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.

Another big band dance was enjoyed by about five hundred people in Owen Sound recently when the Artie Shaw Band played at the Bayshore Centre. This, the second year Macarmill Productions has brought in big dance bands, was not as well attended as last year's event when the Glenn Miller Orchestra kept almost a thousand attendees swinging and swaying in the cavernous arena.

Some opined that the event was too crowded last year, with lineups for food and drink, together with no reserved seating given as reasons many did not attend this year's big dance. Promoters, however, had fixed many birth pang problems and few beefs were heard at this year's nostalgic glimpse of another time for some of us.

Opening band warmup pleased the crowd; applauding after each dance. Local group Parsons & Brown and friends got the evening off to a good start with creative renditions of standards played by Fred Parsons, keyboard, Dave Brown, drums, Pete Rissi, trombone and Dave McGrath, trumpet.

All seats were reserved, a welcome change avoiding last year's long lineup at the entrance. Food service was excellent and offered many delightful morsels from four different local food purveyors. With curries and caesar salad, cream puffs and carrot cake, dancers recharged their energies swiftly and satisfyingly.

July begins a veritable cornucopia of outdoor jazz events beginning with our favourite Jazz By The Bay Sunday concerts beside Georgian Bay in Thornbury. We often meet friends to enjoy a picnic in the Bayview Park, then settle down, with several hundred others who bring lawn chairs, and listen to this popular series from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Here's the lineup:

July 6 The Encore Band
July 13 Louis Lefaive and the Kings of Swing
July 20 Howlin' Dog Vintage Jazz Band
July 27 Return Trip "Tribute to the Sixties"
August 3 Georgian Sound Big Band

Thanks to Blue Mountain Chamber of Commerce for staging these free concerts as well as maintaining a web site listing area jazz events at http://www.jazzbythebay.ca

Owen Sound has great happenings in various locations including Quattro+one at the city's Great Garage Sale in front of city hall, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on July 5. Another free concert is on July 27 at 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm beside the Marine Museum on 1st Avenue West. Billed as Parsons & Brown meets Hoplgate & Menkal the concert is part of a Harbour Lights Series.

The scenic city also is the locale for the 146th annual Emancipation Celebration Festival weekend, a three day event to remember those who travelled the Underground Railway from slavery to freedom. Music ranges from soul, r & b, jazz and gospel. Friday, August 1st at 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Grey Roots Museum; Saturday, August 2nd 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Harrrison Park and Sunday, August 3rd at 11:00 am to 1:30 pm at British Methodist Episcopalian Church.

Much more on this event taking place in Owen Sound, the Underground Railway's most northerly safe haven for escaped slaves, can be seen on http://www.osblackhistory.com and http://www.greyroots.com

Collingwood's free concerts begin in July with Jazz at the Station on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. First one on July 2 is at The Station Museum, all the others are scheduled for the Collingwood Museum. Bring a lawn chair.

July 2 Sploink
July 9 Fig Leaf Jazz Band
July 16 Johannes Linstead Group
July 12 Russ Strathdee Band
July 30 Take 3+1

Performing Arts of Saugeen Shores offering this month for Friday Dinner Jazz is on July 25, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Saugeen Golf and Country Club's Terrace Restaurant, Port Elgin is the place with Charlie Bell, Mike Grace and Friends entertaining diners with a Feast of Standards. $10 Pass Tickets are available at Cathy's Fflowers & Treasures, Port Elgin 519-832-6362 and Bayberry's Flowers, Southampton 519-797-9945. Restaurant reservations for dinner 519-389-4514.

Also in Port Elgin on July 27, Stardust Big Band offers a free concert 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Emmet McGreath Bandshell.

Dunsmoor Park in Kincardine is the scene for a Lighthouse Swing Band free concert on July 30 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

Lighthouse Swing Band is also part of Jazz in the Park summer series at Wasaga Beach. The free concerts are on Tuesdays from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm with the musicians in the gazebo beside the Rec Plex on Moseley Street.

July 8 Ragweed Jazz Band
July 15 Georgian Sound Big Band
July 22 Sandy Faux Quintet
July 29 Lighthouse Swing Band

As the number of jazz venues expand to include several restaurants, it's best to check often for the full lineup as well as other information at http://www.jazzbythebay.ca . Or, for a free newsletter, send an email to tomlewis@jazzbythebay.ca

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

There's much excitement this month among jazz fans as The Artie Shaw Orchestra blows into Owen Sound for a one night gig at Bayshore Community Centre. If you haven't yet got your tickets for the May 23 blast, betty hurry.

