News & Events
Last updated: March 5, 2010
First Tuesday of every month (Noon to . . . ) - The Sax Man - Mr. Herb Johnson
Wednesdays, Thursday & Fridays at noon (when available) - The Piano Man - Mr. Allan Vander Velde
Saturday afternoon (when available) - Classical Guitar - Calum Graham
Tickets for up coming events can be purchased by calling (403) 601-8774
NEW Thursday, March 11, 2010 - 8:00 p.m. - no cover charge
The 1942 Southern Saskatchewan Small Town Community Hall Saturday Night Dance Band
Carla Schmidt (Vocals & Precussion)
Herb Johnson (Saxophone)
Lars Gording (Guitar)
Ron Schmidt (Bass)
NEW Friday, March 12, 2010 - 8:00 to 10:00 PM - Cover Charge at the door: By donation
“HAMM and CORNER”
A casual musical evening with Don Hamm (singer / songwriter) and Wayne Corner (guitar / mandolin)
Saturday, March 20, 2010 - 8:00 p.m. - Tickets $20.00
Crystal Plamondon - TORCH CD release concert
Featuring Chris Andrew on piano
This is the conception of my aspiration to create a TORCH concert & album to make the listener reawaken their memories and emotions and relate to the passion in my voice and soul.
Through experiencing many career highlights, in the past 20 years, I have gained a great understanding of the interests of my listeners. Through this, I have decided to truly showcase my vocal abilities and identity; Peggy Lee meets Edith Piaf!
The TORCH album has 9 jazzy standards and 1 Jennifer Warnes / Leonard Cohen original: 8 English songs and 2 French Edith Piaf songs.
The overall concept is to maintain recognition by the public that at some point in their lives, they have felt the emotions I am putting across in these TORCH songs. The listeners will be able to emotionally identify with having “been there” as a part of the soundtrack at crucial points in their lives.
It is a very touching, romantic and sensual concert that will leave you reminiscing of days gone by and wanting more romance and music in your life.
I am confident in my ability to create a successful “lien” between music and our souls, and between my listeners and me.
Visit Crystal at: crystalplamondon.com
UPDATED Friday, March 26, 2010- 8:00pm - Tickets $20.00
Miranda Sage
Don Thompson piano (multiple Juno and national jazz award winner and
recipient of the Order of Canada), Ken Lister bass (Juno), Dan Brubeck
drums (Grammy nominee and son of famous dad), Roy Styffe sax
(1st call sax 25 yrs in Toronto) with Miranda Sage on vocals.
Miranda Sage, born in England and brought up in
Canada, had an early start in musical education in piano,
clarinet, saxophone, and guitar. Her vocal training was
acquired at the University of Victoria, the Royal
Conservatory and numerous jazz workshops in Canada,
the U.S. and Ireland, including study with Sheila Jordan,
Jay Clayton, Louise Rose, and Norma Winstone. This
has given her a solid base on which to build her concept
of the voice as an instrument. Her credits include
competitive recognition, and musical tours in Europe,
the U.S., and Canada.
Sage has performed with the Hugh Fraser Big Band, the Port Townsend Jazz Festival Big Band, and the Swiftsure Big Band, the Victoria International Jazz Festival, the Latin Caribbean Jazz Festival, Summer in the Park, Summer in the Square and Butchart Gardens.
She has also performed at the Isle of Wight Jazz Divas Festival in 2002 and the Mid Argyll Annual Gala in Scotland in 2004. She sang with the Jazzy Divas in Victoria in both 2006 and 2007. In June of 2007, she was a guest of Paul Grant's Hot Air on CBC radio one.
Sage’s recently released CD, Daydream, has garnered extensive airplay on CBC, Washington state's KPLU, as well as many radio stations worldwide. The title track from Daydream, has just been released on the compilation disc Jazz For A Rainy Day, on the High Note label in Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China.
Earlier recordings include 1997's Standards and Originals in a Jazz Key, 2003’s Moon Tiger, and Timeless Places in 2006. All four CD's have been produced by award winning producer, Rick Kilburn.
For more information - www.mirandasage.ca
Friday, April 2, 2010 - 8:30 p.m. - Tickets $10.00
CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY - NO COVER CHARGE
Doug Andrews and the Circus in Flames
In a career that began in the Vancouver independent music scene in the early 1980's, over the years Doug Andrew has shared the stage with everyone from the Ramones to Raffi to Ramblin' Jack Elliott.
Beginning with bands like Shanghai Dog (2 vinyl releases: 1984's Clanging Bell EP & 1985's This Evolution LP) he has continued to write songs and is today recognized as an accomplished singer-songwriter respected by critics, peers and music fans alike.
