Loose Blues News
Bonnie Raitt makes a rare Toronto appearance at Massey Hall on April 13.
Music Money: Blues artists have not been getting their fair share of the government funding of the arts and the TBS is doing our part to pry open some of these doors. To that end, we are co-presenting a workshop called Music Money at Harbourfront Centre's Brigantine Room on Sunday, April 21st from noon to 6pm. Representatives from the major funders will be there as well as artists who have successfully navigated these deep, rich waters. Bluesman Madagascar Slim will be on hand to share some of the wisdom he has acquired as a very successful grant applicant. A good representation from the blues community at this event would go a long way to convincing these funders that the blues is worthy! See box on page 2 for more info.
Congratulations to Chef Chris & his Nairobi Trio for taking First Place at the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge (IBC). The Detroit band was representing the Canada South Blues Society and beat out 53 blues acts from around the world battling for more than $20,000 in cash and prizes, including studio recording time, CD reproduction and engagements at some of the nation's major Blues venues and festivals. The Tyree Neal Band from Baton Rouge Blues Society took second place. The Boston Blues Society's Nicole Nelson Band took home third place.
Birthday Bash: Mark your calendars now for the TBS "Sweet Seventeen" Birthday Party. The date is Saturday, May 11th at Blues on Bellair with Toronto's favourite party band, Fathead.
The Orillia Spring Blues Festival takes place the weekend of April 25-28th, with The Ronnie Douglas Blues Band (Fri 9:30 pm) and the George Leach Band (Sat 9:30 pm) at The Kewadin Inn who will also be running a Native Blues Art Show. Other bands appearing at various venues include Fathead, Little Bobby and the Jumpstarts, Curley Bridges, Blue Willow, Lance Anderson as well as the traditional opening concert on Thursday with Downchild. Visit http://www.orillia.net/springblues for the complete schedule.
To Russia with Blues: David Rotundo and Julian Fauth will be touring Volgograd and Moscow in the Russian Federation this month, appearing at 18 venues which are reportedly already sold out. Two performances at the Canadian Embassy have just been announced as well. They will team up with Russian bass virtuoso Alex Boldyrev, who played regularly with Julian and David during a year he recently spent in Canada. David (on harp) and Julian (piano) have recorded together and appear as a duo on the second Friday of every month at Gate 403 (403 Roncesvalles). David also makes frequent appearances at Julian's weekly solo gigs — Mondays at L'Arte (2060 Dundas West) and Wednesdays at the Kiwi Kick (1986 Bloor West). David's new CD, Blowin' For Broke (featuring Julian on piano) was nominated for `Best New Blues Album of the Year' at the Canadian Independent Music Awards and `Best New Artist of 2001' at the Maple Blues Awards.
Shuffling Jams: Sir Frog's in Oak Ridges has closed, so the Sunday night jam has moved to the Badger's Rest in Aurora (formerly the Waltzing Weasel), a "decent clean bar with good food, located just above Howard Johnson's on Yonge Street, about 1.5 km north of Aurora Sideroad West". This open jam concept with a guest host will have an early start of 8 pm until about midnight. And every Thursday, beginning April 11, the Dylan Wickens Band (no longer the `Project') will be hosting a new blues jam at Blues on Bellair in Toronto, with an early start of 9 pm until 12:30 or 1 am. Although a blues jam, performers of all styles are welcome.
Rez Bluez Productions Ltd: Launched late last month, Elaine Bomberry's new production company will undertake unique Aboriginal radio, television, music and new media production. The first project, now in production, is "The Aboriginal Music Experience - a Radio Documentary Series", three-one hour segments on Traditional Sounds, Traditional Voices, Contemporary Aboriginal Music, and Rez Bluez. The next venture will be the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Rez Bluez, showcased in a one hour television special in 2003. As well, the Rez Bluez shows will be an on-going event in the local scene. There is also a soon to be released Native Blues CD Compilation, produced by Sweet Grass Records. The launch celebration at the Silver Dollar Room included performances by the Six Nations blues band the Soul Kings, and The Pappy Johns Band with their soulful blend of original tunes and blues classics.
