Loose Blues News
Harrison Kennedy received a JUNO Nomination for "Blues Album of the Year" for his album Sweet Taste:. Other nominees are... Ray Bonneville for Roll It Down, Morgan Davis for Painkiller, Harry Manx & Kevin Breit for Jubilee and Rockit 88 Band for Too Much Fun. Bill King's Rockit disc was added when David Gogo's Live at Deer Lake was disqualified after initially being announced as a nominee. The Deer Lake disc did not meet the minimum requirement of 25% material that had not been previously released. Juno categories require 50% new material, but the Blues Advisory Committee had recently been granted the consideration for more (live) previously released material than most categories. The Junos will be held in Edmonton, Saturday April 3 (when the craft and juried awards will be presented) and April 4, when the major pop awards are handed out at ceremonies televised by the CTV network.
More Harping: Carlos del Junco will be giving a free 2-hour harmonica workshop on Saturday March 14, 2 to 4 pm, as part of the "Long and McQuade University" series at the Bloor and Ossington store, 925 Bloor Street West, 416-588-7886. Open to all. www.carlosdeljunco.com. Later that week, Carlos will be performing at Mohawk Place Buffalo on Saturday, March 20th. Tickets for the show are $8/advance, $10 day of the show. For info, call 716-884-1557. And everybody's favourite harp man, Rod Piazza will be conducting a workshop in Orillia on Saturday, April 10th at 1:00 pm. The venue is the Galaxy Room in the Travelodge Hotel but please note, Advance Tickets Only - Call 705-325-9080
Indie Award nominations: The 4th Annual Canadian Independent Music Awards, which will be presented in Toronto during Canadian Music Week, which starts March 3. The nominees for Favourite Blues Artist or Group are Glamour Puss, Hot Toddy, Jimmy Bowskill, Nanette Workman, and Ray Bonneville. Jeff Healey was nominated in the category of Favourite Jazz Artist or Group, and Molly Johnson was nominated for both Favourite pop Artist or Group and for Favourite Solo Artist.
And the Grammy winners were: Best Traditional Blues Album - Blues Singer by Buddy Guy [Silvertone Records], and Best Contemporary Blues Album - Let's Roll by Etta James [Private Music]. The blues brought home awards in other categories, too: Best Historical Album - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues - A Musical Journey by Various Artists [Hip-O Records], Best Album Notes - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues - The Blues: A Musical Journey by Tom Piazza, album notes writer, and Best Long Form Music Video - Legend (Sam Cooke), Mick Gochanour, Robin Klein & Mary Wharton, video producers [Abkco Music & Records].
House gigs & jams galore! Every Tuesday, The Potato Heads host an open jam at Wiseguys on the Danforth (south side, just east of Woodbine Ave) in Toronto. "The band consists of Charlie Calvo - Guitar/Vox, Mike Smith - Bass/Vox, Bob Strome - Guitar, Duncan McBain - Drums. We play a (hopefully) eclectic mix of R&B, Blues, and old Rock'n'roll (and anything else we can think of!). We strive for a cooperative, interactive environment where everyone plays, and "plays fair"! Eventually it is our plan to have "special guests" for each week - so if you are interested in this, come out and get involved!"
Every Thursday evening, The Cottonmouth Blues Band hosts an Open Jam at 8pm at Mojo's Juke Joint at 232 Queen Street South in Streetsville Village, Mississauga. Then, on Sunday afternoons Cottonmouth hosts a new Open Jam at 3:30 pm at Etobicoke's Heads or Tails, at 847 Brown's Line. At each, after a quick set, "the stage is open for guest musicians to either sit in with the band or jam with others that have dropped in. The atmosphere is casual and everybody gets to play! (Just say Hi to Janice "Mom" Beaumont and she'll schedule you in.) Every participant at a Cottonmouth Open Jam will be entered into the big June 30, 2003 draw for a Fender Telecaster! The more times you come out to play, the better your chances. Good luck!"
And, every Saturday, Caution Jam's Eric Fefferman will host the weekly "Dancing Bear Matinee" at The Silver Dollar Room. Eric will perform solo acoustic, with special guests, and will focus on his own music along with that of The Grateful Dead, Phish, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa, and folk & blues traditions. www.geocities.com/cowadelic/ef.html.