Our old friends, Fred Parsons on keyboard and Dave Brown on drums are opening the evening promising a session with some home grown music. Parsons & Brown are joined on this occasion by Pete Rissi, trombone, Wayne McGrath, trumpet and Paul Danard, guitar.

This dance the night away echoes last year's swish bash with the Glen Miller Orchestra, brought here by the same group; Macarmill Productions, a trio of bods you may know,Greg Macivor, Dave Carr and Barry Hamill. Charity chosen this year is Grey Bruce Regional Health Centre Foundation. Tickets from the Bayshore box office or on line at www.attackhockey.com.

Owen Sound's Roxy Theatre will also echo to big band music when Jerry White and his Gentlemen of Swing entertain on May 3. Tickets and info www.roxytheatre.ca

The Owen Sound jazz scene was pretty thin a few years ago when one lone restaurant in town offered weekly jazz entertainment. Today that restaurant has switched to other music genres. A downtown jazz bar tried and failed to draw enough customers. And an ownership change led to diminished smooth jazz gigs at a hotel restaurant.

Today, among some locations offering jazz, a local eatery showcased diverse jazz talent to entertain the Saturday night diners. Keyboard virtuoso Rob Gasidlo, anchors the ongoing program drawing sellout crowds at Chaise Lounge. And he brings some excellent musicians to the weekly gig.

In April it was standing room only when Chesley diva Carole Warren, husband Steve Kennedy, soprano sax, Don Buchanan, tenor sax and Rob on keyboard wowed the fans. Shelaugh Hart swooped in for another gig from Barrie to deliver a warm and friendly mix of smooth and zingy vocals. We're always delighted to listen to Charlie Bell on sax with songstress Rebecca Bowman and more so when Mike Grace sits in with his soprano sax.

Here's Rob's May lineup of jazz to entertain diners from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Chaise Lounge:
May 3 - Nura(Diane Campbell) and Stu Steinhart. Nura sings and drums to stir the senses while Stu makes awesome music on his six-string guitar.
May 10 - Carole Warren sings and Rob is on keyboard. Carole's email handle says it all 'skylark'.
May 17 - Andy Burgess on guitar and Rob Gasidlo on keyboard in a Jazz/Rock Collision. Sounds intriguing! Rob says they'll play "everything from Miles Davis to ZZ Top!"
May 25 - Nura with Rob offering some great standards.

We've dined at the new eatery Sweetwater, part of the Cobble Beach golf complex on shore of Georgian Bay north of Owen Sound. Roads are a bit rough yet as snow had only just diminished when we were there. A regular Friday night jazz entertainment is slated for diners, from 5:30 p.m. until 9!

We heard a duo featured in Barrie's February Blues Festival, Robin Rich, super jazz pianist from Durham and a topnotch singer she brought with her has a voice range and repertoire of a long time professional which indeed she is. Christine Frolick is classically trained and moved to Barrie from Toronto. Their loss; our gain.

The following Friday another favourite made our meal memorable. Keyboard/singer entertainer Bobby Dean Blackburn cajoled one of his talented sons to briefly leave the big city and join Dad for a gig. Brooke Blackburn plays diverse licks on a guitar and his ingenuity surfaced when Bobby Dean's keyboard transformer broke down and Brooke performed solo while an ancient upright piano was hurried into service. His guitar was quickly tuned to match piano and the sometimes rollicky evening proceeded with hardly a hitch.
http://cobblebeachgolflinks.com/sweetwater.php

If you're hankering for Dixieland Jazz you can get your fill on May 31 when six-piece Howlin' Dog Vintage Jazz Band entertains from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. at Park House Tavern & Eatery in Goderich. Reservations 519-524-4968

Sploink is on the bill for the kickoff Saugeen Shores' Friday Dinner Jazz on May 30 at the Queen's Bar & Grill, Port Elgin. This group has a special approach to jazz standards and features Don Buchanan and Jason Hunter, saxophones, Rob Gasidlo, keyboard, Tyler Wagler, bass and Bruce Campbell, drums.

For up to date listings of jazz events in the area check out www.jazzbythebay.ca

Musicians l to r: Brooke on guitar, Cory on drums, with their father, Bobby Dean Blackburn

The recent launch of a new edition of Northern Terminus:The African-Canadian History Journal packed a theatre at four-year-old Grey Roots Museum and Archives, located on the outskirts of Owen Sound.

