Lily Sazz, a long-time presence at Toronto Blues Society events and musical groupings, has released her first solo album, What Just Happened.

Sazz was the bandleader of TBS’ Women’s Blues Revue for over a decade, as well as a member of the band Cootes Paradise. Based in Dundas, Ontario, she has long been a respected keyboardist and performer in Toronto, Hamilton and beyond.

This first solo effort finds her sharing a deeply personal collection of songs that grew out of events in her own life. The ten songs on this record share her voice, piano and words to express herself after a period of change.

She also shares collaborations with many of her friends in the music community, a adding a diversity of voices and sounds to the production.

The first song on the record is “Goodnight, Sweetheart”. It’s a heart-rending song saying a goodnight that might also be a goodbye. She is accompanied by Colin Linden on slide guitar. As usual, he turns in a masterclass of a performance. He always seems to know just what any song needs, and this is no exception. The song, and therefore, the album, starts with a dramatic take on the So What theme that opens Miles’ Kind of Blue album. It’s a comfortable way to slide into this new collection of songs. Soon, the emotion and musicianship of the song makes you forget the opening, but it has served its purpose.

There are ten songs on here, and for me to review each one individually would detract from the wholeness of the record. Let’s have a look at some of my favorites.

“In a Hurry” is a light-hearted number about city life and the constant effort of keeping up with everything. It has a good line about the traffic situation that those who have been there will be able to relate to. Charlotte McAffee-Brunner, also known as Trombone Charlotte, delivers a great solo. Sazz calls to “cut the solo short, because I’m in a HURRY!”

Often, the guest musicians elevate a song by bringing exactly what it needs. “This Train is Rollin’”, besides being a great song, features Harry Manx on guest vocals and an extended acoustic slide guitar solo that is riveting. “Future Me” has some beautiful saxophone on it, played by Darcy Hepner.

An outstanding number is “Isn’t That So”, written by Jesse Winchester. It has long been a favorite of mine. It was originally released in 1972 on a beautiful album produced by Robbie Robertson. The album is called Third Down, 110 to Go. Sazz is accompanied by Suzie Vinnick on guitar and co-vocal. Every choice Vinnick makes is the perfect choice. There’s a beautiful piano solo as well.

Vinnick also appears on “Gaslight”. Steve Marriner is on blues harp and Vinnick plays a crunchy rhythm guitar that fits perfectly. They make a great team. Meanwhile, Sazz is wailing “The man I love is giving me the gaslight!” It’s a wonderful performance.

The album ends with another humorous number, “I Can’t Jam”. It’s all about how Sazz can’t jam because her chords are too complex, she plays too many notes, and more. Meanwhile, guitarist Mike Branton gives the lie to her claims as he jams like crazy over her chords and excess notes. It’s a lot of fun.

While there are some songs that aim for humour, the album as a whole is reflective and, in places, sorrowful or desperate or just plain serious as she expresses her truths. She sings in a warm, natural, lived-in voice that is all her own. It reflects her personality and her truth just as much as her individual voice on the piano does. What Just Happened? never answers her own question but gives us the ripple effects of whatever it was that did happen. It left its mark on her, and she is able to share that mark with us through these songs. It’s a remarkable album.  (John Mulligan)