Musical chairs in Niagara: "Bluesafire has officially parted company with Arizona's / Moose and Goose / Stella's as we were not able to reach a workable agreement with our managers. We wish to thank all those who supported the show over all these years. Kudos to Gary Kendall, Jim Casson, Darran Poole, Canada Dave, & Third Bar Curry, and a very special thanks to the litany of featured guests that we have had the great privilege of performing with over the past six seasons of this fine series." But,"five weeks into the Saturday matinee series hosted by Bird Stafford & Mojo Willie at Bumpin Uglies, the club owners have deemed the matinee to be so successful they have hired Bluesafire, the hosts of Niagara's first Blues and Soul Concert Series, to host a second matinee every Sunday afternoon from 3 to 7 pm! Our sincerest gratitude to Kris and Mario! May your business prosper! So now there are two Blues and Soul Matinees at Bumpin' Uglies, Saturdays from 2 to 6 pm, and Sundays from 3 to 7 pm. The Saturday matinee houseband features Mark "Bird" Stafford on harp and vocals, James Anthony on Rasmussen on bass, and, on the kit, Tom Bona. The Sunday matinee houseband is Bluesafire, Gary Kendall on bass and vocals, Jim Casson on the kit, Darran Poole on guitar Third Bar Curry on guitar, and Mojo Willie on harp and vocals. www.bumpinuglies.ca, 249 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, Ontario.
Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (OCFF) Songs From the Heart Songwriter Awards Call for Entries: The Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (OCFF) is accepting entries for the 2004 Songs From the Heart Songwriter Awards now until May 15, 2004. This event, sponsored by CBC's Galaxie Rising Stars program, encourages folk and roots music songwriters of all backgrounds, including Francophone and Aboriginal songwriters. A new French-language award has been added to the Songs From the Heart competition this year, courtesy of Galaxie. Two winning songwriters, one in English and one in French, will each receive $1,000 from the Galaxie Rising Stars Program, and a prime showcase spot and registration for one person at the OCFF Conference in Guelph in October 2004. Additional cash prizes will be awarded for the Best Political Song, Best Instrumental, Best Children's Song, most Humorous Song, and Best World Song (included in this category will be songs in languages other than English and French). In addition, the top eight songs, not including the Rising Star Award winners, will be passed on to a separate jury which will select the winner of the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award (administered by the Ontario Arts Council). The winner of this prize receives $1,000 and registration for the 2004 OCFF Conference. Elaborate production is not a requirement for entering this competition. Songs need only to be well presented and clearly sung. Any artist may sing the song, but the prize is awarded to the songwriter. Participants must be residents of Ontario. An entry fee of $15 is required for each song entered. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed application form available online at www.ocff.ca/songs.htm or by calling the OCFF office at 1-866-292-6233. It is preferred that songs be submitted in CD format, but they will also be accepted on cassette tape. If entering more than one song, all entries may be included on one CD or tape. Entries will be accepted in any language, and songs not written in French or English should be accompanied by a translation. To receive submission confirmation, entrants must enclose their email address with entries, or if they do not have an email address, a self-addressed, stamped envelope will also be accepted. Material that is submitted to this competition will not be returned. Writers will retain all copyright and publishing rights. All submissions must be post-marked by no later than May 15, 2004. Awards will be announced by mid-August 2004. Entries can be addressed to: 123 Walpole Avenue, Toronto, ON M4L 2J4, 416-405-8768, pmsinc@interlog.com. Application forms and information are available at www.ocff.ca,
OCFF Conference Showcase Call for Applications: The Ontario Council of Folk festivals (OCFF) is now accepting showcase applications for the 2004 OCFF Conference in Guelph, Oct. 14-17, 2004. A showcase performance at the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals conference provides a major opportunity for artists to get into the Ontario festival circuit — the largest regional festival touring circuit in North America. The OCFF conference provides excellent networking and professional development opportunities with the key people in the Ontario folk music industry, including many presenters. The submission deadline is May 15, 2004. Selected artists will be notified by the end of July 2004. Domestic, national and international applications will be accepted without restriction. A completed application form must be accompanied by one copy of your CD, a one-sheet bio, photo, stage plot and band member list, and a cheque or money order $25 for non-members, $15 for OCFF members, payable to the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals. Please do not send full press kits or video tapes. Application forms are available online at www.ocff.ca/showcase.htm or by calling the OCFF office at 1-866-292-6233. Non-members can join the OCFF with their submission to access the member rate. Entries can be mailed to: Ontario Council of Folk Festivals, 410 Bank Street, Suite 225, Ottawa, ON K2P 1Y8.
The Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival was featured in a Global TV special last month, a lead-in show to the Grammy Awards. The special, featuring footage and interviews from the 2002 and 2003 festivals, ran on the full Maritime Network.
