Hear ye, hear ye! I'm playing at the Silver Dollar Saturday night, April 8, 2000. It's a brand new band - we've just had a couple of rehearsals and I'm thrilled with the musicians who'll be joining me: Lily Sazz (piano), Michele Josef (drums) and Terry Wilkins (bass) ...the Swing Daddy himself. That's what we called him in a recent cover story in Maple Blues. I'm delighted to have Terry on board. I must have been one of the first people he met when he first arrived in Canada in 1971 but I've never had the opportunity to play with him until now.
While we're linking to the TBS (Toronto Blues Society), I should highlight Lily Sazz who will be playing keyboards and is also TBS webmistress (see her page). I'll be playing for the first time with Michelle Josef, who also has a fascinating website, lilithitsnotfair.com
I'm also performing at the Tenessee, Saturday April 29th (yes the same night John Lee Hooker is in town). Stand by for another solo acoustic house concert. The last one was a gas and I'm going to be doing more of that.
This was an auspicious April Fool's day. First I discover a little bunch of chives growing in my garden. I had some in an omelette this morning. And this afternoon I had the first vocal lesson of my life - and what a revelation that was. Vocal tips of the day: Don't try to be loud. Don't just hit a note at full volume - ease into it. It's all about vowels - when you're holding a note keep re-shaping the vowel in your mind. All of this stuff was very helpful. The teacher is Morgonn Ewen and after one session I can't imagine someone transmitting so much valuable information and re-inforcement in a half hour. Phew!