Ottawa Bluesfest Opening night.. Smoking!
Crossing the Eddy bridge, approaching the festival, I saw smoke rising from the City Stage. It was appropriate. We are under a heat advisory. It‘s early evening, yet it’s still 37 degrees with the humidity. Wow! Photo Credit : Christophe ...
Shari Ulrich album release, June 18 at the Centennial Theatre, ...
I start this with a disclaimer. I know Shari Ulrich. I adore Shari Ulrich. We are kindred spirits in many ways. And though I haven’t known her for that long, I feel like I’ve known her forever. I suspect many ...
Downchild Blues Band 50th Anniversary Party at the Toronto Jazz ...
L.to R.: Paul Shaffer, Donny Walsh, Mike Fitzpatrick, Chuck Jackson, Dan Aykroyd, Gary Kendall, Pat Carey “What a great night to be playin’ the blues, eh?” ~ Chuck Jackson The stained alleyways and decrepit staircases that germinated the talent and ...
Oh Susanna – June 7 at the Longboat Hall in ...
I was fortunate enough to catch Oh Susanna (Suzie Ungerleider) at the Longboat Hall in Toronto on Friday, June 7. It was a very special concert as it marked the 20th anniversary of her debut full-length album Johnston, which was ...
Steve Poltz – Shine On (album and concert review)
I always seem to get nervous when I meet an artist. I presume it’s because I’m in total awe of their ability to create a work of art right in front of my eyes. However, whenever I get the chance ...
Suzie Vinnick – May 17 at the Anza Club, Vancouver
If the world was fair and just Suzie Vinnick would not be a “Canadian treasure.” She would not be known for winning the Canadian Maple Blues Award ten times, or for receiving dozens of other Canadian music nominations and awards. ...
The Ottawa Grassroots Festival – Apr. 25-28
If ever there was a music festival that deserved the moniker “grassroots” it would be the Ottawa Grassroots Festival. It is run by a dedicated group of volunteers who share a common love of local homegrown folk music. Southminister United ...
Toronto’s unsung musical heroes pay tribute to Pete Otis
The avenue known as The Danforth has become the nexus of east-end Toronto’s musical culture and heritage, and the Black Swan Tavern has evolved into its unlikely headquarters, thanks primarily to a series of tribute shows held there over ...
Donovan Woods – March 28 at the Rio Theatre, Vancouver
Only once in my life did I vote for a U.S. president that won. Not once have I ever voted for any record to win “best something” and seen that album win. Until this year. The album in question ...
Titans of Toronto Reggae – Mar. 2 at the Opera ...
In the late 60s, thanks to the addition of a provision to the Immigration Act by Mr. Trudeau senior, Jamaican-born workers and professionals who had already emigrated to Toronto were able to invite their families to join them in Canada. ...