blues music news, Canada

Maple Blues Awards
2009-2010

Ottawa’s Monkey Junk Capture Five Awards

The Toronto Blues Society’s Maple Blues Award winners were announced last night at the annual gala.

Topping the awards were Ottawa band Monkey Junk, who captured five awards including Entertainer of the Year, Electric Act of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year (Steve Mariner), Guitarist of the Year (Tony D) and Harmonica Player of the Year (Steve Mariner).

B.C. Blues-roots great Chris Whitely took home three awards for Horn Player of the Year, the Blues With a Feeling Award and shared the SOCAN Songwriter of the Year with Diana Braithwaite.
Toronto based Blackburn took New Artist of the Year, while the late Jeff Healey won Recording of the Year for his Songs From the Road.

For the third consecutive year Harry Manx won Acoustic Act of the Year, while Suzie Vinnick took Female Vocalist of the Year and Taj Mahal won Best International Artist for the second consecutive year.

for more info visit www.torontobluessociety.com

jazz music news

Ed Thigpen

1930 – 2010

Thigpen Drummer of Choice for Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald

One of jazz music’s brighest stars has gone out with the death of legendary drummer Ed Thigpen, who died January 13th at the age of 79 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Thigpen, who was born in Chicago and raised in Los Angeles, moved to Denmark nearly 40 years ago after rising to the top of the U.S. jazz scene. Known for his tasteful, technical prowess and regal demeanor, Thigpen was a long-time drummer for jazz legends Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald, among the many.

The esteemed drummer Ed Thigpen, known for his elegant bearing and tasteful timekeeping in support of jazz luminaries such as Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald, died Wednesday in Copenhagen, Denmark at age 79.

Thigpen was highly in demand in both performance and studio settings, his calendar full till his death with performances around the world and his studio work heard on more than 900 recordings. He also was the subject of a 2009 documentary film, Ed Thigpen: Master of Time, Rhythm and Taste.

In addition to his brother Ben, Tigpen is survived by a sister, son, daughter and granddaughter.

for more info visit www.edthigpen.com

live jazz, Canada

Anthony Braxton
with his 12 + 1 tet
Friday, January 29 at 8:00pm
Christ Church Cathedral
690 Burrard Street

Improvised Jazz Legend Leads Large Ensemble

Coastal Jazz and Blues Society presents another installment in their presenting season with saxophone legend Anthony Braxton with his 12-piece ensemble, the 12 + 1 tet, in concert Friday, January 19 at the Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver.

Saxophonist and composer Anthony Braxton is a seminal figure in jazz. A highly creative musician, his elaborate works range from solo saxophone performances to compositions for large ensembles. The prolific artist has released more than 100 recordings since 1966.

Braxton is considered a pioneer of avant garde/free/improvised jazz, his creative conceptual and technical approaches expanding upon the works of master improvisers such as John Coltrane, Paul Desmond, Warne Marsh, and Ornette Coleman, and by composers such as Charles Ives, Harry Partch, John Cage, Stockhausen, and Varese.

Braxton has collaborated with some of the biggest names in jazz such as Chick Corea, Dave Holland, Max Roach, Evan Parker, Derek Bailey, Pat Metheny, Richard Teitelbaum, Wolf Eyes, and the Robert Schumann String Quartet.

The 12 + 1 tet features Anthony Braxton (reeds/composition), Taylor Ho Bynum (cornet/trumpet/flugelhorn/bass trumpet), Nicole Mitchell (flutes), Andrew Raffo Dewar, James Fei (reeds), Steve Lehman (saxophones), Sara Schoenbeck (bassoon), Jessica Pavone (violin/alto viola), Mary Halvorson (electric guitar), Reut Regev (trombone), Jay Rozen (tuba), Carl Testa (double bass/bass clarinet), Aaron Siegel (drums/percussion/vibes).

for more info visit www.coastaljazz.ca