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l.to r. John McLelland,Stevie Valance, Mike Grace at Saugeen Golf and Country Club

Here's my column, Doreen Sezz appearing in September edition of Mosaic Magazine.

This is sort of going to be a cultural cross-over column as although I have previously focussed on the jazz scene around Grey and Bruce, there's sometimes a connection between music and visual arts as well as other cultural connections.

Stevie Vallance, recently moved to Southampton from TO, is definitely a terrific jazz singer and Charlie Bell was quick to coax her into joining his July Friday Night Dinner Jazz at Saugeen Shores Golf Club. Her material is fresh and inventive and the musicians ably accompanied her renditions of hot numbers and sweet ballads.

With Charlie on sax, Andy Harasymczuk, guitar, John McLelland, keyboard, Mike Grace, bass and Stephen James, drums, the music from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm kept most of the listeners happy. There was a table of partygoers, however, who loudly conversed through many of the delightful songs and instrumental pieces with complete disregard for other diners who had come to listen. Gatherings like that, usually of people who have not seen each other for some time, are better off in a venue without quality entertainment. My opinion anyway.

Now the scoop on Stevie's visual art connection: a selection of landscape paintings of the Port Elgin area by Stevie's late aunt, Vivian Kershaw, opened in Southampton Art Gallery on August 1. Kershaw studied under Arthur Lismer, one of the Group of Seven artists well known in this area. We are happy to welcome this talented resident and look forward to hearing more of her. To read more about Stevie, click on www.toonedin.ca

On Saturday, September 13, Chantry Centenairs Swing Band plays for dancers from 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm at Chantry Centre, Southampton.

September brings the Canadian Big Band Celebration three-day weekend at Port Elgin and Southampton. Since 1995 this event has brought us many talented musicians to provide mainstream, rhythm and blues, traditional and jazz standards for dancing as well as five big bands providing continuous music in two sessions.

Beginning with Friday Night Jazz, six locations offer different groups where patrons can listen to a wide range of music on September 19 from 8:30 until midnight. A shuttle bus carries people around to each location. Among the performers are popular singers Carole Warren, Diana Campbell and Beverly Taft. Groups include Razzmatazz, Sploink and Chris Murphy Quartet. Each location and entertainers are listed on the website as well as pickup points for shuttle bus. www.canadianbigband.ca

Saturday, September 20, the big event with five big bands providing dance music at the CAW Assembly Hall, Port Elgin at 1:30 pm for the afternoon session and 7:30 pm for evening. This year, Ontario bands taking part are:

* Timmins All Star Big Band
* Prime Time Big Band from London
* JAZZFM91 Toronto Youth Big Band
* Lighthouse Swing Band from Kincardine
* Stardust Big Band (Host Band), Saugeen Shores

Sunday, September 21, a Jazz Brunch is served at the CAW centre, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm with entertainment by songstress Dinah Christie accompanied by Charlie Bell, sax, John McLelland, keyboard, Mike Grace, bass and Stephen James, drums.

Dozens of sponsors and volunteers make this an affordable feast of music and song along with some pretty good noshes. Tickets may still be available from 519-378-2332 or 1-800-387-3456 or on line at www.canadianbigband.ca

Friday, September 26, Saugeen Shores Dinner Jazz features Don Buchanan on sax and Rob Gasidlo on keyboard. Music from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Elk & Finch Coffee Pub, Southampton.

Saturday, September 27, Howlin'Dog Vintage Jazz Band plays at The Park House, Goderich at 8:30 pm.

As the weather cools down, outdoor events wind down but there are several other restaurants in the area that offer jazz entertainment. Check out www.jazzbythebay.ca

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Here's my column in Mosaic - available in Grey/Bruce

Doreen Sezz:
If you have ever wondered what high school current and retired music teachers do during the summer, you might catch some of them playing gigs around the countryside.

One of a recent Jazz By The Bay concerts boasted no fewer than four of them in one performance when Louis Lefaive & Kings of Swing treated some two hundred jazz fans to a musical evening at the scenic Bayshore Park, Thornbury. Louis teaches music at Elmvale, and his stand-in sidesman for the evening, Mark Hathaway teaches in Innisfil as does bass player John-Allen Bridges. Ken Myer is retired music teacher from Innisfil. Also in the group, Rick Patenaude on drums.

If the quality of music at this concert is any indication, I would have to say our children are in good hands. Mark Hathaway played keyboard and shared vocals while cradling his tenor sax on his knee. Ken Myer, who plays multiple instruments, also played tenor and soprano sax as well as giving a poignant rendition of Swinging Sheppard Blues on flute. Leader of the band, Louis Lefaive, is a favourite of ours and always delivers a hot, stompin' mixture of songs, keyboard and trombone tunes, among them Elephant Walk, Don't Get Around Much Anymore and a Louisiana style, dual keyboard tune that I didn't catch the name of. I'm always amazed at the sounds that emanate from keyboards; Louis made it sound like an old-fashioned squeezebox accordion.

