It was the first ever tie at The Maple Blues Awards...

February 2015 www.torontobluessociety.com Published by the ToronTo Blues socieTy since 1985 [email protected] Vol 31, No 2

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Loose Blues NewsEvent ListingsTop Blues

It was the first ever tie at The Maple Blues Awards. Harpdog Brown and Guy Belanger duke it out for Harp Player of the Year

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2 MapleBlues February 2015 www.torontobluessociety.com

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2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORSDerek Andrews (President), Jon Arnold (Executive), Gord Brown, Lucie Dufault (Secretary), Sharon Evans, Sarah French, Michael Malone (Treasurer), Jamie MacDonald, Ed Parsons (Executive), Norman Robinson, Paul Sanderson, Mike Smith (Executive), John Valenteyn (Executive) Musicians Advisory Council: Chris Antonik, Brian Blain, Gary Kendall, Lily Sazz, Mark Stafford, Suzie Vinnick Membership Committee: Michael Malone, Lucie Dufault, Gord Brown, Sarah French, Mike Smith, Debbie Brown, Ed Parsons, Norm Robinson, Nick LanaroVolunteer Committee: Ed Parsons, Sharon Evans, Lucie DufaultOffice Manager: Alice Sellwood [email protected]

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MapleBlues February 2015 3www.torontobluessociety.com

TBS Guitar Workshop (Date and venue to be confirmed) Emily Burgess hosting and guests Sean Pinchin, Suzie Vinnick, Tony Springer and more to be announced.

May 2015, Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas Street West, Toronto TBS Blues Photography Exhibit (part of Contact Photography Festival)

July 16, 2015 Palais Royale, 1601 Lakeshore Blvd TBS 30th Anniversary Celebration Genius+Soul= The Music of Ray Charles - with musical director Lance Anderson, Jesse O'Brien, Al Lerman and Michael Sloski featuring special guests. Dinner & Show $100 +HST/Service (Show only $30 +HST/Service)

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

The Toronto Blues Society is a Registered Charity

Make a donation beyond membership and merchandise, and get your charitable tax receipt in time for this year! (Charitable # 87487 7509 RR0001). You will be helping to support events like the annual Women's Blues Revue at Massey Hall, The Blues in the Schools program, The monthly Gladstone Blues Series, numerous workshops and carreer development activities for the musician

community as well as the Maple Blues Awards and the Blues Summit conference, the most important blues industry gathering in Canada that occurs every other year. Networking events within this conference allow for industry discussion alongside artist discovery through the showcase program.

New Members: Philippa Cunningham, Steven Oszertag, Robert Seneshen, Ken Wallis, Steven Doede, Bob Naugler & the Midtown Blues Band, D. Major Entertainment, Kim DoolittleRenewing Members:Rick Fines, Lisa Hutchinson, Sharon Evans, Jerome Godboo, Angela Martin, Lori Huddinott, Colin Baxter, Brenda McCurdy, Daniel Munro, Jeff Bradshaw, Rick Brouckxon, Chris Murphy, Sabrina Weeks, Stephen SinclairInstitutional/Benefactor Members: Longshadows Music Ltd., Choose The Blues Productions, Music By The Bay Live, Grand River Blues Society, Mike Calhoun, Joel Goldberg, Rick Barber, Dana R. Clarence, Joel Goldberg, Brian David Johnston, Michael Malone, Scott Peaker, Canal Bank Shuffle Blues Festival, Dan Aykroyd Wines, Dee’s Deeds, Eaton Chelsea Hotel – Monarchs Pub, Linus Entertainment – True North Records, Re/Max, Stony Plain Recordings, Porquis Blues SocietyH o n o r a r y M e m b e r s ( H o n o r a r y Membership is assigned to musicians in the past year who have participated in a TBS event): Lindsay Barr, Tom Bona, Patrick J. Carey, Richard Dawson. Julian Fauth, Matthieu Gagnon, Rebecca Hennessy, Harrison Kennedy, Jon Knight, Teddy Leonard, Al Lerman, Rob Lutes, Steve Strongman, Joanna Swan, Dawn Tyler-Watson, Rachelle van Zanten, David Vest, Suzie Vinnick, Sacha WilliamsonrLifetime Members (Blues Boosters are Maple Blues Award recipients for their good work in the national blues community): John Valenteyn, Liz Sykes, Gord MacAuley, Ed Torres, Rob Bowman, Brad Wheeler, Mako Funasaka, Richard Flohil, Brian Slack, Elaine Bomberry, Andrew Galloway, Fred Litwin, Ralph Strodeur, Brent Staeben, Mark Monahan, Holger Petersen Lifetime Members (Blues With A Feeling Award members are the Maple Blues Award lifetime achievement recipients): Matt Minglewood, Paul James, Rita Chiarelli, Chris Whiteley, Amos Garrett, Big Dave McLean, Colin Linden, Danny Marks, Jackie Richardson, Mel Brown, Chuck Jackson, Jack de Keyzer, Michael Pickett, Long John Baldry, Morgan Davis, Gary Kendall, Donnie 'Mr. Downchild' Walsh, Dave 'Daddy Cool' Booth, B.B. King, Holger Petersen, Bruce Iglauer, Derek AndrewsDonors Janet Zopfi, Linda Partington, Joel Goldberg, Sharon Evans, Trynie de Vries, Carol Flett, Sue Bracken, Derek Andrews, Michael Malone, Noah Blackstein, Jon Arnold, Gordon Brown, Suzie Vinnick, Ed ParsonsMany thanks to Shawn Caissie, Rachel Cameron, Zoe Chilco, Sokhna-Dior Cissé, Ursula Durosh, Carol Flett, Heather Green, Anita Hannam, Janice Knowles, Nick Lanaro, Patricia McCully, Alexander McTaggart, Anne O'Flynne, Susan Simpson, Geoff Virag and John Warrener for their help at Blues Summit 7 and the Maple Blues Awards. Many thanks as well to Carol Flett and Anne O'Flynne for their help with the Newsletter mailing and to Roz for helping with the listings

Master guitarist Tony "Wild T" Springer will be guesting at the upcoming Toronto Blues Society guitar workshop to be hosted by Emily Burgess. Watch this space and check TBS weekly e-blast "Where It's At" for details once the date and venue are confirmed


Talk about a “summit”! Hundreds of blues players, the best in the country, gathered in Toronto for an intense week of networking, catching up with old friends, making new ones, and acknowledging those who had a great year.

The finale was on Blue Monday, January 19, thought to be the most depressing day of the year, but it was anything but as internationally renowned Canadian Blues Artists from coast-to-coast were honoured by their peers at the 18th Annual Maple Blues Awards gala.

Montreal’s one-man band, Steve Hill took home all of the awards he was nominated for including Entertainer of the Year, Electric Act of the Year, Recording of the Year for Solo Recordings Vol. 2, and Guitar Player of the Year. Angel Forrest won two awards including Female Vocalist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Also representing the

thriving Quebec blues scene were Nanette Workman who won the Blues with a Feeling Lifetime Achievement Award and Greg Morency of the Paul DesLauriers Band who won Bassist of the Year. From Montreal, Guy Belanger won Harmonica Player of the Year, sharing it with Vancouver’s Harpdog Brown in the first ever Maple Blues Awards tie.

Vancouver’s Brandon Isaak won the Acoustic Act of the Year award with David Vest taking home the award for Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year. The New Artist or Group of the Year award was presented to Ottawa’s Wicked Grin. Edmonton Folk Festival producer Terry Wickham joined Stony Plain Records president Holger Petersen to present the Blues Booster of the Year Award to Edmonton’s Peter North, who was recognized for his dedication to

Blues Invasion promoting the blues as a broadcaster, talent buyer and festival Artistic Director.

