Wow! Last Friday night was awesome. First night of Jazzmania weekend saw six of us trekking around the club crawl in Thornbury taking in no fewer than four super performances of different jazz styles.
Our tasty dinner, served by Rotarians, was more than sufficiant to sustain us through our evening which lasted until past 1:00 a.m. Saturday. Yawn!
Listening to Sploink practice some of their compositions for thier upcoming CD was like listening to old friends, who happen to be accomplished musicians, deliver a range of tunes served up ala Don Buchann who does all the arranging for this five-piece combo. Don and Jason Hunter each played sax, Rob Gasidlo on keyboard, Tyler Wegler on bass and Bruce Campbell on drums sounded like they had always played together. We waved goodbye and left the Valley Bistro to hop on the bus for next location.
The joint was jumping with sounds from Fig Leaf Dixieland jazz as a crowd of dancers, some from Toronto, occasionally blocked my view of some of the six musicians who form this lively group anchoring the scene at Marsh Street Centre in Clarksburg.
A few doors away Charlie Bell Trio played amid a riot of colour in a new venue for Jazzmania, The Loft Gallery. Charlie was accompanied by Jack McFadden on bass and Andy Harasymczuk was magical on guitar. Paintings adorning the walls deserve a return visit.
Back on the free shuttle bus stopping off at The Dam Pub to wait in line for a listen to Heart and Soul. Once inside we didn't want to leave as Bobby Dee Blackburn on keyboard and Hart Richards on trumpet serenaded us until closing time. We caught the last bus back to where our vehicle was parked and
There were six other locations that we didn't have time to visit.

Posted by doreen at 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As I mourn the death last Friday of my beloved friend, Marg, I am reminded that if it hadn't been for her and husband Ken's kindness and generosity more than 50 years ago, I may be in a different place today. I can remember walking down their street, after being accepted as a boarder in their home, giving thanks to God for leading me to them.
Marg surprised me with a hot meal the first day I came home from work and had fed both my girls who were clean and contended. She cared for them as if they were her own, doing all kinds of little things to make our lives happier.
We spent many hours together while Ken worked the night shift on the railroad cementing a friendship that lasted through the illnesses and losses of life in both our families.
We may have physically moved away from each other over the years but she has always and will always have a special place in my heart.
May God bless you, dear Marg.

Posted by doreen at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Anyone interested in acquiring a ticket for Saturday, April 28 afternoon's Big Band concert at Thornbury, as well as the Sunday April 29 Gospelfest, I have a spare one for each day. Brother Roy isn't going to make it for that weekend after all; he's gone to to Cuba with his daughters.
Contact me at webcrone@cybersquibbs.com

All That Jazz by Doreen Fawcett

In spite of some dreadful weather this winter, the Heart and Soul duo entertain an impressive number of locals and visitors on Sunday afternoons in Tamarac Island Inn on the Bruce Peninsula.

When we dropped by one Sunday afternoon last month, we listened to Hart Richardson on trumpet and fluglehorn and Bobby Dean Blackburn, vocals and keyboard, playing an eclectic selection of jazz standards, some rock and a little country music to a come and go crowd. I particularly enjoyed Bobby Dean's throaty rendition of Foggy Day, one of my favourites. Heart and Soul of the Bruce is the full name for the band which will expand in the future to include other instrumentalists, according to Blackburn.

The original duo, who are both in their sixties, are new to the area and have been livening up Stokes Bay through a very nasty winter at this comfortably rustic watering hole which also serves substantial meals.

Hart is a retired policeman from Hamilton and has played trumpet and fluglehorn a relatively short time. Although he started singing in Toronto, Bobby Dean's heritage includes a grandmother who attended the BME church in Owen Sound, which serves the black community. Blackburn also claims to be descended from slaves who made their way north on the Underground Railroad to its terminus in Owen Sound. Bet he'll be an asset to the emancipation celebrations held later this year.

