Tag Archives: Toronto live music

Nash the Slash Rises Again! after years of hard work, sweat & a few tears, the film is set to screen soon

I recently spoke with Colin Brunton, co-writer (along with director/producer Tim Kowalski and editor Kevan Byrne) of the upcoming docu-film on the life and career of one of Toronto’s most mysterious music legends from the 80s, Nash The Slash. I remember hanging out backstage with Nash after a big concert at the Phoenix Nightclub in downtown Toronto, and was invited into his dressing room (no, I was not a groupie…LOL) to help him get out of costume which included his famous “invisible man” bandages.Nash was a very secretive artist, so talented and intriguing. But we lost him way too soon, and I remember the sadness that permeated the town, much like the other Canadian icon of alt.music we lost early in his career, Handsome Ned. Anyway, Colin gave me an exciting update on the film’s completion and their plans for screenings in the coming months.

Congratulations on completion of your film…what challenges, apart from financing, did you and the team have to overcome to get to this end point?  Finding the time.  On a regular project, you have dozens of people working full-time, but there were only four of us, so in between day-jobs, families, and everything that comes with that, we’d pick away at the film. Also, ensuring that we had rights to use photos and old TV clips was a huge job. Nash’s story goes back fifty years; companies don’t necessarily keep everything, so there was always a lot of detective work on our part.

Were you able to source any previously unseen images or recordings from the fans or other music industry professionals?  We do have a few gems very few people have seen, and we’ve created better versions of a lot of stuff you might find on the ‘net.Now, it’s on to film festival submissions – which fests are you targeting? And are you submitting to festivals outside of Canada? We’re applying to some festivals, but I’d hate to jinx it by saying which ones.

Are you hoping for a theatrical release after festival screenings or are you looking at streaming services or documentary tv channels for maximum viewer impact?  We’re under no illusions that this will have a typical theatrical run, so we’re working on some off-the-radar venues.  It may be more like a tour of one-nighters rather than parking it in a multiplex for a couple of weeks.  With a one-nighter, we can have better control of the presentation, and make sure they play it loud.  Nash liked it loud.  As for TV?  CBC, for one, have made it clear that they have absolutely no interest in Nash’s story. (pictured below, Director Tim Kowalski & sound-mixer Daniel Pellerin)What would you like to tell fans of Nash and those of us who lived and loved the incredible 80s music scene in Toronto?  For those who lived it, it’ll be a reminder of when Toronto was a lot more interesting. We had a screening couple of years ago for some twenty-something film students and they were fascinated by the whole story, especially the ‘80’s footage.Colin, is there anyone you would really like to acknowledge and thank for making it all come together? I saw a woman wearing a t-shirt that said “Yes, I’m still working on my f*$ing documentary,” so really, first and foremost we have to thank the fans for all their patience watching this evolve over the past seven years. 400+ fans supported us in our crowd-funding efforts, as well as being very generous with photos and footage.  Music supervisor Natasha Duprey; photographer Paul Till; Trevor Norris and the Nash estate; Gary Topp for his encouragement and advice; Lawyer David Steinberg for keeping us on the straight and narrow. I could go on, but I know I’m still going to miss some people. (pictured below, Colin Brunton)

How can we follow this story of Toronto’s legendary artist who we lost way too soon?  We’re on https://www.facebook.com/NashTheSlashDoc/ as well as IG and Bluesky

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BIRDSONG FOUNDATION’s 1st LIVE FUNDRAISING CONCERT IS A HUGE SUCCESS!

As the song says…”Oh, what a night”! I’m so pleased for my friend and colleague, Margaret Konopacki, who presented a fabulous showcase of singer/songwriters who live with mental health issues and/or substance use disorders for whom she created the nation-wide music charity, BIRDSONG FOUNDATION. Visit the website to see what it’s all about:  www.birdsongfoundation.com.  Last night, June 9th, at The Duke tavern and club, several of her artists performed original songs with the backing of The Long Black Cadillacs band, and the nearly-full house enjoyed  a night filled with blues, pop, hip-hop, folk and rock songs. I spoke briefly with Margaret just before the concert started…

Yes, her anticipation and excitement was palpable. Due to the sad loss of her talented singer/songwriter son, David Martin, four-and-a-half  years ago, she founded this supportive charity that records, publishes and promotes songs written by artists who struggle on a daily basis with mental health challenges. The show started off with Thomas Messenger, then Jordan Gow (see below) Tommy Messenger had a blast on stage with Earl Johnson and his band, the Long Black Cadillacs…as you can tell here.

