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