JAZZ LIVES!

In light of the recent cancellation of the Jazzfest and the negative publicity surrounding it, we of the jazz community are rallying to bring a positive note to the community and draw attention to the gigs that are proceeding this week. Let’s lend our voices to celebrating what’s right with jazz in Calgary – our [...]

Remembering Hank Jones

Hank Jones July 31, 1918 – May 16, 2010 Dear Readers; This morning’s post is by guest contributor, pianist Brian Buchanan. Brian shares his thoughts about legendary jazz pianist Hank Jones, who died May 16, 2010 at the age of 91 in New York City. Cindy REMEMBERING HANK JONES by Brian Buchanan On my journey [...]

Tribute to Jaco Pastorius a Bass Lover’s Delight

live jazz, Calgary Tribute to Jaco Pastorius Fri & Sat, May 14 & 15 Auburn Lounge, Calgary Leading Alberta, L.A Bassists Showcased in Concerts Some of Alberta’s finest jazz bassists come together in performance to celebrate the work of electric bass guitar legend Jaco Pastorius on Friday and Saturday, May 14 & 15 at the [...]

Calgary Bluesfest 2010 Headline Roster Announced

blues festivals, Canada Calgary International Blues Festival August 2-8, 2010 Little Feat, Chicago Blues Reunion, The Holmes Brothers & More Organizers for the 6th Annual Calgary International Blues Festival, slated for August 2-8, 2010, have announced their headline roster for this year’s event. A full week of the best in blues will feature workshops, noon [...]

Canadian Jazz Legend Rob McConnell Dies

jazz obituaries, Canada Rob McConnell 1935 – 2010 McConnell Renowned for Work With Boss Brass Canada loses another jazz legend with the death of valve trombonist Rob McConnell, who died of cancer in a Toronto hospital on Sunday, May 1. The internationally renowned musician and bandleader who best known for his work with Boss Brass, [...]

John Stetch Trio Performs Canadian Dates

jazz concerts, Canada John Stetch Trio Regina, Edmonton, Montreal May 7-10 John Stetch Epitomizes What’s Right With Canadian Jazz New York based jazz pianist John Stetch brings his trio with Mike Downes and Joel Haynes to his native Canada to perform select dates in Regina (le Bistro – May 7), Edmonton (Yardbird Suite – May [...]

Edmonton Bluesfest Announces 2010 Headliners

blues festivals, Canada Edmonton’s Labatt Blues Festival August 20-22 Quality, Not Quantity Mark of Bluesfest Quality not quantity is the name of the game for Edmonton’s Labatt Blues Festival. Event organizers have announced a stunning lineup for 2010 that’s sure to please blues fans, with a range of blues legends and emerging stars in a [...]

Edmonton Jazzfest 2010 Artist Roster

jazz festivals, Canada Edmonton International Jazz Festival June 24 to July 4, 2010 Edmonton Jazzfest Offers Something For Everyone This year’s Edmonton International Jazz Festival, running June 24 to July 4, promises another fine experience for jazz fans old and new. The multi-faceted event features jazz, Latin, gospel and funk in a range of formats [...]

Edmonton Blues Fans in For a Treat

live blues, Canada Moreland & Arbuckle Friday, April 16 Century Casino, Edmonton Moreland and Arbuckle Return to Edmonton For Casino Appearance Edmonton’s blues community is in for a treat on Friday, April 16th when Moreland and Arbuckle, a young blues-rock duo out of Wichita, Kansas, appear at the Century Casino. Opening for the show are [...]

SpringFest 2010 – 3 stages, 26 shows

live jazz, blues, Canada Springfest 2010 Saturday, April 10 East Coulee, Alberta SpringFest 2010 Features a Range of Blues, Jazz, Folk Rockabilly & More Situated in the heart of the Badlands, the hamlet of East Coulee celebrates SpringFest 2010 on Saturday, April 10th at the East Coulee School Museum. A fundraising benefit held in support [...]

