Guitar gods Quarrington and Zacharin make a powerhouse combo

\OAKVILLE\

I’ve written several times over the years about complex and compelling songwriter and guitar master Noah Zacharin, and more recently have also shared some insights into the many talents of Juno winner Tony Quarrington, another six-string genius who also crafts elegant tunes.

While the two have performed as part of the same group before —they’re both members of the all-star Guitar Boys Of Alderon quartet headed by Brian Gladstone and that also includes “Mr.” Rick Zolkower— to my knowledge I’ve never heard of them featured as a duo before the billing for tonight’s show at Moonshine Café in Oakville.

I’m not certain exactly what the format will be for the evening, whether they’ll each do a set solo and then one together or whether each will back the other on separate sets plus one combined or what. But it really doesn’t matter a whit how they set it up —either way this is a chance to soak up some of the finest acoustic six-string plucking, strumming and fiddling around that you’ll ever hear.

In fact, so gifted are each of them that Moonshine owner John Marlatt has asked the pair to conduct a sort of “master class” jam for a half-hour starting at 8, prior to the formal start of the show around 8:30, during which they’ll share some of the tricks of the fretboard magic each is capable of whisking up.

I assume John will also, for at least the early part of the evening, have the BBQ set up out front of the cozy club at 137 Kerr St. a bit north of Lakeshore Blvd. in the heart of downtown Oakville, for those who want to check out his burgers or steaks. (On Mondays people come from miles around for the “Dinner & A Jam” steak special nights.)

Tonight’s cover is just a ridiculously low $7 so maybe bring some extra to offer tribute to these guitar gods by buying an album or making a donation.

-Gary 17, www.torontomoon.ca

LISTINGS for Thursday, August 21, 2021:

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.

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3 (and 5)> The Mudmen @ CNE Midway Stage, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lakeshore Blvd. West, TO

*5-8> Kirsten Jones @ Richtree Restaurant, Eaton Centre (14 Queen St. West), TO ~Country originals & Pop covers

*5-8> Jerry Leger & The Situation @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E.. TO East ~Folk-Rock/Country

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

*5-8> Nelson Denis @ Frank’s Pasta, 42 King Street E., Cobourg ~eclectic mix (Folk, Jazz, soft Rock, Latin)

6> Annie Gunn @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

6 (and 8)> The Spoons @ CNE Midway Stage, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lakeshore Blvd., TO West ~Can Rock icons

6:30> Peter Hill Quintet @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

7-9> Pat Maloney @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~songwriter

7> Jessica Frances @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~Jazz/Blues

*7> open mic with Derek Mok @ Kensington Lodge, 21 Kensington Ave., TO

7-9> Wool & Howl @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West

*7:30-9:30> Bluegrass Thursdays with Houndstooth @ Tranzac Lounge (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

7:30> Jose Feliciano @ CNE Bandshell, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lakeshore Blvd., TO West ~instrumental guitar icon

*7:30> Rob Phillips Jazz/Blues Trio with Chelsey Bennett @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough ~Jazz Blues

*7:30-12> open mic with K.M. Smith @ Molly Bloom’s Guelph, 91 Wyndham St. N., Guelph

*8-11> Tinderbox Thursdays open stage with Michael Keith @ La Revolucion, 2848 Dundas St. W., TO West ~eclectic

8-12 > Blues jam with Howard Ross & Big Mojo with featured guest Mike Hall of Killer Dwarfs @ The Hub, 15 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

8> A Fellow Ship; Jack The Lads; Oka Trappist @ Supermarket, 268 Augusta Ave., TO ~indie

8-12> Lost Vegas @ Lake Affect, 1 Port St., Port Credit ~Rock/Top 40

8-12> The Doozies @ Fionn MacCool’s Ajax, 32 Kingston Rd. E. Ajax ~Pop

*8-12> open mic & jam @ Black Swan Pub Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington

*8-11:30> Christopher Plock & Stevie G @ Mulligan’s Pub, 2458 Dundas St. W., Mississauga ~Blues/Jazz/R&B

*8-11> open mic with Sandy MacDonald @ Williamsburg Arms, 1187 Fischer Hallman Rd., Kitchener

8:30> Tony Quarrington & Noah Zacharin @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St. Oakville ~Roots guitar/songwriting gods; $7

8:30> DAS Trio @ Free Times Café, 320 College St. TO ~cabaret ensemble

9> Hatchetmen @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~party Rock

*9> jam with Ted Rusk @ The Sauble Dunes, 11 Southampton Parkway, Sauble Beach

9 (and 11)> Big Rude Jake @ CNE Midway Stage, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lakeshore Blvd., TO West ~Blues

9> Pretzel Logic @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Steely Dan tribute; $10

*9-1:30> open stage with Jay Pennell @ Dave’s On St. Clair, 730 St. Clair West, TO West ~eclectic

9-12> Annie Bonsignore @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

9-12> Olivia & Paul @ Bar Radio, 615 College St., TO ~Folk; pwyc

9> David Celia @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Roots Pop

9-1> The Swingin’ Blackjacks @ Monarchs Pub (Eaton Chelsea Hotel), 33 Gerrard St. W., TO ~Rockabilly

9-1> Dani Nash @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~Country

*9> jam @ The Wee Pub, 371 Wilson Rd. South, Oshawa

9> Rising Low @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

*9-2> karaoke with Joe @ Tudor Rose, 700 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax

*9:30-2> Skip Tracer @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd., Etobicoke South ~Rock/Pop

*9:30> karaoke with The English Rose & The Mad Scotsman @ Coyote Jack’s, 64 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax

*9:30> karaoke with Kiki @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East

9:30> Hugh Fraser Group @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Vancouver Jazz

9:30> David Ward @ Black Dog Pub, 87 Island Rd., Scarborough ~Pop Rock

9:30> Glenn Groves @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock

*9:30> jam with Jack B Nimble @ Abbey Road Pub, 3200 Erin Mills Parkway, Mississauga

*9:45> Mary Mckay @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~Jazz/Blues

10> Expwy @ Tranzac Lounge (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~indie Pop Rock

10> Kirty @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~Roots-Rock

10> Jay Pollock; The Responsables @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West ~indie

10> Oakland Stroke @ Orbit Room, 480 College St. TO ~10-piece Tower Of Power tribute; $10

10> The Tonkas @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Blues

*10> Salt & Pepper karaoke with Josh & Danish @ St. Louis Ajax. 11 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax

10> Cross Dog @ The Red Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough ~

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

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