A favourite local jazz trio will be featured at a big bash this month. Charlie Bell, sax, Mike Grace, guitar, Jack McLelland, bass, are featured at Talisman Resort, Kimberley on April 21. It's a fundraiser for Outdoor Education and Environment Studies. Tax receipts are provided for a portion of the ticket price of $110 each. For more information contact Sandra Mielhausen 519-534-2767

The winter hasn't been so bad for jazz fans in Owen Sound as two locations offered jazz at least once a week. The music continues through April at Chaise Lounge on 9th Street East, with Rob Gasidlo's regular gig on Saturday nights. Music from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Reservations recommended.

His guests this month include:
Saturday, April 7, Charlie Bell, sax and clarinet, Mike Grace, bass
Saturday, April 14, Vocalist and percussionist Nura, Stuart Steinhart, electric guitar
Saturday, April 21, Vocalist Shelaugh Hart
Saturday, April 28, Vocalist Carol Warren

Sunday, April 15, Silverleaf Jazz Band plays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Sticky Fingers Bar & Grill, Essa Road, Barrie for the Simcoe County Jazz Society.

Fridays, April 20, and 27, Fred Parsons on keyboard and David Brown on drums will entertain diners at Inn On The Bay, Bishop's Landing Lounge, Owen Sound from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The easy listening duo are also featured at a Trivia Night, Bayshore Community Centre on April 7 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. A fund raiser for Owen Sound's Festival of Northern Lights 20th anniversary, tickets are $100 for table of eight. More information 519-376-4040 extension 225. www.e-owensound.com

Friday, April 27, At the Uptowne Piano and Jazz Bar, in Owen Sound on 2nd Avenue East, patrons have an opportunity to dance to music by Dr. Jazz North. This trio has impressive international performance credentials with Moe Koffman, Guido Basso and Haygood Hardy. Chris Portinari is on trumpet,Garry White plays guitar and Renee White is on bass and guitar. Music begins at 8:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Snack food available.

Friday, April 27, The Ladd Trio is appearing at Duffy's Fish and Chips, High Street in Southampton, as part of Performing Arts of Saugeen Shores Dinner Jazz series. Ian Burbidge, sax, Kim Ladd, bass, Lauri Ladd vocals, will entertain diners from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Friday, April 27, Jazzmania club crawl is taking place from 8:00 p.m. until midnight in Thornbury and Clarksburg. A seat on a free shuttle is included in your ticket for $18. Bus starts running at 7:00 p.m. with free parking at the Beaver Valley Community Centre, corner of Victoria and Alfred Streets. Some spots are close enough to walk to. Each band is scheduled to play for 45 minutes on the hour so if you are fleet of foot, you may make all ten venues. Reservations for dinner are usually required by those locations serving full meals.

Don Buchanan's Sploink plays original compositions as well as standards at the Beaver Valley Community Centre, corner of Victoria and Alfred.www.tcrotary.ca

Hart and Soul offers soulful vocals, jazz standards and blues at The Dam Pub, 53 Bruce Street South.www.thedampub.com

Christopher Plock Trio brings swing to Sisi on Main, 27 Bruce Street South.www.sisionmain.com

Dr. Jazz North plays Dixieland favourites and traditional at The Mill Café, Bridge Street.www.themillcafe.com

Shelaugh Hart Trio provides blues and jazz renditions at Thornbury Manor and Back Door Pub, 27 Bridge Street.

Karen Holgate and Jan Menkal play jazz favourites at Sterio's Steak and Seafood, 81 King Street East.www.sterios.georgian.net

Louis Lefaive & His Kings of Swing blast off at Piper's Restaurant & Tavern, 54 King Street East.www.piperstavern.ca

The Charlie Bell Trio promise an evening of standards and swinging blues at The Loft Gallery, 183 Marsh Street, Clarksburg.www.loftgallery.ca

Fig Leaf Jazz Band livens up the Marsh Street Centre in Clarksburg with their musical mayhem. www.marshstreetcentre.ca

Ken Whiteley Duo is playing a range of blues and jazz styles at the L.E.Shore Library, 175 Bruce Street South.www.bvo.bmts.com

There may be still time to purchase tickets for Jazzmania as well as for Big Band Saturday and Sunday's Gospelfest. Call 519-599-3223 or check web site
www.festival.georginasound.ca

Stay up to date with what's happening on the jazz scene, contact me at www.cybersquibbs.com/blog/all_that_jazz/
or check out www.jazzbythebay.ca

Posted by doreen at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)