\ TO CENTRAL \
Even in “reduced” mode as a seven-piece with “only” two singers and one horn, R&B/Motown/Funk ensemble BackTrack was mightily impressive the night I finally got to hear them live this summer at the Bier Markt’s location in Don Mills.
It was their debut performance for the chain, which has four locations, and based on what I heard it should definitely be worth seeing what they will do with the bigger stage and room tonight for their 8:30-11:30 no-cover show in the company’s downtown TO location at 600 King St. West.
Group leader and guitarist Marty Zatzman needlessly apologized for the smaller than usual configuration on a reasonably sized but this night small appearing raised stage in Don Mills. Normally, as we’ve described previously, the combo is at least nine pieces, with three horns and often a third guest singer like iconic veteran Liberty Silver.
It’s the full version of the group that appears at Cadillac Lounge when they do their now annual summer showcase series there (and where they return, btw, for a showcase gig Sat. November 11). But only those well familiar with the larger group would have found anything wanting at the show I took in.
Drummer Dan Juric and the combo authentically delivered versions of Motown, Soul and R&B classics like “Chain of Fools”, “I Got The Music In Me” and “Respect”, threw in some variety with an Amy Winehouse tune, soulful versions of “Crazy” and “At Last” and peppered the mix with a few perennial dance faves like “Proud Mary”.
Drummer Dan Juric and the combo authentically delivered versions of Motown, Soul and R&B classics like “Chain of Fools”, “I Got The Music In Me” and “Respect”, threw in some variety with an Amy Winehouse tune, soulful versions of “Crazy” and “At Last” and peppered the mix with a few perennial dance faves like “Proud Mary”.
They also, unlike so many lazy, apparently insouciant groups these days, put on a real show. Dressing like they’re there to impress, bringing in their own sound man (who operates the controls remotely from the audience through a smart phone) and making good use of lighting all contribute to the vibe —along with, of course, the exciting stage moves of the two fronting vocalists and sax player.
Singers Melissa Lee and Olga Roberts took turns on leads and each also delivered superb backup vocals. Sax musician Kristen Au added the perfect horn lines needed to pull off that authentic Motown feel, while veteran keyboardist Bruce Jacobs combined with Marty and solid but hidden offstage bassist Pauline Blackwood to give full body along with musical sizzles to the sound.
Whether they come in tonight as a 6-piece or more, I’d be guessing this is just the beginning of regular appearances in various Bier Markt locations for this versatile veteran band that more than delivers on its hype.
-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca
[email protected]
SHOW LISTINGS for Thursday, October 26, 2021
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ONLINE / ON AIR
9-10am> “The Bill King Show” with host Bill King & guests @ CIUT 89.5 FM ~Blues/Jazz
Noon-2> Blues on Rock Radio UK with Carolyn Fe
8> Ken Wallis show with tracks and interviews @ www.bluesandrootsradio.com
416 – TORONTO CENTRAL
*5-8> Danny Blue @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave. ~acoustic Pop
5> Kristy Hagerman; Grant Bingham @ The Black Canary Espresso Bar, 61 Sherbourne St. ~songwriter
*5-9> open jam @ Steve’s Music, 415 Queen St. W.
6> Urban Folk Art Salon with Howard Gladstone; Allan Briesmaster; Anna Gutmanis; Carla Hartsfield; Norman Cristofoli @ Toronto Public Library Mount Pleasant Branch, 599 Mount Pleasant Rd.
6> Corin Raymond @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W. ~songwriter
6-11> “Tribute To Autism” Sundown; Existential Soul; Nightshade doing Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac & Led Zeppelin for fundraiser for Ausum Charity for Autism @ Revival, 783 College St. ~tributes; $20
6-8> Joanne Morra Trio @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St. ~Jazz; $10-20/pwyc
6:30> Chris Wallace recording release @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Jazz; $
7-8:30>Bea Johnson @ Trinity Square, 19 Trinity Square
7-10> The Young Novelists @ Sellers and Newel, 672 College St. ~original Rock/Pop; $
*7:30-9:30> Bluegrass Thursdays with Houndstooth @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave.
