Maple Blues Online - Loose Blues News

Blues fans know Raoul Bhaneja as the frontman, vocalist and Hohner-endorsed harmonica player of Raoul & the Big Time, a "Toronto Chicago Hollywood" jump swing blues band founded by Raoul in 1998. The band won the 1999 Maple Blues Award for Best New Artist, has received multiple Real Blues Awards (2001, 2002, 2003), and has released two recordings, 'Big Time Blues', and last year's 'Cold Outside', on their own label, Big Time Records, and has videos in rotation on Cool TV and Bravo.

But many blues fans may also know that Raoul lives a double life - he's an accomplished actor as well as a feted musician.He has the lead on the new Global Television show 'Train 48', an improvised soap about the lives of a group of people on a commuter train, which will be shooting its 250th episode by mid-January, setting the record for the most episodes of a Canadian TV drama.

Raoul just finished a four-week run of the critically acclaimed production of the two-person play 'Helen's Necklace' at the Tarragon Theatre. He also recently starred opposite Megan Follows in the CBC movie 'Open Heart', which received multiple Gemini nominations. In the past year Raoul also appeared in principal roles in two major motion pictures - 'Touch of Pink' (starring Kyle MacLachlan and Jimi Mistri) , which premiered at the Sundance Festival, and 'Godsend', with Robert De Niro and Greg Kinnear.

Raoul grew up in Ottawa, and Bonn, Germany. After attending the Drama program at Canterbury Arts High School in Ottawa, he was accepted into the prestigious National Theatre School of Canada. Since graduating in 1996 he has worked extensively in theatre, television and film.

Raoul and The Big Time have appeared on Canada AM (CTV), Studio 2 (TVO) Breakfast Television (City TV), and Daytime (Rogers). Their most recent record 'Cold Outside', distributed by Festival in Canada, Pacific Blues and DWM in USA, and Cross Cut Records in Europe, features guest spots from Mark Hummel, Big Joe Maher (2004 Handy nominee) and Junior Watson. The video for the title track 'Cold Outside' is in on rotation on COOL TV, while the video for 'Baby Don't Stop' is getting play on BRAVO.

Brian Slack selected as Blues Booster for 2005

The Toronto Blues Society is proud to announce the recipient of the Blues Booster of the Year award, a very special Maple Blues Award honouring outstanding contribution to the Canadian Blues industry to Montreal's .

Brian has been managing and representing blues artists in Quebec and across Canada and the US since booking Chicago blues piano player Blind John Davis to play at his college in the early 80s.In addition, he produces the celebrated Les Grandes Dames du Blues concept show, a showcase of female Canadian talent that was developed around International Women's Day and raises funds and awareness for women's shelters in host cities. Brian is also involved in blues record production, co-producing Sony Records' Red, White & Blues CD compilation and the Dawn Tyler Blues Project's "Ten Dollar Dress".He is also the founder and vice-president of the Montreal Blues Society and has been co-editing the society's newsletter for several years.

The Blues Booster of the Year Award will be given to Brian Slack at the 8th Annual Maple Blues Awards. The gala evening will take place on Monday, January 17 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne Street, Toronto. Tickets are available through the Toronto Blues Society office at 416-538-3885, 1-866-871-9457, or by e-mail at info@torontobluessociety.com and through Ticketmaster.

Brian will also be a featured panelist at Blues Summit II, January 15-17 at the Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto. This three-day conference is an opportunity for the blues community to personally connect with key leaders in the industry, and attend professional development seminars, working meetings, and showcase concerts. Blues Summit II is the largest meeting of blues artistic directors in Canada with representatives from over 20 blues, roots, and jazz festivals including: Edmonton Blues Festival, Hornby Island Blues Festival, Thunder Bay Blues Festival, South Side Shuffle, Distillery Blues Festival, Harvest Jazz and Blues (Fredricton), and Festi Blues (Montreal).

