Loose Blues News
Colin James hosts the 2002 Maple Blues Awards honouring the finest blues talent in the country. The awards ceremony will take place at the Phoenix Concert Theatre on Monday, January 27 at 8:00 pm. Other musical guests include Sue Foley, Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne and Michael Jerome Browne. For ticket information contact the TBS office (416) 538-3885. Photo by Barry Thomson
New Year's Blues: If you haven't made your plans for New Year's Eve, many of the blues clubs in town are putting together special packages that include food, champagne, party favours and, of course, some great blues: RD's BBQ and Blues feature's Bill King's Rockitt 88 Band with guest vocalist Sophie Milman. Blues on Bellair will be presenting Raoul and the Big Time, The Black Swan features Out of the Blues, Healey's will feature (you guessed it) Jeff Healey himself and the Silver Dollar has perennial home-town favourites, Paul Reddick + The Sidemen.Danny Marks' Future Bluz: Toronto musician and broadcaster Danny Marks has hosted his legendary Stormy Monday jam sessions for 15 years, the last 7 at the Silver Dollar Room. He's now moved to a new day, at a new time, and with a new name and a new format. Every Thursday at The Silver Dollar Room, with doors at 7pm, music at 8pm, and still with no cover, Danny Marks' Future Bluz will be a new blues talent search, to find performers to be featured live on Danny's BLUZ-FM weekly Saturday night radio show (8 pm to midnight) on JAZZ-FM 91.1, in a special segment on the first Saturday of each month. During this series, two winners will be chosen, one male, one female. They will receive a first prize of recording their own CD, and an opening act spot at the Molson Amphitheatre during a blues show in summer 2003. Interested performers are asked to arrive at the Silver Dollar Room on any Thursday night between 7-7:30pm to sign up. The evening will be divided into three segments: acoustic, electric and a performance of the Danny Marks Combo. Contact the Silver Dollar Room at 416-763-9139, or visit www.silverdollarroom.com, www.dannym.com, or www.jazz.fm.
Happenin': Bill King advises that his Friday night shows at RD's - the Rockit 88 band with weekly special guests - has become the downtown core club to hang. On the night before the TBS Women's Blues Revue, his special guest was Dawn Tyler Watson, who "ripped it up before a packed house". As well, Tracy K sat in for a few numbers, and "gave a soulful read on the old Joplin classic "Piece Of My Heart". Tracy also displayed her Mojo Mama harp playing too, while Carlos Del Junco guested with the band all night on harmonica. Sue Foley & her band also dropped by, and drummer Tom Bona "sat in with the band and swung mightily".
Happy ending: Last month, Brian Cober of the Nationals was reunited with two very beloved custom guitars that had been stolen in August. Through awareness of the theft generated in the Toronto blues community, an acquaintance advised that he'd seen the guitars at a private residence. Reportedly the thief had given them to someone to whom he owed $100. The recipient planned to sell them as collector's items. Brian reminds everyone to never leave your gear in your car or anywhere unattended, and he thanks everyone who helped to spread the word, with fortunate results.
Iridescent Music Launch: Veteran saxophone player Pat Carey has brought together some of the country's finest jazz musicians to create a new group and an all-original, all-Canadian CD entitled Starlight, which also features special guests Janice Hagan, Laura Hubert, and Tyler Yarema, released last month. Pat Carey's Jazz Navigators is associated with Iridescent Music Company Incorporated, formed in August by Canadian musicians, composers, writers and business people who are dedicated to supporting Canadian music. For more information, check out their website at www.iridescentmusic.ca.
Ronnie Hawkins CD Release Party: On Thursday December 5, the legendary Ronnie Hawkins is releasing his new CD Still Cruisin, with a dinner and show at the Hamilton Convention Centre. Performers include Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks (featuring harp player Jerome Godboo), The Partland Brothers, Goddo, Robbie Lane, Rita Chiarelli, Domenic Troiano, George Olliver, Richard Newell (aka King Biscuit Boy), Dave "The Professor" Murphy, Cayley Atkinson & Fray, BW Pawley & Plum Loco with John Till featuring Dick Redmond, and many more artists who will perform as a tribute to Ronnie, with emcees Canadian boxing legend George Chuvalo and Frenchie McFarlane.
Mainline CD Release Party: The Official Press Release from Jaimie Vernon, President of Bullseye Records of Canada, Inc., advises that Mainline, "Toronto's durable soldiers of heavy boogie blues", celebrates the release of The Last Show at The Elmo with a free concert and CD release party on Tuesday, December 3, at Club 279. The new CD was recorded live on Sunday, November 4th, 2001 at the fabled El Mocambo Nightclub on Spadina Avenue in Toronto. This new 10-track offering by Mike Mckenna, Tony Nolasco, Mike Harrison, Ted Purdy and Bob Adams, was produced by Glenn Belcher and Tony Nolasco. The band's previous recordings include Mainline Blues (1968), Stink (1969), Canada Our Home and Native Land (1971), and the Mainline Bump `N' Grind Revue (1972). Complimentary tickets for the show are available at Club 279, at 279 Yonge St. (416-363-3636), or from Q107 (416-221-0107).
