(1) REVIEWS - (i) JAZZIZ, (ii) JAZZTIMES & (iii) DOWNBEAT:
I’ve been lucky because, despite my being a rather unknown-Canadian-indie-jazz-
(i) JAZZIZThe Bill McBirnie TrioFind Your Place"...An effervescent, joyous quality pervades the Bill McBirnie Trio's Find Your Place…[It] showcases a wide range of grooves, from bop and bossa to gospel and swing…Those new to McBirnie will be amazed at his imagination and originality on this exceptional album." (MARK HOLSTON, Spring 2014)(ii) JAZZTIMESThe Bill McBirnie/Bernie Senensky DuoOpening for Eliane Elias at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival"Best Opening Act - Eliane Elias delivered a solid, opening-weekend show at the Old Mill Inn, focusing squarely on selections from her recent Chet Baker tribute, I Thought About You. But it was the dynamic opening duo of pianist and composer Bernie Senensky and flutist Bill McBirnie that, battling a cacophony of cutlery, truly set the expansive dining room aflame and, ironically, provided far more satisfying dips into the Brazilian songbook. For the uninitiated, check out their 2005 pairing on Paco Paco." (CHRISTOPHER LOUDON, 7/8/2013)(iii) DOWNBEATThe Bill McBirnie/Bernie Senensky DuoOpening for Eliane Elias at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival"…Toronto’s deep pool of local talent was on display at dozens of events…Opening for Eliane Elias, flutist Bill McBirnie proved a passionate and eloquent improviser with sure-footed support from pianist Bernie Senensky. Their set included works by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Clare Fischer and a show-stopping finale penned by Senensky that [McBirnie] said was inspired by Hermeto Pascoal and Charlie Parker.” (ALLEN MORRISON, 7/16/2013)
(2) A SPECIAL GIG WITH THE MCBIRNIE BROS. AT THE REX!:
The
McBirnie Brothers (Jim on piano, Rod on drums and me on flute) haven’t
played at The Rex in years. So this is a special occasion, especially
for me, because I hardly ever get to play with them. I admit that I
usually don’t get out to Jim’s regular Saturday
sessions either (but then I figure those sessions are going to
continue, like clock work, for the next 40 years…just as they have for
the past 40 years plus!…(So I will get my chance soon enough, I’m sure!
:-) By the way, Rob McBride will be with us on bass (…and I understand
that Rob is working on changing his last name in preparation for the
gig!… :-) So come out and heckle, if you must, because it’s certainly a
rare opportunity for you to take a run at all of us, at once!
(3) THE PASSING OF PAUL HORN:
Paul
Horn passed away at his home in Victoria, BC on June 29th at the age of
84. Since childhood, he has been my biggest influence on the
instrument. So for me, this was an acutely affecting event. As a small
tribute, here is a link to one track from my favourite Paul Horn album,
Cycle. This record was released in 1965 on RCA and was not exactly the rip-roaring commercial success that Inside The Taj Mahal turned out to be. Indeed, Cycle
has never been re-issued on CD…and likely never will be…Consequently,
if you take the time to listen to this track, then you will detect the
sound of “well-worn vinyl” as Paul performs a very touching version of
the children’s classic, “HI-LILI, HI-LO”. I might add that, at this
point in his career, Paul was exploring odd time signatures. However,
here he executes an ironic twist by transforming what was originally
conceived to be a rather jaunty waltz into a plaintive 4/4 meter. The
band is superb, consisting of Lynn Blessing (vibes), Mike Lang (piano),
Bill Goodwin (drums) and Bill Plummer (bass). The track is about
five-and-a-half minutes in length and here is the link: https://soundcloud.com/
(4) IN THE WORKS - A NEW RECORDING PROJECT WITH BRUCE JONES - “GRAIN OF SAND”:
I
am presently deviating from my “acoustic jazz” path and working on a
new recording project with Bruce Jones. This will be quite different
from my more recent recordings (and represents something of a
reincarnation of Extreme Flute! Anyway, Bruce and I are now working on
the tracks, but it will take a little while to complete. The project
will be entitled, “Grain Of Sand”.
(5) …STOP…
I
certainly don’t want to be cluttering up anyone’s in-basket
(…regardless of what the law says!… :-) So as always, if you don’t want
to receive these periodic updates, then simply return this email with
STOP in the subject line and I will remove you from the list. (Thanks!)
(6) UPCOMING GIG LISTING:
[ NOTE: You can always find a current/updated gig listing at the following link: http://www.extremeflute.com/
Thurs., Oct. 9, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Bloom Restaurant
2315 Bloor Street West (Bloor West Village)
Toronto, Ontario
With the LOUIS SIMAO (guitar & vocals) & DANIEL STONE (cajon)
For reservations, please call (416) 767-1315.
Sun., Sept. 7, 2014 at 6:30 p.m.
Morgans on the Danforth
1282 Danforth Ave. (at Greenwood)
Toronto, Ontario
With STEPHEN GARDNER on keys
Sun., Sept. 6, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.
Private Function
Toronto, Ontario
With STEPHEN GARDNER & BRENDA CAROL
Sun., Aug. 10, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.
Private Function
Toronto, Ontario
With the FERNANDO TAVARES Quartet
Thurs., Aug. 7, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.
Walker House
146 High St.
Southhampton, Ontario
With the CHARLIE BELL Trio
Tues., Aug. 5, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
The Salty Dog Bar & Grill
1980 Queen St. E. (in the Beach)
Toronto, Ontario
With the GREG PILO Quartet
Sun., July 27, 2014 at 6:30 p.m.
Morgans on the Danforth
1282 Danforth Ave. (at Greenwood)
Toronto, Ontario
With STEPHEN GARDNER on keys
Sun., July 27, 2014 at 12:00 p.m.
The Beaches International Jazz Festival
Woodbine Park (The Latin Square)
Toronto, Ontario
With UN POCO LATINO
Fri., July 25, 2014 at 9:30 p.m.
The Rex
194 Queen St. W
Toronto, Ontario
With THE MCBIRNIE BROTHERS (Jim, Rod & Bill...The first time in years!...)
Thurs, July 24 & Sat., July 26, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
The Beaches International Jazz Festival at Seagull Classics
1974 Queen Street East
Toronto, Ontario
With BRUCE SMITH & THE SEAGULL ALLSTARS (…Always a fun gig!...)
