\ TO WEST \

Drummer to the world and TO’s epitome of the “Fatback Beat,” Shamakah Ali has one of the most impressive musical resumes of anyone on the local scene and with his high-energy playing and hearty persona comes across as someone invulnerable to the ravages of time.

But like all of us he’s only human after all, and lately the big, boisterous and teddy bear affable accompanist to international stars and local performers alike has been suffering from a heart condition that had him hospitalized recently since early February.

So tonight the members of one of his current bands, Signe Miranda’s Veranda, are staging a benefit for him at cozy Parkdale venue Not My Dog from 10 p.m. till close.

Born in Memphis, Ali’s genuine musical Blues roots are as legitimate as they get: he grew up playing on Beale Street in W. C. Handy Park, named after the seminal Blues man who also bequeathed his name to the acclaimed W. C. Handy Awards.

Even a partial list of the iconic American artists he’s recorded, toured and performed with, both south of the border and as far afield as Korea, is astonishing: Albert King, Al Green, Chaka Khan. George Clinton and Lionel Ritchie among others.

Since relocating to Canada he’s been featured with another panoply of stellar acts including Shakura S’Aida, Jackie Richardson, Sara Sleen, Matt Dusk, Lorraine Segato, Carol Pope, JackSoul, Molly Johnson, Jarvis Church and Ivana Santilli among others.

I first met Shamakah when he was anchoring an all-star R&B troupe known as The A Team, which over a period of several years in the last decade was one of the staple acts at highly respected Orbit Room.  As we told you three years ago, he also started up the Flash Back Reggae band and has infused the music of innumerable local combos before and since.  The credibility of his self-described “Fatback Beat” presence is enough for many savvy music fans to guarantee they’re going to see a world class show.

Anyone who’s seen him perform might have a hard time believing it, but Ali’s heart problems actually go back 18 years, he recounted on a GoFundMe.com campaign that, since being created on Feb. 18, so far has raised over $22,000 toward covering recent surgery and hospital bills for the U.S. ex-pat, who is apparently not eligible for OHIP coverage.

Tonight’s show in the small venue at 1510 Queen St. West isn’t likely to add a lot to that total but it will be a good opportunity for fans, friends and others to extend their good wishes to him, since, backing Miranda along with Peter Nunn on keys, Brian Allossery on guitar, Rob Brown on bass and special guests Sonja Seiler and Marcus Walker, Ali is listed as the drummer for the gig.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Tuesday, March 22, 2022

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.). 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

6> Thelonious Hank @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~Country

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

6:30> Tonight At Noon @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Charles Mingus tribute; $

*6:30-9:30> Stacie McGregor @ Nawlin’s, 299 King St. W. TO ~Juno award-winning Jazz piano composer

7-9:30> Jazz FM presents Giovanni Guidi @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Jazz; $40

7:30 (sign-up at 7)> The Bridge on “Growth” open stage on “growth” theme and between-set showcase music, poetry, etc.; hosted by Lynn Harrison @ Tranzac Club (Main Hall), 292 Brunswick St., TO

7:30> Karen Ng and special guests @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick St., TO

8> Recording Arts Canada Showcase Night with Alina Libkind; Red Air; Naked Wild; Bigfoot’s Hand @ Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., TO

8:30> Bombino; Last Good Tooth @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~$20

*8:45> Tyler Yarema & His Rhythm @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~Jazz/Blues; $

*9> Chris Caddell Blues Band @ Lou Dawgs, 598 King St. W., TO ~Blues

9:30> The Waring Band @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO

**9:30> Jazz jam hosted by Chris Gale @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

*10-2> The Sattalites @ Orbit Room, 580 College St., TO ~original & cover Reggae/Funk; $

10> Brian Maxwell and That Fish @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick St., TO

*10> The Hit Pickers @ Cloak & Dagger, 294 College St., TO

10> The Sinners Choir @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

10:30> The Sons of Jameson @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

10:30> Devon & Katie @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz; $10/pwyc

416 – TORONTO EAST

*6-9> Julian Fauth solo @ Sauce, 1376 Danforth Ave., TO East ~original Blues piano

