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From the Twitter- & other -verses
A few odds and ends collected or sent on Twitter (and other sources) recently. See @tomusicpix A retweet from @RootsMusicCanada Fair enough. RT @alannealottawa: Kiran Ahluwalia wasn’t impressed that presenter didn’t attempt her last name #cbcjunos http://yfrog.com/ny3sgsaj Via @RealWorldRec: Creole Choir of Cuba recording ‘Tande’ in the Wooden Room at @RealWorldStudio http://youtu.be/fHBQ-jzgNBU (Creole Choir is better […]
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Doctor Mulatu, I presume
Update (April 1) Watch “Mulatau Astatke and the African Jazz Village“, his project to foster jazz in Africa. In the “long overdue” category, news has come out that the “Father of Ethio Jazz”, Mulatu Astatke will receive an honourary Doctor of Music degree from Berklee College. Other recipients will be Allison Krauss and The Eagles […]
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Earl Scruggs, RIP
No doubt the most influential banjoist in the world died on March 28, at the age of 88. The website Bluegrass Today, is not surprisingly filled with appreciations of Scruggs’ career, including this article by David Morris, titled “A Legend’s Biggest Moments”. Here’s the irony of being asked to write about the highlights of Earl […]
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Summer (festivals): just around the corner: #1: Luminato
That early summer we had seems to have disappeared suddenly this week, but all the news of summer (and other) music festivals should keep you warm. Most notably, for this website is the news of the free music concerts at what may now be the premiere annual arts event in Toronto: Luminato. Its free concerts, […]
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Chuck Berry & T-Bone Walker, 1972
The rock & roller and one of his idols share a guitar on “Everyday I Have The Blues” at the Montreux Jazz Festival, 1972. According to a poster on Charlie Gillett’s music forum (where I found this clip), Walker’s own set the previous day was recorded and released on an LP, Fly Walker Airlines which […]
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Buddy Miller interview
One of my favourite musicians, Buddy Miller, gets little public attention, in part because he seems to be a pretty low-key, self-effacing guy, who is just as happy playing behind — and producing — artists who get the bigger publicity. A recent interview with him: Q&A Interview with Musician and Producer Buddy Miller. The above […]
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Wazimbo at the Lula Lounge, March 8, 2012
A terrific show and performance by Wazimbo, the great Mozambique Marrabenta singer last week. A tremendous voice, and energetic performer, he kept the dance floor going, and also brought out the Mozambique community to celebrate his first Canadian tour. He will be back in the area this summer, hitting some of the festivals. Watch for […]
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A night of Zimbabwean rhythms: March 3, 2012
Last Saturday night, two excellent Toronto-based Zimbabwean bands played at Placebo Place on Bloor St. (A small, funky artist loft, located above an auto mechanic garage). Nhapitapi Mbira opened, followed by the Tich Maredza Band. For the final set, all 9 musicians played together. The audience had long since given up the cushions on the […]
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Wazimbo: music from Mozambique – tonight at the Lula
A rare chance to hear some music from Mozambique tonight at the Lula Lounge. Wazimbo (Humberto Carlos Benfica)’s musical career in Mozambique goes back almost 50 years, and he’s now one of the most famous singers of the marrabenta style. This is his first trip to Canada. Tonight, he’ll be backed by some top local […]
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Random recent musical notes
A few odds and ends from the musical world recently… A new double CD out on Stern’s of the late Guinean great Sory Kandia Kouyaté. Info, and some music here. Feel free to crank up the volume. Baaba Maal on the food crisis in Mauritania Reports from Senegal recently are that Youssou n’Dour was injured […]