Lily's Blog

Loser Blogger

2008-01-20T13:32:00.000-08:00

That's me. Loser Blogger. My last post? April of 2007. Many months ago.

Excuses? Many.

a) found myself a bit bogged down after being an official blogger for Jamilton, the Hamilton Spectator's music website. Two blogs were too much. Cross-posting would get boring fast.

b) have been too busy living life to stop and write it down. (still true)

c) not that much happened, really. don't want all my posts to be nothing more than "oh, look at me. look where i went. look what i did." But then, I don't really want my blog to turn into some kind of platform, because heaven knows, I have plenty to say. Best not go there. (Much.)

d) ok that's enough. any further detail would just fall under b so I'll leave it at that and get on with a new post.

News: First of all, I resigned from my decade-long run of being the musical director/bandleader of the Toronto Blues Society Women's Blues Revue. It was time to let go of the reins. Although each and every member of that amazing band could easily be the leader, in the end, it was Suzie Vinnick who was invited to continue with this most challenging position.

With Women's Blues Revue, the task is to bring together a seven-piece band, six or seven incredible vocalists, rehearse them for one hour per singer a day or two before the show, and then go into Massey Hall and perform this material well enough to be recorded live for radio airplay on CBC nationally. That's quality musicianship, and I'm so proud to be a part of it. Thankfully, I continue as the keyboard player in the show, and I thoroughly enjoyed playing Massey Hall for the fourth time on December 1st, 2007, without the added pressure of being in charge. You know what would be even better? Playing Massey Hall when I actually *know* the music... lol

Anyway, the rest of the time, I've been gigging and enjoying Groove Corporation. We played quite a few festivals over the summer plus some clubs, corporate stuff, and charity, and we made lots of new fans. Here's a little youtube video I took right from the stage at Ribfest in Burlington... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpr44d6_e5U. The band has really matured and the eight core members are genuinely committed, especially now that we're working on original material. We hope to have a CD sooner than later. It takes a little longer when you're dealing with a group this size, with members living as far away as St. Mary's and London all the way to Burlington and Stoney Creek, plus, although these guys are all totally professional musicians, they have jobs and/or young families, so clearly, things can't chug as fast as they did with the full time units I've worked with over the years. But that's a good time to segue to telling you about my new employment situation....

Yes, I have a "day job". A real one. Yes, yes, I've been doing web design and free lance lotsa-stuff for years, but my time was always my own to manage. Recently, I accepted a full time position at McMaster University with the Faculty of Engineering, outreach and enrolment department. It's a job with many facets (suits me fine), including overseeing the production of a video, a stock photography project, promotional materials, plus special events planning, and lots more. It is a temporary contract, replacing someone who is away on a long term medical leave, but it will keep me busy until at least the spring. I'm grateful to my dear friend and fellow musician, Tiffany Thompson, who recommended me for the job. Thanks, Tiffy!

And, speaking of Tiffy, we're still working together on Hen Party along with Catherine Bragdon. All of our lives have been crazy busy and complicated (people moving, falling in love, changing jobs, etc. etc.), so things slowed way down, but at least got our picture taken, and made some decisions about our musical direction and style. Our focus will definitely be much heavier on original material, so it will be a while before we'll have a whole night's worth of songs to perform. But we can pull off a set if we need to, and we love every opportunity to perform together.

I've also continued to perform occasionally with other groups, like Rhythm and Bones, and also Brian Blain. Here's a youtube video of Brian and us "Blainettes" performing at the Toronto Jazz Festival. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUFERVW9qX8

Well, that's it for now. Thanks for reading. I'm off to the Maple Blues Awards tomorrow night (weather permitting). I'll try to take some pictures.

Lily

Blogfodder! (Crossposted with Jamilton.ca)

2007-04-21T17:37:00.000-07:00

"Celebrity Chauffeur" Harry Manx
Yep, Harry showed up at Healey's the night I played there with Brian Blain, and he talked me into jumping into his luxury rental wheels and we headed on over to the Reservoir Lounge, where Margaret Stowe was playing with a fabulous swing band. Ultra fun night.

