In Paris, in 1932, a few enthusiasts founded the “ Le Hot Club de France” in order to promote the development of innovative jazz, as a musical genre. Through their benevolence a band was formed called "Le Quintette du Hot Club de France". Because of these musicians' subsequent recordings and appearances “Le Quintette du Hot Club de France” became the most popular instrumentalists on the continent. The key to their success was the collaboration between the prodigious gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt and the suave, conservatory trained, violinist Stéphane Grappelli.

In Toronto, in 1995, a group of Django's fans got together to play Hot Club music for sheer enjoyment. The Tranzac Club, a non for profit Australian /New Zealand social club/pub in downtown Toronto offered free rehearsal space. In time, a nucleus of strong and dedicated performers decided that it would be worthwhile to perform publicly and so "The Club Django Sextet of Toronto" was born.

The players in the Sextet are Johnny Farrell on lead guitar, Jonathan Marks on violin, Abbey Scholzberg on double bass, Gerry Duligal on accordion,Tony Oldland and André Séguinot (the founder of the Sextet) on rhythm guitars.

In May 2000, the Sextet released its first CD, intitled "A Tribute to the Hot Club de France". In April 2001, the CD received an award from the CANADIAN COLLECTORS' CONGRESS for BEST ALBUM 2000 for TRADITIONAL/CLASSIC PERFORMANCE.

Opening for Club Django will be Vaughn Passmore. Vaughn played at Greenbank in the first year of concerts and we are happy to welcome him back.

 

October

October 19, 2002
Dennis O'Toole Ensemble

Considered by many of his peers to be one of Peterborough's best kept secrets, Dennis O'Toole has chosen not to take his songs on the road. But still his reputation outside of the city as a craftsman of soulful ballads is ever growing. As an example witness Georgette Fry's Juno nominated debut CD "Rites of Passage" which contains a wonderful rendition of Dennis's "Three Kinds of Fool".

Alan Black of Peterborough's Jackson Delta wrote that Dennis's lyrics often cross into the realm of pure poetry. Washboard Hank describes O'Toole as "a powerhouse of poetic intensity", adding that "Any who value the strength and beauty of words are in for a treat". Waxing poetic herself, one reviewer put it this way. "In confronting the complexities of relationships and the murky nature of love he nails down the painful, the elation and the often overlooked simplicities in such a way it all becomes perfectly clear. He addresses the confusion, anger and remorse that comes with being a living soul with his deep and honest plea for understanding".

Don't tell anyone but sometimes the music and the songs are just plain fun. Dennis's self titled debut CD is a comprehensive cross section of song writing spanning 30 years that reflects the diverse influences of folk, rock, blues, country and rhythm and blues that combine to make Dennis a versatile and seasoned performer.

On any given night the Dennis O'Toole Ensemble is a collection of musical friends who love to colour the songs in rich tonal texture. For this leg of the "Greenbank World Tour" Dennis will be accompanied by acoustic guitarist Jeff Brackett, Prairie Oyster's dobro guy Dennis Delorme and bassist Andy Pryde. Whatever the mix, you can expect a magical evening.

Opening for The Dennis O'Toole Ensemble is Chris Cudy

 

November

November 16, 2002
Tim Williams

From Tim's website:

Tim Williams is a blues-based singer / songwriter / multi - instrumentalist. He is a 30 year veteran of the 'Roots' music scene in North America, roots which stretch back to the coffee-house scene of his native California in the mid 60's.

Settling in Canada in 1970, Tim is a studio musician, producer, and a performer in constant demand. He has played Folk / Blues / Jazz festivals and concert halls and clubs from Halifax, to Vancouver Island, to the Yukon.

Tim's CD Indigo Incidents has been getting rave reviews

Inspired by the Hillbilly and Western Swing music he heard as a child, Tim absorbed late Fifties Rhythm & Blues and Rock & Roll, Hawaiian and Mexican music, early Sixties Folk, and Bluegrass “like a sponge” before discovering a passion for traditional blues styles which was fueled by seeing many first generation blues musicians live during the “Blues Boom” of the mid and late Sixties."

Opening for Tim is Steve Porter, Singer/Songwriter from Mt. Albert.

 

December

December 7, 2002
Songwriter Night. Come and hear a set each by:

Bob Snider

Bob Snider has been called everything from "a national treasure" to "a living legend". His songs have been covered by a who's who of Canadian musicians including Ashley MacIsaac, backed by Jale!, Meryn Cadell (who played at the Oasis on Thursday, February 22, 1996, with Robert Priest) and the Leslie Spit Tree-o.

One reviewer called Washboard Hank "a cross between Jerry Lewis (not Jerry Lee) and Stompin' Tom Connors." His repertoire includes bluegrass, rockabilly, country, television themes and Oktoberfest. He can go from sensitive to manic to ridiculous in an instant. Don't blink, you'll miss something good.