An additional award was handed out last night as the winners of the first ever Cobalt Prize for Contemporary Blues Composition were announced. The creator and benefactor of the award, musician Paul Reddick,

presented Digging Roots the grand prize for their song “Hwy 17”, with Rob Lutes and Samantha Martin announced as runners up.

Hosted by renowned musician and broadcaster, Toronto’s own Danny Marks, the Maple Blues Awards included outstanding performances from Maple

Blues Award nominees past and present, including the

evening’s big winners Steve Hill and Angel For rest , Joel

Johnson , Downchild , Har pdog Brown and Brandon Isaak, all backed by The Maple Blues Band.

MBA Moments (l. to r.) Steve Hill performed (solo, of course) and made 4 trips to the podium, ShoShona Kish and Raven Kanatakta (aka Digging Roots) received the inaugural Cobalt Prize for songwriting from Paul Reddick, Angel Forrest received two awards and performed with her writing/performing/life partner Denis Coulombe. Photos by Dougal Bichan

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The Quebec/Ottawa contingent (l. to r.) Denis Coulombe, Greg Morency, Guy Belanger, Nanette Workman, Sam Harrison, Jordan Officer, Angel Forrest, Dawn Tyler Watson, Leigh-Anne Stanton, Liam Melville, Matt Sobb, Paul DesLauriers, Murray Kinsley, Steve Hill, Rod Williams


And the winners are...ENTERTAINER OF THE YEARSteve Hill ELECTRIC ACT OF THE YEARSteve Hill

ACOUSTIC ACT OF THE YEARBrandon Isaak

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEARMatt Andersen FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEARAngel Forrest

NEW ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR Wicked Grin RECORDING OF THE YEAR Steve Hill Solo Recordings Vol. 2 No Label Records; Producer: Steve Hill

BLUES WITH A FEELING AWARD (Lifetime Achievement) Nanette Workman

BB KING INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEARJohnny Winter

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEARSteve Hill HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEARTied: Guy Belanger and Harpdog Brown

PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEARDavid Vest

HORN PLAYER OF THE YEARJon Wong

DRUMMER OF THE YEARTom Bona

BASSIST OF THE YEAR Greg Morency

SONGWRITER OF THE YEARAngel Forrest

BLUES BOOSTER OF THE YEAR Peter North


In Parts 1 an 2 of Double Entendre in the Blues (December 2014 and January 2015 editions of MapleBlues), I discussed the popularization and mass marketing of "Dirty Blues Records" whose appeal was so vast that in the 1920s, their "under-the-counter" sales reached 2,000,000 records per year. At the time they were being produced, dirty records had to be purchased clandestinely (and indeed illegally). Today, however, access is both transparent and easy. Many of those early double entendre songs have been re-released by labels such as Milestone, Shout Factory, Sony, and Grammercy. By simply making a trip to amazon.com, you can order re-released, remastered blues compilations such as C o p u l at i n ' Blues ( the cover art of which shows a train going t h r o u g h a tunnel) , T h o s e Dirty Blues ( s e v e r a l vo l u m e s ) , and Let Me S q u e e z e Your Lemon: the Ultimate Rude Blues Collection. If you'd like to hear them in their scratchy original forms and see the original product, go to Youtube where a fascinating abundance of vintage 78 rpm race records has been posted.

Additionally, blues lyrics have been preserved in monumental compendia, such as those by Michael Taft (Talkin’ To Myself: Blues Lyrics, 1921-1942, 2005, 744 pp) and Eric Sackheim (The Blues Line: Blues Lyrics From Leadbelly to Muddy Waters, 2003, 512 pp). Neither Taft nor Sackheim grouped blues lyrics by subject matter. However, upon perusing the thousands of documented songs, I discovered that

Voxxy Lady

the leading metaphors in the blues are related to food and domestic practices. For example:

hambone, get my hambone boiled, dough roller, jelly ro l l , j e l l y ro l l king,rolling, lemon, stew, sugar, sugar lump, candy, meat, barbeque, grind coffee, cornbread, biscuits, shovel coal, grind your sausage, get your ashes hauled, turn your damper down, spoon, biscuits, strut my pudding, spread my grease, work your orchard, make you a red-hot meal, cook a little shortnin’ bread, sweet potato, pick fruit, nut factory, nuts, bun, flat batter cake, banana, fruit basket, hot dog, meatballs, stove, pie, wiener, cookies, three meals a day, get your back yard cleaned, stove, cream, cabbage.

Other metaphors involve machines, technology, and transportation:

phonograph, needles, grinder, coffee grinder, freight train, engine, my clock is run down, drives, flag this train, drive a Terraplane, flash my lights, tangle your wires, mash down on your starter, spark plug, heist your hood, check your oil, get down in this connection, park, flood with gas, jet-propelled, hitch me to a wagon.

O t h e r s i n v o l v e occupations:

wagon, butcher, mill man, coal man, pullman, auger man, dentist, doctor, milkman, plumber, engineer, wood chopper.

Two more popular categories of metaphor are animals and geographical locations:

mare,chicken, ox, rider, mule, pussy cat, stall, kitty, bumblebee, stinger, bull cow, milk cow buddy, spread your wings, panther, horn, ocean, sea, valley, mountains, back door, and front door.

The use of clever metaphor to display

a performer's wit is a tradition that is still in evidence today. Entire internet forums are devoted to “discussions” (heavy on the “cuss" at times) of triple entendres and possible quadruple-entendres in

the lyrics of rap luminaries such as Kanye West, Eminem, Jay-Z, and Lupe.1 With today’s rappers making as much as $3,000,000 per concert2 and hits with titles such as “B*** Job Betty”, “Put i t in Your Mouth” and “How Many Licks”3, it is clear that sex does indeed continue to sell.

- Rita di Ghent

“Voxxy Lady” is the handle (bestowed upon her by fellow singer Ailsa McCreary) of Rita di Ghent. di Ghent is a recording artist, songwriter and voice instructor at York University and privately. She is also a PhD student in Musicology.

Have questions about singing? They’ll be happily received at [email protected]

1. rapgenius.com for example

2. according to celebritynetworth.com

3. by Too $hort, Akinyele, and Lil Kim respectively

Double Entendre in the Blues, Part 3


cont’d on page 13

Hundreds of blues musos strutted their stuff for five days, some in official showcases, others in informal gatherings and jamming around the campfire for an audience that included blues promoters and festival producers from across the country. Up-and-comers got to hear their idols up close and personal and mentors got to share some of their hard-earned wisdom. And for those blues artists who are not very pro-active about introducing

An informal gathering of Summit attendees was hosted by the Montreal & Ottawa Blues Societies. Eating, drinking and jamming the night away. Photo by Debra Thornington.

Reaching the Summit of Blues Nirvana

themselves to potential employers, there was even a “speed-dating” session where they were rotated through a ballroom full of tables where they had five minutes of face-time with the movers and shakers. All showcases were open to the public. Blues lover and long-time TBS member Laila Boulos shares some of her favourite moments:

There were so many mutations and interpretations of blues music during this year’s Blues Summit 7, that it was extremely difficult to see, hear and take in everything offered during the fabulous three days. But, here are some highlights.

The duo of Murray Porter (keys, vocals) and Robbie Antone (harmonica, vocals) was so comfortable, that we could have been sitting in their kitchen, and boy were they cooking! Effortlessly switching styles and themes, at one point Mr. Porter announced he had just written a song (“Baby, Please Stay Gone”) without flinching, Mr. Antone went along for the musical ride as if they had played that piece for years. Their tortured take on B. B. King’s “The Thrill is Gone” channeled the torment of everyone in the room who had ever experienced a painful breakup.

