Odds and sods from the Toronto blues community and beyond.

• Loose Blues News – April 2018 April 8, 2018 Here Come The Festivals: There’s still snow on the ground but festival announcements are starting to flow and the first out of the gate is Orangeville. The 16th Annual Orangeville Blues & Jazz festival takes place June 1st – 3rd 2018. Starting on Friday night on the Royal LePage Main Stage is Larry Kurtz & The ...
• Loose Blues News – March 2018 March 2, 2018 JUNO Nominees: The JUNO Awards have announced their 2018 nominees. The selections for Blues Album of the Year are: Time to Roll, MonkeyJunk; No Time Like Now, Steve Strongman; Big City, Back Country Blues, Williams, Wayne and Isaak; Better the Devil You Know, Big Dave McLean and Something I’ve Done, Downchild. The winners will be announced ...
• Loose Blues News – February 2018 February 1, 2018 Winter Blues Festivals: The Toronto Blues Society is co-presenting an all-star Blues Showcase as part of Winterfolk on Friday, February 16 at the Black Swan (upstairs) with Al Lerman, Kim Doolittle, Julian Fauth and David Essig. The showcase is followed by a performance by Jack de Keyzer and there is a lot more blues throughout the ...
• Loose Blues News – January 2018 January 5, 2018   Blues Music Awards Broadcast: The Blues Foundation in partnership with broadcast partner Ditty TV will announce the 39th Blues Music Awards nominees LIVE from Memphis on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. Bobby Rush, Kenny Neal, and John Nemeth will emcee the announcements beginning at 10am CST. You can watch the announcements in real time on any of ...
• Loose Blues News – December 2017 December 1, 2017 Blues at FolkNorth: Folk Music Canada is presenting the second edition of their FolkNorth Conference and Showcase on Dec 1-4 and we are happy to note that they have seen fit to include some blues content including showcase appearances by Shakura S’Aida and Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar (after all, blues IS folk music). The showcases ...
• Loose Blues News – November 2017 November 1, 2017 Blues Dance Parties and Classes If you haven’t already heard of the dance-focused, Toronto-based organisation, TOBlues, check out their solid calendar featuring Weekly Blues Music & History classes, dance instruction with international teachers as well as socials at dance-friendly venues around town. Cut a rug at their monthly 3rd Friday Blues Dance featuring live music or a visiting DJ at ...
• Loose Blues News – October 2017 October 1, 2017 Western Canadian Music Awards Congratulations to Winnipeg bluesman Big Dave McLean who picked up the Blues Artist of the Year.award at this year’s Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMA) in Edmonton. Celebrating the accomplishments of some of Western Canada’s best and brightest, the envelopes were opened at a concert on September 14 that kicked off a professional ...
• Loose Blues News – September 2017 August 31, 2017 Blues at Kensington Jazz The new kid on the block on Toronto’s jazz festival circuit, Kensington Market Jazz Festival debuted in style in 2016 when over 200 musicians performed over 3 days to packed houses, enthusiastic crowds and a buzzing neighbourhood. The second annual KMJF is back September 15, 16 and 17 with the addition of a big ...
• Loose Blues News – August 2017 August 1, 2017 Congratulations to Canada’s “Sweetheart of Swing,” Alex Pangman (pictured with hubby/bandmate Tom Parker), who has been inducted into the The Mississauga Music Walk of Fame. A fellow Women’s Blues Revue alumna, Liberty Silver and Canadian Music Industry pioneer Randy Lennox were also honoured at a reception at Port Credit Memorial Park. The event has traditionally ...
• Loose Blues News – June 2017 June 1, 2017 Multi-award winning recording artist and renowned blues diva Angel Forrest takes the stage with her band at The Opera House on Saturday June 10th at 9pm with special guest roots/blues singer/songwriter Rob Lutes who will be joined by longtime accompanist, acclaimed Quebec guitarist Rob MacDonald. Silver Dollar Swan Song On Friday, June 16, Spadina and College will reverberate ...
• Loose Blues News – May 2017 May 1, 2017 Paul Reddick is riding high as his album Ride The One won this year’s JUNO for Blues Album of the Year. He’ll be on festival stages all summer with several plays in this area, the Kitchener Blues Festival, Orangeville Blues and Jazz and the Lighthouse Blues Festival. For Oakvillians, he’ll be at the Moonshine Café ...
