Loose Blues News
The Toronto music community will be out in full force at The Silver Dollar
Room, Tuesday, May 7 to lend a helping hand to one of their own.
Guitarist/vocalist/band leader Jake Chisholm (Jake and The Blue Midnights
- pictured at right) will undergo hip surgery mid-May. This operation, combined
with rehab will keep him from working for a month or more, so his musical
friends and the Silver Dollar Room are coming together to stage a fundraiser
that will feature Tyler Yarema, Janice Hagan, Martina Sorbara, Alex Pangman,
Tory Cassis, Raoul Bhaneja, Chris Whiteley, Terry Wilkins and more. The show
starts at 8pm - $10 minimum donation. (photo by Carey Heacock)
The TBS has been honoured by livinblues.com with their "Livin Blues Gold Award for Virtual Blues Excellence", stating that "We appreciate the work you have done on your web site and it has made the Web a better place". As a recipient, the Toronto Blues Society website has been linked to their Blues on the Web Hall of Fame (http://www.livinblues.com/halloffame2.asp).
Local blues fans will have noticed that Chicago's on Queen Street, one of Toronto's long-standing blues rooms, has been closed for the last three weeks. There are changes in management and renovations are underway downstairs. It is reported that they will be resuming a music policy in the upstairs room by mid-May. More next month.
The Ultimate Blues Trio: Gary Kendall (bass & Vocals) from Downchild, Teddy Leonard (guitar & Vocals) and Chuck Keeping (drums) from Fathead have formed a sideline group to work around the schedules of their main bands. They'll perform straight ahead blues "off the top of their heads". The main goal of the band is to stay loose and have fun. Leonard, Kendall, Keeping will be at Good Time Charlie's in Woodstock Thursday May 30th.
Guitar Heaven: Players and collectors will be congregating at the Thornhill Community Center, 7755 Bayview on Saturday and Sunday, June 1 & 2 for the 10th annual Vintage Guitar Show brought to you by Tundra Music and Canadian Musician. There will be free appraisals and restoration consultation and a lot of beautiful instruments. www.tundramusic.com, email vintage@tundramusic.com or drop in to the store at their new location, 2857 Kingston Rd.
CBC's Saturday Night Blues: As you may have already heard, Holger Peterson's Saturday Night Blues radio show is vulnerable to being lost in the reworking of the networks' weekend schedules. Other vulnerable blues-friendly shows include Shelagh Rogers, and the Saturday afternoon show Definitely Not the Opera. The outlook for blues on our national Broadcasting corporation is gloomy. Holger gave national broadcast support - live and on record - to dozens and dozens of Canadian blues artists. The TBS heard the rumours of CBC radio's plans and began to lobby behind the scene immediately. One of our direct concerns was the challenge that a departing SNB would have on financial support of projects like the TBS talent search, Women's Blues Revue and Maple Blues Awards. Holger appreciates the groundswell of support that is emerging. While there will likely be blues content in the new 8-hour magazine format national broadcast, the length of live recordings is certainly in jeopardy. Thus the TBS is still concerned about the CBC's support of the 3 projects mentioned above. Speculation is that CBC radio spends in the neighbourhood of $1million dollars on classical music broadcast recordings, SNB spends $30K per year, but it spread that support at the blues festivals and organizations across the country that needed the support. There are plans for a 3 hour "roots" music show to run 10pm to 1am, effectively swallowing the SNB slot. The CBC strategy for change included a move to attract youth, which SNB felt it was already doing. Write to express your support and desire to see this show continued at the CBC, despite the automated reply you will receive. The on-line feedback form is at http://cbc.ca/aboutcbc/contact/index.html#form. The Saturday Night Blues e-mail is snb@edmonton.cbc.ca.
Blues legend Odetta (left) captivated Toronto audiences with her recent
appearance here. Now she's back as part of the Labatt Blues Festival at
Harbourfront Centre, July 5-7.
Thunderstick: This new play by Ken Williams features original music by Big Timer Raoul Bhaneja, and finishes its run at Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto on May 5th. More information is available at www.passemuraille.on.ca.
Toronto Postering: Last month featured events surrounding Toronto City Council's intent to pass a bylaw that will ban postering in public spaces. Toronto's arts scene has relied on postering for decades to publicize shows around town, and artists including musicians joined to fight this new bylaw. If the bylaw passes, there will be a $60 charge per poster for promoting cultural or political events. More information is available at www.publicspace.ca.
For an indefinite run: Steven Ambrose and Associates will be holding down the Saturday night gig at the Rockit at 120 Church Street in Toronto, 9:30 start, $5.00 cover. We're reminded that "Steve was the lead singer with the Lincolns, and for those who have caught Steven live, you know you are always in for a surprise. This is one wacky dude. Great singer, but with a twist. Too hip for multimedia, but always cracks up the musicians. Steven will be singing Blues and R&B standards backed up by Lance Anderson on B3, Gary Craig on drums and Tony M on guitar."