The fifth edition, the largest yet at 67 pages, details a cycling tour taken last year by some 17 riders from Mobile, Alabama to Owen Sound in celebration of those who mostly trekked the distance, escaping slavery by way of the Underground Railroad. Also in the spiral-bound volume are contributions from interviews with descendants of slaves who settled here as well as an extensive bibliography.

Designer of Black History Cairn at Harrison Park Bonita Johnson de Matteis read an excerpt from her book Going North: The story of Geraldine's Great Great Grandfather. The charming book geared to readers of all ages is published by Ginger Press, Owen Sound.

Local musician Bobby Dean Blackburn entertained at the keyboard while refreshments were served. Joining him from Toronto, two of his sons contributed to some hot jazz. Brooke, 44, on guitar and Cory, 30, on drums. Blackburn Sr, who lives in Stokes Bay said his grandmother had sung in the choir at the BME church, Owen Sound. His regular gig at Tamarac Island Hotel on Sunday afternoon, as well as other dates at restaurants in Grey and Bruce, keep the personable entertainer busy in his semi-retirement.

Visitors to the free event included local members of Ontario Genealogical Society. The date coincided with their February meeting.

Sales from all journal editions, at $10 each, go to support the 7th Annual Black History Event on April 26 at Durham Arena and Community Centre. Grey County Archives, West Grey Chamber of Commerce and Bruce Grey Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society combined to present the all day program. Agenda includes the relating of a true story of Thornton and Lucie Blackburn, who made their way to Canada in the early 1830s, by archaeologist historian, Dr.Karolyn Frost.

For more information check the website www.greyroots.com or call 519-376-3690

My favourite song is A Foggy Day In London and musician friends often include this standard in their playlist when I am out front. Here's a sweet rendition you might like to listen to while you browse this first post.

Something Elwy Yost whispered to me during a boring rubber chicken dinner seems apropos. He said "what did the the earwig say as he fell off the wall?" The former TVO personality didn't wait for me to reply; chuckling he whispered "'ere we go!"

And so, my friends, 'ere we go again with my rejuvenated jazz column on its own blog page. Maybe signs of spring have also revived everyone's spirits and we can exchange some upbeat updates to share among jazz addicts.

Let's try to get as much info as we can on line - as well as into print with the support of Mosaic publisher Vi Bland, a free arts magazine covering Grey and Bruce counties.

Orchestrating jazz events? Here's what you do: email dates and copy to me - webcrone@gmail.com - before the deadline for the month to appear. Deadline? You may ask? That's before the 11th of the previous month! Of course, advertising has a bit more leeway - email copy to mosaic@bmts.com

It's been a long, cold, snowy winter here in Ontario, but the good news on the jazz scene, although taking some years to develop, is the genre is spreading.
And spread more it must to have our local musicians incorporated solidly into the fabric of our communities.

There is some light at the end of the downbeat. Progress due, in large part, to Tom Lewis and his diligent recording of happenings and distribution of a free emailed newsletter as well as his weekly newspaper column, Jazz Beat.

Tom's incredible resource of years addicted to jazz is hardly allowed ink in his Thursday wrap-up, thanks to editors at the Owen Sound Sun Times, and the largely obtuse attitude of staffer Bill Henry. Not that I fault Bill entirely as he is charged with covering ALL music in the readership area and jazz coverage in the newspaper is certainly better these days.

The local jazz scene was pretty thin a few years ago when one lone restaurant in town offered weekly jazz entertainment. Today that restaurant has switched to other music genres. A downtown jazz bar tried and failed to draw enough customers. An ownership change led to diminished smooth jazz gigs at a hotel restaurant.

Today, among several locations offering jazz for more than a year, is a local eatery showcasing jazz talent to entertain the Saturday night diners.. Rob Gasidlo, on keyboard, anchors the ongoing program drawing sellout crowds at Chaise Lounge, Owen Sound and he brings some excellent musicians to the weekly gig.

Recently it was standing room only when Chesley diva Carole Warren, husband Steve Kennedy, soprano sax, Don Buchanan, tenor sax and Rob on keyboard wowed the fans. Shelaugh Hart swooped in next from Barrie to deliver a mix of smooth and zingy vocals. Check out this and other events in the area at www.jazzbythebay.com