The May 4th Toronto Jazz Band Ball, dedicated to the memory of the late Jeff Healey, was a resounding success. Healey's Roadhouse was filled to capacity with some 600 people in attendance. About a dozen groups donated their services, and some guest stars came in from the USA, including guitarist Marty Grosz, multi-instrumentalist Vince Giordano and pianist/trumpeter Brad Kay. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be split between the Healey family trust and a cancer fund. We hope to be able to tell you the financial result next month; we know it will be a good one.

In May a new venue opened in Toronto on Thursday evenings for traditional jazz. The Plaza Flamingo, 423 College St., is hosting the Classic Jazz Party, featuring two bands. Currently The Happy Pals and The Hot Jazz String Quartet, along with pianist Reide Kaiser, are appearing at this new supper club, which features Latin-style food, bar service and dancing. Henry Wertman is promoting this event. For further information and reservations, you can phone him at (416) 230-6315.

The Canadian Collectors' Congress held its 37th consecutive annual gathering in April. For the past ten years, it has reviewed Canadian traditional/classic jazz recordings issued each year and presents an award to the recording that its panel of judges determines to be the best. Last year's favorite was Jeff Healey and the Jazz Wizards with Chris Barber. This year the award went "West" to British Columbia; the winners are the New Orleans Ale Stars with Simon Stribling leading on trumpet; Don Ogilvie, guitar; Gerry Green, reeds; Josh Roberts, banjo/guitar; Georgie Korba, string bass, and Lauri Lister, drums. Ric Giorgi accepted the award on behalf of Simon Stribling. The other CDs which made the final four were Shine, featuring Mick Lewis and Jordan Klapman, The Happy Pals with Brian Carrick, and The Hogtown Syncopators.

Mick Lewis played clarinet with the Climax Jazz Band for about 20 years but now resides in Alberta, with occasional trips back to Ontario where he sits in with various groups. He recently guested with the Freeway Jazz Band during its regular last Sunday of the month gig at the Rex Jazz & Blues Bar, Queen St., Toronto. Others in the band were Brian Graville, piano; Mick Lewis, clarinet; Len Gosling, cornet/leader; Phil Carney, string bass; Gary Scriven, drums; Brian Towers, trombone, and Jack King, banjo.

Wayne and Nancy Pauli, Directors of the Grand International Ragtime-Jasstime Foundation, recently announced, with deep regret, that the Spring Festival, scheduled at The Pine Tree Point Resort in Alexandria Bay, N.Y., May 23-25, had to be canceled. The Resort encountered a serious water main breakage which required major repairs under the parking lot and driveway into the resort. Unfortunately, it could not be fixed in time to hold the Festival. This event, which is held twice yearly, is extremely popular in Southern Ontario and New York State, so the disappointment of fans is considerable. All is expected to be back in order, however, for the Fall Festival, which will be held the weekend of October 17-19. For reservations/information, contact Nancy or Wayne at (519) 744-2665 .

The annual Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival will take place from June 20 to June 29th. The bands and attractions are too numerous to list here, but the full program is now available. You can see it online at http://www.tojazz.com/Pages/festival.aspx

If you have any news of Canadian interest, please contact me at briantowers@msn.com

June 2008 issue | © 2008 The Mississippi Rag

P.O. Box 19068, Minneapolis, MN 55419.