray, Jonny Lang, Olu Dara and Keb Mo."
Croatian Blues Radio: Kruno Markutoviae, kruno@vfm.hr, writes: "Dear fellows, I am coming from radio station in Vinkovci, Croatia, and I am the editor of the radio show which we call "VFM blues". That is show which is broadcasting every Wednesday on 22,00 h and it is 120 minutes long. This proposal is considering the cooperation, if you are interested in the following; I would play your music, promote your bands and put a link on our radio blues web pages, so that our listeners can purchase your products. In exchange, I would like to receive the promo materials from your band, and also I would like to receive all the news (the stuff which is not able to find on www) you can send me. I am open for all types of cooperation, so if you have some suggestion you can propose it (some other type of cooperation). Your blueser, DJ Krunodlak, My playlists goin' to Living Blues Chart.... just keepin' blues alive in this part of the World."
The TBS had a high profile at the
Harbourfront Labatt Blues and BBQ festival this year with
a deluxe infobooth (pictured at left) installed and organized by our new
event coordinator Emily Weedon and lived-in
for 3 days by intrepid volunteers Valerie Chamberlin,
Ken Wilson, Shirley Gibson, Gillian McNamee, Lee
Trian, Erika Schmidt, Sherrill Middleton, Paul Lefort,
Ed Parsons, Len McIntosh, Razie Brownstone,
Colleen Kenny, Patty Service, Tom & Margo
LeHay, Sharon Evans, Mike Smith, Paul Denyes and
Larry McCarthy (the latter three pictured above in the booth). Photo by Gunter Ott
Danny Brooks
(right) has been doing a lot to bring Gospel music to the blues community and his spirited testimony is captured on his latest CD,
Righteous, recorded live at last year's Southside Shuffle. He's returning to the Southside Shuffle again this year along with other notable blues players
including "The Hawk" himself, Rompin' Ronnie Hawkins, Carlos del Junco, J-W Jones, Downchild Blues
Band (fronted by the Shuffle's Artistic
Director, Chuck Jackson) and many more (see ad on back page). Watch for Danny in a major TBS
presentation called the Blues Gospel Shout Out
scheduled for September 29 at Revival (a fitting venue since it was a house of worship in a previous incarnation).
And finally, here's some memorable quotes from friends and family of the late great John Lee Hooker:
"He didn't succumb to the blues disease ... he had a God-given ability to stay open-hearted and wise...I thank God and thank his parents for giving us the treasure that is John Lee Hooker. The thing I learned the most from him ... is his absolute lack of bitterness. He had a God-given ability to stay open-minded and wise." (Bonnie Raitt)
"Instead of dying during the day, you died during the night so you could make a clean get-away, instead of leaving by the front door, you left by the backdoor and slipped quietly into history.'' (Hooker's daughter Francis McBee)
"Here lies John Lee Hooker, the King of the Boogie." (son John Jr)
- Julie Hill, Brian Blain
Northern
Ontario Rocks with the Blues
Sab will be playing the Toronto area with a gig at Touchdowns in Mississauga on Aug. 11th. In Sept. he performs at the Southside Shuffle Blues Gala on the Thursday night (Sept. 6) and then on the Main Stage with Ronnie Hawkins on Friday Sept. 7, P. K. Creeks in Mississauga on Sept. 28 & 29 with MapleBlues Keyboard player of the year Michael Fonfara, Pat Carey on sax, Waxxie on bass, Brent Ogiltree on drums, David Rotundo on harp and Zak on 2nd sax.
Toronto is undeniably the epicentre of the blues in this part of the world, but the blues fans and blues bands that populate Northern Ontario have a passion for the blues that makes the city folk look a bit jaded. Maple Blues (barely) managing editor Brian Blain got a taste of that northern hospitality with a recent appearance at the Porquis Junction Blues Festival near Timmins, Ontario. The audience was far more attentive than a Toronto crowd - even with Brian's offbeat lyrics and wry humour. "What a refreshing experience," Brian said. "They have a genuine appreciation for original music, more than I would have expected. And hospitality with a capital "H". Brian is releasing a new CD on NorthernBlues in the fall and is already planning his Northern Ontario tour.
Also appearing at Porquis Junction were fellow NorthernBlues artists J-W Jones and Rita Chiarelli and an exciting young harp player called David Rotundo. David has a new release called Blowin' For Broke (see Please Release Me) which will be released on Friday Aug 17 at the Silver Dollar Room. After traveling through Chicago, Memphis, New Orleans, St. Louis and Mississippi David Rotundo returned home to Toronto and has for the past 7 years paid his dues playing great blues harp with some spectacular bluesmen such as Jack de Keyzer, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, and Ronnie Hawkins, who says "David Rotundo plays the blues the way the blues are supposed to be played..." As an added treat to the patrons of the evening special guest Enrico Crivellaro will join David for this special evening. He's opened shows for John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter and many other blues greats.
