For those of you who do not get to read my column in Mosaic Magazine, here are June happenings:

Grey and Bruce counties are bulging with jazz players and events in June and July. In addition to those venues which have featured local artists regularly, there are at least a couple of new forums for our kind of music.

For starters, I am told that regular Friday night Tapas and Jazz at Sweetwater Restaurant, Cobble Beach Golf Club, Owen Sound will continue at least for this month. I can recommend the Tapas menu that has some interesting nibbles such as smoked whitefish, mini burgers, and escargots. The new location on the shore of Georgian Bay is a lovely setting for a relaxed evening of good food and jazz performers. Just heard that one of my favourite songbirds, Carole Warren, is booked for a gig here. For the full June lineup see www.jazzbythebay.com

The Sweetwater restaurant will also be the venue for a supper musical special on June 27 as Deborah Donovan will take us on a musical journey of songs from My Fair Lady accompanied by Jamie Smith and Don Buchanan. Music begins at 8:00 p.m. and Dinner reservations are recommended. Call 519-370-2173 Ext.112. www.cobblebeachgolflinks.com

Also in Owen Sound, Saturday night jazz at the Chaise Lounge has some of our old favourites entertaining diners from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. On June 7 and 21: Fred Parsons on keyboard and Dave Brown, drums. And June 14 and 28:Nura will sing and Stuart Steinhart, bass. www.chaiselounge.ca

Bobby Dean Blackburn Trio continues to play for patrons on Sunday afternoons at Tamarac Island Inn,, Stokes Bay from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Bobby sings and plays keyboard a tuneful mixture of jazz standards, blues, and rock on with Hart Richardson on trumpet and Frank deMatteis, drums.

Summer brings many free events in the region, many of which are in scenic locales. Best to bring a lawn chair for the open air events.

A three day free music weekend-long event at Pedestrian Village, Blue Mountain kicks off on two stages.
7:00 p.m. Friday, June 20 with Wayne Buttery & Groove Project, The Gators and Dawn Tyler Watson Band.
7:00 p.m. Saturday, June 21 with Jumpin' Duncan Band, Harrison Kennedy, Mae Cromwell Band, The Bearcats, Mati & JK, Roadtrip and Ronnie Doiuglas Band.
7:00 p.m. Sunday with Shakura S'Aida, The Blackburns, Trouble and Strife. There's also a special workshop with Harrison Kennedy.

Also in Thornbury, Blue Mountain Chamber of Commerce begin their free Jazz By The Bay summer concerts in the park on Sunday, July 6, at 7:00 p.m. The Encore Band opens the season for an evening of great music at another beautiful setting on our stunning shoreline. Several folk bring picnics or buy munchies from concessions.

Toronto All Stars Big Band returns to Wasaga Beach No.1. on Sunday, June 22. The popular band of youngsters will entertain at a free concert from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Ragweed Jazz Band is scheduled for the first concert at Jazz in the Park Series of free concerts in the gazebo on Moseley Street, Wasaga Beach.
Tuesday, July 8 at 7:p.m. Bring a lawn chair.

Wednesday, June 25 at 7:00 p.m. Shelaugh Hart, diva of jazz standards with her own improvisations, begins the Jazz at the Station summer series at the Station Museum in Collingwood. Sploink takes over the following Wednesday, July 2, at the same location and time. Expect some interesting renditions of contemporary jazz from Don Buchanan and Jason Hunter, sax, Rob Gasidlo, keyboard, Tyler Wagler, bass and Bruce Campbell, drums.

Another opportunity to hear some good Dixieland jazz free is on Saturday July 5 in Meaford. As part of the art show here, the Regal Jazz Band will get the crowd stompin' at the pavilion from 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

One of our favourite Dixieland jazz bands will be at the Bruce Bar and Grill, Kincardine, on Sunday, July 13. The Howlin' Dog Vintage Jazz Band entertains patrons from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the deck overlooking another great shoreline, that of Lake Huron. The beer is good, too. Keep up with this group at www.howlindogjazz.com

Summer schedule for Lighthouse Swing Band includes Saturday, June 21 at the Community Hall in Bayfield where the big band will play for dancers from 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Also a free concert is slated for Sunday, June 29 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Lions Harbour Park in Goderich.

Haven't listened to the Chantry Centenairs Swing Band yet but we all have an opportunity to don dancing shoes and participate, or just listen to this nine-piece band on Saturday, June 14 at 8:00 p.m. Chantry Centre, 36 Grey Street South, Southampton. Sounds like an evening of fun for $5. Trumpeter Dan Ostler is bringing the band web site up to date; in the meantime, for more information call 519-371-9911

Also in Southampton, Friday Dinner Jazz on June 27 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Walker House is this month's production of Performing Arts of Saugeen Shores. Billed as a Jazz Buffet, the lineup features Stevie Valance, Emmy Award winning vocalist with a dependable backup of Charlie Bell, sax, Mike Grace, bass, John McClelland, keyboard and Stephen James, drums. Reservation recommended 519-797-2772.
For up to date listings of all jazz events in the Grey Bruce area, check out
www.jazzbythebay.com

Please contact me with news of your favourite jazz events in the area. Email to webcrone@gmail.com