7> Warren Fielding @ The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave, TO East ~Comedy, music, animation variety; $39

7-9> Warren Grieg @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~songwriter

7:15> Pete Yorn @ Opera House, 735 Queen Street East, TO East ~$

8> Kevin Millar; Jordan Abrams, T.C. FolkPunk @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~indie; no cover

9-11> Sugar Brown @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East

*9-1> jam with Paul Storm and The Hog Town Torpedoes @ The Duke Live, 1225 Queen St. E., TO East

9> open mic @ Groove Bar, 1952 Danforth Ave., TO East

*9:30> Peter Verity @ Black Swan, 154 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Folk Roots

**9:30-12> open stage hosted by Jennifer Brewer @ The Old Nick, 123 Danforth Ave., TO East

416 – TORONTO ETOBICOKE

7:30-10:30> Canadian Jazz Quartet @ The Old Mill Toronto, 21 Old Mill Road, Etobicoke ~Jazz

*8> open mic with Steve Herman and Scott Deathe @ Refinery Public House, 3039 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

*9:30> karaoke with The English Rose & The Mad Scotsman @ The Fossil & Haggis, 790 Military Trail, Scarborough

416 – TORONTO WEST

5-8> Rob Davis Blues Duo @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Blues

8> Peace Be Still; Terry Green; Respire; Growing Fins @ Smiling Buddha, 961 College St., TO West ~$5

8:30> Electric Church @ Fat City Blues, 890 College St., TO West ~

9> Anna Cyzon; Mercy Flight feat. Steve York; Dead Penny for Indie Tuesdays @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W., TO West ~indie; pwyc

9-11:45> Isabel and The Uncommons featuring Tony Quarrington @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~musical soul food

9> Kayla Ramu Jazz Band @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

9> Taylor Cook Quinet @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West

**9:30> jam with Derek Downham or Cody McMillan @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W., TO West ~eclectic

10-2> Benefit for Shamakah Ali with Signe Miranda’s Veranda & guests Marcus Walker; Brian Allossery; Sonja Seiler @ Not My Dog, 1510 Queen St. W., TO West ~indie Pop

10-2> Zeppelinesque @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~Led Zep covers; $

519

*10> Chris Brown hosts open jam @ Brando’s, 135 Market Street, Brantford

705

7:30> open mic with Randy Hill @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

7:30> Saskia Crescentia and Golden Records @ The Spill, 414 George St. N., Peterborough

10> Reiki Share; Flannel; Boom Jack @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

905 EAST

*6:30-11> The Woodshed jam with Don Niblett & Frank Zochodne @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

8:30-12:30> open mic with host Cheryl Stiles @ The Pearson Pub, 101 Mary St. W., Whitby

9> Jack’d Up @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country Rock

9> Karaoke with Travellin’ Wilbur’s @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa

*10> open mic with Josh Beaven @ The Atria, 59 King St. E., Oshawa

905 NORTH

*8> open mic @ The Tickled Toad, 330 Steeles Ave. W., 905 North

*8-11> jam with Matthew Kane & The Brews Brothers @ The Crown, 9580 Yonge St., Richmond Hill

*8:30-12:30> open mic @ Falcon & Firkin, 10300 Yonge St., Richmond Hill

*9> open mic with Manny D, Andy Earle & Dave Breckels @ Big Chris BBQ, 17380 Yonge St., Newmarket

905 SOUTH

*8> Blues & Jazz jam hosted by Wayne Janus & The Syncopaths @ Rebel’s Rock, 537 King St. E., Hamilton

*8:30-12> open stage @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton

905 WEST

*8> The Phil & John Show feat. Phil Naro @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~acoustic Pop Rock

*8-12> Groovestone @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/Funk; $

*8> open stage (sign up at 7:30) with host Neil McNaughton @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville; $2

*8:45> open mic with Matt Zadkovich @ Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga

*10> Chuck Coles of The Organ Thieves and Creepshow hosts open mic @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington

Copyright © 2016 Toronto Moon Magazine. All Rights Reserved