Blues artists and industry members can register for Blues Summit II online at www.torontobluessociety.com/summit. Delegates attending the Summit or the Maple Blues Awards are eligible for a special room price at the Delta Chelsea Hotel. To receive this special rate, rooms must be booked before December 31.

Renowned blues author Bob Santelli set for keynote address at Blues Summit II

This year's keynote speaker is Bob Santelli, the director of Seattle's Experience Music Project, an organization whose entire focus is educating and exciting kids about North America's music. He is a regular contributor to Rolling Stone and the author of the definitive Big Book of Blues, The Best of the Blues:The 101 Essential Albums, and the recent American Roots Music companion book. Santelli has also been a professor at Rutgers University and Director of Education and Public Programs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Recently, he was the Executive Director of the Advisory Board for the Year of the Blues, a year-long celebration of the blues' 100th anniversary.

Loose Blues News Continues:

Canadian connections at the 2005 W.C. Handy Awards: Electro-Fi recording artist Paul Oscher received 4 nominations, Acoustic Blues Album of the Year for "Alone With The Blues", Acoustic Blues Artist of the Year, Blues Song of the Year ("Alone With The Blues"), and Instrumentalist - Harmonica. Electro-Fi artist Sam Myers received 2 nominations, Traditional Blues Album for "Coming From The Old School", and Traditional Blues Male Artist. Other nominated Electro-Fi artists include Juke Joint Rockers Willie "Big Eyes" Smith for Instrumentalist - Drums, and Bob Stroger for Instrumentalist - Bass. NorthernBlues artists are also represented, with nominations for Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year for Janiva Magness, and for Soul/Blues Female Artist of the Year for Toni Lynn Washington. Stony Plains Records received nods for Instrumentalist - Other for Sonny Rhodes (Lap Steel Guitar), and for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year for Maria Muldaur. The 26th annual W.C. Handy Awards will be held May 5, 2005 in Memphis. Twelve Alligator artists received 23 of the W.C. Handy award nominations, with the Holmes Brothers leading all nominees with 6, and Mavis Staples following with 4. Other Alligator nominees include Guitar Shorty, W.C. Clark, and Marcia Ball with two each, and Billy Branch & Kenny Neal, Carey & Lurrie Bell, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Shemekia Copeland, Hound Dog Taylor, Roomful of Blues, and Koko Taylor with one apiece. In the Blues Album of the Year category, Alligator artists received four of the five nominations.

Grammy Nominations: For Best Traditional Blues Album (Vocal or Instrumental), the nominees are Me And Mr. Johnson by Eric Clapton (Reprise), Baby, Don't You Tear My Clothes by James Cotton (Telarc), Blues With A Vengeance by John Lee Hooker, Jr. (Kent Records), Blues To The Bone by Etta James (RCA Victor), and Ladies Man by Pinetop Perkins (M.C. Records). For Best Contemporary Blues Album (Vocal or Instrumental), N'awlinz Dis Dat Or D'udda by Dr. John (Blue Note), Keep It Simple by Keb' Mo' (Epic/Okeh), What's Wrong With This Picture? by Van Morrison (Blue Note Records), Sanctuary by Charlie Musselwhite (Real World), and I'm A Bluesman by Johnny Winter (Virgin).

Buddy Guy Inducted Into The Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame: The 2005 "class of 5" also includes Irish Rockers U2, R&B singers The O'Jays, soul balladeer Percy Sledge, and the Pretenders, as well as 2 non-performer inductees. The 20th Annual induction ceremony will be held on March 14 at the Waldorf Astoria hotel In Manhattan. Musicians, industry professionals, and journalists vote on the nominations. Artists are eligible after at least 25 years have passed since their first recording was released.

