The adjective “eclectic” gets tossed around liberally when describing those who dip their musical toes into a variety of genres. But it’s perfect for Jake Shimabukuro.
This month’s recommended listening by Brant Zwicker, host/executive producer of At the Crossroads syndicated blues radio. Website: atcblues.ca
This CD/Blu-ray combination is a lovely portrait of an artist – largely because, if you only hear the gale force power of Layla Zoe’s singing voice, you may not be getting the full impression.
Given the state of the music recording industry, it’s a treat to discover a release which seems to celebrate the sheer joy of making music. At first blush (and 4 releases in), you might not know what to make of Endrick Tremblay and his loyal, long-time Sandwiches
Jay Douglas Documentary: Play It Loud! — How Toronto Got Soul is set for Official Premiere on Dec. 4 and 7 at Hot Docs Cinema: Jay Douglas has been a popular figure on the blues scene but he came up in Toronto’s vibrant reggae and Caribbean music scene
The Ottawa-based guitarist Tony D (Tony Diteodoro) has been a masterful guitarist for more than forty years. Most recently revered for his participation in the award-winning swamp blues trio, MonkeyJunk, Tony has now released his own album, Electric Delta, on Cordova Bay Records.
After Roomful of Blues, of which he was a founding member in 1967, after his stay in the Fabulous Thunderbirds from 1990 to 1992 as Jimmie Vaughan’s successor, Michael John “Duke” Robillard, then under contract with the Virgin label for his rock n’ blues side à la Thunderbirds, was welcomed to the Canadian label Stony Plain.
Guitarists JD Simo and Luther Dickinson may not have fallen from exactly the same tree but the two contemporary bluesmen, who are firmly rooted in tradition, sure come out of the same orchard.
Tanika Charles plays the TBS Women’s Blues Revue, Friday, November 29 at Massey Hall
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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.
