Summer is slow in coming this year but there is nothing slow about the fabulous lineup of jazz gigs across Grey and Bruce counties. Here’s just a sampling of gigs coming to a venue near you. For up to the minute changes and additions go to  Jazz By The Bay

Wherever possible, web sites are listed for your favourite performers. Why not bookmark them and refer to them often. Late changes sent to me will be posted when possible. Subscribe to this Blog and they will be sent to your inbox.

Sunday, June 6, 7:00 p.m. Sing & Swing at St. Mary’s Church, Owen Sound. A lineup of some great local jazz musicians plus a choir entertain at this fund-raiser for a fun couple of hours. Jason Hunter, sax, Keri Lynn Boys, trombone, Ian Burbidge, alto and soprano sax, Wayne McGrath, trumpet and flugelhorn, Paul Danard, bass and Dave Malito, drums. Don Buchanan, a virtuoso on sax and keyboard is handling arrangements for choir and band.

Thursday, June 10, 8:30 p.m. Top Flyte Jazz features Bruce Harvey on baby grand piano with Top Flyte Trio completing an evening of sometimes funky jazz at this successful monthly gig in Southampton; Charlie Bell, sax, Andy Harsymczuk, guitar and Mike Grace double bass. Check their website for next gig. www.topflytejazz.ca

Saturday, June 12, ‘MASTERS OF JAZZ: 2010′ presents Tim Posgate (guitar) & Rob Clutton (bass) with Stevie Vallance (vocals) at Bruce Museum, Southampton.  Some cool music by today’s favourite performers in the museum’s intimate theatre brought to you by Stevie Vallance.   www.stevievallance.com www.mastersofjazz.ca

Saturday, June 12, 7:00 p.m. Howlin’Dog Vintage Jazz Band is hoping for good weather for this gig on the patio of Park House Tavern & Eatery, Goderich. This popular group is always reliable for a fun time playing Dixieland and standards. Check their web site for more summer gigs. www.howlindogjazz.com

Saturday, June 12, 8:00 p.m. Gypsy Jive Band is playing for free upstairs at McGinty’s Cafe, Meaford. They will pass the hat to feed the musicians who promise oriental and exotic dances, tango, belly dance, waltzes, polkas “and the kitchen sink”. Sounds like fun! Reservations 519-538-0092

Saturday, June 12, 8:00 p.m. Chantry Centenairs play for dancers at the Chantry Centre, Southampton. You can also just listen to this nine-piece swing band. More info: 519-797-5541

Friday, June 18, 6:00 p.m. Stardust Big Band entertains diners at Queen’s Bar & Grill, Southampton. Reservations 519-832-2041. For more gigs by these polished musicians see their web site. www.stardustbigband.com

Friday, June 18, 9:30 p.m. Big Bad Wolf Jazz & Blues Band revs up the sound on the patio – weather permitting – at Wismer House, Port Elgin. Featuring vocalist Stephanie Reidpathe, the band plays jazz and blues. Their summer gigs are listed on their web site. www.bigbadwolfjazzandblues.com

Saturday, June 19, 7:00 p.m. Diana Wood and Don Buchanan continue their monthly entertainment at Chaise Lounge, Owen Sound. Reservations for an entirely different evening of jazz 519-371-8141.  Listen to some of Diana’s own songs and check all her gigs on web site:   www.myspace.com/dianawood

Wednesday, June 23, 7:00 p.m. Jazz At The Station free outdoor concert series kicks off with our friendly Figgies – Fig Leaf Jazz Band in Collingwood. Wednesday, June 30 – Sploink; July 7 – Jordan and Prakash John, July 14 – Lance Anderson & Shawna Jackson, July 21 – Bobby Dean Blackburn, July 28 – Mike Grace July 4. Wow! What a lineup?            www.collingwoodjazz.ca

Thursday, June 24, 7:00 p.m. Lighthouse Swing Band with vocalist Shelley Parker play big band classics at Gateway Haven, Wiarton. Summer gigs for this always pleasurable band are listed on web site. www.lighthouseswingband.com

Friday, June 25, 7:00 p.m. Friday Dinner Jazz this month features Paul McGrath, keyboard, Wayne McGrath, trumpet and flugelhorn at Crabby Joe’s, Port Elgin. Reservations for this Performing Arts of Saugeen Shores event 519-389-5637.