Queen of The Blues Koko Taylor to Receive 2005 History Makers Award: Grammy Award winning blues belter Koko Taylor will receive the coveted History Makers Award from Chicago's DuSable Museum of African American History. The award, to be presented on February 19, 2005 at the Museum's annual "Night of 1000 Stars," honours African American Chicagoans who have made outstanding contributions to society through their professions and civic responsibilities. The DuSable Museum of African-American History is the oldest museum of its type in the country and is the only major independent institution in Chicago established to preserve and interpret the historical experiences and achievements of African-Americans.

2004 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards Winners: Last month, awards were presented in 19 categories at a celebration hosted by Lorne Cardinal of TV's `Corner Gas', and Cheri Maracle. The award for Best Group or Duo went to The Wolfpack, a family of siblings aged 23-30 from Six Nations, Ontario. The WolfPack won Best Blues Album award at last year's 2003 awards. The Best Blues Album honours went to the Pappy Johns Band with Murray Porter for their CD "Full Circle." Long-time friends and family from Ontario's Six Nations, their previous CD won four Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards in 2002. Pappy Johns also performed at this year's ceremony. Best Aboriginal Music Radio Program was a new category at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards this year, and was given to Elaine Bomberry, from Six Nations, Ontario, as the producer of this year's winning program, `The Aboriginal Music Experience,' a 3-part audio documentary series.

True North 2005: Releases for blues fans include January's "Tap The Red Cane Whirlwind", the first live release for Kelly Joe Phelps, and, in March, Colin Linden's "Southern Jumbo", with guests the Memphis Horns, Buddy Miller, Jane Siberry, and Kathleen Edwards, and backed by John Dymond, Gary Craig and Richard Bell.

Electro-Fi Records News: The label's special holiday CD sale remains in effect until January 15, specifically, any 5 Electro-Fi CDs for only $50 plus tax, shipping included. Choose from their entire catalogue of award winning recordings. This special offer is available only by phone, and only in the U.S.A. and Canada, at 416-251-3036 (9am to7pm EST). Full details are available at www.electrofi.com. Real Blues magazine voted Electro-Fi "Best Canadian Blues Label" for a record 7th consecutive year. As well, Electro-Fi recording artist Snooky Pryor was recently honoured with the 2004 Living Blues Critics Poll Award for "Outstanding Musician Harmonica". After celebrating his 83rd birthday in September, Snooky underwent surgery to have a pacemaker installed, and is recovering comfortably at home. Electro-Fi artist Paul Oscher was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Blues Foundation. Congrats are also in order for Bob Stroger who won the 2004 Living Blues "Most Outstanding Musician ^ Bass" award. Bob is featured on long time running partner Willie "Big Eyes" Smith's new Electro-Fi disc "Bluesin' It". 2004 W.C. Handy nominee Fruteland Jackson just completed a highly successful tour of Russia. Watch for Fruteland on the Festival circuit in 2005. www.fruteland.com. 2005 releases will include new discs from Mel Brown, Chris Whiteley with special guest Curley Bridges, Miss Angel with Mel Brown and The Homewreckers, Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, Julian Fauth, Finis Tasby with guitar Enrico Crivellaro and David Rotundo, Harmonica Shah featuring Howard Glazer, and "an All-Star session still under wraps, but guaranteed to blow your blues lovin' mind"!

Voodoo Healin' 12th Anniversary: On Saturday January 8, the 12th anniversary of this Waterloo community radio blues show, on 100 .3 CKMS fm, will be celebrated at the Starlight Lounge, 47 A King street North in Waterloo (7pm doors, 8pm show, $15 cover) with Texan Sherman Robertson (www.shermanrobertsonblues.com) supported by Shawn Kellerman and Douglas Watson & the Soul Provider Horns. Houston native Sherman Robertson played and recorded for 5 years with Clifton Chenier, then with Terrance Simien's young zydeco band, he next played guitar on Paul Simon's "Graceland" album, and released his own solo recordings. "I use that driving, road-cooking type zydeco groove, and put blues on top of it." Voodoo Healin' blues, Monday nights 6 to 9 pm, www.ckmsfm.uwaterloo.ca

