UPCOMING GIGS

  • June 10'20 Nice Bistro Whitby, ON
  • Apr.15'20 Princess M Hospital Atrium
  • Apr.11'20 HIRUT 2050 Danforth Toronto
  • Dec.14 '19 HIRUT 2050 Danforth Toronto
  • July 26 2019 Gull River, Minden ON
  • June 19, 2019 The Nice Bistro, Whitby
  • Sun.May5, 2019 Hugh's Room, Toronto
  • Sat.April 6, 2019 The Old Mill, Toronto
  • 15 marzo 2019, el gallo restaurant, san pancho, mexico
  • Feb. 26, 2019 Relish Bar/Grill, Toronto
  • Jan.23,2019 Nice Bistro, Whitby
  • Sept.29,'18 12:30-3:30pm; Glass Eagle Studio, Haliburton
  • Sept.19, 2018 Private Function, Toronto
  • July 27&28, Haliburton Arts&Crafts2-4pm
  • June 6, 2018 The Nice Bistro, Whitby, ON
  • Feb.23,2018 San Pancho Music Festival, Mexico
  • Jan.20,2018 The Old Mill Toronto, Home Smith Bar
  • Sept.30,2017 All That Jazz & More, at the Minden Legion
  • Aug. 5, 2017 Private Party, Carnarvon, ON
  • Aug. 4, 2017 Music by the Gull, Minden, ON
  • Aug. 2, 2017 The Nice Bistro, Whitby ON
  • May 17, 2017 The Nice Bistro, Whitby, ON
  • April 29, 2017 Minden Cultural Centre, Minden, ON
  • March 24,2017 The Old Mill Toronto, Home Smith Bar
  • Feb.26,2017 San Pancho Music Fest. Mexico
  • Nov.5, 2016 Radio Hall, CanoeFM, Haliburton, ON
  • Nov. 2, 2016 le Nice Bistro, Whitby, ON
  • Sept. 4, 2016 The Red Umbrella Inn, Minden, ON
  • July 26, 2016, Head Lake Park, Haliburton, ON
  • Jan. 29, 2016, The Home Smith Bar at the Old Mill, Toronto
  • Oct.23, 2015 Gate 403
  • Sept. 9 The Nice Bistro, Whitby, ON
  • August 22, Gate 403, Toronto
  • August 14, Music by the Gull, Minden, ON
  • July 29 Hugh's Room, Toronto
  • June 13, Gate 403,Toronto

Friday, December 19, 2014

BIG BIRTHDAY BASH PREP

IT'S COMING!!!   NEXT JULY, 2015!!!

And we have begun recording.  Actually, we began during the summer, and did a little more last month, but last night I actually shot a little clip of the rehearsal for more studio work at the end of this month; finally got the clip uploaded at a better computer.
So just for fun...here's a photo from the Nov. work, and then last night's jollity. (p.s. don't know why the little slideshows on the opening page have suddenly become gigantic, but you sure can see them now).  Les photos:


Julian Yarrow, pianoman, Ron Johnston, bass, John Deehan, sax, Paul Greco, drums, et moi

 



Thursday, December 11, 2014

N'AWLINS AND FLORIDA, NOV.2014

Lucky me, having a chance to travel a bit, thanks to a friend who wanted the company. And unlucky me now, back in the cold...
As I sit here in my longjohns and my skipants - indoors! - I fondly remember the warm sun
(actually only one day of it, during a most nasty and mean-to-me cold front, which lasted the whole of my short stay).
And I have a couple of photos to prove that the sun did exist for a while:

oh, the memories.  snow today in toronto!

it's a long, long way away now

but if i really use my imagination, i can be there again.


and after Florida, I zipped over to have a couple of days in New Orleans, first time ever.  It was freezing there, but still good to see that great city, and to sample the barbecued shrimp. some pics:


Me with horsie in front of Jackson Square and the famous statue:
Me and the Mighty Mississippi

One of the jazz clubs on Bourbon Street

and then I had the ill-fated trip home.  Don't ever fly on US Airways, folks.  Plane delayed three hours in some god-forsaken place in the states. ( a stop on the route).  Back in Toronto after 1am.  Thank god for the all-night Bloor bus running straight from the airport.



Last week had a great evening in Minden, Ontario at the township's gala for community volunteers.  Played some music, talked to folks, but forgot my camera, so have to wait for the disposable processing.

And in the meantime, got some recording to do, in prep for CD #9, which will be released next July, 2015.  Big birthday bash for myself at the same time.  All donations gratefully received.

