Hi again! This is as much a life update as a creative and work update…But I'll save the life update for the later half. In the immediate time I'll let you know about a show coming up at the end of this month!
Trio at the Moonshine in Oakville
On Sunday, June 28 I'll be bringing my trio to The Moonshine Cafe in Oakville, with Nicholas Campbell on guitar and Matt Greco on drums! And it will be a matinee set, starting at 2 PM. It will be my first time playing my own set there. This photo was from a month ago when I was playing there with The Weber Brothers. One of my favourite things about the Moonshine is that it is a success story and example of a venue that managed to re-open and relocate thanks to the support of many of its regulars and followers. And best of all, having been to the old and the new location, when I walked inside a month ago it felt like walking into the old room in the best way, in terms of the layout and most importantly the welcoming vibe. We hope you can come see us there at the Moonshine Cafe at its new location: 568 Kerr St, Oakville ON Sunday, June 28, 2 PM $20 cover themoonshinecafe.com
Toronto dates this summer
While this summer is looking like a mixed bag as always, backing up a number of different artists, I'm also happy to say I'll be playing my own sets in a number of familiar spots, both with my trio as well as the occasional solo piano set. This month I'll be playing solo piano at The Painted Lady on Ossington on Wednesday, June 17 at 6-9 PM.
On Thursday, June 25 I'll be on the Danforth, playing outdoors as part of BD Beats presented by Broadview Danforth BIA. I've done these street gigs a handful of times in the summer over the last few years and they're always a good time. On the 25th I'll be playing with Andrew McCarthy on drums and Adam Beer-Colacino on guitar and vocals. With that lineup there's a chance all three of us might swap vocals and tunes! Stay tuned to the weather on the day of, since the show doesn't go on in the event of rain. 156 Danforth Ave (in front of Cobs Bread) Thursday, June 25, 6-9 PM.
I'll also be playing with different trio formations over the summer at BD Beats on these dates: Thursday, July 30 Thursday, August 13 Friday, August 21 337 Danforth Ave (in front of Papyrus Restaurant) 6-9 PM each time
And I'll be playing a number of times with my trio on these dates at The Local Pub! Tuesday, July 28 Tuesday, August 4 Monday, August 31 Tuesday, Sept 22 396 Roncesvalles Ave 9 PM-12 AM each time
Making the move
Now for the life update. This explains why I haven't been quite as active in my monthly updates, but it's all due to exciting news, and that is I moved in the last month! I'm still based in the GTA, and the move was for a good reason since this was way too good an opportunity to pass up, getting to live in an artists' co-op. Without sharing my location, all I can say is thanks to those who build and support affordable housing, and I wish there were more governments who acted upon this basic need for all of us. And a huge thanks to those family and friends who have helped with the move in practical and logistical terms. You know who you are, and all of the help with a quick move has been greatly appreciated!
So in terms of the logistics of moving, that would have been time consuming enough on its own, except I've also still been multitasking and living the working musician life before and during the move. It involved plenty of trips to donation bins to help downsize, and stops at coffee places in order to use wifi. (Not saying that's unique to this move, just something I noticed about the process of moving.)
In the big picture it's a reminder that while I'm always grateful for the amount I'm able to work and all the amazing people I'm able to work with, one currency I value as much as anything is time.
It's also a reminder (and I definitely acknowledge) that those moments when I feel overwhelmed are for good reasons, and in most cases are due to things I pursued, but also could not have predicted within the last year. Now with some time to look back on the last couple of months and it's amazing to see how I managed to prep for moving, while playing various gigs, and somehow simultaneously working as a musical director on two different musicals! It reminds me of an old joke based on the song “I Got Rhythm”. “I Got Rhythm—Are you bragging or complaining?”
The move also meant saying goodbye to my home of 15 years at 24th Street in Etobicoke. And honestly, that was the easiest part since this felt like the right time. But I still want to give a send off to the house where I lived since finishing college. A band was formed here (The 24th Street Wailers), and by my rough headcount as many as 20 different housemates came and went through this house, many of them musicians and artists, so a lot of music was made here over those years. Here I am on the morning of moving day.
And the new place is working out great so far, and while there's still things to sort, I'll answer what some of you were asking in advance…yes the organ was able to move here with me.
And it is sitting down now.
Life Is A Cabaret
And here's one more after the fact update and thank you note, to the whole team involved at The Children's Theatre Project! I spent most of the school year working as Musical Director, working with the director and vocal coach, and a group of very energetic and very keen high school students as we put together a musical production of Cabaret, complete with a live band at the shows! We just wrapped up the production last weekend, and it was thrilling to see it all come together. Thanks again to Britney the director for bringing me onboard, and the whole crew! Here are some pics from then, both from my view of the keyboards, and this rehearsal pic of the band.
Thanks for reading! Here's the full calendar for the coming months, both for my own dates and all the great artists I'll be backing up. And you can find my dates on my website. Until next time!
