The Ironwood and Beat Niq are your go-to jazz spots in August
Listen up jazz and blues fans: Peg the Ironwood Stage and Grill and Beat Niq as your “must-see” venues in August. Ironwood is set to burn things up this month first with the Kim Wilson All Star Blues Review on August Thursday 18 then on August Tuesday 23 get ready for JJ Grey and MOFRO.
Wilson is here for a one-night-only gig and you’ll want to get your tickets early because this one is sure to sell out.
Born in Detroit in 1951 Wilson’s career has been studded with mentors like Muddy Waters and Albert Collins and he’s famed as the founder of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. As a harmonica player he’s widely regarded as one of the very best and Muddy Waters actually claimed that Wilson was the greatest harmonica player since Little Walter. Wilson’s in town on his way to Edmonton’s Labatt Blues Festival and his all-star band is truly all star some who have gigged with the likes of Pinetop Perkins another musician who’s a three-time nominee for Blues Music Award “drummer of the year” and a Fabulous Thunderbirds sideman. And that’s just for starters.
If you’ve heard JJ Grey’s 2010 release of Georgia Warhorse for Alligator Records you have some idea of what to expect on August 23. Grey’s brand of swamp music is a powerful mix of funk blues and southern-fried soul the hottest thing to come out of the North Florida music scene. JJ brings it all from gritty vocals fresh poignant lyrics and a strong tight band and if last year’s CD release is any indication he’s sure to rock the Ironwood.
Wilson and Grey aren’t the only out-of-towners bringing music to us this month. Jazz musician Vaughn Ambrose for example who hails from Washington D.C. will be at the Beat Niq on Thursday August 11. Saxophonist jazz educator and veteran of many national and international jazz festivals Ambrose is currently lead music teacher and director of bands at the Francis C. Hamilton Middle School in Alexandria Virginia. He leads his own quartet in the D.C. metro area and during his career he’s been sideman for legends like Jon Faddis Benny Green and Aretha Franklin. Ambrose is joined by Rubim de Toledo on bass and Jon McCaslin (drums) for this Calgary gig.
Plan to hit the Beat Niq again on Saturday August 20 to catch the Brown Broom Three. This cleverly named group composed of Jeremy Brown (saxophones) Russell Broom (guitar) and Rod Thomas Squance on percussion will be performing material partly inspired by an experimental tele-music concert held with musicians in Beijing earlier this summer. Brown Broom and Squance bring a rich musical experience to the stage and during their careers they’ve been equally at home improvising on classical blues pop rock and country compositions.