7:30-9:30> Canadian Children’s Opera Company with Alana Bridgewater; Measha Brueggergosman; Ben Carlson; Krisztina Szabo; Karina Gauvin; more @ Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W. ~Classical; $
*7:30> Sarah Jordan & Matt G @ Alleycatz, 2409 Yonge St. ~acoustic Top 40
8-1> Fourth Thursday jam featuring Kevin Jeffrey, Diane Baker Mason, Wayne Neon Smith & Nicola Vaughan @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave.
8> Toronto Symphony Orchestra with conductor Juanjo Mena @ Roy Thomson Hall, TO Central, 60 Simcoe St. ~Classical; $
*8-12> Joe Bowden’s Nothin’ But The Blues @ N’awlin’s, 299 King St. W. TO ~Blues
8> The Good Kid; Goodbye Honolulu; The Cheap Flights @ Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W. ~indie; $
8:30-11:30> BackTrack featuring Marty Zatzman @ Bier Markt King, 600 King St., West ~ R&B/Soul/Motown; $0
8:30> Vivienne Wilder recording release @ Cameron House (rear), 408 Queen St. W. ~songwriter; $?
8:30> Forty Seven Teeth; The Bleeding Lights; In My Coma @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W. ~indie; $
9> Alexander Brown @ Poetry Jazz Café, 224 Augusta Ave. ~Latin Jazz
9> electronica music showcase with 3 live acts @ Handlebar, 159 Augusta Ave.
9-11:30> Colin Hunter and The Anthony Terpstra Big Band @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St. ~Sinatra Jazz; $
*9-1> Blackburn @ Jo Mamas, 317 King St. W. ~Blues
*9:30> jam with host band The Regulators @ College St. Bar, 574 College St.
9:30> Dammien Alexander; Little Lotus @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E. ~contemporary original; $8
9:30> Joe Sullivan Quintet @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Jazz; $
*9:45> Mary McKay @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E. ~Jazz/Blues; $
10> Choice Nugs @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W.
10-2> The Undercovers @ The Hideout, 423 College St.
10> Karen Ng @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave.
10> Pretzel Logic @ Orbit Room, 480 College St. TO ~tribute to Steely Dan; $
10> Vitus Wight @ Amsterdam Bicycle Club, 54 The Esplanade
*10:30> Mike Barnes @ Pauper’s Pub, 539 Bloor St. W. ~acoustic Pop
416 – TORONTO EAST
6-9> Lamblion @ Pan On The Danforth, 516 Danforth Ave. ~Jazz
7-9> The Oh Chays @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. ~songwriters; 0$
7:30> Vance Joy; Amy Shark; Chappell Roan @ The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave. ~contemporary original; $
8> Goblion; Morricone Youth @ Opera House, 735 Queen St. E. ~Metal/Grunge/Hard-core; $
8-12> open mic with Amber Durette & Gary Edward Allen @ Legends, 774 Danforth Ave.
8> Whiskey & Fruit @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave. ~indie; $
8> Chronicles Dub Trio @ The Shore Leave, 1775 Danforth Ave. ~bass grooves
*8:30-10:30> Jerry Leger & The Situation @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E. ~Folk-Rock/Country
*9:30> open jam with host Kar Wong @ Sportsters, 1430 Danforth Ave.
*10-2> karaoke with Shane Taylor @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave.
*10-1> open jam with host Michael Villamor @ Breakwall, 1910 Queen St. E.
416 - TORONTO ETOBICOKE
7:30> Josh Grossman @ Old Mill Inn, 21 Old Mill Rd. ~Jazz; min table charge
9> Practically Petty; Wicked Truth; Signe Miranda’s Veranda opens @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W. ~tribute to Tom Petty; original Rock/Pop; $
9> Frank Cosentino @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line ~original Blues; $
9:30> Bryan Tyrell @ The Old Sod, 2936 Bloor St. W. ~Pop
*10-2> Skip Tracer @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd. ~Rock/Pop
416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH
5:30> jam/karaoke night @ Blue Lagoon, 2532 Eglinton Ave. E.