The Guy Belanger band of incredible musicians, including Guy on harmonica and his brother Louis on electric guitar - sounding, at times, uncannily like a sitar - were so in-sync. Indelibly fused together with his harmonica, it was imperceptible to feel where Guy ended and the instrument began. This was most evident with their piece from the soundtrack of Gaz Bar Blues or the Timekeeper (both directed by Louis) which had us all exhilaratingly soaring above the clouds, at the cottage, on a lake, as he cajoled out airy seagull calls with his harmonica. Listening, the room was in silent reverie, fittingly brought to life by this quote from Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull “Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding. Find out what you

Find Yourself in the Birthplace of the Blues

No matter what your pleasure, you’ll find it in Mississippi! The Birthplace of America’s Music is also known for its world-class golf, spas, casinos, beaches, southern cuisine and of course, our southern hospitality!For more information visit www.visitmississippi.org


* = Canadian

*Michael Jerome Browne Sliding Delta BorealisSteve Earle Terraplane New West*JW-Jones – Belmont Boulevard Blind PigJake Xerxes Fussell self titled Paradise of Bachelors*Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar Send the Nightingale IndependentLeadbelly The Smithsonian Folkways Collection Smithsonian FolkwaysSwamp Dogg The White Man Made Me Do It Alive Naturalsound*Blackburn Brothers in This World Electro-FiTinsley Ellis Tough Love AlligatorEric Bibb Blues People Stony PlainBettye LaVette Worthy Cherry Red*Harrison Kennedy This is From Here Electro-FiLinsey Alexander Come Back Baby DelmarkMatthew Robinson & The Jelly Roll Kings Work That Jelly! One Man And His Dog RecordsAltered Five Blues Band Cryin’ Mercy Omnivibe Records*Jordan Patterson Band The Back On Track Recording Project IndependentGary Clark Jr. Live WarnerBoo Boo Davis What Kind Of Shit Is This? Black and Tan*Raoul and the Big Time Hollywood Blvd Big TimeRory Block Hard Luck Child Stony Plain*catl This Shakin’ House Independent

This month’s recommended listening by Brad Wheeler, music

writer for the Globe and Mail (globeandmail.com and Twitter: bwheelerglobe

Winter Bluesfests: The fourth annual Aurora Winter Blues Festival kicks off on February 19 with the 24th Street Wailers at the Aurora Cultural Centre & Theatre. Other artists and performers scheduled to appear at the 2015 festival include the Paul Deslauriers Band, the Sean Pinchin Band, the Conor Gains Band, Shakura S'Aida, Angel Forrest, the Ben Racine Band, and Angelique Francis. The event also includes workshops, auctions, food, and prizes. www.aurorawinterbluesfestival.ca.Over in Barrie, The Barrie Jazz and Blues Festival takes place February 5-8 at venues throughout town and the neighbouring communities of Bradford, Innisfil and Midland. Featured artists include Wayne Buttery, Carlos del Junco and Jimmy Bowskill, Jack de Keyzer, Paul James and Blutonium featuring Joe Poirier & Whitey Glan. www.barriejazzbluesfest.comCloser to home, with plenty of blues content, the 13th annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Music Festival is a combination of paid and free concert stages on the Danforth, February 13 - 15. The festival launches Friday night with Alfie Smith, best known for his resophonic guitar playing and brazen slide licks, followed by New Orleans jazz-style paraders The Heavyweights Brass Band. Jack de Keyzer headlines the Winterfolk All-Star Blues Band with award-winning bassist Gary Kendall of Downchild, Al Lerman of Fathead and more. It's an all-ages, mid-winter, weatherproof event, where you'll find the best of urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music, emulating a multi-stage rural summer festival. More than 150 artists will be performing at five stages over three days of the long Family Day weekend. The festival will also include special tribute events, an awards ceremony, community stages and various themed musical workshops and a heavy dose of blues. On Valentine’s Day, Love at Winterfolk highlights sultry singer-songwriter Laura Fernandez, hillbilly swing duo HOTCHA!, the return of the Trio of Fun (w/ Ken Whiteley, Wendell Ferguson, and Tony Quarrington), and closing Cajun party band Swamperella. They Put the Folk in Winterfolk showcases the various folk/roots styles of seasoned artists David Essig, Lynn Miles, Linda McRae and Ken Whiteley. www.winterfolk.comCongratulations to the winners of the 2015 International Blues Challenge: In the Band category, Eddie Cotton

(Vicksburg Blues Society) was first, Noah Wotherspoon (Dayton Blues Society) was second and Nico Wayne Toussaint (Southern California Blues Society) was third. Best Guitarist (Band) was Noah Wotherspoon (Dayton Blues Society) First in the Solo/Duo Category was Randy McQuay (Cape Fear Blues Society), second was Brian Keith Wallen (Dayton Blues Society). Best Guitarist (Solo/Duo) was Ben Rice (Ashland Blues Society) and the Best Self-Produced CD was Cryin’ Mercy by the Altered Five Blues Band (Grafton Blues Association). The Lee Oskar Harp Award went to Nico Wayne Toussaint. Michael Schatte and Dalannah and Owen were the only Canadians to make it to the finals.More at www.blues.orgGroovecorp turn 10: Groove Corpora-tion, Hamilton’s favourite blues/funk horn band, is celebrating their 10th anniversa-ry as a working group with a special eve-ning at Stonewall’s on York Blvd. on Satur-day, February 7th, 2015. The band started gigging together with a six-week Sunday matinee series at The Dior Lounge in Eto-bicoke in February of 2005. The years that followed included gigs playing at special events, clubs and festivals including the Toronto Jazz Festival and Canada’s Larg-est Ribfest in Burlington.Helping them celebrate the occasion are two Hamilton divas, Rita Chiarelli and Dianne Fontaine. Various alumni will drop

by to add to the horn section or jump up on bass, etc. As can be expected with a band this large (8 to 10 members), there have been some changes over the years. One of the most significant changes was the loss of their guitar player, Alex Mac-Dougall (formerly with Crowbar, Harrison Kennedy, Bond, and more), who died in 2013. His shoes were big ones to fill, but Hamilton’s Steve King stepped into them after many individuals were auditioned. Besides King, the lineup now includes veterans of the band, Kim Campagnaro (vocals/congas), Lily Sazz (keyboards), Frank Vignanello (drums), Peter McFar-land (sax), Rob Gellner (trumpet), Bryan Covey (baritone sax), and Greg Smith (bass).Andrew Austin, former drummer for Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils is cooking up a new project in that musical laboratory called the Musideum on Sunday, February 8, at 3 pm. The Bruce Chapman Trio (with Jon Czechowski on bass and Drew on drums) will be playing a 75 minute show that will be shot on video for future promotional use and an appearance on a Rogers cable show. Admission is free and it's a rare opportunity to hear some new music in an intimate concert setting with a beautiful Bosendorfer piano. The Musideum is at 401 richmond St West (almost at Spadina). Look for the building with the large 401 signs on it.


