2007 in Review...2008 in sight...

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you to all of the great musicians that made my reviews a job of amazement and pleasure throughout 2007.
Thank you to all of the great players and appreciative listeners that attended our Tuesday night Acoustic Jam at Chicago's this year.
Thank you to the owners of Chicago's and all of the other live music venues in Oshawa for giving us a place to do what we love to do.
Thank you to my cat Sylvester who passed away this year at the age of 15 who was, and still is, an inspiration on how we all can live our lives.Eat.Sleep.Play....God Bless

Please support live music in Oshawa! Starting Sunday January 6th,2008 at Chicago's enjoy the irreplacable Terry Blankley and his guest Fabulous Frank Zee,as they serve up some tasty ambience through dinner into the early evening! Every Sunday from 4-ish to 8-ish .Bring the kids.

Join me at the Tartan Tavern on Friday January 11,2008 when I visit my old friend Ilse Themen and her band for one hell of an effin party.This lady rocks!............See you there!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE BRIAN ROSE LITTLE BIG BAND AT CHICAGO'S!!!

On Thursday,Dec.20 I came home from a Christmas gathering of old friends in the east end to the North Shwa and thought that some nice,pleasing jazz renderings would be a perfect way to wind down the evening.I wish somebody had told me that the party had already started and it was half over! When I walked into Chicago's,I first noticed that the place was filled almost to capacity and while the Brian Rose Little Big Band was effortlessly cruising through a Blood,Sweat and Tears number,I shuffled across a snowy Simcoe St. to recover my camera and the strength to carry on the evening.With a line-up of seasoned pros in a traditional big band configuration and fronted by the almost eerie 40's Sinatra-like vocals by Mr.Dave Statham with either Larisa Renee or Rachelle Courtney,this band obviously delivers what they advertise and more.Although they have a steady once-a-month booking at this venue, I didn't realize or appreciate until now what I had been missing.Here is a quote from their website." The Brian Rose Band is comprised of musicians with extensive experience in jazz, big bands, concert bands, Dixieland music, R&B, and even choirs. Their combined musical influences are reflected in their performance, and make it easy for them to satisfy the diverse tastes of today's audiences."

Brian Rose on sax and flute,Rob Bulger on guitar, Dave Statham on vocals,Steve Kostachuk on drums....wait...go to http://www.brianroseband.ca/ for a not only a comprehensive list of the players,but a really cool website to check out this band.I've also included some pictures of my own and two video clips in this review for your viewing and listening pleasure.

Do yourself a favour,as I will surely again and go back in time for a really fun and cool experience,when the Brian Rose Little Big Band returns on their regular night,Thursday January 17th at Chicago's.Why not."Baby It's Cold Outside"...............See You There!!!!

21st FULL COUNT BLUES BAND CHRISTMAS PARTY at CHICAGO'S!!!

On Saturday,Dec.15,Chicago's was again the place to be for the 21st annual "Full Count Blues Band Christmas Party" featuring Mr.Howard Ross and Friends.Over the years,most of us have greatly enjoyed this band and the many talented musicians that have taken the stage and enhanced the grizzly bear vocals and uniquely imaginative guitar of Howard Ross and this day was no exception.If a band could do a tribute to itself and it's many appreciative fans,then this is how you do it.I thought of this band as a freight train that goes forever to wherever and though it changes cars or band members in it's stops along the way,the engine,(Mr.Ross),is the constant that pulls not only his own weight(believe it or not) but so much more and "keeps the train a-rollin' ".....not to diminish the importance of the band members,on this day special guest Ms.June Eikhard on fiddle,Johnny Mack on guitar,Joe Lambert on sax,Howard(nice name)Moore on trumpet,Phil Manning on keyboards, Tom Uberholtz on bass and the incomparable Frank Woodcock on drums (supported by a legion of relatives).It was nice to see all of the above in the room,whether playing or not and thanks to Howard Ross and the Full Count Blues Band for carrying on this Christmas tradition and keeping your music and our spirits alive.I've included a video of the band doing Downchild's "Flip,Flop and Fly",though you really need to be there next year to appreciate and participate in the festivities.....See you there!!!!!!!!!!!

THE DAVID ROTUNDO BAND with JEROME GODBOO minus DAVID ROTUNDO

Friday,Dec.14, Chicago's hosted a much anticipated "Blues Harp" night,featuring The David Rotundo Band with special guests Jerome Godboo on harp/vocals/merriment and Al Cross on drums.Jerome was forced to announce at 9:30 that David was very ill and would not be attending.To make matters worse a few minutes later,guitarist Dan Dufour's amp decided that it would also not be participating.While this could have been a total disaster for other groups,Jerome and Al,with Shane Scott on bass and Des Brown on guitar,"kicked it up a notch or three" and kept the evening rocking until a new amp was located for Dan and the band went into full steam ahead overdrive until well after 2 a.m. Only real troopers and true professionals could have rescued a special evening like this and our full appreciation goes out to Jerome,Shane,Des,Dan and Al for their supreme effort beyond the call of duty and making this a memorable event of it's own.I've included a video of the Etta James tune"Don't Cry Baby" for you to enjoy and also added it on Youtube where you can find many other clips of Jerome and David and their bands.Get well soon Mr. Rotundo and we're looking forward to seeing you at Chicago's on Friday,January 4th,2008........................See you there!!!!!!!!!

ROMAN POKORNY at CHICAGO'S!

OK...Problems solved and I'm pleased to bring this review to you from Sunday Nov.25,when Chicago's and the Durham Region Music Society presented the great Czechoslovakian guitarist,Roman Pokorny.What a treat THIS was! Playing with a natural fluency that incorporated his classical learning but driven by a highly imaginative freewheeling style,Roman threw all language barriers and any other differences out the window.A virtuoso jazzman,but also a solid blues-rocker and even an adept country-rock picker at times,Mr.Pokorny had many of us wondering if we should have maybe taken a few dozen more guitar lessons.Capably backed by Society members,Terry Blankley on keys,Bobby Watson on guitar,Howard Ross(on bass!) and Greg Stokman on drums, Roman took us on a musical rollercoaster from cool jazzy bends to hot bluesy slides and left an appreciative audience to end each piece with loud applause.Joined later by Frank Zochodne on guitar,Joe Lambert on sax and the awesome vocals of Lynn McDonald,I couldn't help but feel proud to be able to hold the Tuesday Acoustic Jam on the same stage as these very talented musicians. Thanks to Lynn and the DRMS for bringing Roman here and check out his clips on Youtube.I was able to record the part of the concert where the band falls out and Roman flies solo for about four minutes,which I've included below.I'm sure you will enjoy it.

It's going to be a busy month with the DRMS Christmas party featuring Jack De Keyser on the 9th at the Wing Shack,David Rotundo w/Jerome Godboo at Chicago's on the 14th,followed by The Full Count Christmas on the 15th at Chicago's featuring Howard Ross with special guest June Eikhard,as well as many more great shows this month to follow.Check the DRMS and Chicago's calendars for details on these and other events coming soon.
As for me and the Tuesday Acoustic Jam,we just passed the nine month mark and since Christmas Day and New Year's Day are Tuesday's, I hope to see as many of you as I can on Dec.18,because we'll be off for two weeks until Jan.8,2008.All the best to all of you over the holidays and throughout 2008 and I hope to be still jammin' and writin' to ya'll this time next year..........................See Ya!!!!!!!!