• Loose Blues News – April 2017 April 1, 2017 Blues @ Hugh’s Paul Nelson, bandmate, producer and protegé of Johnny Winter (and many would say the man who resurrected Johnny Winter’s career) will bring his own band to the newly resurrected Hugh’s Room Live on May 5 Ross Robinson reports he is actively organizing concerts at the soon to be open Hugh’s Room Live (note the ...
• Loose Blues News – March 2017 March 1, 2017 New Blues Show in Haliburton There’s a new blues radio show that airs on Canoe FM 100.9 in Haliburton/Muskoka area. Buckslide Blues Cruise is hosted by Patrick Monaghan. He plays recordings from his own collection and if you would like him to play yours, send to 1323 Buckslide Rd., Algonquin Highlands ON, K0M 1J1. Remembering Glenn Kimberly On ...
• Loose Blues News – February 2017 February 1, 2017 Winter Blues The 15th edition o f Toronto ’s Winterfolk Blues and Roots Music Festival has plenty of blues content as it returns to the Danforth at 5 venues over 3 days on February 17 to 19. Performers include Danny Marks, Jack de Keyzer, David Essig, Jerome Tucker, Kim Doolittle, Mike McKenna, Mr. Rick and a Blues ...
• Loose Blues News – January 2017 January 1, 2017 Passings Following a difficult month with the loss of several favourite blues-friendly icons like Mose Alison and Leon Russell, the local blues community has been hit hard with the passing of two beloved bluesmen, John Mays and Brian Cober. Social media has been blowing up with loving tributes to two of the most humble and dedicated ...
• Loose Blues News – December 2016 December 1, 2016 Folk Awards The 2016 Canadian Folk Music Awards gala will take place in Toronto at the Isabel Bader Theatre on Saturday December 3 (93 Charles Street West). Preceding the awards gala will be two Nominee Showcases at Hugh’s Room on Friday, December 2 (evening) and Saturday December 3 (11am-2pm). In addition to the official showcases, a ...
• Loose Blues News – November 2016 November 1, 2016 Harry Manx is currently touring (and recording) in Australia but will be coming our way in the new year for a show at Koerner Hall on Friday, February 3 (tix now on sale). He will be bringing along his Australian touring mate, organ sensation Clayton Doley (who made a big impression in his short time ...
• Loose Blues News – October 2016 October 1, 2016 Congratulations to Matt Andersen who received two nominations (Contemporary Artist and Solo Artist) for the 2016 Canadian Folk Music Awards. The Awards will be presented on Saturday, December 3 at the Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto (and blues fans will be happy to hear that one of the performers at the gala will be Colin ...
• Loose Blues News – September 2016 September 1, 2016 Man’s Best Friend News out of Ottawa is that Ed and Frank Torres have been given permission by the CRTC to shift the DAWG format from blues and rock to a more commercial blend of mostly rock. Intensions are to keep the DAWG brand alive with an HD feed and links to partners like Ottawa Blues ...
• Loose Blues News – August 2016 August 1, 2016 Mo’ Remembered A posthumous CD is being finished off with material from the beloved Guelph bluesman Mo Kauffey (aka Gary Wickizer). The ‘Kauffey/Temple’ CD has been mixed and they are now doing some overdubs. Mo’s long-time musical collaborator, Pete Temple writes, “we are deciding now who will master the CD. It has 6 studio cuts and ...
• Loose Blues News – July 2016 July 1, 2016 Vote for Mel Brown documentary! Love Lost & Found The Story of Mel Brown has been nominated for a Living Blues Award for Best Blues DVD of 2015. To cast your vote go to www.lbawards2016.speedsurvey.com to help honour Mel Brown’s legacy in our community and beyond. For more information about the film visit www.lovelostandfoundmovie.com. You can ...
• Loose Blues News – September 2013 September 4, 2013 Fathead Gets King: Veteran guitarist Papa John King will be joining Fathead, replacing Teddy Leonard who was playing with the band for 18 of their 21 years. John has played with such notable artists as, Ian Hunter, B.B. King, Willie Dixon, Jimmy Page,Mick Taylor as well as being the regular guitarist for Rita Chiarelli and ...