Behind the scenes (and centre stage, too) in the great blues north is a colourful character called "Sab", a dynamo with a phone and a roll-o-dex, when he's not on the road with Ronnie Hawkins or his own band (he performs 200 - 300 dates a year), Sab keeps the north jumping by presenting Canada's best blues players in 3 blues festivals and 2 blues venues.
To describe Sab is a challenge, but if the Blues were in a car driving north and Rock `n' Roll was in a van traveling south, a bus carrying Dr. Hook came from the west and Tom Waits ran a stop sign from the east, Sab is what both the impact and aftermath of that collision would be.
Currently, Sab's songs are getting some pretty big nods of approval, as Ronnie Hawkins and Kris Kristofferson have just recorded a duet, with an all-star lineup of performers, of his song "Friendship", which has not only been included on Ronnie's Can't Stop Rockin CD - Sony Music (a Greatest Hits collection of 18 original recordings), but will also be featured on new Ronnie Hawkins' recording, (the release date is TBA at this time).
Sab is a rockin' blues artist whose friends include Dutch Mason, Donnie "Mr. Downchild" Walsh, Ronnie Hawkins, Rita Chiarelli, Jack de Keyzer, Michael Fonfara, Pat Carey, Chuck Jackson and many others. "People like these are good people", says Sab. "They're good to work with and their word is good. These people inspire ya."
"I've been blessed and lucky to have the blues community and great friends in the upper echelon of the blues who have supported me in the past and who are still there."
"It's neat that Ronnie has given me lots of opportunities and that the Ronnie Hawkins School of Rock `n' Roll is still graduating people. His son Robin Hawkins is a great record producer and guitar player and I, along with many others have benefited greatly from knowing these guys."
"I cover the north. I've brought blues to a new area, which is tough to get off the ground, but worth it in the long run, as I've been successfully doing it for 4 - 5 years up here. The north has been good to me, but it takes a team effort and in Porquis, two team mates for this festival are Alanna Pierini and Lee Holmes who have made this event such a success." He goes on to say that, "we actually get our stuff on the radio a few months before and people really respond by attending the festival."
This year was the 1st year for the Pembroke Blues Festival, Sab's hometown, with guests that included Fathead and Rita Chiarelli, to name a few. The 5th Annual Porquis Blues Festival (near Timmins) has previously featured Downchild, Dutch Mason, Paul James and Jack de Keyzer
This year, the 2nd Annual Callendar Blues Festival (virtually at North Bay) takes place on Aug. 24, 25, 26 at The Reef, with a lineup that boasts Jack de Keyzer, David Rotundo and The Blue Canadians, Kevin Carley and Big Deal, Hurtin' Blues Band, Sab and five more performers TBA. For ticket info, call (705) 752-5221.
"What makes our festival in the north so unique is that we make sure that all of the artists are approachable and accessible to the public. A good time is guaranteed. The week after one festival is done, the next is being planned." Sab also brings acts into the North at The Reef in Callendar and 100 Georges in North Bay, as well as links other tour dates together with other venues in the north including Sudbury and the Sault. "I'd love to try all kinds of new acts. Ask anybody who has been to one of my festivals either as a performer or audience member and they'll tell you that they had a great time."
"A big reason that I can do all of this is blues partner and supporter Dan Lindsey, who owns both The Reef and 100 Georges. It's so important to the support of the venue, but it's another thing altogether to have one that really steps up to the plate with advertising and the necessary funds."
Sab continues, "We've had Downchild and Rita and Dutch and most recently David Rotundo and The Russell Jackson Band." Sab also hosts a Sunday jam at The Reef, which gets the local performers involved, as well as bands passing through, that is, when he's not on the road with Ronnie Hawkins.
"I've booked tours through the north, Canada and even Europe. In January, Jack de Keyzer and I are returning to Mexico."
On the horizon for Sab is the release an all original rockin' blues album. "With all of the friends that I have after being in this business for almost 25 years (he's nearly 38 years old!), it should be a great record!"
At the age of only 13, Sab ventured from his Ottawa Valley home, where he played the tough beer joints at the time and has never looked back.
Some of his career highlights include in 1998, the release of his debut CD Tall Bourbon, which was produced by Michael Fonfara. In 1996, he co-wrote "Playing The Game", a song that has been played in NHL hockey arenas across the continent with a video that features the Hanson Brothers of Slap Shot fame. To learn more about Sab, visit his website at: sabrocks.com or email him at: sab@whoever.com.
- Michele Bateman
The BluesBook is Going On-Line!We are planning an updated web-based version of the BluesBook Directory. Performing artists (solo or bands), managers, agents, venues, festivals, producers, publications, radio stations, specialty retailers, teachers, schools, audio technicians, photographers, should send their contact info to info@torontobluessociety.com. Please include name, full mailing address, telephone, fax, web site and e-mail. Performers can include a brief description of their music, and if CDS or videos are available (titles are not necessary) Type "BLUESBOOK LISTING" in the subject line. Wanted :
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Toronto Blues Society Copyright _ 2001