Friday, June 25, 8:00 p.m. The Glenn Miller Orchestra returns to Bayshore Community Centre, Owen Sound for an evening of dancing to this legendary big band. This big night may take me back to when I attended one of the last U.S. Forces Band concerts in London led by Glenn Miller before his plane went missing over the English Channel in 1944. Yes, we teens danced in the aisles of the Hippodrome Theatre to that special sound we know so well. More info on web site.  www.macarmillproductions.com

Sunday, June 27, 1:00 p.m. Toronto All Star Big Band gives a free concert on the beach as part of Wasaga Beach Festival. www.wasagabeachfest.com

For the summer lineup check the calendar on www.jazzbythebay.ca See you in Thornbury on July/August Sunday evenings.

Have a terrific summer, jazz fans.

At last it’s here, Victoria Day weekend and the beginning of summer happenings – outdoor concerts – and we have several – some beside railway stations, and beside large and small lakes or on parkland to look forward to. Be sure to check the calendar on Jazz By The Bay web site.  For those of you who haven’t yet subscribed to a regular Jazz By The Bay newsletter, send address to Tom Lewis. and subscribe on this page for jazz updates.

Saturday night at the Bruce Museum is a Masters of Jazz performance presented by vocal diva Stevie Vallance who also hosts a weekend jazz & blues radio program on 98 The Beach, an FM station based in Saugeen Shores. More info

Masters of Jazz

Also this weekend a group growing in popularity in Grey and Bruce counties, Big Bad Wolf Jazz & Blues combo is playing a couple of gigs this weekend.  Drummer Mark Mariash is back from a trip and keyboard player Larry White tells me a Hammond Organ has been added to this funky group. Take a listen to these accomplished musicians fronted by vocalist Stephanie  Reidpathe on their web site

Big Bad Wolf Jazz & Blues

Here’s the full lineup for the upcoming weekend:

Thursday, May 20,  6:30:00 p.m. at Blue Mountain Arts Centre, Collingwood.  Guitarist / harmonica player Michael Pickett will entertain.  $15. at the door. Limited seating. This is a Collingwood Jazz & Blues Society event. Memberships are available.
www.michaelpickett.com

Friday May 21, 9:30 p.m. Wismer House, Port Elgin,  Big Bad Wolf Jazz & Blues. Reservartons 519-832-5565

Saturday, May 22, 9:00 p.m. Phoenix Lounge, Southampton, Big Bad Wolf Jazz & Blues. Reservations 519-797-3300

Saturday, May 22,  8:30 p.m. at Bruce Museum, Southampton, Stevie Vallance and the Masters of Jazz lineup has jazz guitarist Mike Allen and Dave Young, bass. (see also May Mosaic Jazz ) Tickets $25. Call 866-310-8889
Sunday, May 23, 3:30 p.m. at Sauble Dunes Restaurant, Sauble beach. Bobby Dean Blackburn, vocals and keyboard with Frank deMatteis, drums and special guests who drop in each week. Reservations 519-422-2745

If you are new to this page, don’t forget to put your name in “subscribe” box to get my blog to your inbox.
Read my  column, My Foggy Day in Mosaic Magazine for May,  available free at cultural and tourism centres in Grey and Bruce counties.
For Up to date listings go to Jazz By The Bay
For Jazz eNewsletter to your inbox send address to tomlewis@jazzbythebay.ca

Change for baby grand:

Richard Whiteman is slated for performing on the new baby grand piano at Top Flyte Lounge, Southampton on Thursday, May 13 at 8:30 p.m. This change doesn’t affect the rest of the lineup of guest drummer Mark Mariash. These musicians join regular trio of Charlie Bell, saxophone, Andy Harsymczuk, guitar and Mike Grace, bass. Cover $15  www.topflytejazz.ca

Here’s a late listing that did not make it for Mosaic Magazine:

Saturday, May 15, at 8:00 p.m. Georgian Sound Big Band plays for dancing at Division Street United Church, Owen Sound. Tickets are $25 each and is a fund raiser for three local churches. Refreshments and a silent auction. Tickets 519-376-3287

If you are new to this page, don’t forget to put your name in “subscribe” box to get my blog to your inbox.
Read my  column, My Foggy Day in Mosaic Magazine for May,  available free at cultural and tourism centres in Grey and Bruce counties.
For Up to date listings go to Jazz By The Bay
And don’t forget to listen in on 98The Beach radio to hear Stevie Vallance and her Jazz & Blues gig at 8:00 p.m. every Sunday night. www,98thebeach.ca
For Jazz eNewsletter to your inbox send address to tomlewis@jazzbythebay.ca

Reminder for tonight:

Wednesday, May 12, Wayne Buttery, vocals/guitar, hosts a Jam joined by Mark Rutherford, keys, Charlie Hinkel,electric bass, and Dennis King,drums, as well as special guests every Wednesday in May at Beacon Restaurant, 146 – 45th Street, Wasaga Beach. Reservations 705-429-4433. Wayne Buttery and the Groove Project launched in 1998 as a quartet playing gigs in Simcoe County. More at http://www.waynebuttery.com

Spring has sprung! At least on the jazz scene as local and imported talent continues to bring to Grey and Bruce residents the best in many different jazz styles. From Dixieland to Blues to Big Band to unique interpretations, somewhere you can find a sample of all not far from you. Here’s a sampling of what’s available. Check out the rest at Jazz By The Bay

Sunday. May 2, Bobby Dean Blackburn continues every Sunday this Month at Sauble Dunes Restaurant at 3:30 p.m. Bobby Dean, vocals and keyboard, Frank deMatteis, drums with special guests each week. Always a great Sunday afternoon jam session. Buffet dinner info 519-422-2745   bobbydeanblackburn.com

Wednesday, May 5, Wayne Buttery, vocals/guitar, hosts a Jam joined by Mark Rutherford, keys, Charlie Hinkel,electric bass, and Dennis King,drums, as well as special guests every Wednesday in May at Beacon Restaurant, 146 – 45th Street, Wasaga Beach. Reservations 705-429-4433. Wayne Buttery and the Groove Project launched in 1998 as a quartet playing gigs in Simcoe County. More at http://www.waynebuttery.com

Saturday, May 8, The Chantry Centenairs 9 piece swing band plays for dancers and listeners at Chantry Centre, Southampton, at 8:00 p.m. More info 519-797-5541

Saturday, May 22,(note date change) Masters of Jazz series of concerts continues with vocalist Stevie Vallance and her guests this month are versatile jazz guitarist Mike Allen, and National Jazz Award Dave Young, bass. Dave is currently performing as part of the 17-piece orchestra accompanying award-winning choreographer Twyla Tharp’s latest Broadway-bound dance extravaganza: “Come Fly With Me” – The Music of Frank Sinatra.  www.daveyoung.ca
An evening of top notch jazz begins at 8:30 p.m. at Bruce County Museum, Southampton. Tickets $25. Call 866-318-8889

www.mastersofjazz.ca

www.brucemuseum.ca

Thursday, May 13, Top Flyte Trio will feature jazz pianist Mike Lorenz to give the baby grand piano a workout with regulars Charlie Bell, sax, Any Harsymczuk, guitiar and Mike Grace, bass.  Toledo native Lorenz will also perform jazz standards on trombone during the evening beginning at Top Flyte Lounge, Southampton at 8:30 p.m. Reservations 519-797-3300. Cover $15.
www.topflytejazz.ca

Saturday, May 15, Diana Wood & Don Buchanan are at the Chaise Lounge, Owen Sound from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm with a mix of jazz and popular songs, often with interesting arrangements by  these talented musicians. Diana on vocals and percussion, Don on keyboard offers diners a superlative evening of entertainment. I love them – can’t you tell? Reservations recommended 519-371-8141

The Glenn Miller Orchestra moves in to Lumley Bayshore Centre, Owen Sound on June 26, 2010.  Tickets are still available at the Bayshore Box Office or by calling  519-371-7452 or 866-528-8225. www.attackhockey.com

If you are new to this page, don’t forget to put your name in “subscribe” box to get my blog to your inbox.
Read my full column, My Foggy Day in Mosaic Magazine for May,  available free at cultural and tourism centres in Grey and Bruce counties.

For Up to date listings go to Jazz By The Bay

And don’t forget to listen in on 98The Beach radio to hear Stevie Vallance and her Jazz & Blues gig at 8:00 p.m. every Sunday night. www,98thebeach.ca

For Jazz eNewsletter to your inbox send address to tomlewis@jazzbythebay.ca

April means spring to some, Georgian Sound Festival to others, and to most jazz fans it mean Grey and Bruce counties welcome many more gigs to choose from. Here’s a reminder from Mosaic Magazine:

Something new this year is a gig for the youngsters on Friday, April 23. An invitational jazz event featuring 10 regional youth jazz bands, stage bands and jazz ensembles brought together by Thornbury-Clarkburg Rotary, and heralding the 19th annual weekend G.S. Festival. The bands will perform from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m for respected adjudicators in Beaver Valley Community Centre, Thornbury. YouthFest is open to the public as well as friends and family of student performers. Admission is $2.

