1. Event reminders and alerts for the next month
2. Charlie Gillett: music from his funeral
3. Video from some recent Toronto shows
 

1. Event reminders/alerts.
Some very big shows coming up over the next month:

a) Cuban
Tonight kicks off a month with some notable Cuban music:

• Tonight, the Lula Lounge hosts Changuito, one of Cuba's greatest percussionists. He's joined by the Rumberos All Star Orchestra.
• Apr. 10, David Calzado y su Charanga Habanera, a hugely popular band in Cuba should fill the Sound Academy.
• Apr. 17: Jane Bunnett and the Cuban Piano Masters
  3 generations of Cuban piano, featuring Hilario Duran, Elio Villafranca and Guillermo Rubalcaba at Koerner Hall
• Apr. 23/24: Eliades Ochoa at the Royal Theatre
  It's been a number of years since we've had the opportunity to see the great Cuban guitarist, best known now for his work with the Buena Vista Social Club

For more information on the above shows including video, visit http://cubaintoronto.com/ -- a great source for Cuban music in town. Of course, keep an eye on the Lula's schedule for plenty of Cuban music, including Sunday Rumba Jams
 

b) Other
The month is also remarkable for the number of big-name artists coming to town, including:

• Mar. 27: John Hammond in the second of 2 nights at Hugh's Room, plus Madagascar Slim plays the Silver Dollar
• Apr. 1: Judy Collins at Hugh's
• Apr. 5: Dr. Draw at Hugh's
• Apr. 6: Baaba Maal at Koerner Hall. Last I checked, there were still some tickets left for the Senegalese superstar
• Apr. 9: Buddy Guy at Massey Hall
• Apr. 9-10: Jesse Winchester at Hugh's
• Apr. 13: King Sunny Adé at  the Phoenix. I'm hoping he brings more guitar to this show than he did at his last Harbourfront performance. Just didn't sound "Juju". (And he picked up the guitar only briefly once)
• Apr. 30: The Henrys aren't seen too often these days. At Hugh's
• May 4: The Carolina Chocolate Drops. Good catch by Hugh's Room to bring them to town

Lots more events this month and through the spring. Get in shape for the big summer lineups... Check http://www.to-music.ca/events.htm
 

Here are the songs played at his funeral, held yesterday (on YouTube)

Emahoy Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou, The Homeless Wanderer
Read Charlie's take on her music here

Leadbelly, Midnight Special
A few years ago, Charlie posted on his forum:
"If you really want to annoy me when I'm gone, play Joan Baez at the farewell... But if you want to make me happy, have somebody sing Midnight Special, the first song I learned to play (but never well enough to dare to do it in public)"

Johnnie Allan, The Promised Land
Charlie recounted the first time he heard this Cajun version of Chuck Berry's hit while he was in Louisiana looking for music for his brand-new Oval Records: "We're playing pool in a bar and the juke box is just playing whatever it's playing, and suddenly this version of Promised Land comes on which nearly makes me push my cue through the baize."

Mbilia Bel, Eswi Yo Wapi
One of the frequent contributors to Charlie's forum, Howard Male co-hosted a tribute linked on the "Far Side" link above closed that show with this song."As I thought it was such a perfect and joyous piece of music to go out on."

 

Finally, a video clip of his friend Mariza singing "Smile" for her friend.