Odds and sods from the Toronto blues community and beyond.
Montreal bluesman Bob Walsh, a recipient of the TBS Blues With a Feeling Award in 2014, passed away in Montreal on November 15 following a heart attack. In a month filled with the loss of musical icons, Walsh’s death came as a great shock to the Quebec blues community. Even the Premier of Quebec tweeted that “Quebec blues has lost one of its mythic figures today.”
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 as a Toronto resident). They will be joined by Kevin Breit and Mark Lalama to create another memorable journey into the “Harry zone”
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 Linden)
Man’s Best Friend, Angel Forrest on STOP!TV, Eighth Annual Concert For Peace, Blues on the Rideau Announces their 12th Season, Farewell to another venue and Good Causes
Mo’ Remembered, A New Home For The Saturday Afternoon Blues Matinee, Blues on the Big Screen, Phillip Sayce at Music by the Bay, and a Leon Russell Update
Vote for Mel Brown documentary, International Blues Music Day, Kudos to Peter North, Blues for Soldiers, The Blues Tribe, Rez Blues in Toronto, and Fresh Baked Blues at Southside Shuffle
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 Danny Brooks.
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 relationship with the Leacock organization and with the senior management at Lakehead.
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 determine which artists will be sanctioned by TBS to compete in Memphis. Two artists will be selected in the following categories to perform in front of industry professional judges: Band, Solo/duo, Youth (under 21).
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 tech people it takes to put on the Shaw Festival. Remarkable achievement.” It is scheduled for a later release on PBS in the US. Lance is producer/instigator for Make It Real Records (and artistic director of the Orillia Spring Blues Festival June 7 – 9) Terry Blersh – Toronto blues guitarist plays acoustic guitar (almost classical style) on many of the cues.
©2024 Toronto Blues Society. Design by Janine Stoll Media.
TBS logo and WBR artwork by Barbara Klunder
The Toronto Blues Society acknowledges the annual support of the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council and the Department of Canadian Heritage, and project support from FACTOR< and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s Private Broadcasters, The Canada Council for the Arts, the SOCAN Foundation, SOCAN, the Ontario Media Development Corporation, and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
