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BTBs Fusion Jazz combo shows amorphous quality of genre
/TORONTO EAST/ Given the fact that the term “Jazz” started out as being coined to describe music that fit no other genre, because it incorporated elements of other, often widely disparate forms as it first emerged in the early 20th century, it shouldn’t be surprising that the BTBs instrumental Fusion combo is itself so eclectic in its musical selections and how they are interpreted.
A famous quote from Louis Armstrong, talking to Bing Crosby on his radio show about the then-popular term “Swing”, described the evolution of the form thusly: “We used to call it syncopation, then they called it ragtime, then blues, then jazz. Now it’s swing.” Iconic trombonist J.J. Johnson told Downbeat magazine: “Jazz is restless. It won’t stay put and it never will. It is forever seeking and reaching out and exploring.”
BTBs @ Relish -Gary 17
Johnson’s description pretty much also sums up the approach of the BTBs trio, which appears each Wednesday from 7:30-10:30 at Relish on Danforth Ave. a block east of Woodbine in east TO. While there are dozens of variations and sub-genres of Jazz generally recognized by music writers these days, most bands tend to fall into a particular groove and stick with it –but not the BTBs, who feature the guitar stylings of Ed Kopala, the endlessly versatile bass of Bob Bilton and drumming of Peter Griffin (or occasionally a guest drummer).
Bilton in particular brings elements of Funk and Rock into the groove –he has a long history of gigging with a wide variety of Top 40 bands—and Kopala is constantly throwing little twists and curves into the mix as well. In addition to a wide range of covers (though they certainly give them their own interpretation) they also have some originals, such as “Big Dog’s Tooth”, which you can see them perform live in the room at 2152 Danforth Ave. on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-uAmJ0Fo_A.
There’s no cover but there is a tip jar you’ll want to help fill and by all means arrive hungry –the food here, prepared by chef and owner Joanne Clayton, is its own kind of Jazz tapas culinary adventure that you’ll also cherish and want to return for. -Gary 17, www.torontomoon.ca
LISTINGS:
Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. 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 and include a live link to their websites where applicable. Advertisers’ listings are in larger type, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.
5-8> Bruce Chapman Duo @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Blues
6> Jon & Jen @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO
6:30> Amanda Tosoff Group @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz
*7-11> open jam with Wayne Buttery Band @ The Beacon, 146 45th St., Wasaga Beach
7> Brian Haddelssey @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough
*7:30-10:30> Peter Griffin & BTBs @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Jazz
7:30> Sarah Jan Scouten & The Brilliant String Band album release @ Tranzac Club (Main Hall), 292 Brunswick Ave. TO
7:30> Mike Evin with Eva Sterk @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave. TO
7:30> Dylan Hennessy; Katie Du Temple; Marcus Walker; Arch Rockefeller with host Jean Baptiste De Collier @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St., TO ~eclectic indie; pwyc
*8-12> Girls Night Out Jazz singers jam with Lisa Particelli, Peter Hill et al @ Chalkers, 247 Marlee Ave., TO North-West
**8> open stage with 9 p.m. feature by Glen Hornblast @ Fat Albert’s, 25 Cecil St. (Steelworkers Hall), TO ~Roots
*8-1> open jam with Wednesday’s Child feat. Johnny Bootz Hutt @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave., TO
8> jam with Juggernaut Jam Band @ Rockpile East, 2787 Eglinton Ave. E., Scarborough
8> Sady T & The Jazz Cats feat. Owen Tennyson on drums @ Melange, 172 Main St., TO East ~Jazz
8> Chris Caddell & The Wreckage with guests Clifton David Boradbridge & Trish Robb @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~Blues-Rock; $
8> The Vipers @ Monarchs Pub (Eaton Chelsea Hotel), 33 Gerrard St. W., TO ~Jazz/Blues
*8-11> Fraser-Daley @ Inter Steer, 357 Roncesvalles Ave. TO West ~Roots/Blues
8-1> Three Dads @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Pop Rock
8-1> The Lovelocks @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~alt Country; $7
*8-12> all-ages jam with The Brand New Low @ Sixth Line Pub, 1500 Sixth Line, Oakville
*8-11> open mic @ Frank’s Pasta, 426 King St. E., Cobourg
8:30> Sue & Dwight & Michelle Rumball @ Free Times Cafe, 320 College St., TO ~Roots; $8
8:30> Trent Severn @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Canadiana Roots trio; $35/-
*8:30> Crazy Strings host High Lonesome Wednesdays with opening acoustic act @ Silver Dollar 486 Spadina Ave., TO ~Bluegrass
*8:30> open mic with Jenn Fiorentino @ Earl Of Whitchurch, 6204 Main St., Stouffville
*8:30> Something Country @ The Endzone, 1900 King St. E., Hamilton ~Country
*8:45> Bradley & The Bouncers @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~Jazz/Blues/R&B
*9> open jam with Tommy Rocker’s Classic Rock show featuring Jim Cornell & members of Still Sunday @ The Loaded Dog, 1921 Lawrence St. E., Scarborough
9-12> Blues Night with Julian Fauth & guests @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~original Jun0-winning Blues
9> Whitebrow @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Folk
9> Tom Juhas & Nicky Von Vicky @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West ~original Pop Rock; pwyc
*9?> open mic with Skip @ The Queen’s Legs, 286 Eglinton Ave. W., TO North
*9?> open mic with Sean Barker @ Monarch Tavern, 12 Clinton St., TO
9> The Manvils @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West; $7
*9?> jam with Michael Zane @ Shakers, 580 Kerr St., Oakville
*9-12> jam with Damage Control @ St. Louis Bar & Grill Ajax, 11 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax
9> Bruce Gorrie @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa
*9-1> open mic jam with Whiskey Birds @ Sweetz Lounge, 5289 Hwy 7, Woodbridge-Vaughan
*9:30> open stage with Nicola Vaughan @ Black Swan (downstairs), 154 Danforth Ave., TO East
9:30> Julien Dionne; Garage Baby @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E., TO ~comedy/variety; $10
9:30> Lorne Lofsky Group @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz
*9:30-2> jam with Live Animals @ The Unicorn, 175 Eglinton Ave. E., TO North
9:45> Wednesdays Go Pop showcase with Navy Skies; Josh Taerk; Jamie Loiselle @ Supermarket, 268 Augusta Ave., TO ~indie
10> Whitney Rose @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO
10> The Moon @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave. TO ~NYC indie band
*10-2> Blues-Rock jam with Bruce Domoney @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave. TO
*10-2> Paul & Curtis @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/Pop
10:30> Mike Slute & Pat Wright Duo @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock
*10:30> The LMT Connection @ Orbit Room, 580 College St. TO ~Funk/R&B; $10
10:30> Mississippi Bends @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West ~original Pop Rock; pwyc
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