Calgary International Bluesfest 2010: what’s in store
By Lindsay Wilson
Get ready for four days of the best in blues, as the Calgary blues community gears up for the Calgary International Bluesfest 2010, hosted at Shaw Millenium Park August 5-8.
Bluesfest producers Maurice Ginzer and Cindy McLeod feel very confident that the artist line-up for 2010 will go above and beyond the anticipations of blues fans, as this year boasts some of the biggest names as headliners. But Ginzer encourages this year’s attendees to pay close attention to some of the opening acts and local talent that will be performing this summer.
“I always stress this every year: people buy tickets for the ‘names’ and they come and buy the merchandise of all the musicians they’ve never heard of. That’s what festivals are all about: giving exposure to great musicians who wouldn’t otherwise get that opportunity,” says Ginzer, who has been a long-time promoter of Calgary blues and is currently revving up for a series of blues showcase nights, beginning July 19at Quincy’s on Seventh.
Some of the headliners at this year’s Bluesfest include:
Little Feat: From their 1969 beginnings as a powerful, syncopated rockabilly-blues-folk-rock fusion, led by the late Lowell George, to their modern day seven-piece musical collective, this band remains one of the greatest constructors of a sound that can only be described as their own. Little Feat will take the main stage on Friday, August 6.
David Clayton Thomas: This street-kid-turned-best-selling singer-songwriter has maintained the momentum that catapulted him to international success with his 1968 release of Blood, Sweat & Tears. This recipient of five Grammies rocks the main stage (with an eleven-piece band) on Thursday, August 5.
Coco Montoya: Thirty years of performance has brought this sensational blues-rock guitarist international acclaim. Montoya brings his “soul-sational” self to the main stage on Saturday, August 7.
Chicago Blues Reunion: “Iconic” is an appropriate term to describe this all-star blending of some of the greatest from the Chicago Blues era. Come witness the historical transition of acoustic blues-meets electrification on Sunday, August 8.
Other names (including local players) who can be seen this year include: The Holmes Brothers, Monkey Junk, Lester Quitzau, Gary Comeau and the Voodoo Allstars, Mississippi Heat, Mason Rack Band, Sean Carney Band, John Lee Sanders, Mike Reilly Band, Randy O Band with Annika Odegard, Marshall Lawrence Band, Morgan Davis with Tim Williams and the Electrofires, Arsen Shomakhov, David Vest Band with Bill Johnson, Kelly Kavanagh Band, Bob Deutscher and John Rutherford.
For a complete listing of performers, to check out the schedule or to purchase tickets, visit www.calgarybluesfest.com. Tickets can also be purchased at Megatunes or at Sloth Records.
Posted by Lindsay Wilson on Jul 06, 2010
Ralf Bushmeyer: jazz cat on the prowl
By Lindsay Wilson
Jazz fusion: “a musical fusion genre that developed in the late 1960s from a mixture of elements of jazz such as its focus on improvisation with the rhythms and grooves of funk and R&B and the beats of heavily amplified electric instruments and electronic effects of rick” (Wikipedia).
For classically trained guitarist Ralf Bushmeyer, who has journeyed through the genres of rock, blues, R&B and jazz, there was no need to record his latest release, Renewal (2009) under the guidelines of a specific genre. Why not fuse his favourite elements of jazz, rock, blues and funk, throw in some female vocals and put out a CD that stands apart from his previous recordings?
“I opened up to the idea of letting some influences like my rock and blues playing take over the songs where it was appropriate. I like to rock and I love playing blues; it’s where I started…I do love jazz and I continue to work at it as much as possible, but I also like getting called to play other forms of music. It keeps things interesting to me to continue to play various music forms with respect and legitimacy. I would never want to ‘fake’ any style of music,” explains Bushmeyer, who has built an impressive career as a freelance guitarist, composer, musical director and faculty member of Mount Royal’s Jazz Diploma Program.
Renewal comes off as a successful weave of sexy jazz harmonics, groovy blues lines and a splash of funk; the overall effect is a pleasing one for fusion fans, and anyone who has an appreciation for good blues and jazz.
Bushmeyer’s latest recording has earned him praise from numerous blues reviews, as well as several nominations at the 2010 Hamilton Music Awards.
Bushmeyer will be joining MRU faculty members Greg Rumpel and John Thiele, as well as guitar greats Tim Williams and Amos Garrett, to put on a highly anticipated blues and jazz workshop, which runs August 23-27. Spaces are filling up quickly, and it is recommended to book a spot now by phoning 403-440-6821.
Posted by Lindsay Wilson on Jul 06, 2010
John Gray: towing the line
By Lindsay Wilson
Explaining to Calgary-rooted bass player John Gray that he’s considered one of the finest blues and jazz bassists within the city limits would likely make him shake his head and laugh, but that seems to be the case, judging by what members of the Calgary music community say and by the extensive list of greats Gray has accompanied on stage.
But the fact remains that notables such as Dexter Gordon, Chet Baker, Lenny Breau, Ray Charles, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Little Milton, Wild Chet Butler, Louisiana Red and even K.D. Lang don’t blindly pick names out of a hat when it comes to finding the right groove master to hold down the beat and keep the music on track.
For any child who has a calling for music, choosing a suitable instrument is often a challenging process. After taking a run at the piano, Gray found himself drawn to the strings, winding up in a love triangle with guitar and bass. “I was kind of torn between the two instruments for a while, and I still have a love of guitar to this day,” explains Gray in his typical calming and reflective nature.
Bass stuck with Gray by the time he was in his junior year of high school, where he was playing in two symphony orchestras; this classical training resulted in him working with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, as well as the University of Alberta’s Big Band and Symphony Orchestra. This led Gray into writing charts for vocalists, as well as teaching both bass and guitar – which he continues to work at to this day.
Gray’s transition into blues and jazz came about in 1970, which was the year he was picked up by renowned blues and jazz vocalist, the late Clarence “Big” Miller. Miller – who began in Iowa but eventually made Edmonton his home – was a childhood friend of monster jazz musicians such as Count Basie and Duke Ellington and spent a lifetime building a reputation as the real deal. Gray spent much of the following twenty-two years playing with Miller.
“Big was a serious influence on me. He was really hard on me in a lot of ways, and so I learned a lot from playing with him,” says Gray, who fondly remembers his friend with a deep respect that can only be fully understood by anyone who has spent a comparable amount of time on stage with another musician.
Over the years, Gray has toured many parts of the world both on and offshore, as much time has been spent playing on cruise ships. Through the years, the bands (including his own jazz trio), the tours, recordings and too many live shows to count, Gray has built himself a reputation as one of the most sought-after hired guns in the Calgary area, specializing in electric bass and stand-up.
Gray applauds the city’s efforts to build and further the community of musicians that have come to call Calgary home.
“The economy’s strong in Calgary and I can see it getting better and better for musicians as the economy builds and the population increases,” notes Gray.
Future plans for the jazz-blues man include recording a CD in the next six months, featuring his own blues-based compositions. Until then, it shouldn’t be hard to spot Gray towing the line around town.
Posted by Lindsay Wilson on Jul 06, 2010