and the delightfully spunky Ashley Bell had fun with her song, “Best Advice”…

Singer/songwriter PK shared his “Just Breathe” with the crowd (pictured below) accompanied by musician/music producer Bryant Didier who also sat in with the band….…and Jhmal King brought his unique hip-hop/blues song, “Never Settle”, to the stage and even got a couple of dancers up on the floor

Margaret was extremely touched when long-time friend and Nicolas Cage’s movie stand-in (wow, what a gig!) Marco Kyris showed up – he flew in all the way from London, UK, just for the concert.Big thank you to radio personality and podcaster Aaron Badgley who helped MC the night, shown here with Maggie on stage…At the end of the concert, Margaret was very moved when Jordan Gow sang the song her son, David, wrote for her shortly before he passed away….visit the Birdsong website to read the story behind the song and behind the Birdsong mission. Jordan was very emotional, too.Jordan’s mum and dad were there to support their talented son and we were grateful to them for running the door and taking the cover charges.Lots of kind and generous people showed up, including Andrew Cann who drove in from hundreds of miles away with a cheque for $500 he raised for Birdsong (bravo, sir) and we’d like to send out a big THANK YOU to venue manager Donna Riddell and her amazing staff who hosted the concert for Birdsong. https://theduketoronto.com/  Thanks also to Kerry Doole of FYI Music News for the great blurb – it’s great to receive media support.

Margaret had the entire show video taped for future sharing so follow Birdsong on Fcbk, Twtr and IG, all accounts linked on their website:  www.birdsongfoundation.com

TORONTO’S AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ TRUMPETER/COMPOSER ALEXIS BARO TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM SEPT.7

The week after Labour Day is always a very busy period – it marks the opening of the annual Toronto International Film Festival and this year, Wednesday September 7th it also marks the date for the release of “Sugar Rush”, the new album from Toronto-based composer & trumpeter ALEXIS BARO, who celebrates the occasion with a concert at Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas St West, Toronto).  Released on the G-THREE label,“Sugar Rush” showcases Baro’s vibrant Cuban roots in every original track. “The entire idea…” Baro explains, “is to pay tribute to my ‘hood and the music around me that I grew up with, influenced by my environment and perspective.”posterThe award-winning Afro-Cuban artist has performed and recorded with a variety of artists David Foster, Paquito d’Rivera, Paul Shaffer, Andrea Bocelli, Omara Portuondo, Joey DeFrancesco, Gino Vannelli, Wayne Newton and Tom Jones.  He has been the opening act for Herbie Hancock and has led his own groups on tour across Canada, Europe and the West Indies._MG_1130“Sugar Rush was partly inspired by my last few trips back home visiting old friends and having the opportunity to perform again with some of my old schoolmates who are now touring around the world with some of the biggest names in Cuban music. It made me realize that the musical spirit is still alive in my home city of Centro Habana, and that my neighbourhood, Pueblo Nuevo, is still an inspiration to many writers and home to many musicians. By going back to my roots with this album, I’m able to pay tribute to the music I grew up listening to every afternoon, and salute those who spread the Cuban sound all around the world.  

The neighbourhood of Pueblo Nuevo is in the centre of Havana and home to many of the most popular and accomplished Cuban musicians. “It’s surrounded by some of the most dangerous ‘hoods in the city and it’s this mix of social characteristics that makes Pueblo Nuevo a very interesting place to grew up and appreciate music from many perspectives.”  Alexis Baro   www.alexisbaro.comcd insideAll tracks on Sugar Rush were written by Alexis Baro (Sigueme was written with Yoser Rodroguez) and the album was recorded at Phase One & GMP Studios, Toronto and engineered by John “Beetle” Bailey & Josh Bowman. Alexis surrounded himself with some of Toronto’s finest jazz musicians who made up the Pueblo Nuevo Project including Jeremy Ledbetter (Keys), Roberto Riveron (Bass), Ahmed Mitchel (Drums) Jorge Luis Torres “Papiosco” (Bata Drums), Jeff King (Tenor Sax), Adrean Farrugia, Yoser Rodriguez (Bass)…and others.20160812_202816Baro’s passion for his home and music makes for some very exciting listening – the music transports you to the streets of Havana, filled with hot Afro-Cuban jazz riffs and melodies.  14040029_10157485285130651_8990524417047283623_nTickets are $15 per person, available in advance from Lula Lounge: www.lula.ca/events/2016/sep/alexisbaro.html
Guarantee your seat and table with dinner reservations, too.lula-lounge-logo lmac logo crop 2014