Maple Blues Online Cover Story

The TBS' biggest event of the year, the Women's Blues Revue will feature Sue Foley, Rita Chiarelli, Saidah Baba Talibah (right), Ellen McIlwaine, Diana Braithwaite, The Women's Blues Revue Band led by Lily Sazz and more to be announced. Once again we are treated to a great image from WBR "artist-in-residence" Barbara Klunder. The event will take place at Massey Hall on Saturday, November 25. Tickets available at the Massey Hall Box Office: 416-872-4255.

The summer festival season has peaked and as it begins to wind down we offer a close look at the Southside Shuffle and one of their most anticipated artists, David Clayton Thomas. Bill Munson wrote the piece on DCT and Sarah French has been gathering all that festival info that makes a blues lover's summer complete.

If you wondered why GTA summers seem longer nowadays, it's not just global warming, it's also the annual Southside Shuffle in Port Credit, which can be counted on to hold autumn at bay for an extra week past Labour Day each year. The 2006 edition, the eighth, will again feature a vibrant mixture of blues and jazz acts distributed over dozens of venues over three days - September 8, 9 and 10.

As always, just about every bar and restaurant in that part of Mississauga will feature live music, and as always there will be the carnival atmosphere when Lakeshore Road is closed on Saturday afternoon for the Street Shuffle, when groups and singers set up outside up and down the street and play for hours.

Again as always, there will also be an impressive display of headline entertainment on the main stage, including: David Clayton Thomas and Roomful of Blues on Friday, Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards and Downchild on Saturday, and Detroit Women, Shawne and Jay Jackson and Danny Brooks on Sunday.

David Clayton Thomas will be bringing along an 11-piece powerhouse band featuring some of Canada's finest jazz musicians - no doubt the calibre of players that backed him on his new live CD, David Clayton Thomas In Concert (his second for the Justin Time label, following last year's Aurora). People like Doug Riley, Bernie Labarge, Paul DeLong, Bruce Cassidy and Michael Stuart. There he leads the group - and an appreciative audience - through the highlights of his days as leader of Blood Sweat and Tears, internationally one of the biggest acts of its day way back in the late '60s and '70s. Plus a couple of newer originals, including an incendiary blues, "Self-Centred Woman".

Who knows, maybe for the Southside Shuffle he'll even step a bit farther back into his career, to when he was one of Toronto's biggest blues stars, singing with Ronnie Hawkins, Levon Helm and the Hawks then heading storied assemblages like the Shays, the Bossmen, the David Clayton Thomas Combine and even, for a time, the Rogues (with George Olliver and Domenic Troiano). Not only did he fill the local halls and bars, but he also topped the local charts with big hits like "Boom Boom", "Walk That Walk", "Out Of The Sunshine", "Take Me Back" and "Brainwashed". Most of those were originals, but to fill out his albums (and he released a couple of them back when just about nobody local got to do even one) David also turned his impressive set of pipes to more standard blues fare like "I Got A Woman" and "Howlin'".

While Blood Sweat and Tears is remembered as one of the premiere jazz-rock outfits of its day, Clayton Thomas never really waved goodbye to blues music even then, as his numerous songwriting contributions to the BS&T canon - "Spinning Wheel", "Lucretia MacEvil", "Go Down Gambling" and "You're The One" - carried the music in its DNA. And it was his well-received Blue Plate Special album (on the Stony Plain label) that can be said to have pushed him back into the public eye in the late 1990s after a longish spell away. That CD featured half original material and half covers - of songs by the likes of Ray Charles, Henry Glover, Willie Dixon and Percy Mayfield.

It was the Glover song, "Drown In My Own Tears", that Clayton Thomas reached for when it came his turn to sing at the remarkable tribute to the late, great Dianne Brooks that was held at the Rex Hotel a bit more than a year ago. However tough he might be painted by reputation, his depth of feeling comes across just as clearly as his power. As does his ability to capture the moment: on that occasion he pointed out that most of the people in the room had seen Dianne at the Club Bluenote in the '60s, so they all knew how to take the song out - and they all did, together and emotionally.