*7-11> Frank Wilks & Dan Walek host open jam @ Tara Inn, 2365 Kingston Rd. ~acoustic Pop covers; 0$
8-12> jam night with Copy Machine @ The Birchmount, 462 Birchmount Rd.
9:30> High Rollers @ Black Dog Pub, 87 Island Rd. ~Pop Rock
10> jam & karaoke @ Smiling Jacks, 3482 Lawrence Ave. E.
416 – TORONTO WEST
5-8> G Street Jazz Trio @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Jazz
6> Mike McKenna Jr. @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W. ~Nova Scotia songwriter; $10
7> Susan Cogan recording release for Nine Goddess Tales @ La Rev, 2848 Dundas St. W. ~songwriter
7:30> Sweet Sparrow @ Gallery 345, 345 Sorauren Ave.
*7:30> Marcus Walker Duo @ The Station, 2457 Bloor St. West ~Roots-Rock
8-11> Arlene Paculan with guets Johnny Gunner; Carmen Toth @ Folly Brewpub, 928 College St. ~original Rock/Pop; $10/pwyc
8> Radian Baby; L.A. Foster; Stefana Fratila @ The Baby G, 1608 Dundas St. W. ~indie; $
8> Giraffatitan; Slowfish; Lower Kind @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W. ~indie; $
8> The Courtneys; Versing @ The Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. W. ~original Rock/Pop; $
8> Paul Cherry; Rupert & Joey; Triples @ Smiling Buddha Stage 1, 961 College St. ~indie; $
8> A Little Rambunctious @ Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar, 1214 Queen St. W. ~Jazz improv
8> Sisters Euclid @ 3030 Dundas West, 3030 Dundas St. W. ~Jazz-Rock fusion; $
*8> open mic @ Axis Gallery & Grill, 3048 Dundas St. W.
8:30> Teri Parker Quartet recording release @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W. ~original Jazz; $10
9> Saul Torres; Paper Parachute @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. ~Latin
9> Bossa Tres @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St. ~Latin Jazz; pwyc
*9> open jam Wailers Restaurant, 725 St. Clair Ave. W.
*9-12> open mic night with Anthony Abbatangeli @ DeSoto’s, 1079 St. Clair Ave. W.
*9> open mic with Phil Hood @ The Roncy, 390 Roncesvalles Ave.
*9-1:30> open stage with Jay Pennell @ Dave’s On St. Clair, 730 St. Clair West ~eclectic
9-12> Root Down Trio @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Bluesy Roots
9> Mauve Grove @ T.O. Lounge, 1384 Queen St. W.
9> Meanwood; Dead Messenger; Talk Show Host @ Smiling Buddha Stage 2, 961 College St. ~indie; $
9> The Responsables; Alan Carter Pleasure Cruise @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave. ~original Rock/Pop; $
9> Max Marshall @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave. ~fingerstyle Roots/Country
9> Lowdown Brass Band; Heayweights Brass Band; Big Smoke Brass @ Junction City Music Hall, 2907 Dundas St. W. ~Funk/R&B/Soul
9:45> The Reposadists Quartet @ Reposado, 136 Ossington Ave. ~Jazz
10> Long Range Hustle; daysormay @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave. ~indie; $
11> The Digs @ Drake Hotel Lounge, 1150 Queen St. W. ~groove Rock; 0$
519
6> Dave Menard @ StrykerZ Kitchen, 120 Ottawa St. N., Kitchener
*7-11> Lucas Stagg @ Argyle Arms, 210 King St. E., Cambridge ~Roots-Rock
7-9> Ghouls and Gals live music @ McDougall Cottage, 89 Grand Ave. S., Cambridge
*7:30-12> open mic with K.M. Smith @ Molly Bloom’s Guelph, 91 Wyndham St. N., Guelph
8-11> Christopher Dicran Hale; Ed Hanley @ Silence, 46 Essex St., Guelph ~classic/popular music of India
8> Rob Szabo @ Rhapsody Barrel Bar, 179 King St. W., Kitchener
8> Rural Alberta Advantage; Yukon Blonde @ Maxwell’s, 35 University Ave. E., Waterloo ~contemporary original; $