His latest CD, A Little Bit of Gasoline, recorded with his band The Circus In Flames has drawn rave reviews, being hailed as "Brilliant. 9 out of 10" by Americana UK. It follows The Circus in Flames self-titled debut disc which was described by Dirty Linen as "a strong argument for indie release of the year" in addition to earning four stars from America's All Music Guide. As well, C.B.C. Radio has nationally broadcasted the band in concert and has consistently aired both CDs on a number of programs.
Most recently, The Circus In Flames joined such artists as former Byrd Chris Hillman, Blue Rodeo, Gordon Lightfoot and Jennifer Warnes on The Gift: A Tribute To Ian Tyson released by Stony Plain Records and distributed by Warner Music. The group was honoured to welcome legendary steel guitarist Buddy Cage (New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Great Speckled Bird, Bob Dylan's Blood On The Tracks) onto their version of the Tyson classic, Someday Soon, which the Toronto Star chose as the Top Track after rating the album 3½ out of 4 Stars.
Andrew formed The Circus In Flames in the mid-90's when asked to perform at a friend's St. Patrick's Day bash. It has since grown to include various players, frequently touring Western Canada, appearing at several folk and music festivals and garnering critical acclaim. The group's "unique but rooted musical vision" (Vue Weekly) has inspired the description "garage string band" but its sound can be difficult to pin down. Although there is a certain familiarity about the music, stemming from its roots in traditional country, folk, and blues, at its heart are Andrew's songs. Their "slightly twisted, always interesting storyline lyrics" are delivered "with an energetic thrust that falls just shy of reckless abandon" says Peter North of The Edmonton Journal. He is "an untapped talent for wryly observant story-like essays" writes The Vancouver Province's Tom Harrison while Warren Footz of See Magazine says Andrew's songs "should shuffle him off into the Canadian musical songwriting hierarchy". They stand on their own, performed solo on guitar, or can work within the context of a band.
"Sheet metal country," Doug Andrew describes the music. "It bangs and rattles and booms, generally making a fair amount of noise, but it can also be light and quiet. It can go from sounding like a runaway locomotive thundering down the mountain without any brakes, to a wind slipping through the forest at midnight."
Visit the Circus at: dougandrewmusic.com
JAZZ NIGNT AT CARLSON’S JAZZ NIGNT AT CARLSON’S JAZZ NIGNT AT CARLSON’S
Saturday, June 5, 2010 - 8:00 p.m. - Tickets $15.00
Lorna MacLachlan
Lorna MacLachlan on vocals and piano, Rich Harding on saxophones (definitely
one of this country's very best), John Hyde on Bass (the dean of Alberta bassists), Robin Tufts on drums and the incomparable Keith Smith on guitar.
2008/2009 has been a productive year for Lorna MacLachlan. After completing her third full length recording in October (2008) entitled “Telegraphy”, which includes the commissioned work “Water Music” for the City of Calgary Water Centre ,she headed back into writing mode and, with the help of a Canada Council Grant ,spent some of her time at the Banff Centre. There she collaborated on a few projects and came home with even more ideas for her next CD project.
She continues to teach High School Music while she writes and performs and as the school year comes to an end; her performances start to pick up. Her Quintet has taken an exciting turn with the addition of bassist, Simon Fisk and, now as a regular member, Richard Harding heats things up with his incredible solos on Lorna’s originals tunes. Of course the stage is set with Robin Tufts on drums, Keith Smith on guitar and Lorna, herself, on piano and vocals.
Lorna’s music does not fit into your typical genres such as “Jazz” or “Folk”. Her background is in the classical world as a classical pianist and composer with a graduate degree in theory and composition. As a nice balance she has also spent some time studying with Dave Douglas, Hugh Fraser and, currently, with David Braid.
Her lastest CD release at the Beatniq was well received and her original music has been featured on CBC’s “Tonic” played regularly on CKUA and CBC.
Visit her at www.lornamaclachlan.com
NEW Friday, June 11, 2010 - 8:00 PM - Tickets: $20.00
Front Porch Roots Review
NEW Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 8:30 PM - Tickets: $20.00
Gary Fjellgaard with friends Darrel de La Ronde and Saskia
For more than thirty years Gary Fjellgaard has been making a living on the road with a guitar and a song. He delights his audiences throughout North America and Europe with his masterful acoustic guitar, gentle vocals, riveting yodeling, and tales of his life in the woods. Gary takes his music to the people with a rare sincerity.
Raised on the Canadian Prairies, this award winning singer/songwriter is a champion of vanishing values and the frontier spirit. Cattle drives, wagon treks, windswept prairies, rushing rivers and working folks with ties to the land have all been a source of inspiration for his songs. His western roots music has survived categorization, and a move to Canada's West Coast has brought a universal quality to his songwriting. Gary and his wife, Lynne, make their home on Gabriola Island on Canada's west coast. His lifelong love for his wife, their four daughters, and their many grandchildren is lovingly illustrated in many of his songs.