Electro-Fi News: Toronto's Electro-fi recording label was awarded the 2002 "Label Of The Year" Muddy Award by Blues Beat Magazine and The Blues Society Of Western New York, one of North America's most respected Blues societies. Editor Rich Schneider also named the Electro-Fi release The Best of Little Mack Simmons as one of the best recordings of 2001. Blues, Soul and R&B record collectors and aficionados should mark June 25th on their calendars, as that is the release date for Midnite Blues Party, an outstanding array of rare vinyl from the 1950s and 60s gleaned from the record collection of D.J. and blues historian Eddy B, including 27 tracks from artists such as Little Joe Hinton, Birmingham Junior, Baby Huey, and Little Daddy Walton. Electro-Fi's champion of the acoustic blues, Fruteland Jackson, has just completed the highly successful "All About The Blues Tour 2002" (Blues in the Schools) during African American History month. For additional information on Electro-Fi Records, their artists and CDs: www.electrofi.com, or email info@electrofi.com
Stony Plain News: Maria Muldaur's Richland Woman Blues won an AFIM (Association for Independent Music) Award, an honour from the indie segment of the industry. Amos Garrett sets off for two weeks of dates in the UK, starting May 15 and ending on June 2, with plans in the works for a return trip to Ontario (with some possible Quebec dates) starting October 10. Long John Baldry is currently on a major 38-city tour in his native Britain, ending June 15. He's special guest on the bill with The Manfreds (former members of Manfred Mann's group) who include Paul Jones, Mike D'Abo, Tom McGuinness and Mike Hugg, and classic UK rockers Chris Farlow and Colin Blunstone. The tour includes a June 9 appearance at the London Palladium (where John has played, in the past, at Royal Command performances), and there are also three dates in Wales, and one in Scotland at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall.
Blues Juno: Last month at the Premier's Gala and Awards Juno Ceremony in St.
John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, at which the 28 non-televised Junos were
awarded, Colin Linden (left) was awarded the Juno for Best Blues Album
for Big Mouth. The gala event was attended by over 1,000 dignitaries and
featured a line-up of Newfoundland and Labrador talent.
For more than 30 years, Stony Plain artist Sonny Rhodes - King of the Lap Steel Guitar and perennial W.C. Handy Award nominee - has worn a turban on stage. "I got the idea from Chuck Willis, and after he passed on, I kept the tradition alive." Now, however, as a result of the tragedies of September 11, he's put the turban away. "Man, I got threatened three times, including once in Edmonton and once by a guy who had a pistol on him," he said. "They said that wearing a turban was showing respect for terrorists, and they were offended by it. I never heard so much nonsense in my life, but all I need is some crazy s.o.b. with a gun taking things out on me, and I'm not taking any risks." Fans will be delighted that his famous red suit is still part of Sonny's formal stage gear. And he has a very snazzy new black cowboy hat to finish off the ensemble.
Altruistic Blues: Downchild has organized a benefit evening for the "Running to Daylight Foundation, the Ben Globerman Memorial" at the Bloor Cinema on May 23rd. Here's your chance to hear Downchild in a genuine theatre setting, along with some of Canada's best comedians. All for a very good cause. More at www.downchild.com.
Last month the Trouble & Strife Blues Band helped raise funds for playground equipment for the Belfountain Community Centre and blues musicians held a fundraising event to show support for Blues on Bellair with Carlos del Junco, Jerome Godboo, Dylan Wickens and other guests. Don't forget, the Toronto Blues Society "Sweet Seventeen" Birthday party featuring Fathead will be held at BoB on Saturday May 11.
Coming up in June, The Nightshift Blues Band is doing a fund-raising blues cruise for the Learning Disabilities Association on June 23rd. Contact Cindy at 1-905-575-4172. The band has been selected to perform throughout the summer at Niagara in The Park's "Fireworks in the Park" evenings. Info at 905-371-0919
Hammer Blues: The Mermaid Lounge in Hamilton wants to remind you that, with the warm weather season, you can enjoy Hamilton's famous Hess village for blues. "Hess Village is a great summer spot. The village is an old cobble-stone T-section hosting about 15 bars all equipped with patios, live music, great food, cold beer and scenery, with the Mermaid Lounge, Hamilton's premiere blues venue right in the heat of things. Wednesdays feature Hamilton's finest blues veteran Harrison Kennedy and The Blue Angels. On Thursdays it's Tim Gibbons and the ex-Shakers, the little red blues band. Check out www.mermaidslounge.com for Friday and Saturday entertainment schedules.
Nomadic Blues: The travelling blues jam north of Toronto has again moved venues. The short-lived Sunday Night jam in Aurora at the Badgers Rest has ended following its 5-week run, and has now moved to Newmarket at the Mad Hatter, in the Dominion Plaza on the east side of Yonge Street just north of Davis Drive (Hwy 9). "Lorne Parks (the owner) is excited about this new event and has promised a comfortable home for the jam. They have a great selection of beers on tap, and they also have a killer menu".
Niagara Blues: In addition to the ongoing blues shows at Tulky's in Welland, and The Odyssey Tap & Grill in St. Catharines, a new blues venue to watch is The Victoria Inn, on Bridge Street in Niagara Falls, Ontario. As well, we're advised that the longstanding Cat's Caboose in St. Catharines (905-688-2292), favoured by Brock University students, has an improved stage, and has just started a regular blues night every Friday.
