Mary McKay

 This slightly blurry image - from my cell phone is of Mary McKay and Adrean Farrugia at the Reservoir Lounge tonight. Mary is a wonderful, soulful singer who did a fantastic job on such standards as "Bye Bye Blackbird", "Misty" and "How Long Has This Been Going On?" - it's like that tune was written for her husky, sultry voice.

Mary came in to tape "Jazzology" a couple of seasons back - she is a graduate of Mohawk College. I wish her all the best - she often does R and B gigs around Hamilton. She has a recording out with Adrean as well - he is of course an instructor at Mohawk and it's always a treat to hear him...even on an out of tune piano...it's called "I'm Glad There is You".

Next gig is at Augusta House in Hamilton on December 31st - ooh New Years! www.theaugustahouse.com

Check out her website www.marymckay.ca - there is a much better picture of her there and samples of her singing.

I did take a photo of an amazing Christmas tree in behind the Toronto Dominion complex on Wellington - but d'oh! forgot to SAVE it...D'oh! It's constructed of "branches" and what seems like hundreds of lights - beautiful...a saving grace on these cold winter nights - colourful illumination.

Thoroughly enjoyed Bev Taft at Czehoski last night and hearing Miss Ailsa McCreary (my friend) do a number..."I Thought About You"...here's hoping they use the space at the back for more jazz. People there is even a vegan special on offer...plus most beneficial for moi - a mere hop, skip and a jump away.  Interesting expression that...perhaps I should try that sometime and see what the actual distance is...

Tomorrow - "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" - sure to be fabulous.