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Newsletter JUNE 2018
MEDICINE HAT & DISTRICT LIVE MUSIC CLUB
Editor: Billy Jones [email protected] Editor: Betty Bischke A.R.C.T., R.M.T. [email protected]
LiveMusicClub
Hi there… I’m at a loss for words regarding last Tuesday’s jam. I was debating whether I should go or not. Len Wotschell, who knows me better than anyone, thought that maybe I should give it a try because he knew how much I missed not being there. He even set my guitar up for me and I looked forward to doing what I know best.
Well, I got fooled and ran into a problem I wasn’t prepared for. I began to panic and, on top of that, my hands started to hurt and freeze. You can fight arthritis but you can’t win. I wasn’t prepared for the room we were in and it wasn’t until I left the group and sat down that I realized what the problem was.
The room wasn’t built for what we are using it for. This type of building was designed as a storage facility for vehicles and such. It has no ceiling to baffle or absorb sound. I believe that my mistake was to place my amplifier on the floor. The rest of you placed you amps on a shelf near ear level. Stupid me, never thought of that. My sound went under me and I couldn’t hear it. However, I understand that I was apparently a little loud down the hall. I’m sorry. Next time I think I will bring my acoustic guitar and see if that makes a difference. It appears quite obvious that this room will not support a steel guitar.
It saddens me to think that it would be almost impossible to bring younger groups into the club. Could you imagine what it would sound like if there was a drummer in that room? WoW!
By the way, I was asked by a few people how old I was. Shucks, do I look that bad? Bob Cote and I are kind of running neck and neck in the age department. I will be 88 if I live past December. Anyway, thanks for asking. ….. Billy
The Medicine Hat & District Live Music Club Newsletter is issued monthly from September through June to keep you up to date with all the news from the club.
Pictured: Newsletter Editors, Billy Jones and Betty Bischke
FROM THE DESK of Billy Jones
BETTY’S CORNER
Welcome to Summer! What a better way to greet the summer months than to have a week long music festival. JazzFest is now in it’s 22nd year, and the Medicine Hat & District Live Music Club has been a sponsor for most of those. The local festival has featured a variety of musicians, and our local festival has expanded to include many new venues.
There are daily performances from Sunday, June 17th, through to Sunday the 24th. It’s a busy week for festival organizers and volunteers. Even if you think you don’t like jazz, I’m sure there is something for you to enjoy.
Over the years, I have heard the most amazing performances at this festival. I’ve been introduced to up and coming artists and I have even been fortunate enough to arrange to have a couple of piano lessons with jazz pianists! The best singer that I have ever heard in my life, was right here at our local JazzFest.
With so many new artists performing, it’s always difficult to know what to see. I will be the first to admit that I don’t like all kinds of jazz, and I’m pretty sure everyone has a style they prefer. I suggest logging on to the web site, www.medicinehatjazzfest.com and listen to some samples of featured performers. If you like what you hear, purchase a ticket. The festival guide is also available for download.
There are many free events associated with the festival. The Saturday evening dance party atop the bus shelter is a very unique venue. It’s a great place to enjoy the music, visit with friends and get a beautiful view! There are also free outdoor performances in front of Tim Hortons downtown, and of course there are performances at many clubs and pubs throughout the week.
Not to be missed, are the $5 afternoon workshops. It’s a great opportunity to hear a little bit of jazz and to talk to the performers and ask questions. I think these workshops are terrific, but for some reason they are often poorly attended.
The variety of venues is also a bit of an adventure for the concert goer. Of course there is the lovely Esplanade Theatre and Studio, but have you ever attended a concert on the Terrace? It’s a wonderful way to enjoy a sunny afternoon in June. The Thursday evening concert at Hangar 7 at the airport is also an unusual, but interesting venue. There’s lots of room to dance, and food and beverages are available for purchase.
Thanks to my son and daughter-in-law for the festival passes they gave me as a Christmas gift. I look forward to a busy week! - Betty
We have not yet heard from the Canada Day committee regarding our participation in the annual Canada Day Breakfast. We understand there have been many changes in volunteers organizing the event, so perhaps there have been alternate activities planned. We will keep you posted.
Our club received a couple of complimentary tickets to the JazzFest. We held a draw for the tickets, and the winners are: Jeanette Reschke for the Chelsea McBride’s Socialist Night School - and Jim Fehr for Lynn Olagundoye featuring the Brothers of Okan. Congratulations! I hope you enjoy the shows!
