Toronto Blues Society | » Loose Blues News – August 2019

Loose Blues News – August 2019

Published August 1, 2019 in Loose Blues News, News

Congratulations to Suzie Vinnick who was just honoured by the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival with their special recognition award, presented to musicians who have made a significant contribution to Saskatchewan’s music culture. Noting that it’s been rare that a female musician has been recognized Suzie told the CBC, “It’s amazing because it’s 30 years since my first performance that I’m going to be back at the festival… I feel old now.”

Remembering Mose:  Mose Scarlett, who died just over a month ago, after a few months of illness and many years giving pleasure through his music, his singing, his generous nature and his stories, will be memorialized in song and story at the Tranzac Club (292 Brunswick Avenue, south of Bloor, Toronto) on Wednesday, August 7 starting at 7:30pm.  Doors at 7pm.  A partial list of people confirmed to participate at this point include (in no particular order) Dave Barrett, Victor Bateman, Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley, Jackson Delta, Bill Garrett & Sue Lothrop, Eve Goldberg, Hotcha!, Big Rude Jake, Grit Laskin, Magoo, Doc MacLean, Tony Quarrington & Zoey Adams, Mr Rick, Margaret Stowe, Anne Tenner, Brent Titcomb, David Wall & Rebecca Campbell and Ken Whiteley. Tony Quarrington will deliver a brief eulogy. Victor Bateman will be playing string bass, as he did on a number of the Scarlett, Washington & Whiteley tracks.  It’s open to all who wish to and are able to attend.  There is a suggested donation of $20 to cover the hall and ongoing expenses.  

Farewell to Cadillac Lounge: The Cadillac has closed and Sam The Man has left the building. It was a veritable Parkdale fixture since it opened in 2000, and was finally sold more than two years after a real estate listing first sparked rumours of the Caddy’s impending closure. Sam said to BlogTO.”I’m going to take some time off, regroup, spend time with my kids. I’m going to be concentrating on music with my Cadillac Lounge Productions company and Fundraising for Sick Kids,” he continued, pointing to a campaign named in honour of his son, Francesco, that helps support the families of children who’ve been diagnosed with Diabetes.  “From what I hear from my agent, [the new owners] are not interested in leasing it out as a bar or restaurant,” he said. “I don’t blame them.”

Blues Music Award nominations open: All musicians are invited to submit their Blues recordings for consideration for a Blues Music Award. Blues music released between November 1, 2018 and October 31, 2019 is eligible for consideration for a 2020 Blues Music Award Nomination. Submission fee is $155 per submission from August 1 – August 31, 2019 then increases  to $180 on September 1 and $225 after October 1. The submission process officially closes on October 15, 2019. You must upload your music and artwork and complete payment for your submission transaction no later than October 15 to be considered for a Blues Music Award nomination. The submission form and instructions can be found at https://blues.awardsplatform.com/.  If you need further help, contact Joe Whitmer at [email protected].

The Band Movie opens TIFF: The premiere of Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band, Daniel Roher’s touching tale of Robertson’s young life and the creation of one of the most enduring groups in the history of popular music, will be the Opening Night Gala Presentation for the 44th Toronto International Film Festival  on Thursday, September 5, at Roy Thomson Hall. The premiere marks the first time a Canadian-made documentary opens the Toronto International Film Festival. The documentary film, directed by Roher (Ghosts of Our Forest), inspired by Robertson’s 2016 memoir, Testimony, tells the story of Robertson’s personal journey as he overcame adversity and found camaraderie alongside the four other men who would become his brothers in music, and who together made their mark on music history. 

RIP “Bud” Healey: Sarah French reports that last month, Percy “Bud” Healey, father of local blues icon Jeff Healey passed away after a relatively brief illness. “Bud was a wonderful man, as straight a shooter as you’ve ever met…He taught his son to live without limitations, and that his lack of sight was a logistical problem, not an insurmountable obstacle.”

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