Leading Vancouver Jazz Musicians Release Two Stellar Albums

jazz CD release, Canada Double Jazz CD Release Event Jennifer Scott, Rene Worst, Miles Black Fri & Sat, Apr 9 & 10 Cellar Jazz, Vancouver Musicians Some of the Finest in Canadian Jazz Prominent Vancouver jazz musicians Jennifer Scott, Rene Worst and Miles Black join in celebrating the release of two new CDs, Storybook and [...]

Jazz Guitar Legend Herb Ellis Dies

jazz music obituaries Herb Ellis 1921 – 2010 Ellis Set Footprint for Modern Jazz Guitar Herb Ellis, renowned jazz guitarist and former member of the Oscar Peterson trio, has died at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 88, having succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease. Herb Ellis is said to have created the footprint [...]

Berklee School of Music Offers New Jazz Vocal Course

Berklee School of Music Jazz Voice Course Jan Shapiro to Teach Jazz Vocalists Chair of the Voice department at Berklee College of Music, Jan Shapiro will teach the new Jazz Voice course. Shapiro has presented vocal clinics around the country and toured extensively, performing in jazz clubs, hotels, and supper clubs in Chicago, Washington D.C., [...]

Jazz & Blues Lose Two Music Legends

jazz, blues, music obituaries Eugene Amaro 1936 – 2010 Canadian Jazz Legend Eugene Amaro Dies Eugene Amaro, saxophonist, bandleader and Canadian jazz legend, has died on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at the age of 74. 
Leader of his Eugene Amaro Quartet, co-leader of the Sam Noto/Eugene Amaro Quintet, and long-time member of Rob McConnell’s Boss [...]

Jazz Guitarist Bill Coon in Calgary

Bill Coon Fri & Sat, March 26 & 27 Beat Niq, Calgary Renowned Musician to Perform with Calgary Musicians Juno nominated jazz guitarist, composer and arranger Bill Coon performs in Calgary this Friday & Saturday, March 26 & 27 at Beat Niq. Presented by Jazz Is Society, Coon will be supported by RAEJIS (Resident Artists [...]

Bluesman Mike Clark Releases New CD

blues CD release, Canada Blues CD Release Mike Clark Porch Songs April 2 &3 Mikey’s Juke Joint, Calgary Mike Clark, Restauranteur By Day, Bluesman By Night Bluesman Mike Clark officially releases his long-awaited new album, Porch Songs (Independent), on April 2 & 3 at his popular Calgary club, Mikey’s Juke Joint and Eatery. One of [...]

Saxophonist Darren Sigesmund Releases New CD

live jazz, Canada Jazz CD Release Tour Darren Sigesmund Strands ll Saturday, March 20 The Bassment, Saskatoon Sigesmund On Tour with All-Star Sextet Toronto based trombonist, composer, and band leader Darren Sigesmund brings his all-star group Strands to the Bassment in Saskatoon on Saturday, March 20th at 9pm. Touring in support of his acclaimed new [...]

2010 Juno Nominees in Jazz & Blues

jazz & blues music news, Canada 2010 Juno Awards Nominees Jazz & Blues Categories Diana Krall’s Quiet Nights Garners Three Nominations Nominations for the 2010 Juno Awards were announced this past week. Listed below are the jazz and blues nominees for 2010. Pianist/vocalist Diana Krall also captured nominations for Album of the Year and Artist [...]

Calgary Jazz Drummer Tyler Hornby Releases CD

jazz CD release, Canada CD Release Tyler Hornby A Road to Remember Chronograph Records (2010) March 12 & 13 at 9:00pm  Beat Niq, Calgary A Road to Remember Showcases Hornby’s Compositional Talents Calgary based jazz drummer Tyler Hornby celebrates the release of his new CD, A Road to Remember (Chronograph Records), this Friday & Saturday, [...]

Calgary Blues Festival Takes Chill Off Winter

blues music festival, Canada Calgary Midwinter Bluesfest Feb 22-27 Festival Features Full Week of Blues Events Calgary Blues Music Association gears up for its 3rd annual Midwinter Bluesfest, slated to run Feb. 22-27 with a host of events. Starring Sonny Landreth, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Carson Downey Band, Keith Hallett Band, Tim Williams, and Hills & [...]