Here's the August lineup for the free Sunday night concerts at the same location, courtesy of Blue Mountain Chamber of Commerce. As at all these outdoor concerts, remember to bring a lawn chair. Refreshments available include Ashanti Coffee, Thornbury's answer to a growing demand for fair trade commodities.

August 3 - Georgian Sound Big Band; great big band sounds
August 10 - Bourbon Street Buskers; Dixieland group of great musicians
August 17 - Bobby Dean Blackburn; a big man with a big sound

Last concert is to be held at Raven Golf Club, Lora Bay;
August 24 - Toronto All Stars Big Band; youngsters playing oldsters music

Blue Mountain Chamber of Commerce make arrangements for inside venues if the weather is inclement. Please call to verify location 519-599-3223. www.bluemountainchamber.ca

August lineup of other events around the area include a new venue in Meaford with a lineup of familiar names to entertain Saturday night diners. Chalce Donica Casual fine Dining is located at 52, Nelson Street West. Music is from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Reservations 519-538-3131.

August 02 - Rob Gasidlo, keyboard, Don Buchanan, sax and clarinet, Leny Boyd on bass.
August 16 - Shelaugh Hart, vocals, Rob Gasidlo, keyboard.
August 30 - Don Buchanan, sax and clarinet, Rob Gasidlo, keyboard.

Jazz at the Station in Collingwood offer free concerts outside the Station Museum on Wednesdays 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Bring a lawn chair. Donations for charity accepted.
August 6 - Lance Anderson B3 Group
August 13 - Carole Warren Quartet
August 20 - Dennis McAndrews Quartet
August 27 - Regal Jazz Band

On August 9 the Chantry Centenairs Swing Band will play for dancers at the Chantry Centre, 36 Grey Street S, Southampton. The nine-piece band plays from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Owen Sound's Chaise Lounge outdoor patio will swing to the sounds of Nura and Stu Steinhart on August 9, and Parsons and Brown on August 16. Entertainment for diners from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Jazz is on the bill as part of Southampton's 150th anniversary on Saturday, August 16 from 12:30 pm to 4:40 pm. The free concert, featuring the Noodle Factory, takes place on stage by the flag beside Lake Huron. Stardust Big Band also plays on August 16 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm as part of Southampton's 150th Anniversary at the Town Hall.

Razzmatazz moves in to the Fairy Lake amphitheatre in Southampton for a free concert on August 3, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Earl Georgas' Alpha Jazz Band plays at the same location 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm on August 31.

If you like to dance the night away, make a date for Friday Dinner Jazz with Stardust Big Band at the Lakeshore Raquet Club, Port Elgin on August 29 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Buffet dining listening to vocals by Rebecca Bowman and Ernie Duff. Passes $10 available at Cathy's Flowers 'n Treasures, Port Elgin 519-832-6362 or Bayberry's Flowers, Southampton 519-797-9945. Full buffet dinner served $24.25 and reservations recommended 519-832-9029 or 519-832-9027.

The jazz duo, Karen McCulloch and Jan Menkel are entertaining in the Bruce Peninsula this month at two different locations. August 9 this easy listening couple can be heard at Mermaid Secret Restaurant, Tobermory, 6:00 pm to 9:30 p.m. Reservations 519-596-8455. On August 10, folks can hear them 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Earth Bound Gardens, Red Bay. Directions 519-534-2483.

If you are in the Kincardine area, first week of August is jazz week for the Kincardine Summer Music Festival. Notable jazz vocalists, Carol Welsman and Heather Bambrick are on the bill. Full schedule at www.ksmf.ca

Wind up the month on August 31 with a free concert 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm at Fairy Lake, Southampton listening to the famous Earl Georgas' Alpha Jazz Band

Earl, whose Pork & Jam pig roast was held at Sauble Beach for the 40th year in July, sat in with the band at my birthday party last month during an afternoon of jazz standards and other favourites. This was the ninth year for our jam session with Rob Lowe's sax as he led the trio that included Cornelius Klamer, keyboard and Sam Howie, drums. Fourth member of Rob's quartet, Murray Logan, bass, is recuperating in hospital and we wish him a speedy recovery. Other musicians who dropped by to join in were Charlie Bell, sax, Pete Rissi, trombone, Jack McFadden, bass and Shelaugh Hart sang in her special way.


For a full and up to date listing, go to www.jazzbythebay.ca.

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