CBC Radio One (99.1) Saturday Night Blues, w/ Holger Petersen (national) Saturday 9:05pm-11:00pm (on Radio 2 Saturday at 6:05pm), JAZZ-FM (91.1) Bluz FM w/ Danny Marks Saturday 8:00 pm-midnight CIUT-FM (89.5) A to Z Blues w/ Screamin' Red Saturday 8-9am John Valenteyn's Blues w/ John Valenteyn Thursday 4-5pm CHRY-FM (105.5) Everyday I Have the Blues, w/ Vince Vitacco Monday 9-11pm, The Haze FM www.thehazefm.ca Sunday Morning Soul w/Johnny Max Sundays at 11AM-1PM At The Crossroads w/Brant Zwicker Sundays at 1PM Southern Crossroads w/Patrick Le Blanc Sundays 2-4PM Dawg Howlin’ Blues Show Mon-Fri 10 pm – Midnight Radio Regent, www.radioregent.com Blue Remedy w/ Blues Doctor Julie Hill, Wednesdays 8-10 pm ET DAWG-FM (101.9 FM Ottawa) www.dawgfm.comCKWR (98.5 FM) Old Chicago Blues w/ Willy A, Friday 10:30 pm-midnight (Waterloo)CIOI FM (1015 The HAWK) Blues Blast, with Ken Wallis Tuesdays, 4-6pm (Hamilton)CIWS 102.7FM (Whistle Radio) Blues on Whistle with Dave Daddy Cool Booth Mon, Tues, Fri 11pm Whistle Bait w/Gary Tate (aka Shakey-T) Wednesday 9-10 pm (Stouffville) whistleradio.ca CFFF Trent Radio (92.7 FM) Saturday Night Roadhouse Blues w/ Jackson Park Every Saturday 7-8 pm (Peterborough)CJLX (91.3 FM) Saturday Night Blues Review, with George Vaughan. Saturday 6-7pm (Belleville)CFRU (93.3 FM) The Thrill is Back with Andy and Andrew Mondays 1 to 3pm Wacky World of Waldo Fourtunes with Mo' Kauffey Mon 8-9pm The Blues Review, with Roopen Majithia Tues 9.00 pm (Guelph)CANOE FM (100.9 FM) canoe.fm.com Zoe's Haphhazard Saturday Night with Zoe Chilco Saturday 10 pm (Haliburton)CFBU (103.7 FM) Eclectic Blues with Deborah Cartmer Tuesday 7-9 pm (St. Catharines)CKCU(93.1 FM) www.ckcufm.com Black and Blues w/ John Tackaberry Every Sunday 9-11 pm (Ottawa)CKMS (100.3 FM) Poor Folk Blues w/ Bruce Hall (aka Brewski) Monday 7:30-9 pm (Waterloo)NORTHUMBERLAND897 (89.7 FM) Bohemian Blues Hour with Michal Hasek and Daniel Courtney Sunday 7-8pm (Coburg)COUNTYFM (99.3) Sideroads with Peggy Voigt and Eric Zylstra Tuesday 8-10pm

Congratulations to the Blues JUNO Nominees

Juno Nominees were announced on January 27th at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto. Nominees in the "Blues Album of the Year" were (clockwise from top to bottom) The 24th Street Wailers, Steve Hill, JW-Jones, Steve Strongman and The Harpoonist and Axe Murderer. Other nominees who will be familiar to blues fans were Matt Andersen (Roots & Traditional Album of the Year) as well as Digging Roots and Crystal Shawanda(Aboriginal Album of the Year)


Harry Manx 20 Strings and the Truth Dog My Cat/Harmonia Mundi

Last time out, on Om Suite Ohm, Manx introduced us to his ‘Bollywood Slide’ style and some observers noticed that the Mohan Veena was not as prominent as a result. Well, the 20 stringed Veena is the featured instrument this time out on a mostly instrumental album. Indeed, he opens with “Veenarama”, an attractive uptempo & bluesy piece that serves to remind us how successfully Manx has integrated Eastern & Western sounds. He adds various other instruments from his armoury and is subtly accompanied by a full band with Clayton Doley on keyboards, Kelby MacNayr on drums, Neil Golden on tabla and Wynn Gogol on drum programming - they are all veterans with Manx and know his every twist & turn. “Phunkastan” (his way with titles has not left him) is more dream-like and adds a little wah-wah. George Gershwin’s “Summertime” gets an arresting and electric opening before settling into a typically superb Manxian vocal. The band motors along nicely as Manx solos on several guitars - a highlight for sure. “Blues Walk” is aptly named: a delightful blues over a walking groove that’s over way too soon. “At Your Feet” isn’t quite a blues but it does have a lovely, bluesy feel as well as Manx solos on the Veena over a drone bass. “Into The Unknown” has an appropriately atmospheric sound with most of the band on board. He concludes with something more recognizable, a Mohan Veena version of Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love”. The CD will be released on February 10 and he'll be in Toronto on March 26 at the Winter Garden Theatre. He’s also in Waterloo on March 5 and at Peter’s Place in Gravenhurst March 6 before he heads to the US for a tour. His web site is www.harrymanx.com.

Illustration by Nathaniel Mesner

singers promised a great deal and on the EP Mississippi Sun (Dollartone), songs like “Dark Angel” fulfilled the promise and more. Ms. Martin’s songs give a rockabilly edge to the gospel sound, something like a blend of Lucinda Williams & Mavis Staples. She debuted three of these new songs at the Women’s Blues Review last fall. Delta Sugar consists of Sherie Marshall & Stacie Tabb on those marvelous backing vocals and Mikey McCallum on lead guitar to go along with Martin’s acoustic. The arrangements for these three singers are quite simply superb, their voices mesh beautifully and Ms. Martin’s voice rises above most authoritatively. Send The Nightingale gets off to a roaring start with “Give Me Your Mercy”, a gospel rave up that will have you sitting bolt upright. The next few songs are more secular but no less effective: the soul-inflected “Addicted (To Your Love)” and “When You Walk Away” are very good love songs. “Don’t Shoot (The Messenger)” is even better, co-written with Suzie Vinnick, it’ll stay in your head for days. At the Women’s

Blues Revue, Samantha was asked to take on the daunting task of following Shakura S’Aida. This song was chosen and it served the purpose! “Mississippi Sun” crosses a little further into country than I would like but that doesn’t make it any less worthy. In “My Crown”, Martin sings of someone who’s worked very hard and is counting on that deserved reward in heaven, she makes a very convincing case. The disc ends with an a capella traditional gospel song, “Tell The Heavens” to bring it all back home. For the recording, Mikey McCallum’s strong and inventive guitar playing is occasionally reinforced by organ & drums - a smart move. Three songs from Mississippi Sun are re-recorded here but not “Dark Angel” so you should get that one too - it’s worth it for that song alone (and not just because I have to have everything!). They’ll be performing at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City but they’ll be right back for the official CD launch at the Lula Lounge on Feb. 18. Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar is a strong new force in our community and you should take every chance you can to see them. The web site is www.samanthamartin.ca.

Blackburn Brothers in This World Electro-Fi/Outside

One of our longest-lived musical dynasties has a new CD. Bobby Dean Blackburn was playing in movie theatres here from the mid ‘50s. He went on to the Original Club Blue Note, then to the musical jams at the Zanzibar and he still plays occasionally. His sons, Duane on B3 & Brooke on guitar plus cousin Cory on drums and bassist Andrew Stewart are just called Blackburn. Another brother, Robert isn’t technically part of the band but he sings harmony vocals here and supplied several of the original songs. If you’re familiar with their last album, Brotherhood, or if you attended their residency at Jo Mama’s on King Street, you’ll know what to expect in terms of sound but the new songs are fine indeed - the brothers are definitely of this world in terms of the issues confronting us and in contemporary musical styles. “My Train (gonna come)”, written by Robert and sung by Duane, is a gospel/blues: no matter how tired you are, your train will come to save you and you’ll be hopping on board as it gathers speed. “Holla Back”, by Robert, may be the best song here, Duane sings longingly for some kind of response from a girlfriend who doesn’t want to be found. In “Walking in New, New Orleans” Brooke combines a tale of the brothers’ trip from Memphis to New Orleans with some family history. It does all this set to a lovely melody - Duane’s vocal will make you want to buy your own ticket. BB King’s “Why I Sing The Blues” gets a seriously funky re-working, another highlight that brings the song firmly into the contemporary era. There are more excellent songs here, excellently played by one of our best performing bands. David Fricke, Senior Editor of Rolling Stone, is quoted on the back of the CD about how impressed he was when he saw them in Memphis, these new songs are so good they’ll have you making the same comment. Keep up to date at their facebook page.

Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar Send The Nightingale Rench

Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar - a powerful & talented vocalist with two backup


Erin McCallum It’s Time Self

This husky voiced young blues woman from Mississauga has a new CD that shows what an excellent singer & songwriter she’s become. Jack de Keyzer is back as producer and he’s done a fine job, augmenting the basic quartet with guitar solos, his keyboard player, Dave McMorrow, and a horn section making this her best CD yet. “Can You Feel It?” uses all these forces for a rousing set opener on the power of music. One thing that sets her apart from other songwriters is her desire to help the disadvantaged and “Raise Me Up” has some of her best singing. “Band Aid Solution” has a great tune and the horns are back on a song about honesty as the best policy. The slow blues “Bad Situations (they always follow me)” has a trademark de Keyzer guitar solo. The soul-inflected title song is an attractive ballad that reflects upon living in the moment. “Seems To Be” is another delight, a rocker with more wonderful horns about the ending of a relationship. The disc ends with an acoustic blues, with “Trouble”, a traditional theme perhaps, but McCallum’s lyrics and singing, like the rest of the album, keep it all fresh and relevant. Look for a tour soon and appearances at summer festivals, go to www.erinmccallum.com to stay informed.

Amai Kuda & Y Josephine Afrosoul Vol. 2-MaZai Self

Amai Kuda is a Toronto resident, who, with Y Josephine on percussion & vocals, has created an African-based sound that is the perfect vehicle for her fascinating lyrics on the complexities of living in a relationship. She’s of southern African Shona heritage, the daughter of the novelist Norbese Philip and learned music and the guitar at an early age. Her sound incorporates continental African music, gospel and enough blues to satisfy this reviewer.

Her voice reminds me of a cross between Rhiannon Giddens of the Carolina Chocolate Drops and Ruthie Foster, it’s that attractive. Kuda & Josephine also know their way around a recording studio and all the effects it can assist with. MaZai is a beautifully

recorded and spacious soundscape of percussion (not all African), guitar, & mbira over which Kuda’s voice rides, with both of them singing complex harmony vocals that add immeasurably. On the opener “Strength (of my desire)”, as on many of the others, Kuda’s vocal line is embellished with multi-tracked harmonies and vocal percussion, the cajón & djembe here building to a wild climax. “Cave”, in contrast, has a guitar and a driving electric bass to go along with the percussion. It’s the bluesiest song here, incorporating traditional blues phrases. “Soul Man” is an uptempo, bass-driven collection of recognizable R&B lines and song titles that shows she’s very much aware of American radio as well. It all works wonderfully and is the most accessible song on the album. “Lay It On The Ground” is another bluesy a capella song. “She Said” has a rap-like vocal over the percussion & chorus. It begins in English and switches to Shona before returning to English.

Guitar accompanies “Disappointment” which begins with ‘doo wop’ harmonies before it becomes a very attractive R&B number. “River” continues in a bluesy vein, reminiscing about her parents and their legacy, with an a capella Shona verse to conclude. “Freedom” brings in the gospel side, with freedom taking on several meanings, mostly though in the context of a relationship. “Left You Buried” has another

attractive melody accompanied by guitar – the song seems to reflect a coming back together after a break up. There are also a couple of instrumentals that add to the sonic variety. Josephine takes a couple of lead vocals and did most of the arrangements and Kuda handles most of the lead vocals & songwriting making this very much a two-person production. Kuda has a web site: www.amaikuda.com but this album isn’t there yet. Volume One, by the way, is Kuda’s first disc, Sand From the Sea, from 2011 and it doesn’t include Y Josephine.

A new initiative by Alligator Records to conclude: the 43-year-old label has made download-only best-of collections available

of nine of their major artists. These are newly chosen and newly re-mastered for digital, not re-issues of previously available albums with some running as long as 90 minutes. There are no previously unreleased tracks but we’re told the selection will reveal some less well-known songs and would also serve

as a useful introduction the artists you’re less familiar with. Hound Dog Taylor, Koko Taylor, James Cotton, Coco Montoya, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Tinsley Ellis, Roomful of Blues, Eric Lindell & Lonnie Mack are the artists honoured with this new initiative and they will be available at all the major download sites. In his Keynote Address to Blues Summit 7, Alligator Prez Bruce Iglauer made it clear that we have to move with the times - he practices what he preaches. There’s lots more info at www.alligator.com.

-John Valenteyn

[email protected]


AURORAFESTIVAL

Purchase tickets awbf.ca

York Region’s only genuine Blues Festival where you’ll experiencean upfront and intimate evening of that good old Devil’s music featuring... 2015

2Nights!Theatre Aurora

“SLIDE GUITAR EXPLOSION”FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20 – 7PM

PAUL DESLAURIERSBAND

4th

Annual

PLUS...Paul DesLauriersSlide GuitarWORKSHOP

Saturday

CONOR GAINSBAND

SEAN PINCHINBAND

SHAKURA S’AIDA

ANGEL FORREST

“LADY SINGS THE BLUES”SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21 – 7PM

ANGELIQUE FRANCISANGELIQUE FRANCIS

WITH SPECIAL GUEST THE BEN RACINE BAND

The Chieduch Group

already know and you will see the way to fly.”

At the other end of the spectrum, The Paul Deslaurier Band (the original long-haired and bearded hipsters straight out of the ‘70s) took us all back to high school wearing tight jeans, skipping school and smoking in the bleachers. These are the guys your mother warned you about. Leaning more into rock than blues, their set included a heavy and mournful version of Robert Johnson’s “Love in Vain”, while George Thorogood’s “Who Do You Love?” overflowed with sharp riffs, splattering of effects pedals, call and response between guitar, drums and bass, and hoots and hollers from the audience. The only thing missing was a smashed guitar finale.

I’ve nicknamed Bobby Stagg the Liberace of the Blues (without the candelabra) because of his powerful commanding waves of expertise over every inch of the keyboard and his trunkload of personality.

Sugar Brown possesses a President Franklin D. Roosevelt fireside chat radio voice and demeanour, and his band’s flowing, gliding music skillfully and effortlessly time-travels the audience to an era of sipping mint juleps on the porches of southern plantations. But there is something deeper, sinister and taut going on underneath their carefree music

that you just cannot put your finger on, causing that shiver along the back of your neck. For this reason, during their set we were holding our collective breath knowing that there was some voodoo goin’ down and someone was getting shot in the bushes behind that southern porch.

Ben Racine and Dawn Tyler Watson's smouldering energy should have blown some circuits in the room, as it oozed its way off the stage and wrapped itself around everyone within a five kilometer radius. Their slinky vocals floated comfortably above the volcanic instrumentals, reminiscent of the full-on sound of bands such as Earth, Wind & Fire and Lighthouse. Their take on Etta James’ “I Just Want To Make Love To You” was so full of sauciness it was evocative of Mickey and Sylvia’s banter on ‘Love is Strange’. During that piece, there were so many X and Y chromosomes catapulting around the room looking for each other, that everyone had to quickly put on the brakes (or try to find them) when Ms. Watson announced the next piece, “Ain’t Nobody But God”. God? The only God people were thinking about during their set was. Oh. My. God.