52nd Annual Grammy Awards

jazz, blues music news 52 Annual Grammy Awards Winners Announced Jan 31, 2010 WINNERS IN JAZZ & BLUES CATEGORIES The 52nd Annual Grammy Award winners were announced last night in Los Angeles at the star-studded gala event. Listed below are the winners in the jazz and blues categories, for complete listings visit the link below. [...]

Maple Blues Award Winners Announced

blues music news, Canada Maple Blues Awards 2009-2010 Ottawa’s Monkey Junk Capture Five Awards The Toronto Blues Society’s Maple Blues Award winners were announced last night at the annual gala. Topping the awards were Ottawa band Monkey Junk, who captured five awards including Entertainer of the Year, Electric Act of the Year, Male Vocalist of [...]

Jazz Drummer Ed Thigpen Dies

jazz music news Ed Thigpen 1930 – 2010 Thigpen Drummer of Choice for Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald One of jazz music’s brighest stars has gone out with the death of legendary drummer Ed Thigpen, who died January 13th at the age of 79 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Thigpen, who was born in Chicago and raised in [...]

Coastal Jazz Presents Anthony Braxton

live jazz, Canada Anthony Braxton with his 12 + 1 tet Friday, January 29 at 8:00pm Christ Church Cathedral 690 Burrard Street Improvised Jazz Legend Leads Large Ensemble Coastal Jazz and Blues Society presents another installment in their presenting season with saxophone legend Anthony Braxton with his 12-piece ensemble, the 12 + 1 tet, in [...]

National Music Centre Receives $25 Million

music news, Canada Cantos Music Foundation National Music Centre City of Calgary Supports Cantos Music Foundation Initiative The City of Calgary has approved a $25 million commitment toward the building of a National Music Centre on the site of the King Edward Hotel in the East Village. The City will release a “seed money” payment [...]

Norwegian, Canadian Jazz Connection

live jazz, Canada Harvard Wiik Trio with Simon Fisk, Jerry Granelli Feb 15 & 16 Beat Niq, Calgary Bassist Simon Fisk to Present and Perform World Class Jazz Calgary musician and composer Simon Fisk is once again putting together another world class ensemble for a weekend of top-notch jazz February 15 & 16 at Beat [...]

Edmonton Jazz Supporter Craig Magill Dies

jazz music news, Canada Craig Magill 1941-2009 photo credit Brian Gavriloff, The Journal, File Jazz Community Reels from Loss Edmonton’s jazz community is reeling from the news that Craig Magill, a long-time supporter, has died December 31 while in New York. Magill, who was 69, suffered a massive brain injury after a fall, accidentally losing [...]

White Rock Blues Society Throws a Fundraiser

blues music news, Canada The Twisters Monday, Jan. 11 Yale Hotel, Vancouver Fundraising Event Helps Group Attend Maple Blues Awards The White Rock Blues Society is presenting a fundraiser on Monday, Jan 1 at the Yale Hotel in support of blues band The Twisters, who’ll use the proceeds to cover travel costs they’ll incur getting [...]

Winnipeg Blues Fans Rally for Venue

blues music news, Canada The Windsor Hotel “home to Winnipeg blues” Petition & Rally Supports Blues Venue Winnipeg blues fans are building momentum in a bid to stop the rumored demolition of the Windsor Hotel, home to the city’s blues scene. Forming the Facebook group “Save the Windsor Hotel-Petition with us!!!” the group have mobilized [...]

Roots & Blues Songwriter John Rutherford Releases CD

Blues CD Release, Canada CD Release Tour John Rutherford Echo Broadcast Album Marks Rutherford’s Debut as Solo Artist Blues & roots singer/songwriter John Rutherford embarks on a regional tour next week, appearing across his home province of Alberta in January and then again in March. The tour marks the release of Rutherford’s new CD, Echo [...]

