Rico Ferrara Dee Dee Bridgewater – More Than Just A Jazz Singer Defining Dee Dee Bridgewater as just a Jazz singer is doing Ms. Bridgewater a disservice to the nth degree. Yes, Bridgewater sings Jazz brilliantly, but she’s so much more than that. Beginning in the 70’s, Bridgewater has had a rich and varied five decade long career, and has displayed the...
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Cindy Allingham MY YORKVILLE VILLAGE MEMORIES In the mid 1960s a tiny area in Toronto, formerly a village incorporated into the city in 1876, became the centre of hipness in Canada. Bordered by Avenue Road, Bloor Street, Yonge Street and Scollard Street, for just a few years, it attracted young people from downtown, from the suburbs, and even small towns across...
Robert Palmer – More Than Meets The Eye Originally Posted on October 17, 2021 – Blues For A Big Town “In interviews I hardly ever get asked about music. I do, however, get asked about the ‘Addicted to Love’ video and my suits on a daily basis” Robert Palmer Say the name Robert Palmer and it immediately sparks a mental picture...
In the 21st century, when we go looking for roots of music genres, we typically dig up old video footage and consult accredited music experts.
The West Side Soul of Chicago Blues Originally Posted on August 22, 2021–Blues For A Big Town As told numerous times, the emergence of Urban Blues was a by-product of the Great Migration of African Americans from the southern U.S. to points north. Undoubtedly affected, (for different reasons), by the Great Depression (1929-1933) and the War, millions of Blacks left...
Nina Simone - The High Priestess of Soul
It was in the mid 80’s when Toronto’s short lived Village Vanguard North was advertising “Sunday Brunch With Nina Simone”
“The audience never knows what comes next. And to tell you the truth, neither do we. We always throw them surprises, and they love it” - Louis Prima
“MY DAYS AT THE COLONIAL TAVERN – YONGE ST, TORONTO” Media articles about the old Colonial Tavern in Toronto often fail to convey the kind of ambience and excitement of the place. The Colonial was what was called a ‘supper club’ in the 1950s and 60s. My dad sometimes took his elder children to the club to expose them...
Bobby “BLUE” Bland – Blue is His Middle Name For a Reason Posted on June 19, 2022 by Rico Ferrara – Blues For A Big Town Blog “He’s my favourite Blues singer.” BB King “Bobby Bland was just the man…He had exceptional delivery and understanding. He made you understand what the song means to him” Dan Penn, celebrated Southern Soul songwriter and...
Joe Ruicci Musicians Ask – “Should I Join A Musicians Union?” In Todays Environment Are There Benefits To Belonging To A Union? Musicians ask “Should I Join A Musicians Union?” Well things were very different from today back in the 60’s when I was just learning to be a drummer and playing gigs in my first bands. Musicians ask “Should I...