A concert by the adjudicators is slated to follow YouthFest with Chantry Island Quartet led by well know bass player and teacher, Mike Grace. An impressive lineup of musicians will perform French jazz legend Claude Bolling’s Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano; John McLellan, piano, Stephen James, drums, Georgian Bay Symphony’s Meryl Gilmore, flute, with guitarist Ted Quinlan from Humber College music program sitting in. $10 at the door.

Those with stamina may want to stick around for the evening Jazzmania also taking place in Thornbury and Clarksburg. This annual event costs $15 and covers entry to 10 different venues each with jazz combo entertainment. Shuttle buses are available from 8:00 p.m. to midnight.

And there’s much more jazz through the weekend with Big Band Saturday – Georgian Sound, Toronto All Star and Stardust Big Bands as well as Hogtown Swing Collective Dancers at intermissions in afternoon and evening gigs. At Sunday’s Jazz Brunch, swinging songstress Heather Bambrick entertains with Bill King Trio at the Centre and The Stone Band with Marlene O’Neill stage Gospelfest at Grace United Church.

All weekend events presented by Thornbury-Clarkburg Rotary Club partnering with Georgian Sound Big Band and supported by Blue Mountain Chamber of Commerce. For tickets and more info go to www.georgiansoundfestival.ca

If you are new to this page, don’t forget to put your name in “subscribe” box to get my blog to your inbox.
Mosaic Magazine for April is still available free at cultural and tourism centres in Grey and Bruce counties.

For Up to date listings go to Jazz By The Bay

Doesn’t matter where you are in Grey or Bruce counties, there’s jazz nearby. Check for details on Jazz By The Bay

Grab your jazz friends and head for Blue Mountain Arts Centre in Collingwood,Thursday, for an evening with Bobby Dean Blackburn, superlative blues and jazz singer/keys musician with Steve Kennedy, tenor sax who played with Lighthouse in 1982 at Ontario Place, and versatile drummer Frank deMatteis who is also an accomplished visual artist. (BTW Lighthouse cut a 40th anniversary disc in 2008 and continues to perform and tour across Canada.) Should be a wow of an evening. This 2010 Collingwood Jazz & Blues Society event begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets at the door $15, in advance $10 by calling 705-444-4449.

Friday, April 16, Noodle Factory Jazz Project, 7:00 p.m. at Lakeshore Rec Centre, Port Elgin, has a great lineup headed by Ian Burbidge, an advocate for each band member to write improv and/or new stuff. All 10 members are listed on the calendar at Jazz By The Bay.

Saturday, April 17 Diana Campbell and Don Buchanan serve up a mix of jazz and popular songs, often with interesting arrangements by these talented musicians. Diana on vocals and percussion, Don on keyboard treat diners a superlative evening of entertainment at Chaise Lounge in Owen Sound from 7:00 p.m.

Also on Saturday the incomparable Howlin Dog Vintage Jazz sound takes over Park House Tavern & Eatery, Goderich at 7:00 p.m. Dixieland and standards. Howlin’ Dog Vintage Jazz Band

Sunday, April 18. Howlin’ Dog again and this time performing for a church service at 10:15 a.m. in Kincardine United Church. Betcha those rafters will be ringing.

Finally Sunday, at 3:30 p.m. Bobby Dean Blackburn, Frank deMatteis and whoever shows up to jam at Sauble Dunes Restaurant, Sauble Beach. Shouldn’t have to remind you about this terrific weekly gig. www.bobbydeanblackburn.com

What a weekend!

If you are new to this page, don’t forget to put your name in “subscribe” box to get my blog to your inbox.
Mosaic Magazine for April is still available free at cultural and tourism centres in Grey and Bruce counties.

Ignore the snow and head over to the Queen’s Hotel, Port Elgin for some Stardust Big Band Jazz….

Friday, April 9, at 6:00 p.m. Stardust Big Band performs for diners at Queen’s Bar and Grill, Port Elgin, Reservations 519-832-2041. Cover charge. More info www.stardustbigband.com

And tomorrow, don’t miss the MASTERS OF JAZZ – some smooth and saucy jazz at the Bruce Museum….
Saturday, April 10, Masters of Jazz with vocalist Stevie Vallance, and special guests George Koller, bass, Steve Kennedy, sax, and David Warrack, keys, for an evening of jazz at Bruce County Museum, Southampton. Composer David Warrack is collaborating with Stevie Vallance on a Cabaret/Jazz revue called 3 Davids, which includes David Frishberg and David Shire. For more information on Masters of Jazz series, check out www.mastersofjazz.ca. Tickets still available, call Bruce Museum at 519-797-2080 or 866-318-8889.