8> Elliott Brood @ Starlight Waterloo, 47 King St. N., Waterloo; $20
8> King Roller @ The Boathouse, 97 Jubilee Drive, Kitchener
8> “CCR Chronicles” by Classic Albums Live @ Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener ~tribute to CCR; $39.50
*8:30> acoustic jam hosted by Mike Meacher & Vic Freitas @ Kiwi Gastropub, 47 Dickson St., Cambridge
*8:30-12:30> acoustic jam with Dennis Napper & Joe Lopez @ Fiddle & Firkin, 707 King St. E., Cambridge
9> jam with Miss Jaye Baxter Band @ Black Wolf Smokehouse, 139 Broadway Ave., Orangeville
9:30> The Dukes @ The Stampede Ranch, 226 Woodlawn Rd. W., Guelph ~Country
*9:30> Eric Mills @ The Black Badger, 55 Water St., Cambridge ~acoustic
9:30> 8 Second Ride @ Stampede Corral, 248 Stirling Ave. S., Kitchener ~Country
*10-2> Mike Something @ Royal Electric, 52 Macdonell St., Guelph ~acoustic Pop
613
8> Julian Taylor Band @ National Arts Centre Azrieli Studio, 1 Elgin St., Ottawa ~original Rock/Pop/Funk; $23
705
7-11> John Findlay Band @ Harbour Street Fish Bar, 10 Keith Ave., Collingwood ~Blues
*7:30> Rob Phillips Jazz/Blues Trio and Marsala Likianchuk @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough
8> Mad Anthony; Lazy Ass Destroyer @ Foxx Lounge, 16 Dunlop Street East, Barrie ~Metal/Grunge/Hard-core; $
*8> The Quickshifters @ Hot Belly Mama’s, 378 George St., Peterborough ~pwyc
*8-11> Open mic @ George & Orange Taproom & Kitchen, 67 Orange St., Cobourg
8> Campfire Poets Duo @ The Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood ~Roots-Rock
*9> jam with Ted Rusk @ The Sauble Dunes, 11 Southampton Parkway, Sauble Beach
9-1> Nate Douglas Duo @ Donaleigh’s Irish Public House, 28 Dunlop St. E., Barrie
10> Kasador @ Red Dog Tavern, 189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
10> Hush Pup @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
*10> Jan Schoute @ McThirsty’s Pint, 166 Charlotte St., Peterborough
905 EAST
*5-8> Nelson Denis @ Frank’s Pasta, 42 King Street E., Cobourg ~eclectic mix (Folk, Jazz, soft Rock, Latin)
*6-10> Sticks & Tones @ Fionn MacCool’s Oshawa, 214 Ritson Rd., Oshawa ~Rock/Top 40 covers
7> Bridget Foley & Mike Graham @ The Mill Restaurant, 990 Ontario St., Cobourg
8-11> O&R Band @ Rum Diaries, 368 Bayly St. W., Ajax ~Pop-Rock
8> Blues jam @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa
*8-11> open mic night @ George & Orange Taproom, 67 Orange St., Cobourg
*?> jam with Darren Smith & Shayne Thomas @ The Corner Pocket, 45 Prince St., Oshawa
*9-2> open mic with Rich With Sin @ Gravity Lounge, 45 Prince St., Oshawa
*9:30> jam with Billick @ Harp & Crown, 300 Kingston Rd., Pickering
9:30> Deuce @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~acoustic Pop covers & originals duo
*10> Karaoke with Rob MacArthur @ St. Louis Ajax, 11 Harwood Ave., Ajax
905 NORTH
*6:30-10:30> jam with Faces for Radio @ Coasters, 55 Rutherford Rd. S., Brampton
7-10> open mic jam with house band Mr. Mad Trio @ Lake Simcoe Arms, 21089 Dalton Rd., Jacksons Point
7> Robert Maciag @ Uncorked On Main, 72 Main St. S., Georgetown ~fingerstyle guitarist & singer
7:30-11> jam night @ Spot 1, 289 Rutherford Rd. S., Brampton
*7:30-11:30> jam with house band @ 52nd St. Tap & Grill, 30 Kennedy Rd., S., Brampton
8> Helix with Lee Aaron @ Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Lane, Brampton ~Can-Rock icons; $