The setting for David Clayton Thomas's performance at the Southside Shuffle - 10:00 pm on Friday September 8 - will certainly carry much less emotional baggage than did that show at the Rex, but we can still count on his power, his talent and his depth of feeling.

More on the Southside Shuffle
Mississauga's Blues & Jazz Festival, The Southside Shuffle, celebrates its 8th year September 8 to 10, 2006.

Headlining the Southside Shuffle Mainstage are three of Canada's music icons. Former front man for Blood Sweat & Tears, Mr. David Clayton Thomas, with his new 11 pc powerhouse band featuring some of Canada's finest jazz musicians. Toronto's own, Jeff Healey and The Jazz Wizards. Popular for his hard Blues/Rock music, Jeff takes a new direction, providing fans with not only his signature guitar technique but with his talents as a trumpet and trombone player. Then what would the Southside Shuffle Festival be without another Canadian favourite, the legendary Downchild Blues Band. 35 years and still going strong, Downchild is a guaranteed good time.

The Mainstage lineup also includes many other tremendous acts: The Three Tenors, North American Sax Kings featuring Jimmy Cavallo, Johnny Pennino and Pat Carey; Roomful of Blues; Wickens-Knight; Detroit Women of Blues with Motor City Express; Shawne & Jay Jackson & The Majestics, just to name a few. Your Mainstage weekend pass is available for $35. Daily passes $15.

Canadian blues pioneer David Clayton Thomas (right) headlines the Southside Shuffle Friday, September 8.

Saturday afternoon, Lakeshore Road becomes the heartbeat of the festival, as the Southside Shuffle takes to the street with its always fun and free to the public, Street Shuffle. From 3 til 7 pm, the local merchants of Port Credit play host to thousands of fans flocking to catch a multitude of incredibly talented musicians. All along the Lakeshore, one can experience the passionate and soulful sounds of Rock, Big Band, Dixieland, Country, Blue Grass, Blues and Jazz. Regardless of your taste in music, The Street Shuffle is bound to tantalize. An all ages event, it's fun for the whole family to enjoy.

Kids are definitely a big part of any Southside Shuffle and this year will prove no different. Jammin' For Sick Kids held at the Port Credit Legion, is a fantastic fundraising Jam session with proceeds benefiting the Hospital for Sick Kids. Hosted by that big kid himself, Johnny Max and featuring Johnny Pennino, one never knows what musician will saunter in from the street and join the Jam. Members of the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Downchild joined Johnny and company during last year's Jam. Jammin' for Sick Kids Friday, Sept 8th and Saturday, September 9th, 10 pm til 3:00 am at the Port Credit Royal Canadian Legion, 35 Front St N, Mississauga. $5 Cover with all proceeds benefiting the Hospital for Sick Children. Be sure to add the Jammin for Sick Kids as part of your must see during the Southside Shuffle

Know a young person under the age of 18 with serious musical talent? Why not register them for Sunday afternoon's Junior Jam hosted by Mark "Bird" Stafford from 1:30 til 3:30 pm. A family favourite, this year's Junior Jam is preceded with another Harmonica Knight, Mark "Bird" Stafford specialty, "Harps for Kids". Starting at noon, Mark brings a sampling of his Blues in Schools to the Southside Shuffle with an one hour Harmonica Workshop for kids 9 to 12 years of age. Email Mark at birdstafford@sympatico.ca to register for either the Junior Jam or the Harps for Kids. Space is limited so don't delay.

The Legion will wrap up the Sunday afternoon Southside Shuffle activities with a featured presentation of the Toronto Blues Society's 2006 Talent Search Winners, The Undesirables at 4 pm. Admission is only $5 with all proceeds to Sick Kids.

If Big Bands are more your style then The Waterside Inn's Big Band Ballroom is where you'll want to be. Brand new to this year's Shuffle, the picturesque Waterside Inn welcomes the Toronto All Star Big Band Friday evening and the Etobicoke Swing Orchestra on Saturday, starting at 8 pm. $5 is all it takes to enjoy an evening of wonderful big band sound. The Waterside Inn, 15 Stavebank Rd S. Mississauga.

