Letters

Hi there: Thanks for the August/04 issue of Maple Blues. Just finished reading Derek Andrews' "Hey, Hey, The Blues...." It's true, for us blues fans all these cancellations are really a disappointment - and I'm in full agreement that this sudden glut on the Toronto blues scene and then dropping it is very confusing.

Frankly, my favourite summer event was our Harbourfront Centre Blues Festival (which I have enjoyed ever since it got started), and was so sorry to learn of its cancellation. Derek writes that he won't comment on this "for obvious reasons", but I'm out of the loop and have no idea - and have often wondered - about these circumstances. Can anyone explain? Also, is there anything blues fans can do to get the annual Harbourfront Blues reinstated - or perhaps an alternative sponsored by TBS (i.e. in addition to WBR)? You guys are doing a great job!
Naomi Joel

Dear Editor: As a jazz and blues fan based in this city on and off for 40 years, I would like to comment on the self-serving Hey, Hey, The Blues is Alright article. First of all, I support the music by attending festivals, concerts and clubs and purchasing CDS. But my wife and I do not belong either to Downtown Jazz, the Classic Jazz Society or the Toronto Blues Society —groups that are presided by never-changing presidents who are promoters and musicians primarily concerned with their own incomes.
Derek Andrews has contributed much to the musical life in this city. But Harbourfront has continued in his absence to offer a fine musical menu, albeit with the loss of the blues festival. As a bystander, I am uncomfortable reading Andrews criticism of his competitor, whose successful festival in Ottawa led many Torontonians to abandon the ever-diminishing -in- quality Harbourfront Fest for the capital.
Last year's Star Blues at the CNE was fine opening year effort. All the evidence is there that there is not enough of an audience for a "pure" Blues Fest because there are enough paying customers. From my long-time observation, jazz and blues fans are notoriously stingy with their concert- going bucks preferring records and their local band in their local pub.
The "intellectual fan" prefer to go to Chicago for what they consider the "real thing" while many of the others are "boozers" happy to hear loud guitar played by any local Donnie, Jack, Sean or Colin.
Surely the fact that Toronto has no festival this years shows the Blues is Not Alright. Perhaps by John Valentyn in his review gushing over Bill King's vocals on his latest album, this might mean the Blues Society can approach the hustling Mr. K to turn his Parti Gras in the Distillery next year to a Blues Fest.
Andrews explanation regarding "commodification" of the blues reads to me as sour grapes that Monahan has been successful, and your president has lost his job.
If you were truly trying to goose the local scene, you would end your sexist Women's Blues Revue which is the only place most of these musicians can get any work year round. I don't see this band playing in any festivals. I am suspicious this event continues because as a female-only show, it get all sorts of funding from governments. Why not simply present the Toronto Blues Revue with the finest of upcoming talent such as Bowskill, Potvin, Ryder, and Tortoise Blue?
President Andrews ends his article by stating "The Blues are not a commodity that can be exploited." I think from his article, Maple Blues is being exploited as a commodity by its president with his personal grudges against Monahan and Harbourfront.
Lewis Levendel

Dear TBS...... It is no suprise the bluesfest was canceled. Lack of ticket sales?..... no shit. I wouldn't go see some rapper at gun point. Please write to the organizers and let them know that the next time they want to promote a blues festival, to get blues artists. I know there was some, but please.......... Being someone who doesn't drive i was hoping for a good bluesfest in the city. The better ones are out of town it seems. Blues needs to be promoted more often and properly. Thank you.
M. Berezansky

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