Blues Food Drive: At 8pm on December 14 at L'Arte, (2060 Dundas W. at Howard Park, near Roncesvalles), a food drive will be held to bolster the food banks which are very low on donations this year. Keyboardist Julian Fauth will be performing, and welcomes jammers with instruments. There will also be prizes, including a dinner for two, and some copies of Julian's CD. Bring any non-perishables.
Christmas Solstice Party: On Tuesday, December 17, at Healey's in Toronto, Gary 17 and to-nite magazine / www.to-nite.net are presenting a party to celebrate the holiday season, with house band Midnite Walk, featuring Rod Phillips and Steve Grisbrook, and guests including the Cottonmouth Blues Band, Brian Gladstone & Tony Quarrington, Virgil Scott, Bob Segarini, and Angela Penfound, among others.
Live at Twister's: On Sunday, December 1, blues band Wayne Buttery & The Groove Project are recording their second CD, a live recording at Twister's Roadhouse. The Power Plant mobile recording studio will capture this eight-piece blues band on 24-track digital tape for an early 2003 release. Twister's Roadhouse is just north of Hillsdale on Highway 93, approximately half way between Barrie and Midland. Doors at 4:30 pm, show at 6:00 pm.
Peter Brings Blues to Blue: Peter's Players, known for bringing blues shows to communities north of the GTA, is presenting a new series at Blue Mountain, just in time for ski season. The concert series will be at Jozo's, at Blue Mountain Resorts, Sunday nights at 8 pm, and there's no cover. The impressive line-up features Paul Reddick + The Sidemen (Jan. 5), Michael Picket (Jan. 12), David Gogo (Jan. 26), Michael Branton with Tortoise Blue (Feb. 2), Dave Rotundo & The Blue Canadians (Feb. 9), Jack DeKeyzer (Feb. 23), Sonny Rhodes (Mar.2), Chris Chown (Mar. 9), Fathead (Mar. 16), and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (Mar, 23).
Blues Benefits: Last month at Rakers, a benefit was held as a fund-raiser to support John Burke of Peterborough, whose 23 year-old daughter died tragically in a house fire while attending Carleton University in Ottawa. The event featured Peterborough and Toronto artists Buzz Thompson, the Weber Brothers, the Bears, Paul James, Leah Hawkins (Ronnie's daughter), Johnny Max, Rebecca M., Chuck Jackson, Charlotte Melby, Kevin Higgins, Chuck Forrestor, John Huntley, Angela Penfound, Tarey Stone, members of The Pie Guys, and special guest George Chuvalo, and numerous others. Virgil Scott served as emcee. $5,000 to $6,000 was raised.
More Blues Fundraising: Larry Kurtz & Bruce Ley of Trouble & Strife Blues Band recently helped to raise money for Family Transition Place woman's shelter in Orangeville Ont. They played as part of the Concert In The Hills at Cedar Highlands Ski Club. The event featured several local musicians and was able to raise much needed funds for a worthy cause.
Blues on the East Side: This benefit event last month raised over $8,000 for the Cambridge Association for the Mentally Handicapped. The marathon indoor festival started at 1pm and did not end until 10pm. This event sold out before the doors opened, with over 400 people in attendance. For more info or to view photos, visit www.bluesontheeastside.com.
Ottawa Bluesfest Internationally Recognized With Awards: Each year for nearly three decades, the International Festivals and Events Association recognizes outstanding examples of special events promotions with its Pinnacle Awards competition. This year, out of nearly 1,300 entries in 45 different categories, Ottawa's Cisco Systems Bluesfest took the Gold Award for Best Website and the Silver Award for Best Media Relations Campaign. This year's winners were announced at the 47th Annual IFEA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. Entrants included such prominent events as the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, the Singapore River Buskers' Festival, and the Kentucky Derby Festival. "We're delighted to be recognized among such heady company", says Mark Monahan, executive director of the Ottawa Bluesfest.
Halifax Blues: Last month, Maple Blues Award nominee Charlie A'Court released his debut CD, Color Me Gone. Sponsored by Life Line Entertainment & ABI (A Music Stop Company), the event featured an opportunity to win an Epiphone Les Paul Special electric guitar, autographed by Big Sugar's Gordie Johnson. All proceeds from the event were donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.
