West of the City - Artist Profile

Jazz Festival on downtown this weekend - insideHalton

On The Beat - TandemNew

By Kerry Doole

TORONTO CALLING: Interest in this city’s early punk scene continues to mount, so the timing is excellent for this new photo exhibit, one attracting plenty of media coverage. Toronto Calling is a fan’s-eye view of some of this city’s most legendary gigs of the late ’70s and early ’80s. Shots include some from the first two CLASH gigs here, plus U2’s first-ever Toronto show, at the El Mocambo in 1980 (On The Beat was one of only about 50 people there, if memory serves). The likes of IGGY POP, MINK DE VILLE, and THE SPECIALS are also featured. Taking the shots were music lovers SIMON and NICK WHITE. Their grainy work would never be mistaken for BOB GRUEN or ANNIE LEIBOWITZ, but it captures the spontaneous and rough and ready feel of those great gigs. The show runs at Steam Whistle Brewery until April 1. Check it out.
CANADIAN JAZZ: There is no doubt that female singers both outnumber and outshine the men on the Canadian jazz scene. That was further verified by a bunch of recent CDs to come On The Beat’s way. A Little Rain Must Fall is the debut release from local chanteuse PAULA GARDIN, and it’s a fine offering. The bulk of the songs are written by Gardin and her producer LOU BARTOLOMUCCI, while a cover of SONNY AND CHER classic "The Beat Goes On” is a highlight. Pop and Latin flavours complement the jazz core, while a fine cast of local players has a strong Italian-Canadian component, via the likes of LEW MELE, TONY CARLUCCI, MARCO LUCIANI and the great GUIDO BASSO. A CD release party will be held at Lula Lounge on April 1. For more, go to www.paulagardin.com.

Jazz a 'natural' for singer - Mississauga News