Toronto Blues Society | » Loose Blues News

Loose Blues News – September 2017

Published August 31, 2017 in Loose Blues News, News

Blues at Kensington Jazz

The new kid on the block on Toronto’s jazz festival circuit, Kensington Market Jazz Festival debuted in style in 2016 when over 200 musicians performed over 3 days to packed houses, enthusiastic crowds and a buzzing neighbourhood. The second annual KMJF is back September 15, 16 and 17 with the addition of a big band stage and a new series of curated busking within popular Kensington Market businesses. There’s some interesting blues content (Carlos del Junco, Danny Marks, the Sinners Choir, Suzie Vinnick) as well as Canadian R&B veterans Jay Douglas, Sharon Lee and Shawne Jackson, Jackie Richardson and Alana Bridgewater. Popular craft beer hall Trinity Common will host a dozen shows including “Canada’s Sweetheart of Swing” Alex Pangman.

“Canada has world class talent and the spirit of this festival is artist-driven,” says KMJF creator, artist, philanthropist and officer of the Order of Canada, Molly Johnson. “The festival is fuelled by volunteers and support from Yamaha Canada. There are no advance tickets. Shows are Cash Only with money going directly to the artists. This makes Kensington Market Jazz Festival unique around the world.” Watch for the full programme at www.kensingtonjazz.com

See You at the Shuffle

If you’re reading this in time, Chuck Jackson advises that there are still tickets available for the 2017 Beggars Blues Banquet on Thursday September 7th at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 82, 35 Front Street North, Port Credit. The Festival kicks off with a fantastic night of blues hosted by The Hogtown Allstars featuring multiple Maple Blues and Juno award winning musicians with Special Guests Jack de Keyzer, Kenny Blues Boss Wayne and Jenie Thai. Enjoy a Southern Style buffet dinner featuring smoked Black Angus Beef Brisket, Mississippi Bronzed Catfish, Jambalaya Dirty Rice, Baked Beans and more souther delicacies. Tickets at www.ticketscene.ca/events/18529/ and select Port Credit locations. See www.southsideshuffle.ca

Hot & Spicy Blues

This Labour Day weekend (September 1-4), Harbourfront’s Hot & Spicy Food Festival celebrates its 20^th year with hot food, great music and appearances by Chef Roger Mooking, Jonathan Gushue, Luis Valenzuela, Nicole Gomes†and other culinary experts join stellar jazz greats including Grammy nominee Jane Bunnett, Barbra Lica and crooner Matt Dusk as well as a lot of blues curated in part by the Toronto Blues Society – Harrison Kennedy, Dawn Tyler Watson, Cécile Doo-Kingué, Angelique Francis, Spencer MacKenzie and many more (see full schedule on page 16) or visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com/festivals/hotandspicy

Concert For Peace

The 7th Annual Concert For Peace takes place on Sunday, September 3 at the home of Michael and Louise Pickett in Crystal Beach – 20 minutes from the Peace Bridge which connects Fort Erie to Buffalo. Featured artists include Steve Payne, Kalimbas at Work, the Mike Branton Band and Pickett himself. Check out www,concertforpeace.net

Goose Blues News

Blues at The Goose with Big Groove (Gary Kendall and Mike Fitzpatrick) returns to The Blue Goose Tavern, Sundays 4-7:30pm on September 24. The weekly event will kick off with Jerome Godboo & Eric Schenkman guesting followed by Sugar Brown & Jon Wong October1 with Paul Reddick and Greg Cockerill in on October 8. Due to Kendall`s and Fitzpatrick`s Downchild touring commitments the series will break after three sessions and return for an extended run in November.

Blues at TIFF

Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars†is a new documentary by film maker Lili Fini Zanuck and showing during the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 10, 11, 13 & 14. It is an intimate, revealing musical odyssey on the life and career of guitar virtuoso Eric Clapton, told by those who have known him best, including BB King, Jimi Hendrix, and George Harrison. More info at www.tiff.net

Blues Blast Music Awards

Blues Blast Music Awardsare presented by Blues Blast Magazine, the largest free weekly internet Blues magazine with over 37,000 Blues fan subscribers located in all 50 states and in more than 90 countries.

2017 Blues Blast Music Award Winners

Contemporary Blues Album: Samantha Fish – Chills & Fever

Traditional Blues Album: Mississippi Heat – Cab Driving Man

Soul Blues Album: Thornetta Davis – Honest Woman

Rock Blues Album: Mike Zito – Make Blues Not War

Acoustic Blues Album: Fiona Boyes – Professin’ The Blues

Live Blues Recording: Walter Trout – Alive in Amsterdam

Historical Or Vintage Recording: Roy Buchanan – The Genius Of The Guitar – His Early Recordings

New Artist Debut Album: Southern Avenue – Southern Avenue

Blues Band: Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials

Male Blues Artist: John Mayall

Female Blues Artist: Beth Hart

Sean Costello Rising Star Award: Southern Avenue

Independent Blues Music Awards

Montreal blues diva Dawn Tyler Watson was the only Canadian nominee in the Blues Blast Awards but there was a good representation of Canuck blues in this year’s Independent Blues Music Awards (www.makingascene.org/independent-blues-awards-2017-winners/). Hamilton’s Smoke Wagon Blues Band won two awards, Best New Artist and Best R&B/Soul Song for “Set Me Free.” Colin James’ Blue Highway won Best Independent Blues Rock CD. Here’s the complete list of winners:

Best Independent Blues Acoustic CD – Keb Mo – LIVE-That Hot Pink Blues

Best Independent Blues Contemporary CD – Jeremiah Johnson – Blues Heart attack

Best Independent Blues Traditional CD – Bobby Rush – Porcupine Meat

Best Independent Blues R&B/Soul CD – Johnny Rawls – Tiger in a Cage

Best Independent Blues Rock CD – Colin James – Blues Highway

Best Modern Roots CD – The Smoke Wagon Blues Band – Cigar store

Best Independent Blues LIVE CD – Joe Bonamassa – Live at the Greek Theater

Best Independent Blues New Artists CD – The Marcus King Band – The Marcus King Band

Artist of the Year! – North Mississippi Allstars

Best Independent Male Blues Artist – John Mayall

Best Independent Female Blues Artist – Samantha Fish

Best Traditional Blues Band – Bobby Rush