Monday, December 1, 2014

NICE BISTRO ENCORE

John Deehan joined us for a few numbers last Wed. Nov. 26 at the Bistro:
danny mcerlain, keys; john deehan, sax; me on vocals

NICE BISTRO NOV 26 '14

always a good time in the restaurant of transported France. Toujours un plaisir.
des photos from the Nice Bistro, Whitby:
danny mcerlain on keys

moi


and i give.  i'n on a stupid community computer which doesn't load the last photo.

i'll try a new post




Sunday, November 23, 2014

THE DREARIEST DAY

or as they say in Ireland:
Droch aimsir
which makes a sound that truly reflects the shittiness of the day.
Just soooo grey; one longs for colour.
I could post this fabulous sunset from the summertime in rural Ontario:

since I keep forgetting to put my photos from Florida and N'awlins onto my flash drive.  Well they'll be up soon enough.

IN THE MEANTIME:  I'll be singing, jazz standards et beaucoup de chansons francais - with the piano accompaniment of Danny McErlain:

Wednesday, November 26, 2014  7-9 or 9:30pm
The Nice Bistro
117 Brock St. North
Whitby, Ontario
905 668 8839

here's a photo from another time there:


Sunday, November 2, 2014

DEFINITION OF A CANADIAN

A friend sent me this piece from another contact, and I think it's worth noting.  If you substitute "a human" for "a Canadian" and people everywhere took it to heart, maybe the world would improve.  As it is, I'm proud to be a Canadian, and hope we all can remember that we should be united in this outlook.  And thanks to that Australian dentist in the aftermath of the murders of two of our best citizens.

...there was a report that someone in Pakistan had advertised in a newspaper an offer of a reward to anyone who killed a Canadian - any Canadian...
An Australian dentist wrote the following editorial to help define what a Canadian is, so they would know one when they found one:

                                                          A Canadian can be English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian Dutch, or Greek. A Canadian can be Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Asian, Arab, Pakistani or Afghan. A Canadian may also be a Cree, Métis, Mohawk, Blackfoot, Sioux, or one of the many other tribes known as native Canadians. A Canadian's religious beliefs range from Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu or none. In fact, there are more Muslims in Canada than in Afghanistan . The key difference is that in Canada they are free to worship as each of them chooses. Whether they have a religion or no religion, each Canadian ultimately answers only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.
A Canadian lives in one of the most prosperous lands in the history of the world. The root of that prosperity can be found in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms which recognize the right of each person to the pursuit of happiness.
A Canadian is generous and Canadians have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need, never asking a thing in return. Canadians welcome the best of everything, the best products, the best books, the best music, the best food, the best services and the best minds.
But they also welcome the least - the oppressed, the outcast and the rejected.
These are the people who built Canada . You can try to kill a Canadian if you must as other blood-thirsty tyrants in the world have tried but in doing so you could just be killing a relative or a neighbour. This is because Canadians are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, can be a Canadian.



Friday, October 31, 2014

THE OLD MILL, TORONTO, OCT 30, 2014

It was a lot of fun.
Great audience, great musicians, and great tunes.  Also great staff at the Old Mill's Home Smith Bar, too.  Cheerful and quick.
So another good night of la la la - I do like to sing, escpecially when accomanied by such talented musicians.
The only bad part was a lack of photos with my own camera.  (And I also forgot it altogether at the previous gig.  Guess I need an official photographer.  As well as secretary, press agent, manager, etc. etc. etc.)
But we get along without that very well. 
Of course we do.
Except on radio jazz shows
Why that is so, well no one knows
But it seems that airplay is a crazy dream
Of course it is.
But we get along without that very well.

For those unfamiliar with standard jazz tunes, the song "I Get Along Without You Very Well", is a most gorgeous one, and it's the one I'm making my own lyrics to there, just above.

Only two pics; maybe more later from audience members

moi, Ron Johnston, bass; John Deehan, sax; Peter Hill, piano
the second costume

Sister Marianne and behind that mask, yours truly

Don't seem to have a copy of the first outfit....


Monday, October 27, 2014

AND ON THURSDAY...


The 2014 Year ‘Round Jazz Festival Continues at

THE HOME SMITH BAR – THE OLD MILL TORONTO

21 Old Mill Road, Toronto - www.oldmilltoronto.com

THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

 

No Reservations  -  No Cover  -  Full Menu  -  Free Parking  -  Steps to the Subway

 

Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday right through the Fall and Winter,

the Home Smith Bar at the Old Mill Toronto showcases some of

the most important instrumentalists and leading vocalists on today’s jazz landscape

performing for your pleasure amid the cozy charm of one of Toronto’s best-loved lounges.

__________________________________________________________________________

 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30

Award-winning vocalist ZOE CHILCO is a Canadian singer and songwriter performing and recording jazz and blues, standards, and originals. Currently working on her ninth CD, her voice has been described as “velvety and romantic…but at the same time, full of power”.  Chilco wrote and continues to perform a loving and intimate tribute to the great Zoot Sims featuring songs she wrote in homage to him, and a firsthand narrative of the time they spent together.   Her song ‘Havelock Street’ is a finalist at www.songwritingcontest.co.uk/2002.html.