• Loose Blues News – August 2013 August 7, 2013 Paul Quarington’s Legacy: The Quarrington Arts Society is now being run by Lakehead University in conjunction with the Leacock Museum.  Michael Burke of Cordova Bay Records, the label that released albums by Paul Quarington’s band, Pork Belly Futures, writes, “This is something Paul would have been very happy to learn. He always had a close ...
• Loose Blues News – July 2013 July 8, 2013 Musicians Take Note: If your band is ready for the big stage (“market-ready,” as they say), then there are a couple of career development opportunities you should consider: The International Blues Challenge will take place on Beale Street in Memphis January 21-25, 2014. The TBS is holding a live performance competition (date and venue TBC) to ...
• Loose Blues News – June 2013 June 10, 2013 Taking the Blues uptown: TBS Music Advisory Committee member Lance Anderson wrote and recorded all tracks for a TV special on the Biography channel called ‘The Shaw Festival – Behind the Curtain’ It premiered on Roger’s specialty Biography Channel on Sunday, May 26th. Lance writes, “…Interesting look at how many very skilled artists, artisans and ...
• Loose Blues News – May 2013 May 1, 2013 The Carolina Chocolate Drops will perform at Luminato in a free concert with Corey Harris on Monday, June 17 at 8p.m. in David Picaut Square (formerly Metro Square, next to Roy Thomson Hall). In addition to a busy touring schedule for the band, Chocolate Drops singer Rhiannon Giddens has teamed up with her sister Lalenja ...
• Loose Blues News April 3, 2013 Supporting Blues for Youth: Music By The Bay Festival – Canada’s Only Festival for Musicians Under 21 is presenting “An Evening with Steve Strongman & Friends at the Pickering Recreation Complex, 1867 Valley Farm Road on Friday April 12, Opening the show will be Cole Hermer at 7PM and Caught in the Crossfire at 8PM  ...
• Loose Blues News – March 2013 March 14, 2013 In the Studio (and back to the beach): Toronto blueswoman Robin Banks has just returned to her Jamaican retreat following recording sessions at Lakewest Studio in Rhode Island which is owned and engineered by Duke Robillard’s manager, Jack Gaithier. The recording features Duke (who produced) on rhythm and lead guitar and his band members Brad ...
• Loose Blues News February 5, 2013 Aurora Winter Blues: The 2nd Annual Aurora Winter Blues Festival takes place on Saturday March 2, 2013 at the Aurora Theatre featuring Steve Strongman, The 24th Street Wailers and Little Bobby and the Jumpstarts. Tickets for the event, which benefits Blue Door Shelters of York Region, are $42 and can be purchased by visiting www. ...
• Loose Blues News December 27, 2012 Coming Soon: The five-time Juno-winning Vancouver blues/roots guitarist and producer Steve Dawson  confirmed the news that he will be relocating to Toronto in the new year. Dawson helms label Black Hen Music and has produced the likes of Kelly Joe Phelps, The Sojourners and Jim Byrnes and is responsible for spearheading and bringing the award-winning ...
• Loose Blues News December 3, 2012 Canada’s Biggest Blues Fan Contest: Do you think you just might be the biggest blues fan in Canada? We want to see why you think so! Send us a photo of what you think best represents something great about the blues. It could be a picture of a prized record collection or a favourite instrument, ...
• Loose Blues News November 1, 2012 Christmas is Coming: Ken Whiteley is in the recording studio mixing his new CD, entitled The Light of Christmas, which will be released in November. This fabulous new recording contains over half original Ken Whiteley material and does not include a bunch of “old chestnuts” – hopefully to the pleasure of more than just ...
• Loose Blues News October 16, 2012 Jordan John’s Signs: Multi-Instrumentalist Jordan John has signed a historic five album record deal with legendary Canadian composer/producer and chairman of Verve Records, David Foster.  The 26 year old musician was first brought to Foster’s attention through footage of John opening for the legendary Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin at last year’s TD Canada Trust ...
