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Upcoming Blues and Jazz Performances
Daylight Savings Time is now in effect and spring is only a few days away. Pretty soon winter will be nothing more than a chilly memory and we'll be counting down the days until the start of the 11th Annual Orangeville Bluesand Jazz Festival.
In the meantime here are a few recommendations for great live music:
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Monday Night at the Movies - April 22, 2013
On April 22, 2013 the annual Monday Night at the Movies event will take place at Galaxy Theatres, Orangeville.
This year's event will feature the fantastic film Searching for Sugar Man - the astonishing story of two South African men's search for their favourite 1970s folk rock hero: Sixto Rodriguez.
The screening will be preceeded by a live performance from the Fraser/Daley Duo. The doors open at 6:30pm
Tickets are $15 per person and are available at BookLore or by contacting the Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival Office at 519.941.9041.
This is going to be another great event and we look forward to seeing you there. |
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It was another tremendous success, highlighted by exceptional performances by The Jazz Society Septet; featuring Ryan Grist and by Larry and the Lawbreakers; featuring Larry Kurtz with James Anthony, Douglas Watson, Mike Fitzpatrick, Ted Gerber and Jim Bruton.
We would like to extend a sincere thank-you to the volunteers who helped to organize and run the event and to everyone who attended to show their support for the Festival.
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Back in the Top 100 for a 3rd Straight Year
 For the third year in a row, the Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival has earned the distinction of being recognized as one of Ontario's Top 100 Festivals by Festivals & Events Ontario (FEO).
Each year, FEO recognizes and celebrates Ontario's many top-notch festivals and events via its Top 100 Ontario Festivals program.
The Top 100 designation carries the highest visibility of all of FEO's awards programs.
This achievement is reflective of the ongoing level of support the Festival receives from local government and businesses. It is also a testament to the tireless efforts of a growing army of volunteers, that allow the Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival to flourish and improve each year, and the generous support of the Festival's many sponsors.
It is noteworthy that being named to the Top 100 Ontario Festivals for 2013 places the Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival in the same company as many much larger events, including: the Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle Blues & Jazz Festival in Mississauga, the TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, the Rogers Cup and Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest.
Not to shabby for an event run by a gang of small-town volunteers!!
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2013 Maple Blues Awards Results
 Internationally renowned Canadian Blues Artists from Coast-to-Coast were honoured by their peers at the 16th Annual Maple Blues Awards gala in Toronto on January 20, 2013 as a sold out crowd of blues lovers gathered to celebrate Canadian blues at Koerner Hall.
Ottawa's MonkeyJunk and its members took home three awards, including, Electric Act of the Year, Harmonic Player of the Year (Steve Marriner) and Drummer of the Year (Matt Sobb).
Hamilton guitar slinger Steve Strongman also received three awards including Songwriter of the Year, Recording of the Year for his recent release "A Natural Fact" and Guitar Player of the Year.
Now based in Toronto, Saskatoon native Suzie Vinnick won awards for Acoustic Act of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year.
Nova Scotia's Matt Minglewood was honoured with the Blues With a Feeling (Lifetime Achievement Award). Minglewood's extensive career as a blues performer, spanning nearly four decades, makes him widely considered to be a Canadian music icon.
John Valenteyn, a founding member and tireless volunteer of the Toronto Blues Society received the Blues Booster of the Year award, a very special Maple Blues Award honouring outstanding contribution to the Canadian blues music industry, presented by internationally recognized blues artist and Maple Blues Award winner Shakura S'aida and former Toronto Blues society vice president, "Blues Doctor" Julie Hill.
Mrs. Laureen Harper wife of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, alongside blues guitarist Jack de Keyzer, presented the awards for Harmonica Player of the Year to Steve Marriner and Horn Player of the Year to Jon Wong.
Hosted by Raoul Bhaneja, a Toronto actor and musician most noted for his work performing Shakespeare's Hamlet solo and his blues band Raoul and the Big Time, the Maple Blues Awards included outstanding performances from Maple Blues Award nominees past and present, including: Matt Minglewood, Nanette Workman, Carlos del Junco, Harrison Kennedy, Suzie Vinnick, Steve Strongman and The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer, all backed by The Maple Blues Band.
Below are the winners of the 16th Annual Maple Blues Awards. Congratulations to all the nominees and especially the winners.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: Colin James
ELECTRIC ACT OF THE YEAR: MonkeyJunk
ACOUSTIC ACT OF THE YEAR: Suzie Vinnick
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Matt Andersen
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Suzie Vinnick
NEW ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR: Steve Kozak
RECORDING OF THE YEAR: "A Natural Fact" Steve Strongman, Producer Rob Szabo
BLUES WITH A FEELING (Lifetime Achievement): Matt Minglewood
BB KING INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Tedeschi Trucks Band
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Steve Strongman
HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Steve Marriner
PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR: David Vest
HORN PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jon Wong
DRUMMER OF THE YEAR: Matt Sobb
BASSIST OF THE YEAR: Gary Kendall
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR: Steve Strongman
BLUES BOOSTER OF THE YEAR: John Valenteyn |
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2013 Blues Summit at the Delta Chelsea Hotel, by: Norma Bailey
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Norma & Larry with Liz Temple & Claude Cloutier of the Kitchener Blues Festival |
Larry and I attended the Blues Summit as delegates, this past January. Every other year, the Blues Community comes together for the purpose of showcasing new artists, networking, information sharing, and promoting the blues as an art form.
