Jake Chisolm and the Blue Midnights with Special Guests
April 10, 2010 at the Silver Dollar Room in Toronto.

The first time I saw Jake Chisholm was in 1998 when his band, the Blue Midnights won the Toronto Blues Society New Talent Search and a Show Case spot at the Harbourfront Blues Festival. It was a "Big Band" then, sporting a number of horns and a kick ass rhythm section in an almost "swing" type blues sound. A fabulous evening. I remember being a little disappointed a few weeks later when I went to see them again, expecting to get the full sound horn section, only to see the Blue Midnights as a quartet. Just economics, I guess.

But I was anything but disappointed on Saturday when Jake brought his Blue Midnights to the Silver Dollar. Still gone are the horns but with a rhythm section of Terry Wilkins on Bass and Sly Juhas on drums and a repertoire of blues standards and Jake's blues originals, how could you go wrong.

I'm sure that Terry Wilkins needs no introduction to ANY Canadian blues group, but you are probably wondering who is this Sly fellow. Sly Juhas is one of Canada's most talented young drummers, primarily noted for his work in the Toronto Jazz scene. He brings a solid beat with a touch of originality in everything he does, whether it's bringing out his tympani mallets or beating out a rhythm on the side of his drums there is always something new with Sly.

Their trio set included blues standards like Steady Rollin Man, Big Boss Man and Train I Ride, all with a "rockin' blues" style. While Jake's guitar seemed a little loud at times I had to look around occasionally to see where the "other" guitar sound was coming from. Truth was that while Jake was playing his own bass line with his thumb pick he was picking away with a different line with his fingers.

Terry Wilkins

SPECIAL GUESTS

The second set was a photographer's dream, a steady flow of new people to satisfy my need to take more photos. But I wasn't sure what to expect musically speaking.

Jake's Special Guests were Tara Hazelton, a wonderful jazz singer, Samantha Martin, from the roots/rock/country band Samantha Martin & the Hagard and Mark "Bird" Stafford, blues harp maestro extraordinaire. How were these folks going to fit in to an evening of blues.

My concern that the evening might degrade into a jazz/country night quickly vanished. Don't get me wrong, I can appreciate music in any genre but it is the blues that holds my passion. Tara started her set with a Steve Earl tune and followed that with one by Bessie Smith. Tara's growly yet powerfully clear voice was a perfect fit for one of the originators of the blues. And when Samantha began her set with none other than Robert Johnson's Judgement Day I knew that the blues world at the Dollar would unfold as it should that night. Tara, too, has an extremely powerful voice and can belt out the blues with the best of them. By then "Birdy" had joined the combo and with Jake's rockin' guitar I heard a fabulous version of the Robert Johnson classic, one that I don't believe Robert could ever envisioned himself. Tara later went back to her rock/country roots and did an extremely rockin' version or CCR's Born on the Bayou, Mark's harmonica fitting in as if it was there in the original music.  Some day I'd love to see a full evening of Tara and Samantha with some jazz/blues standards and a big band. What a night that would be.

Tara Hazelton

Samantha Martin

Mark "Bird" Stafford

The final part of the set showcased Mark "Bird" Stafford. I'm sure most of you have seen Mark in some shape or form, either on his own, as a guest performer or you might have seen him teaching harp to the kids at a festival near you. His set was more of a traditional blues set with harp tunes by Slim Harpo and Walter Jacobs as well as some original material. Mark's harp is always a welcome addition to any band.

I enjoyed a most entertaining evening. The only disappointment was the crowd. While those present were most appreciative of the music, the numbers were low. Thanks to Jake and friends for a wonderful evening of blues.

Remember: Experiencing live music is a PRIVLEDGE. Use it well and get out to a club this weekend.

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