April 2010 www.torontobluessociety.com Published by the TORON T O BLUES SOCIE T Y since 1985 [email protected] Vol 26, No 4 Jesse Whiteley and the 24th Street Wailers play The Toronto Blues Society's 25th Anniversary Party along with Harrison Kennedy, Fathead and more at the Gladstone Hotel on Friday May 28 CANADIAN PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #40011871 Harmonica Special Issue Tate's Vintage Gallery Raoul and the Big Time John’s Blues Picks David Rotundo Event Listings & more TORON T O BLUES SOCIE T Y Upcoming TBS Events 910 Queen St. W. Ste. B04 Toronto, Canada M6J 1G6 WHAT: TBS 25th Anniversary Party Tel (416) 538-3885 WHERE: Gladstone Hotel, Toll-free 1-866-871-9457 1214 Queen Street W., Toronto, Toronto Email: [email protected] Website: www.torontobluessociety.com WHEN: Friday, May 28th, 7pm MapleBlues is published monthly by the Toronto WHO: Harrison Kennedy, 24th Street Wailers, Blues Society ISSN 0827-0597 FATHEAD and much more 2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Derek Andrews (President), Jon Arnold (Executive), Lucie Dufault, Sharon Evans, Muchas Gracias Sarah French, Shar Grace, Michael Malone New Members: Patricia McCully, Sharen Werk, Brian Cober, John Miller, (Treasurer), Ed Parsons (Executive), Norman Alan Munn and Karen Somerville, Greg Redford, Alan Munn & Karen J. Robinson, Paul Sanderson, Mike Smith Somerville, Ian & Ina Kavanagh, Brenda Hilt, Alan MacDougall (Executive), John Valenteyn (Executive), Musicians Advisory Council: Lance Anderson, Renewing Members: Ed Torres-Skyword /Torres Aviation Inc; Peter Brian Blain, Gary Kendall, Al Lerman, Lily Sidgwick, Paul Sanderson, Richard Flohil,Paul & Lee McKinlay, Richard Berry, Sazz, Mark Stafford, Suzie Vinnick Don Duffy, Christine Boving, Donald Leinbach, Brian Hawryluk, Rein Rutnik, Razie Brownstone, Arnie Brownstone, John Elson, Glen Filazek, Stephen Douglas, Executive Committee: Derek Andrews, Manfred Wewers, Paul & Lee McKinlay, Roger Ferry, Miguel Petrucci, James Jon Arnold, Michael Malone, Ed Parsons, Tangney, Mako Funasaka, Frank & Susan Warnica, Larry Hershfield, Robert M. Mike Smith, John Valenteyn Coulter, Bill Haverlock, James Doran/Choose the Blues Productions Volunteer Committee: Ed Parsons, Sharon Evans Many Thanks to Ed Parsons, Cate Stoker, Alex Petrie, Geoff Virag and Sharon Evans for helping out at the March Event. Apologies to John Mackintosh & Karen Membership Services Coordinator: Rick Battiston Buck Mackintosh for name errors printed in the March 2010 "Muchas Gracias" . Office and Event Coordinator: Jordan Safer Grants Officer: Barbara Isherwood Sponsorship Coordinator: Dougal Bichan Webmistress: Lily Sazz Andrew Galloway / Electro-Fi Larry Kurtz / Orangeville PICCILINO Barry A. Edson LLB Blues and Jazz Festival Porquis Blues Society Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Derek Andrews Beaches Jazz Festival Larry and Barbara Large Psychedome Studios/William Managing Editor: Brian Blain Brian David Johnston Lavigne Tavern A. Miller Bruce Hall / Grand River Blues Society Linus Entertainmement/True Wayne "Son" Roberts (Son Contributing Editors: John Valenteyn, Dana R.Clarence North Records Roberts Band) Lily Sazz, Gary Tate Delta Chelsea Hotel Limestone City Blues Festival Ross Robinson Distribution: Ed Parsons, Rick Battiston Dickenson Group Long & McQuade Cathy Sedlmaier Advertising: Dougal & Co. Doctor Terry Kananagh Lou Dawg's Southern Peter Sidgwick Dr. Scott Peaker Sandwiches Saturday Night Blues Tel 416-645-0295 Ed Torres [SKYWORDS] Michael Malone Silver Dollar Room email [email protected] Emerald Audio Resources Ltd Music By The Bay Live Sky Restaurant & Cocktail James Doran / Choose the Myron J. Wolfe Lounge Printing: UCC Press (416) 545-0277 Blues Productions NorthernBlues Music Stony Plain Records The Toronto Blues Society gratefully acknowledges the Joan M. Hill Palais Royale/Sockman The New Mynah Birds/Les financial support of the following agencies Jeffrey A. Barkin Pete Otis Music Hoffman Michael Kalmar-The Old Mill Inn Peter “SAB” Sabourin Wilson Music Services The Toronto Blues Society is a member of Ministry of Culture The Toronto Blues Society is committed to the principles of the Personal Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in safeguarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. CANADIAN PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #40011871 Return undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Toronto Blues Society, 910 Queen St. W. Ste. B04, Toronto, Canada M6J 1G6 Cultural Careers Council Ontario and Human Email: [email protected] Resources Development Canada 2 MapleBlues April 2010 Little Walter Remembered Raoul and The Big Time, Chris Whiteley, Doctor Nick, Mark “Bird” Stafford, Mike “Shrimp Daddy” Reid & Tortoise Blue release a tribute CD to Little Walter on May 1st at the Silver Dollar Room. It was on January 5, 2008 that highly- regarded harmonica sleuth Raoul Bhaneja and front man for the Maple Blues Award- winning blues band Raoul and The Big Time hosted a special tribute at the Silver