\ TO DOWNTOWN \

Although details of the precise nature of his current situation have proved a little hard to come by, it appears that much loved but seemingly star-crossed iconic Canadian Rock veteran Kelly Jay of Crowbar fame is once again in need of help from his fans and friends in the music community.

As many will know, Jay (aka Blake Fordham) has suffered numerous personal tragedies and also been assailed by various medical conditions, including syllogomania (hoarding disorder), that had him in danger of losing his home in Calgary last autumn before a Go Fund Me campaign raised nearly $7,500 to pay mortgage arrears and legal bills that accumulated during a hospital stay.

To help out his current situation, a fundraising concert is taking place today at Hard Rock Café in TO starting at 3 p.m. featuring a panoply of superb local and Canadian talents, including former members of Crowbar, for which keyboardist Jay co-wrote their monster hit “Oh What A Feeling”.  Jay and the rest of the Hamilton group, who were international stars in the 1970s, were inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011.

Jay, now 74 years old, has struggled in the past two decades, however, beginning with the tragic disappearance of his daughter Tiffany while working in Tokyo in 1997, a car accident that killed the mother of his three children in 2006 and the sudden 2012 death from heart disease of his second wife of 15 years, Tami Jean.  On top of those setbacks, in addition to the hoarding disorder (for which he was featured on the TV series “Hoarding: Buried Alive” in 2013) Jay has suffered from complications due to Type II diabetes according to his son Hank.

It was a 2014 hospital stay to treat the diabetes and other conditions that led to him falling behind on his mortgage payments, eventually prompting last year’s fundraiser.  But it seems likely that because, according to his son, his ability to earn an income from playing music has also been affected, his prospects would be dim without help from the music community.

Fortunately that seems to be willingly forthcoming based on the lineup for today’s 3 p.m. till 11 p.m. affair, for which the $25 cover will be donated in its entirety to Kelly.

Organized by Q107 with others and hosted by venerable dj Al Joynes, the show on the second floor stage at 279 Yonge St. includes performances by The Carpet Frogs, Goddo, Paul James, Luke & The Apostles, Rich Dodson of The Stampeders, Tony Springer, Danny Marks, The Sin City Boys featuring Kevin Jollimore, Robin Hawkins, Sam Taylor & The East End Love, Jerome Godboo, Cathy Young and several more.

Unfortunately, it needs to be told as a postscript, it appears as I write at 4 a.m. the day of the event that Kelly himself won’t be able to be on hand —though he’d expected to as recently as yesterday afternoon.  However according to posts on his Facebook timeline by him and his daughter, Bella Morte, an “offer” from a “friend” who last week had said they would arrange and pay for the two to fly from Calgary for the event turned out to be bogus.

Morte said that originally she and her dad “had nooo intentions of attending the benefit because we, like everyone, are so broke. That’s totally fine with us though. What’s not is stringing him along and getting him excited.”  Jay had posted that he was thrilled at the prospect of seeing old friends again for what could be the last time and many from the GTA reciprocated the feeling.

After several days of waiting for confirmation from the “buddy,” a call came yesterday from the “pal,” who said the tickets would be at the airport —the pair ended up at the Calgary terminal with no bookings and crushingly disappointed, apparently victims of what Morte described as “an absolutely terribly SICK game to play.

“As much as he tried to conceal the disappointment, I could see the massive pain in his eyes,” she added.

Of course for Kelly Jay this is a pretty minor setback in the context of all the other outrageous misfortunes he’s had to endure.  To his credit however, through it all he has maintained an optimistic and charitable disposition —even two weeks ago, Morte noted, when although the hit Crowbar tune he co-wrote was used as a theme song for the 25^th anniversary of the Juno Awards (he attended the first one) and the show took place in Calgary, he was not even invited.

According to Morte, “while he wasn’t invited to the events, he embraces the excitement with a warmth I’ve always found comfort in.”  To which she then adds in her Facebook post —and I can only enthusiastically echo, since it so totally resonates with the TorontoMoon.ca philosophy:

“This is why supporting local music is SO imperative in such a technology driven society.  Don’t complain about paying for a cover charge, just enjoy the damn experience!  Buy the CD, chose venues with local music and make your voice heard.”

Those who want to speak up loud and clear to let Kelly Jay know they appreciate what he’s given to the scene can do exactly that with their wallets today.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Sunday, April 17, 2022:

Listings are organized by area in which shows take place and listed chronologically within each area field.

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.