One weekend, over a hundred bands and yet, there's more. Pre-festival weekend events include Mississauga South M.P.P. Tim Peterson's New Orleans 2006 Fundraising Gala. Wednesday, Sept 6th, held at the Oasis Convention Centre, New Orleans 2006 brings a taste of New Orleans to Mississauga from some of the area's best chefs. Entertainment provided by the "Maple Blues Band". Several Mississauga South charities benefit from the Gala proceeds.

Thursday, Sept. 7th, starting at 7 pm, The Port Credit Legion becomes the place to be with The Beggars Blues Banquet. Singin' for Sick Kids with Chuck Jackson & Johnny Max begins at 8 pm, Jimmy Cavallo and the Houserockers at 9 and the Beggars Blues Jam at 11 pm. Tickets $30 each with the proceeds benefiting the Hospital for Sick Kids.

For further information regarding tickets, Mainstage Passes, a complete list of bands and a schedule of all the events, visit www.southsideshuffle.com or call the Shuffle Hotline at 905-271-9449.

The 8th Annual Southside Shuffle, Port Credit's Blues & Jazz Festival. September 8th, 9th & 10th, 2006. Memorial Park, Lakeshore Rd (just west of Hurontario) Mississauga, Ontario.

August 7-13 Oshawa Jazz and Blues Festival, Oshawa Ontario
Downchild Blues Band, Colin Linden, Carlos del Junco, Jack de Keyzer, David Rotundo, Aaron Griggs, Johnny Max, and The Bottle Devils, Jazz Divas Showcase (featuring Heather Bambrick and special guests Liberty Silver, June Garber, Melissa Stylianou, and Eliana Cuevos) and more TBA www.oshawajazzandbluesfestival.com

August 10 -13 FestiBlues International, Montreal Quebec
Robert Charlebois, Bob Walsh, a big band tribute to BB King, Tony D, and others. www.festiblues.com

August 11-13 Toronto's Festival of Beer, Historic Old Fort York, 100 Garrison Road, near Exhibition Place. The festival features a variety of live music with three Blues shows in the program - Michael Pickett, Friday at 4:30 pm; Harrison Kennedy, Saturday at 2:30 pm, an the Gary Kendall Band, Saturday at 4:30pm. For more info, visit www.beerfestival.ca

August 11- 13 Lakeshore Mardi Gras, Mimico Ontario
Downchild Blues Band, Loco Zydeco, Elyssa Mahoney,Remembering New Orleans, The Johnny Max Band, Big Stuff featuring Chuck Jackson

August 11-13 Blues, Brews & BBQs, Kitchener, Ontario
Bobby Rush, Watermelon Slim & The Workers, Nathanial Mayer, Morgan Davis, Mel Brown, Julian Fauth, Cheryl Lescomb, and more. www.bluesbrewsandbbqs.ca

August 24-27 Limestone City Blues Festival, Kingston Ontario
Coco Montoya, Bobby Rush, Suzie McNeil, Janiva Magness, Garrett Mason, www.kingstonblues.com

August 25-27 Wasaga Beach Fest Wasaga Beach Ontario
Jack de Keyzer, Curley Bridges, Diana Braithwaite, David Rotundo, Groove Corporation, Dr. Draw. www.wasagabeachfest.com

Sept 8-9 Blues In The Park, Niagara Falls Ontario
Garrett Mason, Roxanne Potvin, Roomful of Blues. www.bluesinthepark.com

Sept 8-10 Southside Shuffle, Mississauga Ontario
David Clayton-Thomas, Roomful of Blues, Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards, Downchild Blues Band, Wickens-Knight, Detroit Women with Motor City Express and the legendary street shuffle. www.southsideshuffle.com

Sept 12-17 Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, Fredericton New Brunswick
Rick Fines, Suzie Vinnick, Morgan Davis, Grady, Delbert McClinton, Hot Toddy, Ann Rabson, North Mississippi All-stars, Roomful of Blues, Sista Monica, Harrison Kennedy, God Made me Funky, Gordie Johnson and Kelly Hoppe, JP Leblanc, Pocket Dwellers and much more. www.harvestjazzandblues.com