Dollar Room celebrating the life of harmonica genius Little Walter. Everyone who witnessed that torrid night of super- charged Chicago blues has it etched in their memory. Numerous players from across Southern Ontario--and beyond-- beat a path to that stage to commemorate The Father Of Modern Blues Harmonica. Now that excitement is about to be duplicated Saturday May 1st at the Silver Dollar . It’s a double treat for blues fans - May 1st would have been Little Walter’s 80th birthday, Little Walter, the pioneer and undisputed master of the amplified harmonica in blues will be celebrated at the making it a natural occasion for a Blues all- Silver Dollar Room on Saturday, May 1st - what would have been his 80th birthday. This event also marks the star entertainment extravaganza in his honour. release of a live CD of the first Little Walter Tribute held in January 2008. The show will feature a who's who of Also mark May 1st down as the official local harpmeisters including Doctor Nick, Chris Whiteley, Mike "Shrimp Daddy" Reid, Tortoise Blue, Mark "Bird" Stafford and Raoul Bhaneja whose band, The Big Time, will provide the back up. CD release party of that live January 5, 2008 Little Walter tribute show. It all got captured right in the heat of the moment. “Blue Midnight” is a stunning testament to the enduring spirit of Little Walter (see John Valenteyn’s CD review). A generous portion of the proceeds from sales of this CD will be donated to the TBS Blues In Schools Programme which benefits students and musicians alike. Little Walter Jacobs continues to have a profound influence; his technique is studied by both budding and experienced players. By running a harmonica through an amplifier Little Walter forever changed the sound of the Blues and helped invent Rock & Roll. Commemorating the Master is something that unites the entire harmonica fraternity, so when the 40th anniversary of his death coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Silver Dollar a celebration was in order. Raoul deserves a round of applause for helping ensure that evening was recorded for posterity, and for his tenacity in seeing that project through to fruition. Now he’ll be playing a leading role in organizing the May 1 festivities too. In Raoul’s words Little Walter’s significance was singular: “Little Walter has influenced almost every blues harmonica player since the 1940s and I thought it was time that Toronto took a moment to acknowledge and celebrate cont’d on page 6 MapleBlues April 2010 3 RACHELLE VAN Z ?? JOHN HAMMOND??? SUE FOLEY?? ROXANNE??? Low Fidelity by Treasa Levasseur. Other blues and Spirited Celebration of a True Renaissance albums recognized were Slide to Freedom 2: Man! The night will focus predominantly on Make a Better World by Doug Cox & Salil his musical life, but also features theatre, film, Bhatt in the World Music Album Of The Year magic, and sport. This memorial celebration category and We Are by Digging Roots in the is offered as a testament to the creative gifts Aboriginal Album Of The Year category. Paul gave to his audiences, friends, and family. He's Baaaack! Get ready for the Max New Blues Fest: There is a new Blues Artists on stage will include: Porkbelly Futures Attack as Johnny Max returns to the radio Festival starting out in Toronto, The CNE (redux... with Teddy Leonard, PBF producer airwaves starting Sunday April 4th on The Bandshell Bluesfest will be on Saturday Aug David Gray, and Megan Worthy), Bidiniband HAZE FM, Sunday mornings from 11AM- 21st at The Bandshell and will be the only Blues (performing a new tune written by Dave Bidini, 1PM (EDT) and on www.thehaze.ca . Johnny Festival in Toronto in August. There will be inspired by Paul’s poem "In the Rock Hall"), says, "Sunday Morning Soul will, again, be deals to be had for groups that would like to Soul Stew (which includes David Gray and 'Playing The Music That Radio Forgot', the best come on out to the EX and enjoy a day of great Paul’s longtime friend and musical colleague, in Blues, Roots, Soul and R&B music from only music, BBQ and of course, The EX! Roberto Occhipinti), Dan Hill (also performing the finest artists. New music when it’s ready. We a new song written for Paul, called "It Just New Blues Society: Blues aficionados in the plan on having more in studio live music and Hasn’t Hit Me Yet"), Jim Cuddy, Joe Hall, west end are starting a Mississauga Blues & some great interviews with all who are coming Anne Lindsay, and Melanie Doane. Barbara Roots Association this spring. The Association through on tours." There will also be a repeat of Budd will MC. Other entertainment will will be started as a Not for Profit Association Sunday Morning Soul every Wednesday from include: Baldini the magician, scenes adapted with a board of directors and will be responsible 10PM – Midnight (EDT) from Quarrington’s literary and stage work, an for promoting Blues & Roots Music throughout announcement by Dave Bidini about a new the community by putting on shows in the sports writing award in Paul’s name, and game Mississauga area.