*8> open mic 3rd anniversary with host Kevin Kerr @ The Duchess of Markham, 53 Main St. N., Markham
*8-11> Jam with Jayme Lynn Reed @ Offsides Sports Bar, 200 Simcoe Ave., Keswick
9> open mic (signup starts at 8:30) @ The Barrel, 2180 Steeles Ave. W. Vaughan
*9> open mic with The Almost Cool Band @ St. George Pub, 7 Main St. N., Georgetown
9:30?> Willin and Able @ Aw Shucks, 15474 Yonge St., Aurora
*10:30> jam with Gary White & Friends @ Bryden’s, 270 Main St. E., Milton
905 SOUTH
8> Alex Pangman & Her Alleycats also featuring Peter Hill for Steel City Jazz Festival @ Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton ~Swing Jazz; $15
8:30> Chris Chambers @ Lou Dawg’s Hamilton, 116 George St., Hamilton
9> open jam with Tim Ninehouse and Mr. Jay @ George Hamilton Restaurant, Hamilton, 152 King St. W.
?*9> jam with Hank & The Boys @ Tartan Toorie, 969 Fennell Ave. E., Hamilton
*9> open mic night with rotating hosts @ Coach & Lantern, 384 Wilson St E., Ancaster
9:30> acoustic open stage with Daryl Gray @ The George Hamilton, 1115 Fennell Ave., Hamilton
10> Strummers Union @ The Pheasant Plucker, 20 Augusta St., Hamilton
10> Ginger St. James @ Cat N Fiddle Hamilton, 174 John St., S., Hamilton ~Rockabilly/Country/Roots-Rock
10:30> Chris Caddell & Friends @ Gallagher’s Bar, 69 Augusta St., Hamilton ~Blues-Rock
905 WEST
4:30> Adam Cooke @ SB Prime, 380 Brant St., Burlington
6:30> Rob Reed @ Cucci Ristorante, 119 Jones St., Bronte
7> Petunia & The Vipers @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St. Oakville
*7> Fraser/Daley @ Anchor Bar Burlington, 2000 Appleby Line, Burlington ~original Rootsy Blues
7> Barenaked Ladies @ Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St., Burlington ~Can-Pop icons; $
7> Scott Whittington @ Max Resto Lounge, 2180 Itabashi Way, Burlington
*7-10> Clarke County @ Montana’s BBQ Mississauga, 5031 Hurontario St., Mississauga ~Country
*7-11> James Anthony Band @ 5 West Brewpub, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington
?*7:30> Bluegrass jam @ RCL #551 Waterdown, 79 Hamilton St. N., Waterdown
8-12> open jam with Screamin’ Evil Blues Band featuring Keith Danby @ Black Swan Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington
8> Mike Ferfolia & Friends @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/Top 40 covers & originals
8> Kent MacMillan @ Bronte Sports Kitchen, 2544 Speers Rd., Oakville
*8-12> jam hosted by The Personics @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington
*8> Celtic Night @ Fionn MacCool’s Burlington, 2331 Appleby Line
9-1> Covered In Paint @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/Pop
*9:30> jam with Jack B Nimble @ Abbey Road Pub, 3200 Erin Mills Parkway, Mississauga
9:30> Chris Partland @ Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga ~Pop Rock
10> Your Girl Flav @ Bier Markt Mississauga, 55 City Centre Drive, Mississauga ~Pop Rock
LISTINGS KEY
Listings are organized by area in which the shows occur and within each area field shows are listed chronologically.
Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. (Double asterisk indicates repeating event with different hosts/guest/etc.). Events preceded by question mark (?) usually take place but have not been confirmed. Admission prices followed by a slash and minus (/-) after the amount indicates door charge with availability of cheaper rates for some purchases. /+ indicates stated price is minimum.
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