Brian’s Campfire Jam was a breath of fresh air. Although Brian Blain was at the core, his open arms policy allowed fabulously diverse talents to shine their lights in a wonderfully communal environment. Initially

guiding everyone onto a dusty country road of a song about a computer crashing, Mr. Blain suddenly pulled off the overalls, threw off the straw hat, screeched out a really cool Johnny B. Good style riff, squealing onto Route 66 heading to the Interstate in his ‘67 Mustang. And, suddenly, the campfire became so much hotter welcoming the other musicians in. From a languid version of Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home To Me” from Sabrina Weeks, to Samantha Martin’s (incredible scraping off the wallpaper with her tonsils with a walking-to-the-gallows beat) rendition of Janis Joplin’s “I’m A Mean, Mean Woman”, to Mr. Blain’s catchy “Don’t Blame the Bass Player”, to Walter Hillard’s on-the-spot jump on the stage and rap blues fusion (as the walls heaved and contracted with his force-of-nature vocals) to the seamless bumper-cars-on-the-piano-bench of the incredible talents of Bill King, Lilly Sazz and Murray Porter, this was a pot-pourri for the senses.

Monarch’s Pub played host to many bands that maintained a hot and sweaty mess of a dance floor during the weekend. During the 24th Street Wailer’s set some of the musicians pied-pipered their way into the crowd of onlookers, listeners and gyrating, free-flowing dancers. Dancers spilled unabashedly and joyfully into the hallways and corridors as the good times rolled and rolled and rolled all summit long.

- Laila Boulos

SUMMIT NIRVANA cont’d from p 7


DISCOVER

BUILD

NETWORK

1000+ NEW ARTISTSFROM MARQUEE HEADLINERS TO BANDS ON THE VERGE OF BREAKTHROUGH

INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCESTHROUGH OUR SPOTLIGHT ON AUSTRALIA, FOCUS ON NEW ZEALAND AND 30+ ATTENDING COUNTRIES

REGISTER TO ATTEND

We acknowledge the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s™ Private Radio Broadcasters

WITH INDUSTRY LEADERSINTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL PROGRAMMERS, TALENT BUYERS, AGENTS, MUSIC SUPERVISORS AND MORE

COLIN JAMESWED MAR 11 ◆ 8 PM

BUDDY GUY

FRI APR 24 ◆ 8 PMWITH SPECIAL GUEST QUINN SULLIVAN

MASSEY HALL FOR TICKETS CALL 416-872-4255 OR VISIT MASSEYHALL.COM

8 PMPerformance powered by Lexus

Find Yourself in the Birthplace of the Blues

No matter what your pleasure, you’ll find it in Mississippi! The Birthplace of America’s Music is also known for its world-class golf, spas, casinos, beaches, southern cuisine and of course, our southern hospitality! For more information visit www.visitmississippi.org


TORONTO LISTINGSAlleycatz Restaurant Lounge 416-481-6865 Thu-26-Feb 9:00 PM Wild ‘T’ Tony Springer Cadillac Lounge 1296 Queen St W 416-536-717 Fri-27-Feb 10:00 PM Wild ‘T” & The Spirit Dora Keogh 141 Danforth Ave 416-778-1804 Sat-7-Feb 9:00 PM The Swingin’ Blackjacks Grossman’s Tavern 379 Spadina Ave 416-977-7000 Fri-13-Feb 10:00 PM The Swingin’ Blackjacks Sat-14-Feb 10:00 PM Park Eddy feat. Chloe Watkinson Blues, rock, soulHawaii Bar 989 989 Dovercourt Rd 416-588-9888 Thu-12-Feb 9:00 PM Sean Poluk - solo Hugh’s Room 416-531-6604 Fri-6-Feb 8:30 PM Danny Marks, Alfie Smith, Julian Fauth, Doc Maclean & Mchael Pickett A tribute to the Delta Blues Sat-7-Feb 8:30 PM Fathead and Friends Benefit for John Mays, with Jackie Richardson, Chuck Jackson, Harrison Kennedy, Ken Whiteley,

Carlos del Junco, Chris Whiteley & Diana Braithwaite Sat-14-Feb 8:30 PM Jackie Richardson & Micah Barnes Thu-19-Feb & Fri-20-Feb 8:30 PM Albert Lee Sun-22-Feb 2:00 PM Ken Whiteley’s Gospel Matinee With special guests Alana Bridgwater, Dione Taylor and Dave Wall Fri-13-Mar 8:30 PM Jack de Keyzer New CD “Voodoo Boogie” Thu-19-Mar 8:30 PM Jeff Healey’s Jazz Wizards Reunion A Grand Birthday Reunion - Host Christie Healey, Guest Jimmy BowskillJazz Bistro 251 Victoria Street 416 363 5299 Tue-10-Feb 8:00 AM Julian Fauth Band Julian Fauth performs the Everybody Ought To Treat a Stranger Right albumMassey Hall 178 Victoria St 416-872-4255 Wed-11-Mar 8:00 PM Colin James Monarchs Pub - Eaton Chelsea Hotel 416-585-4352 Thu-5-Feb 8:00 PM Swinging Black-jacks Thu-12-Feb 8:00 PM Wild ‘T” & The Spirit Thu-19-Feb 8:00 PM Son Roberts with The Roberts Sisters, Gary Kendall, Adam Beer-Colacino, Duncan McBain, Alan Zemaitis Thu-26-Feb 8:00 PM The Gary Kendall Band Thuirsday Blues Thu-5-Mar 8:00 PM Jerome Godboo Band Thu-12-Mar 8:00 PM Big Rude Jake

Thu-19-Mar 8:00 PM Mark “Bird” Stafford Terri O’s 185 Danforth Ave. 416 Sun-15-Feb 1:00 PM Pete Otis, Pat Little, Harpin’ Norm, Romas Project SongTown Songwriter’s ShowcaseThe Blue Goose Tavern 416-255-2442 Sun-22-Feb 4:00 PM Gary Kendall Band Sunday Blues Sat-14-Mar 9:00 PM Johnny Cox and the Magnetic Line Blues/originalsThe Cameron House 416-703-0811 Tue-10-Feb 10:00 PM Sinners Choir Tue-17-Feb 10:00 PM Sinners Choir Tue-24-Feb 10:00 PM Sinners Choir The Church of the Redeemer 162 Bloor St W 416-992-4948 Tue-17-Feb 5:00 PM The Sinners Choir Pancake Tuesday ConcertThe Rex Hotel 194 Queen St W 416 598 2475 Fri-6-Feb 6:30 PM The Jive Bombers w Johnny Max Sun-8-Feb 3:30 PM Red Hot Ramble Sun-15-Feb 3:30 PM Dr.Nick and the Rollercoasters Sat-21-Feb 7:30 PM The Sinners Choir The Riverview Room 35 Front St N 416 902 9801 Fri-6-Mar 7:30 PM 2nd Annual Irish Mardi Gras Big Rude Jake, Bill Craig & The Johnny Max Band The MBRA Concert SeriesTimothy’s Pub 344 Brown’s Line 416 201 9515 Fri-13-Feb 9:00 PM The Heart Attacks Tranzac Club 292 Brunswick Ave 416-923-8137 Sat-7-Mar 7:30 PM Swamperella Dance Lesson 8:00 PM