• Loose Blues News August 30, 2012 Guitar Winner: Congratulations to Fred Faenza, winner of the Great Guitar Giveaway. Fred will take home a beautiful Epiphone acoustic guitar from Long & McQuade. Thanks to all who participated in the draw. All proceeds go to help finance the TBS ongoing programmes. catl doc: The Toronto International Film Festival is presenting a documentary on ...
• Loose Blues News July 30, 2012 Jordan John breaking out: Jordan John has a busy summer schedule whether it be a regular gig on Monday’s at Toronto’s Wilson 96 or opening for country legends Roy Clark and Charlie McCoy at the Burlington Country and Blues Festival … playing solo or with his band The Blues Angels which includes drummer Al Cross ...
• Loose Blues News June 28, 2012 15th Annual Blues Bash: The Markham Jazz Festival is organizing their 15th Annual Blues Bash Thursday August 16th at 8:00PM. The event takes place at the Flato Markham Theatre 171 Town Center Blvd. in Markham, Ontario. This year’s line-up is a who’s who of great Canadian blues talent featuring the music of ...
• Loose Blues News June 6, 2012 Digital Dollars wraps up: Starting back in January, the Digital Dollars Seminars brought together expert speakers from all over North America who shared strategies and tips on the handling of digital sales, distribution and marketing of music. They discussed various social media platforms to promote music, best practices on Facebook and Twitter, growing your mailing ...
• Loose Blues News April 25, 2012 Bringing It Back To Grossman’s is the title of a fund raiser taking place on Tuesday, May 29th to establish The Amy Louie, Grossman`s Music Scholarship.  The event will feature performances by Donnie”Mr. Downchild”Walsh, Danny Marks, Jerome Godboo, Laura Hubert, The McDonald Rush Band, Alec Fraser, Gary Kendall, Bill Hedefine, Steve Grisbrook, The Swingin Blackjacks, ...
• Loose Blues News April 3, 2012 Benefit Concert for Jeff Healey Park: Friends of the late Jeff Healey will be performing a benefit to make Etobicoke’s Jeff Healey Park more accessible for disabled children. On Thursday April 12 at 9pm, Sound Academy (11 Polson St) will host artists including Randy Bachman, Paul James, Jack de Keyzer, Danny Marks, Tony “Wild T” ...
• Loose Blues News March 8, 2012 Talking Music at Toronto Public Libraries: Holger Petersen, the founding owner of Stony Plain Records and longtime host of CBC’s Saturday Night Blues, Petersen is one of the country’s most trusted authorities on all things blues. In this foray into print, interviews some of the world’s most important and loved artists, including Long John Baldry, ...
• Loose Blues News January 31, 2012 Blues at the Trane: This mostly-jazz venue (one of the few still standing) is launching a bi-weekly residency featuring the blues infused grooves of the Son Roberts Band with special guests. NuBlue Mondays will take place every second Monday and the inaugural event, February 13th (8pm), will feature Jake Chisholm, sideman for Paul Reddick, Julian ...
• Loose Blues News December 29, 2011 January 2012 – Vol. 28, No. 1 WBR on the Air: 25th Annual Women’s Blues Revue on CBC: Highlights from the 25th Annual Toronto Blues Society Women’s Blues Revue at Massey Hall are streaming right now on CBC Radio 2’s Concerts on Demand: http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20111126women! Relive this historic night featuring performances by Kat Danser, Ada Lee, Emma-Lee, ...
• Loose Blues News December 26, 2011 December 2012 – Vol. 27, No. 11   MBA Voting open to Dec 10. Voting for the Maple Blues Awards is closing Saturday December 10 at midnight PST, so get your votes in today! Vote at www.mapleblues.ca. For more information on voting, visit http://torontobluessociety.com/2011-maple-blues-awards-nominees. The awards gala takes place at beautiful Koerner Hall on January 16th, 2012. ...
• Loose Blues News November 4, 2011 November 2011 – Vol. 27, No. 11 Sleepwalk Guitar Festival Update: Six Shooter Records presents the inaugural Sleepwalk Guitar Festival, an education and celebration of all things guitar. Curated by Luke Doucet, Sleepwalk Guitar Festival brings together trailblazers and standard-bearers of excellence from across genres and across North America. Sleepwalk’s namesake is the instantly familiar (and ...
