Category: Entertainment

Our Memoriam to Dale Rempel – Lisbon, Portugal

On our arrival in Lisbon. Portugal, we were saddened to be informed that my cousin Lynn’s husband Dale had succumbed to cancer.  This put a damper on an otherwise exuberant day, and we would think of him and his family often during the trip.  We had last seen Dale in a set of unusual circumstances in October of 2011.  Lori and I had hopped a plane in Winnipeg on our way to Ottawa, where we were heading out on a fall road trip though Quebec.  Amazingly, Dale and Lynn walked past us on the plane and sat directly behind us.  An absolutely amazing coincidence.  We spent a bit of time chatting on the plane and a bit of time in the Ottawa airport before we went our separate ways.  He was a great person and will be missed terribly by all in his circles.

Keeping in mind that we are not Catholic, and neither are Dale and Lynn, we decided on an appropriate tribute ( we think) in that we were in Spain and Portugal, both of which have a multitude of beautiful cathedrals.  we decided we would light a candle in remembrance in each cathedral we visited.

Our first candle was lit in the famous Sao Domingo cathedral in Lisbon, just off Rossio Square.

 

 

Remembering Abram Wilson

Nathaniel Facey (sax) and Abram Wilson (trumpet)
Nathaniel Facey (sax) and Abram Wilson (trumpet) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

The music world lost Abram Wilson June 9, 2012.  He passed at the age of 38 of colon cancer.  Far to early.  I have explored jazz, and the trumpet in particular through an introduction to Donald Byrd, and discovered Abram in my travels.  Spectacular player, absolutely amazing.  He was born in New Orleans and lived in London, UK.  Have a listen to the cuts I have included and then dig a bit deeper, satisfaction is guaranteed,

 

Africa

 

 

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Abram Wilson Quartet

 

 

Remembering Bob Welch

Cover of "French Kiss"
Cover of French Kiss

 

June 7, 2012 saw the passing of former Fleetwood Mac guitarist, Bob Welch.  Another great one lost.  He committed suicide at the age of 66.  In addition to his time with the band, he had a successful solo career.  Here are a couple of those solo hits in his honor.

 

Sentimental Lady

 

 

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Ebony Eyes

 

 

Remembering Andy Hamilton

Andy Hamilton (left) and Scott Hamilton

Andy Hamilton, a sensational jazz sax player, passed away on June 3 at the age of 94.  Originally from Jamaica, he stowed away on a banana boat and travelled to the UK.  He paid his dues ( a 14 day jail term for this transgression) and left jail to pursue his music.  This guy was the real deal as you will hear in the 2 clips I have inserted here.  Wow, wow, wow!!!!

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Here he is playing his song, “Orocabessa” in 2007 at the age of 89.

Remembering Faruq Z. Bey

Alto saxophone
Alto saxophone (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

June 1 saw the passing of American jazz saxophonist, Faruq Z. Bey . He was best known for his time with Griot Galaxy, a free jazz band from the 1970’s and 80’s.  In the mid 80’s, he was forced to leave the band after a bike accident that left him in a coma for some time.  He returned to playing in the mid 90’s.  I have posted a couple of videos here in tribute to this outstanding musician.  The first is with his band “The Northwood Improvisers”.  The second is with the Griot Galaxy.  Love Jazz.

 

Mystery of Love

 

 

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Androgyny

 

 

Remembering Pete Cosey

Miles Davis
Miles Davis (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pete Cosey, guitarist extraordinaire, passed away on May 30, 2012.  He was 68.  He was a session guitar player at Chess Records until 1973, playing on recordings by Etta James, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, among many others.  In 1973, he joined the Miles Davis Band and played with them until 1975.  When the band broke up in 1975, he pretty much disappeared, surfacing from time to time to play on someone’s record.  He resurfaced somewhat in 2001, forming a band, The Children of Agharta.  Check out the clips I have included.  The guy was amazing.

Pete Cosey Jamming

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Calypso Frelimo

Remembering Doc Watson

 

English: From Flickr: Doc Watson, 86 years old...
English: From Flickr: Doc Watson, 86 years old, plays to the crowd at another fantastic Sugar Grove Music Fest. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

May 29 was a very sad day for me.  Doc Watson passed away.  What a player!!  Nothing to say, just listen.

 

Deep River Blues

 

 

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Windy and Warm

 

 

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Sitting On Top Of The World

 

 

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What a talent, and a connection to the old blues and folk singers of the 20’s, 30’s and beyond.  Greatly missed.

 

Remembering Toni Arden

Big band singer Toni Arden passed away on May 29.  She was 88.  Toni’s real name was Antoinette Ardizzone.  She started recording in the 1940’s with a lot of bands, including Frankie Laine.  Her only major hit was Padre in 1958, which was also her only million seller.  The song I have chosen is a good showpiece for her voice and is typical of the early 50’s.  Good song.  Hope you enjoy.

Are You Satisfied

Remembering Roy Wilson

 

A map of Jamaica
A map of Jamaica (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Early Ska pioneer Roy Wilson passed away on May 26.  He was the Wilson in “Higgs and Wilson” along with Joe Higgs.  They formed in Jamaica in the 1950’s and released this song “Oh Manny Oh” in 1960.  They were instrumental in developing the genre in the 1960’s.  He moved to the USA in the late 1960’s, with Higgs staying in Jamaica and having a successful solo career.  Roy is featured in the documentary “Legends of Ska”.

Oh Manny Oh

 

Remembering Janet Carroll

 

Cover of "Risky Business"
Cover of Risky Business

 

Actress, singer Janet Carroll passed away on May 22.  She was 71.  Better known as an actress (think Tom Cruise’s mother in Risky Business and Gary, the owner of the shoe store Al Bundy worked at on Married…With Children) she was also an accomplished singer with many credits on Broadway and with a wide variety of jazz bands.  Her career spanned over 40 years.  Here is a sample of her work with The Hot Frogs Jumping Jazz Band, recorded in 1988.

 

That Terrific Rainbow