Rainbow Bistro 20th Anniversary Compilation: Ottawa's legendary Rainbow Bistro is proud to produce Double Decade - 20 Years Of Blues, a compilation CD of blues artists from across Canada, in order to commemorate it's 20th anniversary. The CD contains 15 tracks from Canada's finest blues artists who have played The Rainbow over the past 20 years, including Powder Blues, Downchild with Jeff Healey, Tony D, Drew Nelson, Sue Foley, David Gogo with Jeff Healey, Fathead, Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo, Bombast Blues, Dutch Mason, JW Jones, Roxanne Potvin, and more. The CD is available now through pre-sales at a special reduced price of $15 either at The Rainbow or on-line at www.therainbow.ca".

Alligator Artists Music on Television And in Film: A number of Alligator recording artists' music has and will be heard in a host of television programs and theatrical films, including "Deck the Halls With Boogie Woogie" by Katie Webster in the WB Network's "Everwood", "Turn the Heat Up" by Shemekia Copeland in new film "The Thing About My Folks" (directed by Raymond De Felitta, starring Paul Reiser, Peter Falk and Olympia Dukakis), "Snatchin' It Back" by Albert Collins in ABC Television's "Boston Legal", and "Santa Claus" by Little Charlie & the Nightcats in the ABC Family Channel's tv movie "Snow".

We remember: Local veteran bass player Bill Keeley died of a heart attack on November 27. A musician for over 30 years, Bill had played with Morgan Davis, with David Wilcox in the Rhythm Rockets, and, more recently, with The Johnny Max Band. Everyone who played with Bill enjoyed his love of music, desire to play, and relaxed style. He will be greatly missed by family, friends and musicians.

R.L. Burnside Illness: RL Burnside apparently suffered a heart attack on December 10, 2004, and his recovery is uncertain. Flowers or get well cards can be sent to Baptist Memorial Hospital, 7601 South Crest Parkway, South Haven, Mississippi 3867.

Lyn Dykes/Omar & The Howlers: The wife of Omar "Kent" Dykes, Lyn Dykes, passed peacefully on December 13, 2004 at the Austin Hospice Christopher House. Her great love and passion for music brought her together with her husband Omar and her son Jacob. Memorial services were held on December 15th. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Jake Dykes trust fund c/o at any Bank One, and the Lyn Dykes Foundation to help defer the medical expenses. In Canada, contact Todd J. Littlefield of Diesel Management at diesel@comnet.ca.

Big Boy Henry 1921-2004: Blues musician Richard 'Big Boy' Henry died on December 19 in Beaufort, North Carolina after several years of declining health. He was 83. "Mr. Henry was a master musician in the blues tradition from eastern North Carolina, which is one of the important parts of the roots of blues in our state," said Wayne Martin, folklife director of the North Carolina Arts Council. "He was a very generous person who shared his music with many different audiences throughout our state and around the world." Henry, who was born in Beaufort, was awarded a North Carolina Folk Heritage Award in 1995 for lifetime contributions to the folk culture of the state. Henry, a singer, composer and guitar player, recorded with other Piedmont bluesmen Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee at a session in 1951. He returned to North Carolina disappointed that the recordings were never issued and gave up music for about 20 years. During that time, he worked as a fisherman and operated a grocery store before returning to music in 1971. Henry is survived by his wife, Susan Ann Henry; and 10 children. Two of his children preceded him in death. Memorial services have been held.

