Last Call For New Blues Talent!

Submissions close tomorrow at 5pm. Attention emerging Canadian blues artists…The Toronto Blues Society Talent Search is back! Six finalists will be chosen to perform at the finals taking place at Nathan Phillips Square during City of Toronto’s Tasty Thursdays on Thursday August 16, noon-2pm. The finalists will compete for a grand prize which includes a showcase at the Blues Summit Six, a performance at the Southside Shuffle Festival, a show at The Delta Chelsea Monarchs Pub, a photo shoot with Bill King, recording/mixing time at Revolution Studios, and consultations with industry professionals!

Submit through Sonicbids http://www.sonicbids.com/Opportunity/OpportunityView.aspx?opportunity_id=106751 or send a physical package to the TBS office (Talent Search Submission, 910 Queen Street West, Suite B04, Toronto, ON, M6J 1G6) with a CD, one sheet, and a cheque for $15. Eligibility is limited to acts who are not on a major label, do not have a major distribution deal (i.e. not distributed to retail stores) and have not been chosen as a finalist in a past edition of the talent search. Finalists will receive a small honorarium.

Robert Cray/Steve Strongman 2-for-1 Ticket Offer

The Robert Cray Band (pictured) and special guest Steve Strongman perform at the Hamilton Convention Centre on June 20 and TBS would like to offer you 2 seats for the price of one. If you are a Charter Member in good standing, please email info@torontobluessociety.com to retrieve the link and password. There is a limit on this ticket offer so don’t delay!

Three Industry Showcase Opportunities

Calling established blues artists! There are three opportunities to be considered for TBS sanctioned showcases. Please send an email to info@torontobluessociety.com if you are interested to find out more information.

1) The Blues Summit Six is right around the corner! The bi-annual conference at the Delta Chelsea Hotel brings together blues industry from around Canada and beyond. A major component of the conference is the showcase portion which allows artists to perform in front of talent buyers. Check back here soon for info on how to submit to be considered. Note that artists may not showcase in consecutive Summit years.

2) The Ontario Council of Folk Festivals Conference takes place in Mississauga October 11-14, 2012. The Toronto Blues Society will once again be presenting a blues showcase and would like to hear from artists interested in performing in front of key industry in the folk community. http://www.ocff.ca/services/conference/index.html

3) The rules for the International Blues Challenge in Memphis Jan 29-Feb 2 require a pre-competition to be hosted by each blues society sending down a sanctioned blues act. The Toronto Blues Society will be hosting this competition in August and is fielding inquiries from market ready blues performers. Please inquire to learn more. http://www.blues.org/ibc/#

TBS Gladstone Series

The Toronto Blues Society presents the best in blues talent the first Thursday of each month at the recently renovated Melody Bar in The Gladstone Hotel. Performances are free to the public and begin at 9pm. Next in the series is a duo show featuring Raoul Bhaneja (pictured) & Paul James on Thursday July 5!

Mark your calendar for Steve Strongman‘s solo acoustic show on Thursday August 2. http://www.gladstonehotel.com

John’s Blues Picks

Did you know that John Valenteyn’s Blues Picks are right on the TBS website? Find reviews for the latest in blues releases every month! The latest edition features Chuck Jackson, Cold Specks, Cameo Blues Band, Jimmy Bowskill, Sugar Brown, The 24th Street Wailers, Soulstack, Rory Block and Tedeschi Trucks Band. Check it out here: https://torontobluessociety.com/2012/06/johns-blues-picks-15/

Concert Notes

Chuck Jackson (pictured) CD Release – The Rex Hotel – June 15  |  Erin McCallum CD Release – Kincardine Centre for the Arts – June 15  |  Cameo Blues Band CD Release – Delta Chelsea Monarchs Pub – June 16  |  Robert Cray Band w/Steve Strongman – Hamilton Convention Centre – June 20  |  Tribute to Buddy Guy & Junior Wells w/Danny Marks, David Rotundo, Dylan Wickens, Douglas Watson – Hugh’s Room – June 21  |  Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils CD Release – Cherry Cola’s Rock n’ Roll Cabaret Lounge – June 21  |  Tedeschi Trucks Band – Toronto Jazz Festival – June 29  |  Sonny Landreth CD Release – Hugh’s Room – July 6  |  Suzie Vinnick CD Release – Hugh’s Room – July 12  |  Danny Brooks – Hugh’s Room – July 18  |  Betty Richardson – Hugh’s Room – July 19  |  Buckwheat Zydeco – Hugh’s Room – July 25  |  Steve Strongman – Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar – Aug 2  |  The Black Keys – Molson Amphitheatre – Aug 4  |  Fathead – Hugh’s Room – Aug 10  |  JJ Grey & Mofro – Lee’s Palace – Aug 15  |  Toronto Blues Society Talent Search Finals – Nathan Phillips Square – Aug 16  |  Concert for Peace w/Michael Pickett – Sept 2  |  Bill Bourne – Hugh’s Room – Sept 11  |  Tribute to Etta James w/Danny Marks – Hugh’s Room – Sept 13  |  Rita Chiarelli – Hugh’s Room – Sept 22  |  Paul James, Jack de Keyzer, Danny Marks – Hugh’s Room – Sept 26  |  Carlos del Junco – Hugh’s Room – Oct 19  |  Tribute to Willie Dixon w/Danny Marks – Hugh’s Room – Oct 27  |  Ken Whiteley’s Gospel Matinee – Hugh’s Room – Oct 28  |  Susie Arioli – Hugh’s Room – Nov 1  |  Keb’ Mo’ – Koerner Hall – Nov 8  |  Tribute to Robert Johnson w/Danny Marks – Hugh’s Room – Nov 23  |  26^th Toronto Blues Society Women’s Blues Revue – Massey Hall – Nov 24  |  Ken Whiteley’s Gospel Matinee – Hugh’s Room – Nov 25

Summer Blues Festivals

Check out upcoming blues festivals including the TD Toronto Jazz Festival June 22-July 1 http://torontojazz.com/  Featuring Joan Osborne (pictured) & Matt Andersen and more!

https://torontobluessociety.com/2012/03/summer-blues-festivals-2012/

Mississippi Tourism: Golf & Blues Experience

Love Golf? Love Blues? Get the best of both worlds with the Mississippi Tourism’s International Golf & Blues Experience! Hosted by Chuck Jackson, the next trip takes Oct 7-13 in Tunica, MS. To learn more, find out about TBS group rates and to book your trip, go to http://www.golfandblues.net/?refid=torontobluessociety

Save Money on TBS Events

Become a TBS Member Today! Have the Maple Blues Magazine delivered right to your door each month. Meet like-minded blues lovers and help keep the blues alive in Toronto. The Toronto Blues Society offers several different membership options:

CHARTER MEMBERSHIP – $50/year – Monthly Maple Blues Newsletter, membership card, DISCOUNTS to TBS Events, exclusive access to special TBS events, other discounts, and voting rights.

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP – $70/year – Same privileges as Charter membership for a maximum of two adults and two children under 19.

INSTITUTIONAL or BENEFACTOR MEMBERSHIP – $125/year – Same privileges as Charter membership, plus more – Please inquire.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP – $35/year – Monthly Maple Blues Newsletter sent in fourth class mail

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP – $20/year – Same benefits as CHARTER membership (please include student card number)

Contact the TBS office today!