Escarpment Anniversary: As the TBS celebrates our 40th year, we offer a big congratulations to our neighbours, and Canada’s newest Blues Society, the Hamilton-based Escarpment Blues Society, celebrating their first-year anniversary with a big show on Tuesday, May 27th at the Ancaster Memorial Theater. The concert will feature Chuck Jackson, Steve Strongman, Sandra Bouza, Selena Evangeline, Ira Walker, Spencer Mckenzie and the EBS Allstars. https://escarpmentbluessociety.ca

Mighty Ducks Moving On: On March 22 The Mighty Duck Blues Band wrapped their residency at Coco Bar(formerly Jo Blos Rock & Wok) their 3rd home base since forming the band in 2006. Undettered, the band plays on with two important single shows on their calendar. Sat. May 10th, Andrew Kempa`s 62nd Birthday Boogaloo, Stonewall`s, Hamilton with special guest Bill Durst and Fri. June 6th as part of The Toronto Blues Society`s 40th Anniversary, Long Branch Social House, Etobicoke. Gary Kendall writes, “Nothing Lasts Forever (Especially In The Music Business)… The venues provided us with the opportunity to grow as a band and present a stellar lineup of special guests. For this we are grateful. We`re also keeping the door open for consideration if another residency offer should on present.

Suzie Vinnick tour update: TBS board member and the hardest-working, fastest-driving roots music artist is doing a different kind of tour, different for this part of the country. The Home Routes organization, founded by Mitch Podolak, was/is a godsend to folk & roots artists because they provided a tour of house concerts in far-flung parts of Canada where artists could reach a new audience and a most appreciative audience. This is the first time Home Roots has promoted a tour in Ontario and Suzie is the perfect performer for these intimate house concerts. She will be playing tunes from her latest album, Fall Back Home, in living rooms in Ontario from Petrolia to Pickering in early April. Many shows are sold out but you can check for tix at www.homeroutes.ca

Southside Shuffle Murder Mystery Night! Flip Flop and Die: The Demise of the Shuffle King: Shuffle founder Chuck Jackson promises an unforgettable night of fun, intrigue, and a delicious buffet dinner, all in support of the Southside Shuffle held at Clarke Memorial Hall in Port Credit! On Saturday, April 26th, audience members will be treated to an immersive experience filled with laughs and surprises. Enjoy dinner, collect evidence, and get ready to crack the case! The evening concludes with the thrilling reveal of the murderer and prizes awarded to those who solved the mystery. https://simpli.events/e/southsideshufflemurdermystery.

Passing and near-passing: Ted Hawkins was everybody’s drummer but could immediately switch to front-man mode singing and playing a stand-up cocktail drum. His commitment and work ethic showed until his last day, as he had multiple shows scheduled before ending up in hospital where he passed away. Dying in yer boots, as they say. A beloved regular in the Toronto scene, and Hamilton born, see Billboard Canada’s full obituary article in which many local Blues musicians retell their history with Ted and share how much he meant so many. Teddy Hawkins died on March 22 of a heart attack, at 69. http://ca.billboard.com/fyi/obituary-teddy-hawkins.

Also last month, R&B legend George Olliver, who is recovering from a recent stroke, had mistakenly been reported as “passed away” online, until his wife posted that he was alive and still with us, counteracting the flooding of Facebook condolences and memories. George is currently recovering, and in the outpouring of well wishes we are certainly reminded of his reach as a treasured artist and pioneer of the “Toronto sound” going all the way back to Mandala, of his captivating voice, and splits on stage in entertaining the Blues & Soul scene. Wishing George a speedy recovery.