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.