Gary has played with some world class musicians over the years and still calls them on occasion to augment his sound. His shows range from the intimacy of the small theatre to the excitement of main stage appearances at Canada's top festivals. He looks back on a rewarding career and gratefully acknowledges the hundreds of towns and cities, and thousands of listeners who have been touched by his music.
Darrel De La Ronde and Saskia:
For those who don’t know us yet; we are a Canadian musical duo who sing and play contemporary and original folk songs. Alternatively our music has been labeled as: Country, Alt-Country, Canadiana, Folk-Rock, Folk-Roots, Gospel Pop with sub- genres under Bluegrass, Historical Folk, Celtic, and ⁄ or European Folk ⁄ Pop. So go figure! The truth is; the correct designation is “Prairie Folk.” That’s what we play. That’s who we are.
We share a prairie ancestry of Saskatchewan Metis and solid Dutch farm stock. Today we are Singers, Songwriters and Musicians with long time careers as professionals - working festivals, concerts, dance halls, pubs, cafes, weddings, parties and conventions.
Darrel is a veteran performer and sought after studio musician, whose debut album Family Tree features guest appearances by Darby Mills and Daniel Powter. Saskia has shared a stage with such notables as Valdy, Ian Tyson, Roy Forbes and more. While touring throughout Europe, Western Canada, the United States and Mexico she turned out four albums: Back in Time (with her band Déjà vu); Lady Luck; Saskia; and the highly acclaimed Christmas Dream, a fundraiser for BC and Canadian Food Banks. Together we follow our hearts and dreams with our delightful new album called Laura’s Kitchen. For your listening pleasure, we cooked up an enticing batch of songs with the help of our friends; Ken Hamm, Gary Fjellgaard, Nathan Tinkham, Alison Humphries, Jordan Stringer, Jerry Paquette and Nolan Murray ( Tiller’s Folly ). Guaranteed FAT FREE!!
No date as of yet
Seanachie
Seanachie (shaw-na-key) came into being as a band in 1994 and soon established itself as one of the most highly regarded Celtic groups in Western Canada. Earning accolades for their live performances and their first two CDs (Telling Tales and Quarrel With Whisky). Seanachie has developed a loyal following both in Canada and in the United States. More recently, released a CD (A Parting Cup) and a collaborative CD (Five Days In April) with a Portland based group going by the name “Raven”.
Seanachie has an outstanding line-up of seasoned professional musicians. True to their name (Seanachie is Gaelic for “Story Teller), the group weaves together stories in song and inspiring, exciting instrumental compositions. Scotland born Gordon MeCulloch creates compelling songs and delivers them with a truly remarkable voice. Ann Gray has won piping awards throughout North America and Scotland. She composes and arranges most of Seanachie's instrumental repertoire. Robin Tufts brings his highly regarded skills as a percussionist and kit drummer to the mix. Peter Clark deepens the groove with bass, baritone and acoustic guitars. Completing the line-up is Barbra Rose Olorenshaw, who brings tremendous abilities to the group as a fiddler and singer.
The group's other credits include live performances across Canada and in the United States. In 2003, the band performed at the Celtic festival in Montevideo, Uruguay. Seanachie's receive frequent radio play on CKUA and the group has appeared on television programs including the Vicki Gabereau Show, Good Morning Canada,, CBC's Rough Cuts and the “A” Channel's Big Breakfast and Wired. Their music video (The Waulking Set) has had regular rotation on CMT.
After a brief hiatus and some solo projects, Seanachie is back together, playing engagements and looking forward to connecting with their audience once again.
NEW
Bruce Innes
Enter as an audience member, become a fan and leave as a friend. This is the hallmark of a Bruce Innes show.
More do details to follow
3rd Annual “DEAD ELVIS DAY”
with
Steve Pineo and his band
No details at this time ! (August)
First Tuesday of every month (Noon to . . . ) - The Sax Man - Mr. Herb Johnson
Wednesdays, Thursday & Fridays at noon (when available) - The Piano Man - Mr. Allan Vander Velde
Saturday afternoon (when available) - Classical Guitar - Calum Graham
Calum’s repertoire includes both, classical and acoustic guitar. At the age of 16, after only playing for one year he attended master-classes at the conservatory of music in both Calgary and Victoria. This fall he will be attending a year of pre-secondary classes at Mount Royal College under Mr. Murray Visscher in the talented youth program. This coming year, Calum will be opening for the various performances on the High River Playbill. He also volunteers his time & music at Heritage Park, and other local events in the High river and Calgary areas. Come and listen to this talented young man.
If you haven't been to Carlson's you haven't been to High River