Stony News: Stony Plain has renewed contacts with a number of like-minded record companies around the world, and has picked up a new distributor in Spain (Karonte Distribution), and is also finalizing a new distribution agreement for France. Dixie Frog, a major indie distributor in France, has licensed upcoming new releases by Amos Garrett and Duke Robillard, and both artists will tour in Europe under the aegis of the Euroblues Agency. And Fenn Music in Germany will release a vinyl version of the Stony Plain Duke Robillard and Herb Ellis "More Conversations In Swing Guitar", in Europe.
Black And White And Blue, a Rainbow Retrospective: This is the title of photo exhibits by Randy MacNeil at The Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street in the heart of the Byward Market in Ottawa. The first of 3 photo exhibits is now on display. "Known by many musicians in Ottawa's bustling blues community, Randy is one of the annually featured photographers at The Ottawa Cisco System Bluesfest. His work has been on display in various locations in the city's Festival Plaza during Bluesfest. The photos are of live shots taken at The Rainbow over the last few years. They include local, national and international blues artists who have played here, and wowed us, these are the shots that go with those memories. The beauty of these photos is quite amazing, shot in black and white and without a flash, they bring out the energy of each artist and their performance. Over the years, Randy has honed his skill that is unsurpassed by any other photo-artist in this city. His ability to catch the moment is uncanny. Kim Wilson, upon seeing the results of his last appearance here the previous year, exclaimed ?the most amazing photos of him ever'. Colin James was equally impressed with what he saw, ?I love these shots', after signing a couple of photos for the artist during his latest stop in town."
In Montreal: Last month a Benefit for Cancer Research was held in memory of Debbie Presseau, featuring Jerry Mercer, Breen Leboeuf, John McGale, Dawn Tyler Watson, Paul James, Stephen Barry, Suzie Arioli & Jordan Officer, Corey Diabo, Stephen Lund and many more.
Even cowfolk get the blues: A new blues venue has emerged in Calgary, as Kaos has re-opened at a new location, the former QC's (Quincy's) location at 609-7th Avenue S.W, which, in an even earlier life, was Lucifer's Ballroom - it still has a large dance floor. They're featuring early start times for live acts performing on weeknights. www.kaosblues.com.
Speedy Recovery, Long John Baldry: He's "recovering from a fall at his Vancouver home that earned him a dozen stitches, a mild concussion, and a very long night in the emergency ward. He'll be okay, but it was a nasty experience for him".
More from the left coast: "After nearly 15 years on the airwaves in Vancouver, ROCK 101 has cancelled the award winning Storman Norman's Sunday Blues. A disappointment to blues fans, labels, promoters and musicians everywhere. Also, a bit of a surprise considering the program's popularity, wide-ranging audience, and sense of community. Real music with real heart and soul. New Program Director Jeff Woods said "the parting was not performance related but due to internal restructuring at Corus Entertainment's Vancouver stations." The announcement came shortly after the release of the critically acclaimed CD, Storman Norman's Sunday Blues ` Live at The Yale VOL. 2'the very best in local, national, and international blues. Ironically, proceeds go to ROCK 101 Cares as well as The Yale's New Musician Trust Fund. Last year, Volume One raised $6,500 for Rock 101 Cares and supported The Broadway Youth Resource Center. Storman Norman remains a tireless Blues enthusiast. Over the years The Sunday Blues has supported hundreds of shows, artists and blues events. The latest CD is the 5th official Sunday Blues CD. A constant source for blues news, reviews and interviews with locals and legends. Recent programs have featured interviews with John Mayall, Buddy Guy, BB King, Derek Trucks, Jay McShann, Harry Manx and many others. A series of `Live for broadcast' recording sessions last year at The Yale included Charlie Musselwhite, John Hammond, Jody Williams, Willie MacCalder and much more. Storman is often seen on stage and in studio jamming with his heroes. "We are currently excited to be putting the finishing touches on a new made for TV version of The Sunday Blues. `Roots, Rock, Rhythm and Blues' "and expects to return to the airwaves soon. Phone calls, letters of support and emails to ROCK 101 and other local fans and radio programmers are encouraged and appreciated. Norman wishes to thank blues fans everywhere for their continued support. Blues fans can still listen to The Sunday Blues online at www.sundayblues.com. For more info or support please don't hesitate to contact Storman Norman at 604-466-9808, storman@sundayblues.com, or www.sundayblues.com."
We remember: Bob Greenlee, founder of Kingsnake Records in Florida, who died last month. He brought Sonny Rhodes to Stony Plain Records, and produced a number of albums with him, and co-wrote many of Sonny's songs. He was a gentleman, a blues scholar, and a good friend for dozens of artists, who will be sorely missed.
- Julie Hill, Derek Andrews
Toronto Blues Society Copyright _ 2004