Award-Winning Vocalist  ZOE CHILCO Headlines
with JOHN DEEHAN (saxophone), PETER HILL (piano), RON JOHNSTON (bass)

 

Saturday, October 25, 2014

TONIGHT! TONIGHT! and other stuff

Tonight we're playing at Gate 403, on Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto  9pm and on....

It would be so great to see y'all. C'mon out.

And for your current amusement, some photos:

Ian Pay, bassman, and myself at the illustrious Dominion Hotel in Minden, winners of the CD and Baby Duck

a few years back - so young and innocent I was



the sullen and cynical later view of life

and in 2012, I'm back to my child-like hope

2013, hey, I look the same as the little kid, don't I?


 Keep on truckin', and don't forget to walk by the water to stay real

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

SINGING THE BLUES AWAY

Yes, Ma'am.  I believe in music. I believe in its holy power, bandman!! In its messages to the world to shape up - by dancing, perhaps, or by listening to some good alternative to the corporate-controlled media and corrupt politicians and CEOs, or by simply relaxing your mind and floating downstream - always good for the soul.
Last weekend we got the band together and preached our best chords and melodies to the believers and dancers in Minden, Ontario.  Good times.  Minden Times (an inside joke).
Here are some pics:

John Deehan lying down on the job (I fixed it once, but it's reverted)

Ian Pay, likeways, sideways

Paul Chlco, following suit

Paul Greco, fuzzy from uprighting himself

Myself and Paul insisting on performing as if in a space capsule

Back on our feet

Well, wasn't that a crazy trip?

Imagine! All of us playing that way.  We're good.

But getting serious...

Earth is easy when you get used to it

Cookin' and Standin'.  Alright.

Maintaining ground control by linking arms -  Ian Pay, Paul Greco, Zoe Chilco, John Deehan, Paul Chilco.

Thanks to the great audience for enjoying the night with us.







 

Friday, October 3, 2014

COMMUNITY


            I don't have a computer at home, so I have to go to a neighbourhood community centre to get online.  It's a great service to have available, and the staff are very friendly. I go there often.

            I dropped in Monday morning after being out of town on the weekend, and saw a notice on the front door, with a photo of a smiling young man, and words to the effect of “in honour of....”   I went to the front desk to ask what it was about and was horrified to learn that the beautiful smiling man had been murdered on Saturday – shot on a downtown street of Toronto.  A co-worker told me there would be a memorial gathering there on Wednesday evening.

            I went to the centre that night, feeling a little strange and out of place.  I hadn't known the young man, called Nahom (pronounced na-home); I worried that I would seem like some kind of maudlin eavesdropper when I saw the chairs all set out in a circle; a staff member said it was meant to be an opportunity for people to express their feelings about the sad event. I thought of just slipping out before anything got underway. 

            But I stayed there, looking at photos, reading the cards that many people had filled out with comments about 'what I liked about Nahom'.  He was very well-liked, and respected; was involved in many programs; made friends with everyone, but the most common phrase was “His smile!, which apparently was magic, and lit up the world for many. 

             I waited a bit longer to add my name to a book set out in the hall, but the line-up was slow, and eventually the meeting got started.  Sitting on some stairs at the back, I was outside the circle, but was encouraged to move within the group, so I did.

            I had read the notice quoting the newspaper article, about how devoted Nahom was to the work he did, what an effective community worker he was, all the studies he had undertaken to do what he did, all the accolades.  But nothing came close to the raw emotion  that I witnessed over the next hour.  Person after person got up and spoke, with broken English and very broken hearts, telling of all the work he had done with them, the interest he had taken, the efforts he had made to make them comfortable, and the knowledge he shared to help them find their way as newcomers.  And once more....”His smile!”  I felt sorry that I hadn't met him, and at the same time felt I did know him, how bright he was, how much he gave, and how he made people laugh. One woman thanked his family through her tears for the fact that she had had time with him.  One young girl wept uncontrollably, but still managed to say, “Keep believing in him, keep loving him, keep talking to him!  And let him help you, he wants to help us now, and he will, if we listen.” There was a silence after that, a pause for everyone to recover. His sister entreated us to spread love, as he had, to let go animosity from the past. And then a young man got up and spoke of how Nahom had been like a brother to him, unlike his four 'real' brothers, who never spoke to him, or 'went out with' him.  Nahom gave him time and an ear.  He mourned the loss of this brother he loved.

            I left after the speakers were finished.  I didn't stay to hear what the official grieving team had to say.  They were sincere, and no doubt very capable, but I just felt that all their words were unnecessary, that the friends and co-workers and even people who had only met Nahom just recently, had all spoken very eloquently of his impact on them. What is there to say, really, when someone so valued and so promising and generous is simply taken out?