Cory Weeds, Joey DeFrancesco Headline Cellar Jazz

live jazz, Canada Live Recording Cory Weeds Quartet featuring Joey DeFrancesco Fri & Sat, Jan 8 & 9 Cellar Jazz, Vancouver Jazz Musicians to Record Live CD Vancouver’s Cellar Jazz Club is the place to be next weekend, when saxophonist Cory Weeds lays down the tracks for his next album. He’s bound to create a [...]

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Dear Readers; Wishing one and all the very best in 2010. The new decade will surely bring an abundance of beautiful sounds, remember to support live music and enjoy the many jazz and blues recordings that paved the path for today’s music along with the up-and-coming stars of tomorrow. Take great pride [...]

Jazz, Blues & New Year’s Eve

live jazz & blues, Canada New Year’s Eve Celebrations Jazz & Blues Calgary & Area Happy New Year 2009! Dear Readers; Wishing you the very best in the New Year and may your days be filled with the glorious sounds of live music! Below is a list of New Year’s celebrations in Calgary and area [...]

Celebrate New Year’s Brazilian Style

live Latin music, Canada REVEILLON 2010 Acadia Hall, Calgary Latin Music, Dance & Food Make for Spicy New Year Celebration The Brazilian Community Association of Alberta (BCA-AB) celebrates the New Year with a spicy Latin flavour in REVEILLON 2010. With a Brazilian buffet topped only by the music, the annual event is a family-friendly affair. [...]

Jazz Collective Celebrates Early New Year’s

live jazz, Canada Mark DeJong/Simon Fisk Collective Tuesday, December 29 8-11pm Communitea, Canmore Jazz Music, Storytelling Performed in the Rockies Canmore’s Communitea presents an evening of jazz in a pre-New Year’s party on Tuesday, December 29 from 8-11pm. Featured artists for the evening are the Mark DeJong/Simon Fisk Collective with special guest Samantha Whelan Kotkas. [...]

Jazz Regina’s Annual Homecoming Concert

live jazz, Canada Jazz Regina presents Homecoming 2009 Sunday, Dec. 27 Regina Inn Jazz Concert Features Local Musicians Jazz Regina presents Homecoming 2009, featuring Greg Duncan (guitar), Derek Friesen (trumpet), Kris Maddigan (drums), Sam McLellan (bass) and Jeff McLeod (piano). The annual event showcases local artists who’ve gone on to tour, teach and perform across [...]

Christmas Jazz Vespers With 3 Ladies in Jazz

live jazz, Canada Christmas Jazz Vespers Kate Hammett-Vaughn, Jennifer Scott, Karin Plato Thursday, December 24 Christmas Jazz Vespers Support Families in Need Three of Vancouver’s leading ladies in jazz gather to perform a very special Christmas Eve Jazz Vespers Performance at St. Andrews Wesley Church in Vancouver. The event is free of charge but donations [...]

Cindy’s Christmas Jazz Album Picks

Cindy’s Jazz Christmas Picks Dear Readers; This holiday season our home will be filled with the sounds of jazz. Listed below are some of my favourite Christmas albums by Canadian and international artists. You’ll find information on how to purchase below each listing. May one and all enjoy a peaceful, joyful and bountiful holiday season! [...]

Calgary Musicians Salute Canadian Troops

Holger Peterson Celebrates 40 Years as CKUA Host

live blues, Canada CKUA Honours Holger Peterson’s 40 Years of Hosting Natch’l Blues Joe Louis Walker, Donnie Walsh & More Slated to Perform CKUA Radio celebrates Holger Peterson’s 40th anniversary as host of the popular roots & blues radio program Natch’l Blues, with a dinner and dance on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 7:00pm at Edmonton’s [...]

Cast Your Votes for the Maple Blues Awards

blues music news, Canada Maple Blues Awards Online Vote Now Active Nominations for Maple Blues Awards Announced Submit your votes for your favourite artists for The Maple Blues Awards. Online voting began on Friday, Oct. 30, with nominees in eight different categories. Cast your votes at http://www.mapleblues.ca/register.aspx before Sunday, Dec. 13 at noon. The 13th [...]