Sept 15-17 Happy Hog Weekend, Tottenham
Trouble & Strife, Johnny Max, James Anthony, Jake Thomas www.happyhogroadhouse.com

Oct 19 - 21 Canal Bank Shuffle, Thorold Ontario
Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials, Joe West & The Blues Attack (Bronze Medal winners in this year's International Blues Competition, Jack de Keyzer, Jerome Godboo, Harrison Kennedy, more TBA www.canalbankshuffle.com

Club Profile:

There's something about the feeling of belonging that's worth its weight in gold. I get that feeling from Hugh's Room. I think we get to an age when we tire of the pushing, the shoving, the lining up - only to get a bad spot to stand in a venue with zero sightlines and acoustics designed by the same clown who installed the sound system for the bus terminal. Hugh's Room is, by comparison to what you've become used to, a live music lover's paradise. It's nothing fancy to look at - not unlike one of those old style church basements where your parents used to drag you for turkey suppers. Yet it is an artist-friendly atmosphere that translates - immediately - to the audience. As the artist warms up, so does the room and the reciprocal effect of one to the other is nothing short of magic, as proven time and time again.

Located at 2261 Dundas West, just south of Bloor, Hugh's is a 200-seat room with a busy schedule of local, national and international acts. It's on the subway and you can often find free parking. Serving up folk, roots, blues, jazz, spoken word and everything in-between, Hugh's has hosted timeless events ranging from Eric Andersen, Tom Rush and Ramblin' Jack Elliot to Fairport Convention, the Strawbs and Jack de Keyzer. Almost as well-received as its eclectic program is its award-winning cuisine - Hugh's offers a full dining restaurant which, with reservations, gives you the added edge of reserving your seat (although with tiered, table seating, there's not a bad seat in the house). The food is surprisingly affordable and entirely delectable. Unlike the abuse you're liable to endure at a downtown club, shows start in air-conditioned comfort at 8:30 sharp and are over before midnight, usually providing a break in the middle for a phenomenal meet'n'greet opportunity with your favourite artists, often selling their music on-site and happy to sign their work for a fan.

As for that sense of belonging, know that Hugh is very much a real person. He was brother to co-founding owner Richard Carson - who named the club in Hugh's honour, as the club was originally Hugh's brainstorm before he lost his battle with cancer. The good news is Hugh's Room is very alive with an old-fashioned warmth that starts with a sincere greeting at the door and extends to every element of your experience. Hugh's gentle spirit has smiled down on many special moments shared by real music lovers who come to listen to live music at its best - in the best setting possible. It's fair to say, you haven't really enjoyed live music to its fullest until you've sampled this room in its entirety. It's an addiction which, some five years later, only gets better with each repeated visit. Highly recommended.

Some upcoming blues shows at Hugh's: Carlos del Junco (Aug 31), Harrison Kennedy & Fruteland Jackson (Sept.7), Rita Chiarelli CD release (Sept. 9), Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley CD release (Sept. 16), Suzie Vinnick & Rick Fines CD release (Sept. 27), Geoff Muldaur (Oct. 4), The Undesirables - Talent Search Winners' CBC recording (Oct. 6), Penny Lang CD release (Oct. 26).

The Bebop Cowboys, (l. to r. Howard Willett, John Adames, Dennis Pendrith, Drew Jurecka, Burke Carroll and Steve Briggs) play the Southside Shuffle on Saturday, September 9.

The Bebop Cowboys and friends honour Western Swing and the Canadian Dance Hall era on their brand new release Canadian Dance Hall that seamlessly harkens to the spirit of a bygone era.

This 6-piece Western Swing posse is precisely defined by these lyrics from the Roger Miller song: "They swing like a pendulum do." Authentic to the core and thoroughly versed in the timeless tradition, it would be a forgivable error to assume the Bebop Cowboys hail from Tulsa, Austin, Santa Fe, or Bakersfield, rather than here in the Great White North.