Names of subscribers appear in bold, are underlined and, where applicable, include a live link to their websites. Advertisers’ listings are in larger highlighted type, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

416 – TORONTO CENTRAL

11am-2pm> Balkan Gypsy for Jewish brunch buffet @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO

noon-3> Excelsior Dixieland Jazz Band @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

*noon-2:30> Eli Pasic @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~solo Blues piano; $5

12:30> Toque Trad Session @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~French Canadian music

3-10> benefit for Kelly Jay of Crowbar with performances by Crowbar, The Carpet Frogs, Goddo, Paul James, Luke & The Apostles, Tony Springer, Danny Marks, The Sin City Boys feat. Kevin Jollimore, Robin Hawkins, Sam Taylor & The East End Love, Jerome Godboo & many more @ Hard Rock Café, 279 Yonge St., TO ~Rock/Blues/Pop; $25

3-5> Alaniaris @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

3:30-6:30> Dr. Nick & The Rollercoasters @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

*4-7> Michael Brennan @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St. TO ~East Coast Rock/Blues Roots

*4:30-8> New Orleans Connection All Stars & guests @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~New Orleans Jazz

5-9> tba @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Road, TO North ~vintage Rock/R&B; $10

5> Monk’s Music @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Jazz

6> Song Studio @ C’est What, 69 Front St. E., TO ~pwyc

6-7:30> Jacky Bouchard @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz; $10/pwyc

*6-9> open mic with Eddy Culjak @ Fox & Fiddle Wellesley, 27 Wellesley St., TO

*7-1> Freefall Sundays open stage with hosts Steve York & Tony Rabalao (2 songs each -signup @ 7 or pre-sign online) @ The Supermarket, 268 Augusta St., TO

7-9:30> Angela Turone Duo @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

7-9:30> Daniella Nardi’s Espresso Manifesto @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~cabaret Jazz; $

*7-10> Brooke Blackburn @ Nawlins, 299 King St. W. TO ~Blues/Jazz/R&B

7:30> Diane Roblin and guests @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Jazz

8> Gordon’s Acoustic Living Room @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO ~acoustic Pop; no cover

*8> jam/open mic with backline & host band Meg and the Scene @ The Antler Room, 146 Front St. W., TO

8-9:30> Mel Côté @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz; $10/pwyc

*8> open mic with Kyle @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St., TO

*8-12> The Honour Roll with REMY trio @ May Café, 876 Dundas St. W. ~freestyle Hip Hop; no cover

8> The Double Cuts @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~Western Swing

9:30> Darren Sigesmund’s Strands @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

*10> Horshack feat. Chris Caddell @ Orbit Room, 580 College St., TO ~Bluesy contemporary & classic Rock

10> Makeshift Island @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

10> New Grease Revival @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

**10> Blues jam with Brian Cober, Bill Hedefine & guest bassist Guenther Kapelle @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO

10:30> Geoff Willingham @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

416 – TORONTO EAST

11-2> Liane Fainsinger for Jazz brunch @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. TO East

*2-5> Thyron Lee Whyte with David Restivo & Robert Whyte @ Morgan’s, 1282 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Jazz

*3-6> open mic with Nicola Vaughan @ Hirut, 2050 Danforth Ave., TO East

*3:30-7:30> jam @ Black Bear, 1125 O’Connor Drive, TO East

4> Cash On Demand @ Castro’s Lounge, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~Country

6-9> John Fraser Findlay @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave, TO East ~R&B/Blues

*9-1> jam with the Stir It Up Band featuring David Macmichael @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East

*9> Michael Darcy @ An Sibin Pub, 709 Queen St. E., TO East ~Pop Rock

9> Watch This Sound @ Castro’s Lounge, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~vintage Jamaican music

10-2> open mic @ Groove Bar, 1952 Danforth Ave., TO East

416 – TORONTO ETOBICOKE

4-8> BG Rhythm Section featuring Gary Kendall + guests Professor Piano & Mitch Lewis @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd., Etobicoke South ~Blues/R&B

5-9> Taxi @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke ~Pop Rock/Funk

5-9> The Pie Guys @ Refinery Public House, 3039 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke ~R&B/Rock

*10-2> jam with Rebecca Matiesen & Phoenix @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke South

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

Noon-4> jam with Ayden & Friends @ The Birchmount, 462 Birchmount Rd., Scarborough

*6> The Tall Boyz featuring Tommy Rocker host acoustic jam @ Coco’s, 2480 Eglinton Ave. E., Scarborough

*7-11> open jam @ McGradie’s, 2167 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough

416 – TORONTO WEST

**11-2> live Jazz brunch @ DeSoto’s, 1079 St. Clair Ave. W., TO West

*noon-3> Julian Fauth’s Blues brunch @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Blues

noon> Michael Johnston Music Studio presents 9^th annual student recital @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~$17/($11.50 kids)

* noon-3> The Cosmotones @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~Bluegrass