Blues Societies from all over North America attended, as well as delegates from France, and we had the opportunity to have dinner together, meet everyone, highlight concerns and struggles we share in common as organizers.
During the evenings, we were kept busy trying to catch a part of each showcase performance at the different venues. These were definitely the highlights of the conference, as the various artists had a chance to really strut their stuff and were approachable for a chat or drink afterwards.
The Montreal and Ottawa Blues Societies had booked a large private suite at the hotel, so that they could bring in specific acts that they wanted to promote. Luckily, we were invited and able to get up close to see some of these exciting and creative young artists. At one point, Steve Hill, a one man blues wonder from Montreal, grabbed his acoustic guitar, stood up on the hotel coffee table and began stomping his feet in time to some great blues rhythms. We all just stood in wonder.
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Larry with Toronto Blues Society President Derek Andrews |
Other showcase highlights included getting to see the Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer from B.C. play their original blues creations with their amazing percussion and talk with them about how they got their band name.
It was heartening to see that blues music continues to evolve in the hands of the younger generation, as evidenced by the performances of Irene Torres and the Sugar Devils, Jon Knight and Soulstack, 24th Street Wailers, and Digging Roots, who did an Aboriginal take on the blues. Cecile Doo-Kingue, now from Montreal but originally from Africa, delighted the audience with her electrifying guitar licks and "creative percussion", she actually turned her butt cheeks to the audience and began to play them like a set of congas for a solid minute, it was quite mesmerizing!
The keynote speaker was Dr. Holger Peterson, President of Stony Plain Records, and host of Saturday Night Blues on CBC radio, whose passion for the blues and the artists who play the music shone through in his inspiring address to the blues community. During the conference he could often be seen in the company of the 24 Street Wailers, a group of busy young musicians whom he had obvious admiration for.
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Larry with Jerome Godboo |
Later that morning, all the festival organizers attended a "speed pitch". Various artists had 3 minutes to meet and greet festival organizers, and promote themselves. We met 25 different artists; veterans and newcomers alike. This was a little unnerving for the artists who all did their best with what time they had to put a face to a name.
At one point, Jerome Godboo, an Orangeville favorite, took up the lotus position on the floor against the nearest wall to take a meditation break...I guess it was all too much. We heard the stories from the artists themselves, and were reminded of how much, in some cases, they have to give up in order to play the music that they love so much. Could you make it driving to gig across the prairies with 3 shirts and not stop once to eat out at a restaurant?
Concluding the showcase was the celebration of the Maple Blues Awards at the elegant Koerner Hall; an upgrade from past venues. We especially enjoyed the performance given by Carlos del Junco on the harmonica that night, and Steve Strongman was a definite standout. As we gathered at the after party for drinks and conversation, we felt grateful to be a part of the blues community and we couldn't help feeling it was all over too soon.
~ Norma Bailey |
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Venue Review: The Jazz Bistro, by: Bill King
 It seems like an eternity since Toronto has had a world class jazz club. Kudos to Sybil Walker, Colin and Joan Hunter for staking so much in the sumptuous renovation of the Senator.
You'll remember Sybil for her dedicated years keeping The Top of the Senator a going concern. I had one of those cherished seats for Betty Carter, Shirley Horn, Branford Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Jane Monheit, Jamie Cullun, Marcus Roberts, Christian McBride, Russell Malone, Diana Krall, an endless list of "A League" performers.
The renovations have given the Jazz Bistro an observers point from above where Senator jazz played nightly. Moving the music to street level gives the Bistro an airy spacious feel far different from the cramped setting of the original room. The upstairs bar has been moved to the front of room with plenty space to retire with company and enjoy music and conversation without interfering with happenings below.
The room is warm and welcoming - a place that feels familiar.
The red and black Steinway (Red Pop) is most appealing. Joan Hunter picked the piano as the centerpiece and made a magnificent choice. The piano is eye popping in stature and a feast for the ears.
At the preliminary launch of Toronto Jazz Festival pianist Joe Sealy put the piano to the test. Normally, these kind of background gigs beg one to play filler but Joe wrapped himself in the elegant instrument and played as if preparing for his next recording.
Location is everything. With the return of the big Mirvish shows Walker and company can be assured of the overflow - before and after theatre patrons.
Ms. Walker has assured the programming will be much broader encompassing blues and beyond. From this vantage point that's a savvy move.
Jazz venues come and go and times dictate both the financial stability and relevance of an establishment. The determining factor in the success or failure of the Jazz Bistro with be innovative programming, the food, comfort and loyalty of those who cry endlessly about the city's unwillingness to support a world class jazz venue.
I will make a prediction for the Jazz Bistro: a big win for jazz fans and long robust future ahead!
~ Bill King |
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Follow us on Facebook & YouTube
If you are not already aware, the Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival is on Facebook, and  you are invited to join us and stay up to date with the latest photos, videos and upcoming events.
And now you can also find us on our YouTube Channel, where you can enjoy dozens of performance videos from past Festivals. You may even see yourself in the vids.  In the meantime, we would like to thank you for your interest in (and support of) our Festival. |
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