Guitarist extraordinaire and music historian Steve Briggs met harmonica wiz Howard Willett fortuitously at the school where their young children attended. That was five years ago. Shortly thereafter, they launched the Bebop Cowboys along with pedal steel guru Burke Carroll who is considered a veritable touchstone on the Canadian roots music scene. The group is also graced by a rock-solid rhythm section consisting of veterans Dennis Pendrith and John Adames. All these guys have also backed up a truckload of Canadian and international artists on stages and in studios over the decades, such as Gordon Lightfoot, Raffi, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Prairie Oyster, the Good Brothers, Shania Twain, George Fox, Carroll Baker, David Wilcox, Diane Reeves, Shirley Horn, and many others.

The standard Swing lexicon always gets juiced up with the Bebops' own ear-catching selections that stack up with the enduring classics of Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys, Spade Cooley, Hank Penny, Hank Thompson, Little Jimmy Dickens' Country Boys, and Ernest Tubb's Texas Troubadours. Western Swing's heyday was the years immediately following WWII, but the embers have been fanned since then by dedicated purveyors such as the Bebop Cowboys and Ray Benton's Asleep At The Wheel. Updating Western Swing while remaining true to the hard-core aficionados has been their respective callings, and the Bebops are rightfully proud to have played a role in the genre's resurgence, via recordings, performances at clubs and festivals, and on television and radio appearances.

They polished their repertoire in residency at Toronto's roots temple, the Cadillac Lounge, and quickly launched their recording career with Début: an offering of 10 traditional favourites. Since those early days, the Cowboys have become mainstays on the Roots/Rockabilly/Folk/Blues festival circuits, while widening their reputation and renown in venues near and far. By regaling audiences in the Western Swing heartland of western Canada, the Bebop Cowboys quickly earned their reputation as "Canada's premier Western Swing outfit".

They elevated their game further by penning their own original western swing tunes, brought together with Briggs' formidable arranging skills, and it all took flight on their critically-acclaimed follow-up, Some Kind of Fantasy which was issued in 2003. Tours in western and central Canada followed, and they played the role of presenters with their successful HOMETOWN COUNTRY JUBILEE showcase. In comparing the Bebops to such legendary Western Swing groups as Jimmy Dickens and his Country Boys, and Ernest Tubb's Texas Troubadors, one of Canada's Western Swing Music Society reviewers summed up their second release as follows: "Ordinarily such comparisons would be a bit of a reach; but believe me, these guys really are this good. Some Kind of Fantasy (their second release) is easily the best contemporary Western Swing recording heard in quite awhile."

The other captivating aspect to the Bebops is their wide ranging versatility which has allowed for a remarkably seamless incorporation of genres invested with similar rhythmic sensibilities, such as Jazz, Jump Blues, C&W, and Rock 'n' Roll. Perhaps, the only ingredient missing from the Bebop Cowboys' talent pool was the lack of a permanent fiddle player, but that omission was rectified recently with the addition of classically-trained violinst Drew Jurecka.

Which leads us up to their latest release, and as band leader Steve Briggs says, "Canadian Dance Hall ...is by far the best work the Bebops have ever done." It also confirms their esteemed profile in the Blues, Roots, and Jazz communities, graced as it is by guests like Chuck Jackson (Downchild Blues Band), Alex Pangman, Sarah Harmer, Russell de Carle (Prairie Oyster), Terra Hazelton, Chris Whiteley, Dennis Keldie, and many others. Further details on this very special release are available at www.bebopcowboys.com.

Steve is rightfully pumped up about Canadian Dance Hall, and with 15 tracks including 7 originals, it's fully living up to its advance billing as one of the most anticipated releases of the year. You can experience it all live on Saturday, September 9 at the Southside Shuffle in Port Credit.

It's cheering how that configuration of pedal steel, electric guitar, fiddle, harmonica, and keyboards has worked wonders over the years, by bringing together people of all ages in an old-fashioned, stress-relieving celebration of good times. And nobody accomplishes that objective better than the Bebop Cowboys!