Lester Quitzau Trio in Rossland

live blues, Canada Lester Quitzau Trio Monday, November 2 at 8pm Old Fire Hall Rossland, BC Guitarist Tours in Support of New Release Guitarist, songwriter and singer Lester Quitzau brings his trio to Rossland’s Old Fire Hall on Monday, November 2nd for an evening of original music. Touring in support of his new album, The [...]

MacLean & McLean’s Century Blues Tour

live blues, Canada McLean & McLean present Century Blues Tour Veteran Bluesmen Perform More Than 100 Canadian Dates Doc MacLean and Big Dave McLean are on the road again in 2009 with their National Steel “Century” Blues Tour of more than 100 back to back shows spanning 9 provinces and 2 territories. The veteran bluesmen [...]

Johnny Tornado Stops in Alberta on Canadian Tour

live blues, Canada Johnny Tornado & the Storm Riders Storm Riders Alberta Tour Saturday, October 17 Shamrock Hotel, Calgary Sunday, October 18 Blues on Whyte Storm Riders Features an Organic, Live Off the Floor Sound Blues guitar man Johnny Tornado and his Storm Riders band make stops along their Canadian tour to perform in Calgary [...]

Monday Night Jazz Series Features Michelle Gregoire Quintet

live jazz, Canada University of Calgary Monday Night Jazz Series Michelle Gregoire Quintet Monday, November 30 at 8pm Beat Niq, Calgary Michelle Gregoire Quintet to Appear at Beat Niq Now in its sixth season, the University of Calgary’s Monday Night Jazz Series features pianist Michelle Gregoire in quintet at Beat Niq Jazz Club on Monday, [...]

Dino Dominelli Quartet Returns to Edmonton Jazz Club

live jazz, Canada Dino Dominelli Quartet Friday, October 16 at 9pm Jeffrey’s Cafe, Edmonton Versatile Saxophonist Leads Quartet for a Night of Contemporary Jazz The Dino Dominelli Quartet makes a return to Edmonton’s Jeffrey’s Cafe to showcase an evening of modern Jazz. Formed and lead by Dino Dominelli (tenor & soprano saxophones), quartet members include [...]

Trumpeter Dean McNeill in Calgary

live jazz, Canada Jazz Is Presents Trumpeter Dean McNeil Fri & Sat, November 13 & 14 Irene Besse Steinway Hall, Calgary Trumpeter to Perform with Jazz Is Resident Ensemble The Jazz Is Society of Alberta presents trumpeter Dean McNeill November 13 & 14 at Irene Besse Steinway Hall as part of their 2009-10 concert season. [...]

Prime Time Big Band Celebrates 15th Anniversary

live jazz, Canada Prime Time Big Band Fall Into Swing Saturday, Oct. 31 Beth Tzedec Synagogue Ballroom Calgary Calgary Ensemble Features Local Music Greats Calgary based Prime Time Big Band celebrates their 15th Anniversary with Fall Into Swing, a dinner and dance at the Beth Tzedec Synagogue Ballroom on Saturday, October 31. Prime Time is [...]

Vocal Legend Big Miller Honoured

jazz news, Canada Honouring Big Miller Unveiling of Statue Big Miller Park, Edmonton Statue Unveiling Pays Tribute to Jazz & Blues Singer Edmonton pays respect to jazz & blues vocal great Big Miller, when the unveiling of a sculpture of the singer by Danek Mozdzendski is unveiled on Saturday, September 26, at Big Miller Park [...]

1st Annual Rossland Jazzfest Kicks Off

jazz festivals, Canada 1st Annual Rossland Jazz Festival Sept 23-27 Rossland, BC Intimate Venue Provides Home for Jazz Rossland, BC is home to a brand new jazz festival that will feature 25 world-class musicians in the intimate environment of the village’s old fire hall, from September 23-27. Featuring 25 world-class musicians in some of jazz [...]