Maple Blues Online - Loose Blues News

On Monday, September 11th, friends and colleagues of our own desktop publishing guy and self-styled (barely) managing editor, Brian Blain (left), will gather on his 60th birthday at the Silver Dollar Room to show him some "props" for the 15 years he has contributed behind the scenes since arriving in Toronto with his Mac computer and Epiphone guitar. Numerous musical guests will perform and the "hidden legend" himself may be coaxed to the stage. Next month, Brian will be hosting the Toronto Blues Society Showcase at the OCFF conference in Ottawa immediately followed by his second tour of the Czech Republic and Germany with harp player Butch Coulter. CIUT's Andy Frank has just uploaded the broadcast of Brian's Motherless Day concert to www.frankcasting.com and will be recording the Birthday Bash for broadcast on It's (A)live. Photo by Eddy B/blueheartarchive.com

Snake Oil Revue: Bob Vespaziani has organized a 'Blues Revue' reminiscent of the entertainment that used to accompany travelling medicine shows. At the Black Swan on September 15, the band comprises James Rasmusen on bass, Julian Fauth on keys & vox, Peter Schmidt on guitar, Jake Chisholm on guitar & vox, Dr. Nick on harp & vox, and Bob Ves on drums. Doors at 8 pm, show at 9:30.

The Grand River Blues Experience: The Grand River Blues Society is hosting a special week-long event from Monday September 25 to Sunday October 1 with live performances throughout the week by Alfie Smith, Max Bent, Daddy Long Legs, Mo Kauffey, Under Arrest, and, on Sunday October 1, a blues jam hosted by James Knowles from 2 to 6pm. All musicians are invited to join the festivities. At the Palette Cafe and Art Gallery, 7 Grand Avenue in Cambridge, Ontario, there will also be original art work throughout the Gallery for this week of all things blues. More details at www.grandriverblues.org.

In The Studio: West coast phenom and multiple Maple Blues Award recipient Harry Manx spent a hot August week in Toronto with local guitar hero Kevin Breit recording a follow up to their popular duet, Jubilee, released a couple of years ago on NorthernBlues. Fans will have to wait until early in the new year for this release, as yet untitled, on the Stony Plain label.

Lys Awards: Brought to you by Le Net Blues, the Lys Blues Awards honour the finest in Quebec blues, with winners announced at a gala in Montreal on Sunday, September 17 at Club Soda. Nominees have been announced, and voting is now open to the public. Visit www.lenetblues.com.

Harvest Headliners: The Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival has unveiled its musical line-up for its 2006 edition. Held September 12 to 17, on 10 stages in downtown Fredericton, New Brunswick, performers include Delbert McClinton, The North Mississippi All-Stars, Roomful of Blues, Zac Harmon (2006 Blues Award winner for Best New Artist), Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, GE Smith and Christine Olhman, Grady (featuring Gordie Johnson and Chris Whip Layton of Double Trouble), Sista Monica, The Love Dogs, Slick Ballinger, Bryan Lee, Ann Rabson (Saffire, and the Harvest Festival's Blues in the Schools educator this year), Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards, Oliver Jones and Ranee Lee, Rick Fines and Suzie Vinnick, Morgan Davis, Harrison Kennedy, Hot Toddy, Garrett Mason, Matt Andersen, Gordie Johnson and Kelly Hoppe, Isaac and Blewett, Theresa Malenfant, John Campbelljohn, JP LeBlanc, Matchstick Mike and the Chain Smokin' Alter Boys, Ross Neilsen, Petunia and the Vipers, The Keith Hallett Trio, and more to be announced. More details at www.harvestjazzandblues.com.

Duke Robillard on Tom Waits tour: Last month, guitarist Duke Robillard took a brief break from touring with his own band to join an eight-date concert tour with Tom Waits. Robillard - who turned down an offer to join Bob Dylan's band three years ago - was a member of Waits' four-man backup group. "I'm delighted to be doing this," Robillard said. "I've always dug Tom's material, and so much of it is deeply rooted in the blues. That, plus the fact that Tom's one of the most fun guys in the world, made me jump at the chance to work with him." And work it was - in seven days of rehearsal, Robillard has had to learn 40 songs. The other members of Waits' band are Larry Taylor (bass), Bent Clausen (keyboards, banjo, and percussion) and Casey Waits - the leader's son - on drums. The tour from August 1 to 31 included dates in Atlanta, Ohio, North Carolina, Memphis, Nashville, Louisville, Chicago, and Detroit. Robillard, who does more than 150 dates a year with his own band, is signed to the Edmonton-based roots music label Stony Plain, for which he has recorded close to a dozen CDs, and produced many others with other artists. His most recent CD for the label, Guitar Groove-a-Rama, has spent two months at #2 on the Living Blues radio charts.

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