Readers: This funky bookstore café venue in Dunnville features the following blues friendly acts in May and June: Dave Rotundo with Julian Fauth, Lee Aaron, Paul Langille, Mike Branton, Rick Fines, Taxi Chain, Sue Medley, and more. For more information: 905-701-1919, readers@kwic.com, or www.readerscafe.com.
Play: The new CBC Newsworld television show Play featured the blues last month, stating that "Buddy Guy, Sue Foley, Bill Wyman, Paul Reddick, and JW-Jones are all cryin' the blues for a living. In an industry populated by, well, pop, blues music is still alive and well". For more information: http://cbc.ca/play/.
Orillia Spring Blues Festival: The seventh annual version of this fest was held last month, in 14 venues across one weekend, featuring Downchild Blues Band, Little Bobby and the Jumpstarts, Curley Bridges, Cameo Blues Band, Johnny Vee & Boot Leg, Night Howl, The Ronnie Douglas Blues Band, Jake Thomas, Fathead, Cordon Blues, Alfie Smith, The Mike Roberts Band, Blue Willow, The Sensations, Lance Anderson with Michael Fonfara and Michael Sloski, Wayne Buttery & the Groove Project, The George Leach Blues Band, Burgundy Rose, Shelaugh Hart, Phil Masters, Gentlemens Lunch, Cymbalom and The Dusty Blues Band.
Ottawa Blues: The Cisco Systems Bluesfest in the Byward took place on one weekend last month at a Main Stage Blues in the ByWard (in front of the Rainbow Bistro at the corner of Parent St. and Clarence St), and in venues, and featured Rob Lutes & Rob Macdonald, Mary Flower and guests, Darrell Nulisch, Otis Taylor, Roy Gaines, Kenny "Blue" Ray, Michael Jerome Browne, Ann Robson, Steve James, Trevor Finley, TJ Wheeler, David-Jacobs Strain and more.
Live at the Yale: This new CD is released to mark the 10th anniversary of Storman Norman's Sunday Blues show on Vancouver's Classic Rock 101. Norman's been a great blues supporter in the city; the record (with a profits to charity) is a fine live concert, recorded last year. More details are available on Norman's website: www.sundayblues.com.
Navarre Now Distributes Stony Plain in U.S: Stony Plain Records are now being distributed in the United States - the world's largest market - by Navarre Corporation, based in New Hope, Minnesota, just outside Minneapolis. The company is one of the largest independent distributors in the United States, and has 18 regional sales representatives. Some of its key people are already familiar with Stony Plain, having previously worked with Stony Plain's former distributor, Valley/DNA, which declared bankruptcy last fall. In addition to Stony Plain, Navarre has recently signed similar agreements with a number of other important indie record labels based in Britain and the U.S. Two new Stony Plain releases - Remembering Leadbelly, by Vancouver-based singer Long John Baldry and Living the Blues by Duke Robillard - will be released in the United States on May 21; some 50 other albums in the label's back catalogue have also been made available and are now being marketed by Navarre's field staff. In Canada, Stony Plain's releases continue to be distributed by Warner Music Canada. Navarre's website: www.navarre.com
The 8th Annual North by Northeast Music Festival And Conference, June 6-8, 2002: NXNE conference sessions are where you make contact with an international group of conference-goers from all aspects of the music industry, from artists, booking agents and managers to lawyers, accountants and record company presidents. The NXNE 2002 Music Festival will feature 400 festival acts at every one of NXNE's clubs, strategically located throughout the live music "hub" of Toronto's downtown core. With 5 bands per club per night, with everything from polka to punk, folk to funk, and all points in between. The NXNE delegate badge also allows access to the second annual North by Northeast Film Festival and Conference. Building on the success of its inaugural year, the 2002 NXNE Film Festival returns June 6-8 with a unique series of screenings of music-related films in downtown Toronto. Check the Film Festival page of at www.nxne.com for a list of confirmed movies. There is one delegate pass for both Conference and Festival, which provides priority access to the music festival, access to all the conference programming and NXNE-sanctioned special events, including the second annual NXNE Filmfest and one-day conference. Visit the website at www.nxne.com, or cal 416-863-6963.
American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada: Tel: (416) 391-5161. From the Office of the Vice President from Canada , to All Canadian Locals , Re: P2 Work Permits Please be advised that effective immediately, each petition sent to INS will be subjected to a `background' check involving many agencies worldwide. Because of this new policy, it will inevitably set back quite a few of the files and they could very well go over the 90 day mark. As it stands, this department has over 20 files that have gone beyond 90 days as a direct result of this new procedure. This is not to say that each file will go beyond 90 days, but it is a possibility that must be explored before members submit their applications. It is imperative that each and every member you speak to with regard to P2 applications is aware of this new `background' check. As you may already be aware, this new policy has been adapted as the result of the September 11th. Please also be advised that, regardless of the number of petitions filed by an individual, they will be subjected to this background check each and every time they file a petition.
- Julie Hill, Jacquie Houston, Brian Blain
Toronto Blues Society Copyright _ 2002