Treme

I got hooked on this great HBO series on Air Canada - hmmm either this means I need to get this channel or catch up on DVDs...much like my "Mad Men" addiction....

Besides great characters and stories set in the birthplace of jazz - New Orleans, post Katrina - it also features the trials and tribulations of jazz
 musicians of that storied city. Plus there is Steve Zahn...whom I adore....

And now children the jazz roundup...speaking of New Orleans style - check out the Heavyweights Brass Band beginning their monthly house gig at the Painted Lady on Ossington this Thursday, starting around 9ish - I have blogged about these talented up and comers before - brass band with several twists - including covers of....wait for it...."Bad Romance" ...uh huh, that's right - Lady Gaga....among other pop faves. Thanks to Chris Butcher for the tip...

Tomorrow night - chanteuses galore - Courtney Quebec Desloges and her group at Gate 403 from 5 - 8 p.m. and the ever witty and talented Ilana Waldston with perpetually youthful Reg Schwager and the lovely Ross McIntyre at Ten Feet Tall starting at 8 p.m.  One of my favourites Melissa Lauren is at Chalkers on Wednesday, opening for Girls Night Out and also at Just Thai on Church Street on Friday and at Ten Feet Tall from 3:30 - 6:30 on Sunday....there may be a little ukelele in the mix....

At the Rex, from the U S of A, the luscious LeBoeuf Brothers....late show 9:30...that's sounds a little risque doesn't it? Although I'm sure it's pretty G  rated for GREAT. They have proven a treat when they have visited our fair burg on previous occasions.

For tromboneophiles there is the Toronto Trombone Collective at the Tranzac on Friday from 7:30 - 9:30 featuring Nathan Dell Vandenburg's compositions among others.

Upcoming - a feature on Odessa/Havana as I was contacted by one Jesse Corrigan about their upcoming appearance at Ashkenaz and new album...stay tuned.....