Son Seals 1942-2004: W.C. Handy Award-winning and Grammy-nominated master Chicago bluesman Son Seals, 62, died December 20 in Chicago, IL. The critically acclaimed, younger generation guitarist, vocalist and songwriter ^ credited with redefining Chicago blues for a new audience in the 1970s -- was known for his intense, razor-sharp guitar work, gruff singing style and his charismatic stage presence. According to "Guitar World," "Seals carves guitar licks like a chain saw through solid oak and sings like a grainy-voiced avenging angel." Seals released 11 albums during his 30-year recording career and toured worldwide. Over the course of his career, Seals was hailed as one of Chicago's great bluesmen and one of the city's most powerful live performers. "Musician" stated, "Seals delivers performances of the most profound emotion - one of the genre's most soulful exorcists." His most recent recording was an Alligator Records career retrospective, "Deluxe Edition," in 2002. Among his many accolades, Seals won three W.C. Handy Blues Awards, one each in 1985, 1987 and 2001, and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1980 for his participation in the live compilation, "Blues Deluxe." Frank "Son" Seals was born in Osceola, Arkansas on August 14, 1942. He became an accomplished drummer by the time he was 13. By the age of 18, Son had put down the drumsticks and was leading his own band as a guitarist. He moved to Chicago in 1971 and began playing regular weekend gigs at The Expressway Lounge and other clubs on Chicago's South Side, regularly jamming with legends like Hound Dog Taylor, Junior Wells and Buddy Guy. Son's 1973 debut recording, "The Son Seals Blues Band," on the fledging Alligator Records label, established him as a blazing, original blues performer and composer. Son's audience base grew as he toured extensively, playing colleges, clubs and festivals throughout the country. "The New York Times" called him "the most exciting young blues guitarist and singer in years." His 1977 follow-up, "Midnight Son," received widespread acclaim from every major music publication. "Rolling Stone" called it "one of the most significant blues albums of the decade." On the strength of "Midnight Son," Seals began touring Europe regularly, and even appeared in an Olympia beer commercial. A strong series of six more successful Alligator releases followed through the 1980s and 1990s (Seals also recorded two albums for other labels during this time), growing Seals' audience all over the world. Seals shared stages with a wide variety of blues stars, including B.B. King and Johnny Winter. Even the popular rock band Phish recognized Seals' talent and power, covering his song "Funky Bitch" on record and inviting Seals to join them on stage at many of their tour dates. Seals played his last live performances in October 2004 in California. Survivors include a sister, Katherine Sims of Chicago, and 14 children. No funeral arrangements have been announced at this time. Alligator Records Discography: The Son Seals Blues Band (1973), Midnight Son (1976), Live And Burning (1978), Chicago Fire (1980), Bad Axe (1984), Living In The Danger Zone (1991), Nothing But The Truth (1994), Live-Spontaneous Combustion (1996), Deluxe Edition (2002). "Son Seals is the most exciting young blues guitarist and singer in years" (The New York Times, 1973). "A major blues talent" (Rolling Stone). "Seals carves guitar licks like a chainsaw through solid oak and sings like a grainy-voiced avenging angel. A master of gritty, blue-collar blues" (Guitar World).

Aussie Day Blues Bash: The Imperial Hotel at Beenleigh will be celebrating Australia Day in style on Saturday January 29 by presenting a lineup of some of Australia's outstanding blues & roots music talent, including Pete Cornelius, Chrome Daddies, Hat Fitz & Itchy, Asa Broomhall, Greg "8 Ball" Aitken, and the Brewster Brothers.

Iridescent Update: Kelly Wallace has resigned as Marketing & Promotions Director at Iridescent Music but will remain on the Board of Directors. Kelly was a tireless promoter of local blues artists and was a big help in gathering blues event listings for MapleBlues. Her absence will create a real vacuum. President Phil Ball said " Kelly has worked as an unpaid volunteer and has worked tirelessly putting in her "ALL" It will be very difficult to replace Kelly, if in fact we can or will. I would hope that as we go through an arduous transition period without Kelly you will be patient and direct all your correspondence and inquires to me". Phil's email is iridescentmusic@aol.com.

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Loose Blues News

Raoul Bhaneja hosts the Maple Blues Awards on January 17, 2005.

Brian Slack selected as Blues Booster for 2005

Renowned blues author Bob Santelli set for keynote address at Blues Summit II

Loose Blues News Continues:

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