2-5> Jim Maze & the IT Crowd @ The Wicket, 1671 Bloor St. W., TO West

**5-8> John Borra & Sam Ferrara w. guest @ The Communist’s Daughter, 1149 Dundas St. W. TO West ~Country

*5-8> Sarah Jane Scouten @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Country-Roots originals

5-8> Jeff Taylor & The SLT @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West

6> Tania Gill @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St., TO West ~Jazz

7> Michelle Willis early show album release for See Us Through @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~original Folk/Jazz; $22

*8:30-11:30> Fraser Melvin Blues Band @ Fat City Blues, 890 College St., TO West ~Blues

8:30> Nick Morgan Quartet @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St., TO West ~Jazz

9-1> Josh Lane’s Toronto Jazz Collective @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

9> Earring; Pissbowelking; God’s Mom; Lampshade @ Smiling Buddha, 961 College St., TO West ~indie

9> Michelle Willis second show album release for See Us Through @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~original Folk/Jazz; $22

9> Angie Gunn @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Country classics

9> Renders; Geordie Gordon @ Holy Oak Café, 1241 Bloor St. W., TO West ~indie

8> Trouble Town Records showcase @ The Tennessee, 1554 Queen St. W., TO West ~eclectic indie

10> The Mercenaries @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~retro Soul-Rock

519

*3-7> acoustic open mic with Scott Rhodes @ The Pick and Shovel, 30 Water St., Cambridge

3-6> Edge of the Bayou @ Brando’s Beach House, 135 Market St., Brantford ~Blues

*9-1> jam @ Ivy Arms Pub, 201 Main Street East, Milton

705

3> Brian Haddelsay @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

6:30-9:30> Joe Huron Trio with guest tba @ Harbour Street Fish Bar, 10 Keith Ave., Collingwood ~Jazz

*7> open mic with Randy Hill @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

905 EAST

*3-7> Jam with jam with hosts Still Sunday featuring Jim Cornell @ West Shore Bar & Grill, 877 Bayly St., Pickering

*3-9> Benefit for Ilse Themen of Tamin’ Thunder hosted by Juggernaut with performances by Darren Smith, Carla Bianchi, Tracey Gallant, Jacqui Brown, Marc Joseph Band, The Boogie Men @ The Edge Lounge, 250 Bayly St. W., Ajax

4> Michael Bell @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

*8:30-12:30> karaoke with The English Rose & The Mad Scotsman @ Pearson Pub, 101 Mary St. W. Whitby

*10> Another Round @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~Pop Rock

905 NORTH

**1-3> Joe & Frank with guest performer @ Lake Simcoe Arms, 21089 Dalton Rd., Jackson’s Point ~Jazz

*1:30-4:30> Blaine Burnie, Mark Thackway & friends @ Coach House Pub, 3 Felcher Boulevard, Stouffville ~acoustic Roots

*3-7> open stage with Kevin Ker @ The Earl Of Whitchurch, 6204 Main St., Stouffville

*3-7> Daniel Davies Band hosts jam @ C.J. Barley’s, 213 The Queensway South, Keswick

*4-8> open mic with backline & keys @ Yogi’s Bar, 1285 Elgin Mills Rd. E., Richmond Hill

*6-9:30> The Andy Earle Trio @ Big Daddy’s Newmarket, 446 Davis Drive, Newmarket ~Blues

*8> acoustic open mic with Kat Vhonda @ Wild Wing North Newmarket, 340 Eagle Street, Newmarket

905 SOUTH

2-6> Bay City Blues Band & guests Al Lerman & Andre Bisson @ Bay City Music Hall, 50 Leander Drive, Hamilton ~Blues; $5

*3> Brother Tom hosts kitchen party jam @ Rebel’s Rock, 537 King St. E., Hamilton

5> Bill Craig @ Doc Magilligans, 6400 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls

7> Refracter; Detour; Eamonn Valley @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton

905 WEST

**2-6> Country matinee with host Colin Connors and guest Laura Mattson @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Country

*3-6> Chris Partland @ Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga ~Pop Rock

3-8> Salsa band @ The Franklin House, 263 Queen St. S., Streetsville ~Latin

*4:30-8> Chuck Jackson’s All Stars @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Blues

**5:30-8:30> The Stew @ Mulligan’s, 2458 Dundas St. W., Mississauga ~R&B/Rock

**7-11> The Nomads @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock

*7:30-11:30> open jam hosted by Troy Harmer & The Persuaders @ The Brown Barrel, 1515 Upper Ottawa St., Hamilton

8> Harte & Mazur feat. Elana Harte @ American House, 324 Dundas St. E., Waterdown ~original Roots-Rock

*8> open mic night with house band featuring Mike Shotton, Tim & Dave Johns @ Black Swan Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington

*9-1> Big in Japan @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~$

*10:30> Adam Cooke & The Adams Family @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington

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