More from the east coast: Glamour Puss recently attended WOMEX in Essen, Germany; their CD Blues Du Jour is licensed in Europe. They've played over 150 shows in 2002 to date, including three French language TV shows, and they've participated in Province of New Brunswick Tourism campaigns, recording the latest tourism jingle, and performing their unique zydeco rock blues live for national and international tourism industry professionals. A new CD is in the works for 2003, with planned tours for Canada, Europe and the USA. They'll be in our town on December 6 at Blues on Bellair.
Leadership Development: The City of Toronto's Culture Division, in partnership with the Scarborough Arts Council, will be presenting a new leadership development program in 2003 for community artists and organizations in Toronto. The program is a series of six workshops aimed at coaching artists, community groups and not-for-profit organizations in key development areas. Artists and arts organizations with small budgets or who have little experience with self-promotion are encouraged to attend. The program will assist individuals and organizations in expanding their knowledge and ultimately prepare them to become self-sufficient artists and arts managers. The first workshop in the series will focus on grant applications. The workshop will examine the application process and provide techniques for understanding and writing grant applications. The information presented will take the mystery out of the grant process. Details are: January 13, 2003, 1pm to 4 pm and 7 pm to 10 pm, Metro Hall, 55 John Street, 3rd floor, Room 302, Toronto. Representatives from the Local Arts Service Organizations, the Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Culture Division and community arts organizations will be available after the workshop to answer additional questions. Other workshops topic to be covered in the series include Marketing (March 2003), Arts Management (April 2003), Sponsorships and Foundations (May 2003), Youth in the Arts (October 2003), and Long Range and Strategic Planning (November 2003). Watch for additional information on these workshops. The cost of each workshop is $10 per person. The entire six-part leadership development series is $50, which can be purchased by an individual or an organization for use by any of its members. Advance registration is required. To register or for additional program information contact Ann Brokelman, Culture Division at 416-396-4026 or abrokel@toronto.ca.
A Blues Grant from Ottawa: Last month, the Government of Canada announced funding for the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society. On behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps, Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, and Member of Parliament for Vancouver South-Burnaby, announced funding of $49,000 for the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society. "It is essential to invest in the creative potential of our communities and to support our cultural institutions in order to build an innovative and diverse country," said Minister Dhaliwal. "Organizations that take advantage of the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program will gain the necessary tools to prosper and to fully participate in the cultural expression of our communities, which contributes to the richness of Canada." Funding was provided for an Education and Outreach Development initiative to enhance participation in, and the overall effectiveness of, activities linked to concert presentations and festival productions. The project will include a broad review of current promotional practices, researching of best practices in the arts and culture community; and development of an operational plan to implement an integrated education and outreach program. Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Capacity Building for Arts Organizations component of the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program. This program is guided by the principle that professional Canadian arts and heritage organizations have the will and ability to provide for their own long-term survival. The Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program supports projects that will improve and consolidate the organizational, administrative and financial situation of non-profit arts and heritage organizations.
- Julie Hill
TECH TIPS
by Norm Robinson
A lot of us use tube amplifiers to get the sound we want. While tube amps are very robust and easily serviceable, there are some things you can do to ensure that they remain operational and dependable.
The tubes in an amplifier get very hot. It is this heat that can cause us problems. Prior to turning your amp on, make sure that none of the tubes has come loose while the amp was being transported. Do not push on the glass, just firmly grip the insulated base of the tube, and make sure it is seated in the tube socket. Most amps have a "power" switch and a "standby" switch. With the "standby" switch engaged (on), turn on the "power" switch. After about 4 or 5 minutes disengage (off) the "standby" switch. Powering up like this lets the heaters in the tubes warm up before applying full voltage to the tube plates. This is very important because the shock of applying full voltage to a cold tube places undue stress on the tube. All things being equal, amps without standby switches experience more frequent tube failures and shorter tube life than amps with "standby" switches. If an amp is not going to be used for 30 or 40 minutes --- like when taking a break between sets while performing in a club --- then the "standby" switch should be engaged. This will keep the heaters in the tubes on but with no voltage to the plates, thereby extending the life of your tubes while leaving them warm, ready to be used. Once you have finished using your amp, turn it off, and let it sit for about 10 minutes before moving it. When the tubes are hot, and they are jarred or jolted, the hot filaments will break or short causing tube failure. If an amp has been sitting in a cold car, let the tubes warm up to room temperature before turning on the amp. When taking an amp outside in the winter, ensure that the tubes have cooled substantially before going outside. Sudden temperature changes can crack the glass casing of the tubes and cause failure. One very important thing never to do, is to operate your tube amp without a speaker connected. Potentially, this could be catastrophic.
Next: When to change your tubes
Norman Robinson works as a Technical Engineer at Manta Digital Sound & Picture, as well he is the band leader and guitarist for The VooDoo Kings, and Howlin' Mercy.
Toronto Blues Society Copyright _ 2002