905 & BEYONDActive Arts Studio 116 Barley Rd Red-nersville 613-779-8933 Sun-1-Feb 7:00 PM Al Lerman - solo Near BellevilleBeaufort Pub 173 Dundas St E Belleville 613-966-7060 Sat-28-Feb 1:00 PM Al Lerman Campbellford Legion 34 Bridge St Campbellford 705-653-2450 Sun-8-Mar 2:00 PM Al Lerman - hosts Legion JamCentre in the Square 101 Queen St N Kitchener 519-578-1570 Fri-13-Mar 8:00 PM Colin James Etwell Concert Series 2012 Etwell Rd Huntsville 705-789-2972 Thu-5-Mar 8:00 PM Ross Neilsen Etwell Concert Series - Royal Canadian Legion 21 Veterans Way Huntsville 705-789-2972 Sat-14-Mar 8:00 PM Jake and the Funda-mentals (downstairs)Harp & Crown 300 Kingston Rd Pickering 905-509-6565 Fri-20-Feb 10:00 PM Johnny Cox Rockin Blues/Bluesy RockLavigne Tavern 10521 Hwy 46 Lavigne Laviigne 705-594-2301 Fri-13-Feb 9.30 PM Sean Poluk - solo Liquid Lounge 159 Sydenham St Brant-ford 519-756-3939 Sat-14-Feb 3:00 PM Jerome Godboo,Eric Schenkman Living Arts Centre 4141 Living Arts Dr Mississauga 905-306-6000 Fri-13-Feb 8:00 PM The Spinners Midland Cultural Centre 333 King St Midland 705-527-4420 Sun-15-Feb 8:00 PM Wild ‘T” & The Spirit

Jack de Keyzer has put together an All-Star Blues Band with award-winning bassist Gary Kendall of Downchild, Al Lerman of Fathead and more for a special "Blues at Winterfolk" ticketed show to kick off the festival. The show will be upstairs at the Black Swan Tavern on Friday February 13 starting at 7pm with Alfie Smith and also featuring sets from David Essig and the Heavyweights Brass Band.


M ASTERING MANUFACTURING DESIGN

416.260.6688 www.si lverbirchprod.com

Mastering : Award winning engineer + world-class mastering studio + t radit ional outboard gear (Manley, Requisi te , TC 6000, TubeTech, Weiss , etc . ) + Lavry Gold conversion = major label qual i ty at affordable prices !

Replication : The ONE-STOP-SHOP for al l your music needs: CDs (manufactured & short -run) , Onl ine Store (uploads to iTunes, etc . ) ,Graphic Design, Posters , Website Design/Hosting, and more!

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY

Morty’s Pub 272 King St N Waterloo 519-886-0440 Tue-24-Feb 7:00 PM Al Lerman PDCI Auditorium 2 Beckwith St E Perth 613-267-4466 Sat-7-Feb 7:00 PM Tom Lavin & The Powder Blues Band Fundraiser for the Perth HospitalPeter’s Players 830 Muskoka Rd S Gravenhurst 705-687-2117 Sat-7-Feb 8:00 PM Oliver Mtukudzi and The Black Spirits Sun-8-Feb 2:30 PM Tom Lavin & The Powder Blues Band (Matinee Performance) Fri-6-Mar 8:00 PM Harry Manx Sat-7-Mar 8:00 PM Soulstack Regent Theatre 224 Main St Picton 613-476-8416 Fri-6-Mar 8:00 PM Lance Anderson, Paul James, Jimmy Bowskill & Jerome Levon Avis The Last Waltz - A Tribute to the BandRiver Run Centre 35 Woolwich St Guelph 519-763-3000 Fri-6-Feb 7:00 PM Alex Cuba & Oliver Mtukudzi Roc ‘N Doc’s 105 Lakeshore Rd. E. Mississauga 905-891-1754 Sat-28-Feb 9:00 PM Wild ‘T” & The Spirit Sean O’Sullivan Theatre, Centre for the Arts, Brock University 500 Glenridge Ave. St. Catharines 905-688-5550 Fri-20-Feb 7:30 PM Bettye LaVette and The Walkervilles Simcoe Blues and Jazz 926 Simcoe St. N. Oshawa 905-435-1111 Fri-20-Feb 9:00 PM Jerome God-boo,Eric Schenkman,Gary Craig and Shawn Kellerman The Acoustic Grill 172 Main St Picton 613-476-2887 Fri-6-Feb 7:00 PM Sean Poluk SoloThe Cove Inn 2 Bedford St Westport 888-COVE-INN Fri-20-Feb 7:00 PM The Hogtown Allstars PM Fundraiser Blues on The Rideau, dinner & show $60.00 Sat-21-Feb 7:00 PM The Hogtown Allstars Fundraiser Blues on The Rideau, dinner & show $60.00The Dobro 289 George St Peterbor-ough 705-775-9645 Thu-19-Feb 9:00 PM Paul DesLauri-ers Band Guest Steve MarrinerThe Duck 244 Ontario St. St,.Catha-rines 905-687-9505

Sat-7-Feb 2:30 AM The Mighty Duck Blues Band Saturday Blues Matinee w/ special guest Mark Laforme Sat-14-Feb 2:30 AM The Mighty Duck Blues Band Saturday Blues Matinee w/ special guest Mike Branton Sat-21-Feb 2:30 AM The Mighty Duck Blues Band Saturday Blues Matinee w/ special guest Jack Civiletto Sat-28-Feb 2:30 AM The Mighty Duck Blues Band Saturday Blues Matinee w/ special guest Dwayne LaformeThe Moonshine Cafe 137 Kerr St Oakville 905-844-2655 Fri-6-Feb 9:00 PM Conor Gains Band Sat-21-Feb 9:00 PM Alfie Smith Fri-27-Feb 9:00 PM Swamperella The St. Francis Centre 78 Church St S Ajax 905-619-2529 Fri-6-Feb 8:00 PM Tom Lavin & The Powder Blues Band Music By the Bay Live presentsThe Stinking Rose Pub 26 Bridge St W Campbellford 705-653-0001 Sat-7-Feb 8:00 PM Sean Poluk - solo Theatre Aurora 150 Henderson Dr Aurora 905-727-3669 Fri-20-Feb 7:00 PM Sean Pinchin Band, Paul Deslauriers Band and Conor Gains Band Aurora Winter Blues Festival Sat-21-Feb 7:00 PM Angel Forrest, Shakura S’Aida and Angelique Francis Aurora Winter Blues Festival, guest The Ben Racine BandTheatre Collingwood - Studio Theatre 65 Simcoe St Collingwood 705-445-2200 Thu-19-Feb 7:00 PM Al Lerman Winter Blues Series Thu-19-Mar 7:00 PM Jerome Godboo and Conor Gains Violet’s Venue 48 Morrow Rd Barrie 705-238-9282 Sat-14-Feb 8:15 PM Laura Rain Fri-27-Feb 8:15 PM Matt Schofield Sat-28-Feb 8:15 PM Matt Schofield Sat-7-Mar 8:15 PM The 24th Streeet Wailers Fri-13-Mar 8:00 PM Lance Anderson The Last Waltz - The Music of The BandWarmington’s Bistro 42 George St Brantford 519-770-4941 Sat-21-Feb 4:00 PM Miss Robin Banks Wixan’s Bridge Uxbridge 905-852-1222 Sat-7-Mar 8:00 PM Johnny Cox Blues/originalsWoolwich Arrow 176 Woolwich St Guelph 519-836-2875 Sun-1-Feb 9:30 PM Mo’ Kaufey