For late changes and up to date gigs, check out Jazz By The Bay.

Stay up to date with jazz in our area by entering your email address for this newsletter in the box provided. Your updates will arrive in your inbox.

The new edition of Mosaic Magazine is now on the stands in all your favourite places such as libraries, art galleries, theatres and tourist bureaus in Grey and Bruce counties. When you pick up your copy, please note some changes affecting this column, My Foggy Day.

Gremlins infected the printed text and wrong date is listed for Don and Diana’s delightful dinner music at Chaise Lounge, Owen Sound. Should be Saturday, March 13, 7:00 p.m. Reservations 519-371-8141

Stevie Vallance’s Masters of Jazz concert series has hit a snag and this month’s event, scheduled for March 13, has been cancelled. Plans are still going ahead for April 10th, with David Warrack, Kieran Overs and Steve Kennedy. Masters of Jazz

Late listings:

Stay up to date with jazz in our area by entering your email address for this newsletter in the box provided. Your updates will arrive in your inbox. Free enewsletter, send address to Tom Lewis.

Wow! I hope you didn’t miss many of the jazz gigs here in Grey and Bruce Counties in February. New and exciting performers as well as trusted musicians showed up in every area. If you kept in touch by subscribing to My Foggy Day or checking  in to Jazz By The Bay or, receive Tom Lewis’  free enewsletter you are up to date.

March calendar signals equally full schedule of jazz events, so mark your calendars for your favourite entertainers.

Wednesday, March 3, 4 and 5, Collingwood Musicfest at 8:00 p.m. involving more than 3000 musicians from across the province. Public is welcome at Collingwood Collegiate. The series culminateds on Saturday, March 6 with a concert by Central Command Band of the Armed Forces from Ottawa. Full schedule at  Collingwood Music Festival

Thursday, March 11, at 8:00 p.m. Top Flyte Trio’s offering this month includes Gene Parker, saxes with Mike Lorenz on keys at Top Flyte Lounge, Southampton. Reservations 519-797-3300. Cover charge. More info at Top Flyte Llounge

Saturday, March 13, at 7:00 p.m. Howlin’ Dog Vintage Jazz Band brings it’s special blend of Dixieland and standards for diners at Park House Tavern and Eatery, Port Elgin. Reservations 519-524-4968

Saturday March 13 at 7:00 p.m., lyrical vocalist Diana Wood with Don Buchanan on keyboard are sure to be pleasing company for dinner at the Chaise Lounge in Owen Sound. Don and Diana are collaborating on new compositions and Don’s unique arrangements are well worth hearing. This monthly gig has wowed patrons of this high end eatery. Reservations a must 519-371-8141

Saturday, March 6, Big Bad Wolf Jazz & Blues Quintet begins the month at The Queens Bush, Hanover, at 9:00 p.m. Reservations 519-364-6666. The Quintet has other gigs this month at Wismer House, Port Elgin as well as Coach Inn, Owen Sound. Full schedule at Big Bad Wolf Jazz & Blues

Note from Stevie Vallace tells us March 13 performance of Masters of Jazz series at Bruce County Museum is cancelled. Watch for news of April lineup. Listen to Stevie’s jazz Sunday nights from 8 to midnight on FM radio 98 The Beach

Sunday, March 7, 14 and 21, 2:00 p.m. You can listen and dance to the jazz and blues of Bobby Dean Blackburn who is at Sauble Dunes Restaurant, Sauble Beach. Bobby Dean Is sure to keyboard and sing some of the tunes on his CD, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. The album title a song he wrote himself. With him is tireless drummer Frank deMatteis, as well as visiting musicians invited to sit in on occasion. For more information, call 519-422-2745. 

Bobby Dean Blackburn’s disc includes three songs penned by Bobby on a thoroughly listenable collection titled, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and includes that foot-stompin’ favourite, Mojo.Among those who have performed are Tom Hancock, harmonica, Steve Kennedy, saxes, John Haselmeyer, rhythm guitar, Kenny Baldwin, saxes. Sauble Dunes is now offering a buffet meal at $14. Listen to him on line at Bobby Dean Blackburn

The late Ernie Duff’s memorial CD has several big band favourites including My Secret Love, Old Black Magic and the poignant title tune, If I Never Sing Another Song. Contact Tom Lewis for details on where to buy.

Stay up to date with jazz in our area by entering your email address for this newsletter in the box provided. Your updates will arrive in your inbox.