• Loose Blues News October 4, 2011 October 2011 – Vol. 27, No. 10 Maple Blues Awards Hosts Announced! The hosts for the 15th annual Toronto Blues Society Maple Blues Awards are Treasa Levasseur and Shakura S’Aida! For a third consecutive year, the award show takes place in Koerner Hall on Monday, January 16, 2012. The gala event celebrates Canadian blues featuring the ...
• Loose Blues News September 2, 2011 September 2011 – Vol. 27, No. 9 CKLN on the move: Although no longer on the fm dial, nor housed at Ryerson University, the blues lives on at CKLN.FM. “We’ve always been on the internet as well, so now we carry on that long history and following as an internet radio station” states Blues Doctor Julie ...
• Loose Blues News August 5, 2011 August 2011 – Vol. 27, No. 8 Third Year for Underground Railroad Music Festival: The Underground Railroad Music Festival returns this year, taking place in Drayton at Centennial Park on August 13, Noon-7pm. Drayton is in the region of Ontario that was a main terminus on the Underground Railroad. The festival is a celebration of the ...
• Loose Blues News July 7, 2011 July 2011 – Vol. 27, No. 7 Elwood Goes to the Races: Dan Aykroyd will serve as Grand Marshal for the July 10 Honda Indy Toronto, which marks the 25th year of racing in the streets of Toronto. “I’m delighted to be a part of an event with so much history,” Aykroyd said in a statement last ...
• Loose Blues News June 14, 2011 June 2011 – Vol. 27, No. 6 Julian Fauth update: The hardest working bluesman in this town is going to be out of work for the next while and friends and fans are coming to the rescue. On the eve of his Western Canadian tour, Julian took a very serious fall in his hotel room shower ...
• Loose Blues News April 29, 2011 May 2011 – Vol. 27, No. 5 Little Miss Higgins wins Independent Music Award:  Little Miss Higgins, guitarist/singer Jolene Higgins and guitarist Foy Taylor, won in the Blues category for their album “Across The Plains.” Little Miss Higgins is currently on their first tour of the UK and will be appearing at the Hillside Festival in ...
• Loose Blues News April 7, 2011 April 2011 – Vol. 27, No. 4 Overheard at the JUNOs:  Watch for a new Morgan Davis album due shortly on Electro-Fi Records. Looks like the new Monkey Junk album will be coming out on Stony Plain. Other upcoming releases on SP will be albums by Kevin Breit and Harry Manx, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne and a ...
• Loose Blues News March 21, 2011 March 2011 – Vol. 27, No. 3   Congratulations to Buddy Guy, Pinetop Perkins and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith on their Grammy awards and also to the winners of this year’s International Blues Challenge: 1st Place: The Lionel Young Band (Colorado Blues Society); 2nd Place: The Mary Bridget Davies Group (Kansas City Blues Society); 3rd Place: Rob ...
• Loose Blues News March 18, 2011 December 1997 Electro-Fi recording artist Alabama Red will perform at The Silver Dollar Room Saturday, Dec. 13 with The Signifying Monkey. He’s in town recording with Al Lerman producing. Brother Curtis Ray was born in Alabama but has lived in Chicago since the forties. He has been a fixture on the Southside Chicago ...
