(1) NEW “GRAIN OF SAND” ALBUM - PRESS EXTRACTS:
Grain
of Sand (Bill McBirnie & Bruce Jones) has finally been getting some
critical response, all of which has been favourable! Here are a few
examples:
“…Drawing inspiration from Brazilian samba, maracatú, forró and choro, Bill McBirnie and Bruce Jones create a fresh, unique, seductive and focused sound…Although each of the fourteen pieces has its own identity, they share a consistency that could easily be perceived as a discourse on one continuous thought…” (RAUL DA GAMA, Latin Jazz Network)“…McBirnie fits into this style of music perfectly as he demonstrates remarkable power and control. He is a superb soloist. As I listened to this CD, over and over again, I noticed how fluid all the arrangements were. The whole album flows, from one moment to the next…” (DAVID SWIDERSKI, BandBlurb.com)“…Bill McBirnie and Bruce Jones blend a delightful taste of jazz with soul to deliver a thoroughly compelling performance…From the production level, to the musicianship, to the mind-blowing flute solos, “Grain of Sand” delivers in grand fashion…” (CHRIS JACQUIN, Rock n’ Roll View)“…This record really excited me because it’s outside the realm of our typical submissions, but even more so because this Extreme Flute album has kept my spirits high, my mind focused, and my mood uplifted for the past couple of weeks…” (JOSHUA SMOTHERMAN, Middle Tennessee Music)“…The strategic interweaving of melody and impressive flute performances are an absolute delight…” (NICK KOTTENSTETTE, GigBand.com)“This CD is wonderful! BRAVO!” (PAULA ROBISON, Distinguished American Classical Flute Soloist)
And guess what? Despite all of these favourable reactions, Grain of Sand is STILL available for purchase at CDBaby ( http://www.cdbaby.com/all/
(2) “FIND YOUR PLACE” STILL HAS LEGS AT THE IMA!:
It
was announced previously that Find Your Place (featuring Bernie
Senensky & Anthony Michelli) has been nominated in the Jazz category
for the 2015 Independent Music Awards (IMA). However, the winner won’t
be announced until sometime in August.
In
the meantime, you can visit the following link and support the “lone
qualifying Canadian” in the IMA’s Vox Populi by (a) clicking “Like”,
(c) having a listen to the title track, (c) voting for “Find Your
Place”, (d) reading the interview on that page, and/or (e) just leaving a
comment (…whatever you have the time and patience for!… :-)
(3) THE MAKING OF “UP ON CRIPPLE CREAK” BY THE BAND:
This
is a really fascinating five-and-a-half minute clip about the making of
one of my all-time favourite tunes (“Up On Cripple Creak”), by one of
my all-time favourite bands (The Band!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLCmxMrgfDA
(4) SOME FORTHCOMING GIGS:
[ NOTE: This gig listing is in DESCENDING order. You can always find a current/updated listing at the following link: http://www.extremeflute.com/
Sun., Sept. 13, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
Morgans on the Danforth
1282 Danforth Ave. (at Greenwood)
Toronto, Ontario
With STEPHEN GARDNER on keys
Sun., July 26, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
Morgans on the Danforth
1282 Danforth Ave. (at Greenwood)
Toronto, Ontario
With STEPHEN GARDNER on keys
Thurs., Fri. & Sat., July 23, 24 & 25, 2015 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!...)
Tues., Jul. 21, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.
Toronto Heliconian Club
35 Hazelton Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
With a special "chamber" version of BERNIE SENENSKY'S, MOE KOFFMAN TRIBUTE BAND!
Thurs., Jul. 16, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
Walker House
146 High St.
Southhampton, Ontario
With the CHARLIE BELL Trio
Sat., July 11, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
Jazz at the Winery
Trius Winery, 1249 Niagara Stone Rd.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
With MEMO ACEVEDO's Building Bridges Band
Tues. & Wed., June 23 & 24, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
Hot House Restaurant
35 Church St.
Toronto, Ontario
With BRENDA CAROL & CLAIRVOYANCE
Mon., June 22, 2015 at 9:00 p.m.
Mezzetta Cafe Restaurant
681 St. Clair Ave. W. (at Christie)
Toronto, Ontario
With the great LOUIS SIMAO (guitar & vocals) - Brazilian!
Sun., June 21, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
Morgans on the Danforth
1282 Danforth Ave. (at Greenwood)
Toronto, Ontario
With STEPHEN GARDNER on keys
Fri., June 19, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
Canadian Flute Association (CFA) 2015 Convention
St. Michael's College (SMC), University of Toronto
St. George Campus
Toronto, Ontario
A CLINIC on the topic of: “Making the Transition - From Classical to Jazz”
Tues., June 16, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
The Salty Dog
1980 Queen St. E. (in the Beach)
Toronto, Ontario
With GREG PILO (including REG SCHWAGER and NEIL SWAINSON)
Sun., June 14, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.
Le Papillon Park
1001 Eastern Ave. (in the Beach)
Toronto, Ontario
With GREG PILO (including JEFF MACLEOD on organ)
Toronto, Ontario
With GREG PILO (including JEFF MACLEOD on organ)
Wed., June 10, 2015 at 8:30 p.m.
Lula Lounge
1585 Dundas St. W.
Toronto, Ontario
With ROB TEEHAN CD Release - “Come Home"
Fri., June 5, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
Orangeville Jazz & Blues Festival
Orangeville Public Library - Main Branch
1 Mill St.
Orangeville, Ontario
With RYAN GRIST