Altruistic Blues: A "Blues-o-Rama" in support of the Niagara Indie Filmfest will be held on Saturday April 20th, doors at 8:00 pm, show at 9:00 pm, at Sammy's Gas Bar (corner of King and Ontario Streets) in downtown St. Catharines. Performers include acclaimed actress and blues, gospel and jazz singer, Jackie , both a Gemini and Dora Award nominee, with bassist Gary Kendall, drummer Jim Casson, keyboardist Lily Sazz, and guitarist/vocalist, Steve Grisbrook. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For tickets call 905 685-8336 www.NiagaraIndieFilmfest.org
Ontario Contact 2002: From October 31 to November 2, 2002, at the George Weston Recital Hall in Toronto (Formerly the North York Centre for the Performing Arts at 5040 Yonge Street) the Ontario Arts Council will present Ontario Contact, the OAC's annual arts conference for presenters and artists from Ontario and across Canada. Presenters come to Contact to see showcasing artists and book them for their hometown arts series. In addition to the range of showcases, delegates participate in professional development workshops and use the conference to network with their colleagues. All artists who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply to showcase. Participation is open to artists from all art forms including the visual, media, literary and performing arts. Deadline for applications is May 3, 2002. Delegate registration information will be available later in the spring. The application and guidelines are available at <http://www.arts.on.ca>. For additional contact: Glenn Hodgins, Touring and Outreach Officer, 416-961-1660 ext. 7407 or 1-800-387-0058 ext. 7407, Email: ghodgins@arts.on.ca, or Susan Wicks, Program Assistant, 416-961-1660 ext. 7401 or 1-800-387-0058 ext. 7401, Email: swicks@arts.on.ca
Fredericton's Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival: Already confirmed for the 2002 festival, from September 12 to 15, are Sonny Landreth, Downchild Blues Band, Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, The Twisters, Rosie Ledet, Guy Davis, John Campbelljohn, Hot Toddy, and more.
- Julie Hill, Brian Blain
Savoy Brown at the Dollar
Some 36 years on, Kim Simmonds' Savoy Brown remains an institution unto itself, tirelessly demonstrating an unflagging strength of purpose and dedication towards spreading the same "white boy blues" that have remained a constant despite countless personnel changes. The band has spawned a veritable Who's Who of blues characters (Lonesome Dave Peverett, Roger Earle, Tony Stevens, Chris Youlden, Dave Walker) rivaling that of John Mayall's camp and Simmonds' - the consummate stalwart- continues his pioneering ways with a unique command of his instrument and his hyper-energetic gift for improvisation. Recent solo releases, too, have silenced critics of Simmonds' life-long labor of love - underlining his peerless mastery of both acoustic and electric guitar across three albums that clearly display his love for authentic blues roots. Who knew that the King of English blues and boogie had such a grasp on the genre's beginnings? Back when the 13-year-old Simmonds was honing his skills, he held a deep fascination and reverence for Lightning Hopkins and Muddy Waters. Savoy Brown's first release, `68's Shake Down, reflected this love in its purist desire to tackle blues covers before new members Peverett, Earl and singer Chris Youlden shifted the band's direction towards the blues-rock that Savoy Brown became best known for. Some 20 releases and 36 years of touring later, there's no denying the band has earned - and paid for - its place in music history. Simmonds' guitar artistry places him in the elder statesman category alongside Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor. His style fuses the rawness of Hopkins and Waters, blending the textured strains of Grant Green and Kenny Burrell with the urgency of Clapton and B.B. King. It is Simmonds' sound that propelled Savoy Brown into the forefront of the British blues-rock movement. His road warrior status and perseverance has added a musical maturity that continues to define a new generation of powerful music that is, as always, honest and emotional.
Without question, Kim Simmonds is Savoy Brown and his legacy is defined in the band's current lineup for the Saturday, April 27th show: guitarist Dave Malachowski (Shania Twain/Commander Cody and who adds some brilliance on Simmonds' recent Blues For Midnight), bassist Gerry Sorrentino (Duke Robillard, Shemekia Copeland) and drummer Dennis Cotton (Duke Robillard, Commander Cody). Expect nothing less than exceptional from one of the true originals and from a band who's written the book on what it means to be on the road that goes on forever.
- Eric Thom
Toronto Blues Society Copyright _ 2002