Magoo has been writing songs and playing them in clubs, concerts and at festivals across the country since 1975. In the 1980's, working with a promoter in the US, he opened shows for Taj Mahal, Roger McGuinn, The Band, Joe Cocker and David Bromberg among others. He formed a rocking little band called the Nu Magoos, and enlisted the playing talents of one Kirk Elliott. In 1987 they were commissioned by Scholastic Publications to write and record music for a soon to be released book entitled ‘Sing a Song of Mother Goose’, and the family duo Kirk and Magoo was hatched.

 

January

January 18, 2003
Michael J. Browne

At 42 years old, Michael Jerome Browne has already established himself as a veritable high priest of traditional American Folk and Roots Music. Born in South Bend, Indiana, he picked up his first instruments, guitar and harmonica, at the age of 9. By his mid-teens, he was a prodigy of the folk scene in Montreal. He created a one-man band show which he busked across North America and in Europe. He then toured for many years as lead singer and guitarist with the Stephen Barry Band, recording 4 albums with them. Now heralded as a virtuoso in a myriad of folk styles...Appalachian, Cajun, country blues, early jazz, R&B and urban blues, he is also a renowned multi-instrumentalist and considered a master of old-time banjo, fiddle, and mandolin. Browne currently tours North America and Europe playing at festivals, theatres and community halls. He also teaches Roots music in schools, and at workshops and music camps.

Opening for Michael J. Browne is Jimmy Bowskill, 12 year old blues artist!

"Every now and then you run across a natural, someone that just seems to have a little more wisdom, a touch more depth and a hint more polish that their years should allow. Jimmy Bowskill fits this bill and then some. Once you get over his youth and listen closely to his work, you'll find yourself wondering where this 12 year old finds the grit and soul usually reserved for seasoned veterans. Jimmy picked up his first guitar at age 10 hoping to emulate his idols Robert Johnson and Jimmy Hendrix, and quickly started to amaze friends and family with soulful renditions of some of the best known classics of his trail blazing hero's. Jimmy clearly has an understanding and natural gift for music and a genuine love for entertaining that shines through in every song he plays. He's already been working on some of his own music in the studio and is very quickly filling up his dance card for gigs this summer. It's going to be a treat to watch where this young guitarist's career takes him. "

Tony Redmond (Singer, Songwriter)

"Borne's live performances are a spiritually moving experience. On acoustic guitar he improvises at will, moving from intensely solid rhythmic grooves to inspiring and imaginative solos; influences that emerge in his music range from African Highlife to Blues, Swing, Gospel, Cajun, Celtic, Aboriginal and Flamenco. Even strains of the sitar are evident at times. He rivets the audience with his soulful voice and free form scat singing, and a relentless heartbeat rhythm from his left foot underpins the magical experince."
- A. Moses

Opening for Bill is Mark Sepic

“ Lenny Breau meets Harry Partch meets John Cage meets Wendy Carlos…….”

“Pushing the boundaries of our definition of jazz has always been the goal of the creative jazz artist, and Mark Sepic is no exception. He incorporates found objects, tape loops, vocalize and a consummate guitar technique in his iconoclastic pursuit of the outer limits of jazz performance. By applying layers of sound to repetitive rhythmic structures, Mark creates a framework for his improvisations on the classical guitar. His concerts have captured young and old alike with an earnest exploration of rhythm, harmony, polyphony, timbre and multi-dimentionalism, (or dementia-lism), all dressed up in a whimsy that is both enlightening and entertaining. When possible, he employs audience participation to eliminate the boundary between creator and spectator. Sepic’s complete lack of pretense and charming, disarming personality makes his musical adventures all the more exciting. So bring the family and take part in a free form, cutting edge Jazz Concert Experience.”

Robin Munro, Artistic Director, Barrie Jazz and Blues Festival

James draws from the styles of folk and pop/rock creating music that sounds beyond his years. With a definite taste for roots music, James appeals to a wide spectrum of music listeners. His comfort on stage brings a sense of ease to the music and his performance.

 

April

April 12, 2003 -- Sold Out --
Tenth Anniversary Party with Greenbank's own Sourpuss and Friends

This is a fund raising event. Please come out and support the folks who have been bringing great entertainment to the Greenbank area for ten years.

Please note that starting in April all concerts will be smoke free.  

May

May 10, 2003
Steve James from Austin, Texas

"Steve James has established himself as one of the very best acoustic artists on the current folk and blues scene. He's a formidable fingerpicker and a convincing singer... possessed with a cyclonic energy that fuels his live performances. -Folk Roots (U.K.)

"The technique goes arm in arm with the heart. Steve is great!" -Buscadero (Italy)

"James creates a wonderfully diverse collection of acoustic blues and roots music, showing off his plentiful playing skills as wella s some out-a-sight songwriting...will keep you interest level high." -Scene Roots&Blues (Canada)