            As I walked along the Danforth, I was sad, and I thought, more sad than I had felt for people or relatives who had died.  I think it was that this young man had so much spirit, so much of the kind of spirit that we cry for.  And I think it was all magnified by the fact that the community who mourned him were made up of people from so many different countries and religions, all coming together with a single heartfelt sorrow and a plea for prayer. The other phrase I heard repeatedly during that sad hour was “I'll never forget you, Nahom, never!”

            You can read more in The Toronto Star, Sept.29, 2014

.  Nahom Berhane

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

SMACK ME SMARTER, WILL YOU?

Because I don't know, I should not be feeling bummed out.  After all, I had the privilege earlier today, of recording some new songs - always a fun and wonderful time.  Maybe it's just the let-down afterwards, or maybe it's all the wars, or the ebola virus running rampant, or the sickos in government.

But I won't go there; I am my own mental control board.  And in fact, I have something to turn my attention to:  This morning I was looking at some things I unearthed in my basement clean up and clean out.  I found such a lovely poem written by my son when he was little and not constantly busy.  I took a picture of it and of an old photo of us. I'll be keeping these mementos for a while more.
Here's to sweet times and to the music that is always a gift.





No, you're outta sight, boy o' mine






How's that for a pick-me-up?  Now Ah am heeealed!

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

DEERY, DERRY ME

yes, the promised deer short clip, filmed at the place i called Derry Dell, way back in '94 - (the naming, not the filming - that was very recent).


but oh, it's not working, and once again, i am stymied by the vagaries of the built-in obnoxiousness of various computers and systems.  too much, isn't it?  too much to ask that they make them all compatible. 
no bloody wonder there's no world peace.  they can't even agree on technological communication.

so i'll move on - or backwards, as it happens. or happened.  confused?  i simply mean that the photos i will now upload are from a gig on the weekend.  lotsa fun.  great acoustics in that art gallery. and a good art-and-music-loving crowd.

oh, the emotional emoting

moi, john deehan, sax; dennis pendrith, bass

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

OOT AND ABOOT

Trying to keep things up-to-date here..
I have some photos, even a little movie, from my visit to Stratford for some theatah, darling. Above is the pre-show fanfare. 

kids feeding the ducklings by the Avon River

the amazing Colm Feore after his virtuoso King Lear performance.  Myself looking a little weird - maybe I was nervous. Relax, dear.

after last weekend's performance at Rhubarb Restaurant

the little deer in my backyard


I have a movie of the deer too, but I have to shorten in later to post.

Friday night at the Agnes Jamieson Gallery in Minden, Ontario   5:30-6:30  My jazz trio and moi.



Thursday, August 21, 2014

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Trouble is, I've just given up my latest home.  True, I'm moving on to something else, but it's always difficult to make these changes, and leave behind happy memories.  Guess I should be glad they're happy (except for the creepo neighbour).
Onward and upward!!!
Singing on the weekend at RHUBARB, in Haliburton, and the following Friday (29th)at the art gallery in Minden.
If you're in cottage country in Ontari-ari-ario, come by.
And next post I'll have some pictures from my visit to the Stratford Festival and the King Lear performance I saw.  Fan - you know what - tastic.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

ATTENTION ALL RADIO STATIONS!!!

You know the old saying: "blow your own horn".  well, sometimes you just have to do it, because nobody else does.  And if you don't indulge in a little shameless self-promotion, - nobody is going to do that either.

Had a lovely sunny summer afternoon on the weekend at a jazz party up at a northern lake - wonderful musicians, an appreciative group of people on the lawn and in boats, and I get to sing with them.  Great fun.  Here's the horn-blowing part: I got a lot of positive feedback about my singing, but one person reported to me a comment made to them, and I quote, - "Wow, she's better than so many people on the radio".

Need I say more, Jazz FM, or CBC?  Get me on your airwaves!! The people want it! Make them and me happy! But meanwhile, because I won't hold my breath for that oh-so-bourgeois and common recognition, I'll just keep on truckin' with all the great fun I get to have, and enjoy just the teensiest bit of smug satisfaction thinking about that comment.  "..better than....", you say?  Why, thanks so much for that, and i bow to all the gods of music for the joy of song.
And if you're in Carnarvon, Ontario, in Haliburton County on the weekend, come to the Rhubarb Restaurant; I'll be performing there with John Deehan on saxophone.

Some pictures:

linda kooluris-dobbs takes lovely photographs. check her website

here's what the setting was; more folks behind on the grass

and more boats

fred duligal on sax

ted roberts on guitar

rosemary galloway on bass

john macloud on trumpet

don vickery on drums

tout le bande

i think this guy fancied me, but i found him a little wooden

it's a rough life