Browse to www.torontobluessociety.com and click on "Live Blues" scroll down and enter your event into the form provided. From there it will be promoted in this newsletter, on our website and in our weekly e-mail blasts. Please keep the gig listings within reasonable driving distance of Toronto. If you're having trouble send a note to Roz at [email protected]


REPEATINGEVERY SATURDAYAxis Gallery & Grill 3048 Dundas St W 416-604-3333 Toronto Julian Fauth 12:00 PM (Every Sat)Black Swan (Burlington) 4040 Pal-ladium Way 905-336-1200 Burlington James Anthony with guest 2:00 PM (Every Sat)Blue Goose Tavern 1 Blue Goose Way 416-255-2442 Mimico The Danny B Blues Band 3:00 PM (Every Sat)Carrigan Arms 2025 Upper Middle Road 905-332-6131 Burlington The Sil Simone Band with guest 2:00 PM (Every Sat)Castro’s Lounge 2116 Queen St. E. 416-699-8272 Toronto Big Rude Jake’s Monk Junkies 4:30 PM (Every Sat)Frankie’s Ristorante 1 Main St. 905-852-1011 Uxbridge Tim Bastmeyer 7:00 PM (Every Sat)Liquid Lounge 519-759-3939 Liquid Lounge Allstars with special guests 3:00 PM (Every Sat)Old Winery 2288 Niagara Stone Rd 905-468-8900 Niagara on the Lake Niagara Rhythm Section with guests 9:00 PM (Every Sat)Outrigger Tap & Table 2232 Queen St E 416-748-2232 Toronto Johnny Wright & Michael Fonfara 3:00 PM (Every Sat)Reservoir Lounge 52 Wellington St E 416-955-0887 Toronto Tyler Yarema and His Rhythm 9:45 PM (Every Sat)The Rex Hotel 416-598-2475 Toronto Danny Marks 12:00 PM (Every Sat)

Warmington’s Bistro 519-770-4941 The Bent Bugle Band 4:00 PM with guests (Every Sat) EVERY SUNDAYAbbey Arms Pub 481 North Service Rd W 905-825-1109 Oakville James Anthony Band and Guest 3:00 PM (Every Sun)Axis Gallery & Grill 416-604-3333 Julian Fauth 12:00 PM (Every Sun)Bay City Music Hall (formerly Leander Boat Club) 50 Leander Dr 289-389-9900 Hamilton Brant Parker and The Bay City Blues Band 2:00 PM (Every Sun)Grossman’s Tavern 379 Spadina Ave. 416-977-7000 Toronto Blues Jam hosted by The Nationals Brian Cober 9:30 PM drums and amp provided (Every Sun)Roc ‘N Doc’s 905-891-1754 Chuck Jackson & The All Stars 4:30 PM (Every Sun) EVERY MONDAYBlack Swan Tavern 154 Danforth Ave 416-469-0537 Toronto Sebastian Agnello 9:30 PM Acoustic (Every Mon)Orbit Room 580A College St 416-535-0613 Toronto Jordan John 10:00 PM (Every Mon) EVERY TUESDAYBlack Swan Tavern 416-469-0537 Peter Verity 9:30 PM Roots (Every Tue)Brando’s on Market 135 Market St 519-720-6758 Brantford Chris Brown host 10:00 PM Open Jam (Every Tue)

Gate 403 403 Roncesvalles Ave 416-588-2930 Toronto Danny Marks & Alec Fraser Blues Night 9:00 PM (Every Tue)Reservoir Lounge 416-955-0887 Tyler Yarema and His Rhythm 9:45 PM (Every Tue)Sauce on Danforth 1376 Danforth Ave 416/647-748-1376 Toronto Julian Fauth 6:00 PM (Every Tue) EVERY WEDNESDAYBlack Swan Tavern 416-469-0537 Nicola Vaughan 9:30 PM Open Jam (Every Wed)Bobby O’Brien’s 125 King St W 519-743-5657 Kitchener Dave Rodenburg, John Lee & Jim Boudreau 8:00 PM (Every Wed)Gate 403 416-588-2930 Julian Fauth 9:00 PM (Every Wed)Inter Steer Tavern 361 Roncesvalles Ave 416-604-3333 Toronto Fraser/Daley 8:00 PM (Every Wed)Reservoir Lounge 416-955-0887 Robin Banks 8.45 PM (Every Wed)Ten Restaurant & Wine Bar 130 Lakeshore Rd E 905-271-0016 Port Credit Chuck Jackson & Tyler Yarema 8:00 PM (Every Wed)

www.long-mcquade.com

Sales / Rentals / Repairs / Print Music / Lessons / In-Store Financing

Where theMusicBegins

8 locations in the GTA, including 925 Bloor St. W. Toronto, 416.588.7886

Enjoy a red or whitewith your favourite Blues!

Jeffrey Wilson, Proprietor

www.wilsonmusic.ca

Sales & Service of HOHNER Harmonicas & Accordions ~ Since 1986~

Barry A. Edson LL.B.Barrister

80 Carlauren Road Unit 23Woodbridge Ontario L4L 7Z5

t: 416.36EDSON(33766)905.856.3770

f: 905.856.3703

[email protected] | www.edsonlegal.com

The Lancaster Smokehouse 574 Lancaster St W 519-743-4331 Kitch-ener Matt Weidinger 6:00 PM (Every Wed) EVERY THURSDAYBlack Swan (Burlington) 905-336-1200 James Anthony 8:00 PM w/ Special Guest Chuck Jackson & Friends (Every Thu starting Feb 19)Col. Mustard’s Pub & Deli 16925 Yonge St 905-895-6663 Newmarket Lou Moore plus guest 9:00 PM (Every Thu)Harbour Street Fish Bar 10 Keith Ave, #403 705-293-3474 Collingwood Wayne Buttery Band 7:00 PM (Every Thu)Reservoir Lounge 416-955-0887 Mary McKay 9.45 PM (Every Thu) EVERY FRIDAYSouthside Cottage Grill 234 Lake-shore Rd E 905-338-0050 Oakville James Anthony 7:00 PM Acoustic Blues (Every Fri)Warmington’s Bistro 519-770-4941 The Bent Bugle Band 8:00 PM with guests (Every Fri)

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33 GERRARD STREET WESTEATON CHELSEA HOTEL, TORONTOMON–THURS 5PM–1AMFRI–SAT 5PM–2AM

MONARCHSPUB.CA416.585.4352FACEBOOK.COM/MONARCHSPUB

WED 8PM–12AM

WED 8PM–12AM

THURS 8PM–12AM

THURS 8PM–12AM

FRI 9PM–1AM

FRI 9PM–1AM

Music schedule subjectto change without notice.

4/2Brownman Akoustic Trio

5/2The Swingin’ Blackjacks

6/2Turbo Street Funk

11/2The Harley Card Quartet

12/2Wild T & The Spirit

13/2The Boxcar Boys

18/2Gene Hardy

19/2Son Roberts

20/2The Jagger Tanner Band

25/2The TorontoJazz Collective

26/2The Gary Kendall Band

27/2The Mickeys

4/3Arecibo

5/3The Jerome Godboo Band

6/3Turbo Street Funk

11/3The Harley Car Quartet

12/3Big Rude Jake

13/3The Lonely Hearts

18/3iSpy

19/3Mark Sta�ord

20/3The Conor Gains Band

25/3Michael Danckert

26/3The Jack De Keyzer Band

27/3Freeman Dre &The Kitchen Party

14227_EC_Monarchs_Music_Listings_FebMar15_8.5x11.indd 1 2015-01-21 1:02 PM

It was the first ever tie at The Maple Blues Awards...

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