We also recently received several boxes of music books and sheet music. Thank you to Noreen Lyall for the donation. There is still at least one box, so if you have not already done so, be sure to go through and take what you like.
Thank you to Wayne Spackman for presenting a very informative sound workshop to LMC members. It was well attended and many good ideas for sound management were discussed.
LMC NOTES
WAYNE’S PICKS June 2018 To celebrate our upcoming Canada day I wanted to focus on Canadian artists in this issue. Selecting three or four songs to represent all Canadian talent is difficult but I hope I’ve managed to cherry-pick interesting productions that will remind us of the abundance of first-rate singers and musicians that we have in this great country.
C/W (sort of) The fact that the title is “Cattle Call” certainly qualifies it as Country/Western but it’s doubtful this artist would be on your list of favorite cowboys. Lenny Breau’s parents were professional country/western musicians who moved from the USA to Canada when he was seven. By age 14 he was the lead guitarist for their band, playing Merle Travis and Chet Atkins instrumentals. At age 15 he was a studio musician and at 16 moved to Winnipeg with his parents where their band was broadcast on CKY radio weekly. One of their regular listeners was 16-year-old Randy Bachman who bicycled to a performance and met Lenny. Breau and Bachman soon became friends and Breau informally began teaching Bachman, who has since described those lessons as "the beginning of my life as a guitar player”. Around 1959 Breau left his parents' country band after his father slapped him in the face for using jazz improvisation in his playing – just the kick-start that Lenny needed to push him into a career in jazz guitar. He was soon in a league of his own, playing jazz improv and outstanding harmonics on a 7-string guitar. In 1967, recordings of Breau's playing from The Lenny Breau Show found their way to Chet Atkins. The ensuing friendship resulted in having Chet produce Lenny’s first two albums. This song is from a subsequent collaboration on their “Standard Brands” album which contained much lighter jazz content and more easy-listening music. The harmonics are really something. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE2NvoBF1tw
CLASSIC ROCK Now here’s the product of Lenny’s guitar lessons (or part of it at least) – Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings – “live” in their 2006 TV production “First Time Around”. In my books, The Guess Who were one of the most underrated bands of their era. Burton's range and pitch are not as good as when he was young but pretty decent. This production contains interesting stories of their history. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLw-6A7Uwvo
FRENCH I thought this issue would be fully Canadian if we included a French artist. I’ve listened to this gal off and on over the years – she’s from Montreal and has enjoyed a great career singing contemporary, folk, and country-flavoured songs. Love her voice. Here’s Isabelle Boulay singing “Jolie Louise” from her album “Les Grands Espaces”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcQlBsiDWfA
JAZZ Oscar Peterson made my season windup very easy. The consummate jazz pianist, being interviewed by Dick Cavett in 1979, demonstrates the various piano styles of other artists. This is a great “bonus track” as well as our tech tip for June. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec-FrnaU0rs
Have a great summer! Signing off until September, Wayne S.
The Medicine Hat & District Live Music Club is proud to be a sponsor of the Medicine Hat Jazz Fest.
This year’s dates are June 17 - 24. There are many concerts, as well as performances at local clubs and pubs.
Be sure to check out the full list of events in the festival guide at www.medicinehatjazzfest.com
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
The Live Music Club has a few items that are not currently being used and since storage space is limited they are being sold.
If you are interested in making an offer on any of the following equipment, please contact Bill desBarres. [email protected]
1) BASIX drum kit.
2) PEAVEY drum kit 3 toms, kick, snare, cymbals, cases and hardware. This is the set on the mobile stage.
3) PEAVEY Ecoustic Guitar Amp, used at jams.
BASIX Drum Kit
Upcoming Events
Last JamTuesday, June 19
LMC Year End Party
Thursday, June 21Cocktails 6:00
Dinner 6:30
CO-OP STAMPEDE BREAKFASTFriday, July 27
JAMS RESUMETuesday, Sept 4
RICHMOND LIONS CLUBCharity BBQ at M & M Meats
Saturday, Sept 8
WESTERN MUSIC CONCERTSaturday, October 6
Medicine Hat College
LMC CASINO DATESSunday, December 23Monday, December 24
Casino by Vanshaw
MEDICINE HAT & DISTRICT LIVE MUSIC CLUBTo Promote and EnhanceLive Music as a Part of Our Community and Our Heritage
PEAVEY Drum Kit
PEAVEY Ecoustic Amp