• Loose Blues News February 11, 2011 Canadian Invasion | Jimmy’s Jam | Women’s Blues Revue Broadcast | Etta Ailing
• Loose Blues News January 27, 2011 More Blues on the Radio | Congratulations | Doctor of the Blues Honoured | RIP Robin Rogers | The Return of the Single? | Brian Blain | Gary Kendall
• Loose Blues News December 13, 2010 Congratulations to Harrison Kennedy | Holiday Blues Parties | Matt Andersen | Nominations for the 11th Annual Canadian Independent Music Awards – “The Indies” – are now open | Folk Alliance Honours Jac Holzman
• Loose Blues News November 5, 2010 Remembering Solomon Burke | Honouring Our Own | Blues on the East Side | The Healing Power of the Blues in Action | The Blues Bookshelf | Hamilton Rising Star Award
• Loose Blues News September 30, 2010 Mississippi River Salon | Doc MacLean Tours Coast To Coast | Paul Sanderson, Photographer | Willie P. Bennett Honoured | Whiteboy Slim wins honourable mention | Duck Season | Congratulations to James Doran | Hamilton Music Awards
• Loose Blues News September 1, 2010 TBS Melody Bar Blues Series | Love harps?  Join Massive Harp Attack! | Musicians Take Notre | Rita behind bars | Grit Laskin receives OCFF’s 2010 Estelle Klein Award | Songwriting For Dummies | Call for Volunteers
• Loose Blues News November 1, 1997 November 1997 The Toronto Blues Society presents the 11th Annual Toronto Blues Society Women’s Blues Revue with vocalists Rory Block, Daisy BeBolt, Molly Johnson, Cheryl Lescom, Alex Pangman, Petergail Williams, and a stellar band featuring musical director/keyboard player Lily Sazz, bassist Suzie Vinnick, drummer Maureen Brown, Lina Allemano on trumpet, and Jane Bunnett and ...
• Loose Blues News October 1, 1997 October 1997 Handy Award-winning Rounder artist Rory Block will appear in the 11th Annual Toronto Blues Society Women’s Blues Revue on November 22nd at Trinity St. Paul’s (427 Bloor St. W). Other confirmed vocalists at press time include Molly Johnson (formerly with the Infidels and Alta Moda), Daisy DeBolt, best known for her long-time association in ...
• Loose Blues News September 1, 1997 October 1997 Miss Lavelle White, after some 30 years in the business, is coming to sing the blues at the Silver Dollar on September 4. She got her start in Houston in the `50’s, recording for Duke Records and writing songs. She has since been singing and writing in Texas, Chicago, Louisiana ...
• Loose Blues News August 1, 1997 August 1997 Kenny Wayne Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne can be seen at the Mont Tremblant Blues Festival August 1-3, the Silver Dollar Room August 9, at Hamilton’s Festival of Friends August 8-10, and as a special guest with the Maureen Brown Band at the Ploughman, August 7. “ “He is without a doubt one of the greatest ...
• Loose Blues News July 1, 1997 July 1997 Boston singer-songwriter Les Sampou will take the stage at the Heineken Soul ‘n’ Blues Festival at Harbourfront on Sun. July 20th (1pm & 3pm). Sampou’s new album on Rounder Records’ Flying Fish label explores her own life experiences and observations through 12 songs composed by her. (see story below) Late-breaking news! The 2nd Buffalo ...
• Loose Blues News June 1, 1997 June 1997 Robin Bank$, the winner of last year’s talent search, will be guesting with Fathead as part of the TBS collaboration with du Maurier Downtown Jazz this year. The Friday afternoon (5:30pm)event is part of the opening of the Festival and will take place at the du Maurier Stage, the tent at the corner of ...
• Loose Blues News May 1, 1997 May 1997 B.B. King‘s now annual festival package is scheduled to hit the Molson Amphitheatre on September 3rd. The only other info on the package that we know at press time is that Jimmy Vaughan is part of it. TV BLUES: Bravo! Canada‘s program schedule for May shows the following Tuesdays: May 6 Jimmy James Band May ...
• Loose Blues News April 1, 1997 April 1997 Sue Foley cruises back into to Toronto for a club date at the Silver Dollar on Saturday, April 5. This is her first appearance in town since she participated in the 1995 TBS Women’s Blues Revue. Since then, her new album, Walk In The Sun, has been completed and she’s busily touring to support ...
• Loose Blues News March 1, 1997 March 1997 The Silver Dollar Room presents legendary guitarist Duke Robillard on Sunday, March 9 for a special dinner and show package. Cost for both is $20, $12 for show only. Robillard has recorded with greats like Kim Wilson, Johnny Adams and Jerry Portnoy and produced John Hammond and Jimmy Witherspoon. His new Stony Plain album ...
• Loose Blues News February 1, 1997 February 1997 JUNO: The five Juno nominees for the blues and gospel award this year are Fire by Tongues of Fire, Sixteen Shades of Blues, The Whiteley Brothers, If My Daddy Could See Me Now, Johnny V, Right To Sing The Blues, Long John Baldry and Alive and Loose by Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne. The winner ...