Harry Manx & Kevin Breit @ Hugh's Room
A few nights later, I went to Hugh's Room on Harry's invitation to catch his CD release for "In Good We Trust". I'm not alone in buzzing with afterglow from this concert. I was literally moved to tears, and I caught others in the same predicament. A must see if they should come to your area.

L to R: Lily Sazz, Mr. Rick, Brian "Colorblind" Blain, Michelle Josef at Healey's Roadhouse in Toronto

Mike Eastman and Jack Pedler @ the Good Friday Jam at the Squire in Hamilton

Highlights of late include, (in order of occurrence):

Tiffany Thompson's birthday celebration, which was a little shindig on March 10 at the Cootes Paradise Bistro. She was performing as part of her jazz duo with guitarist Jamie that night, and Doug Smith (another great guitarist, and also sound engineer at Pepper Jack) guested for a couple of tunes, and that was a treat.

A few days later, I was guesting with Rhythm and Bones, who were playing as part of a cancer benefit at the Coach and Lantern in Ancaster. An hour or so before the gig, I got a call saying the bass player was so ill, he couldn't possibly play. I called up Steve Hilbert from Groovecorp, picked him up, played him the CD of the most of the tunes we were going to play, talked him through the numbers on the way to Ancaster, and voila! The band sounded great. Yikes, though!

Kudos to Russ McAllister, who organized a terrific blues jam on Good Friday at the Squire on the mountain. It was like a reunion for some of us. I walked in the door, and didn't even have a chance to grab a drink or remove my jacket before I was plunked behind a piano and rockin' with the boys. Very fun!

Worlds collided one day at Mohawk College, when I attended a master class featuring Hamilton's Bill Dillon. Darcy Hepner arranged it, and I bumped into fellow Jamilblogger Gord Lewis (TeenageHead), plus Carl Horton (jazz master keyboardist), plus Christopher Hunt (who is not only Mohawk faculty, but also the music director at my husband's church). There was punk, jazz, blues, and the classics - all together for an afternoon of Dillon-speak. Freaky.

Probably the biggest highlight for me was going to Hugh's Room to catch Harry Manx and Kevin Breit's Toronto CD Release. That was one of the best concerts I've seen in a very long time. It was their first gig, really, and the magic was in the air. I was so moved by the emotion combined with amazing musicianship, and I know I wasn't alone with this opinion. Folks are still talking about it and buzzing away. Prediction: Juno Nomination 2008. You heard it here, first.

Brenda Whitehall's in town! Brendawas my business partner way back in 1990, when we started The Hammer Magazinetogether. She's been living in Vancouver for years, but was home for a visitrecently, and we spent her birthday together by going to the Jann Arden concertat Hamilton Place. Another great show. There's a whole bunch of historicinformation that includes stuff about The Hammer Magazine, including images on Alex MacDougall's blog that were recently posted. What a trip down memory lane. Check it out. He's got something fun and interesting going, and there's lots of local blueshistory there.

I'm really looking forward to the summer, and playing all these festivals. I hope to return with lots of blogfodder. (I think I just invented that word! I like it.) There are a quite few things brewing. For example, looks like we'll be doing a media release for the Women's Blues Revue Live CD. Although it was complete in November, the Toronto Blues Society really hasn't had a chance to properly launch the baby, so we'll be doing something for industry folks at the NOW Lounge in Toronto in June.

So that's about it. I'm still on my quest to help people understand that blues music is not just "Woke up this morning" songs. Blues is still so misunderstood. I remember when my husband and I merged our CD collections. He is a big fan of blues and jazz, but I had to file all of his recordings under "old or dead artists". I turned him on to Fathead, Paul Reddick, Harry Manx, and so many others. Hey, what can I say. He's a grateful guy, now. He still likes old and dead artists, but that's helped me revisit them, so it's all okay.

If you're free on April 28th, come and say hello at the Corktown Pub. I'll be rockin' with Groove Corporation, and the last time we were there, it was great.

Lily
www.lilysazz.com

Friday night rocked!

2006-12-09T15:45:00.000-08:00

Crosspost alert: This post is a duplicate of the one on Jamilton. But read on... it isn't all the same!

L to R: Sean Cotton, Suzie McNeil, Lily Sazz, Tiffany Thompson. Yes, yes, our noses are all red because we were freezing!

Yesterday, I found out quite by accident that Suzie McNeil (of late known for her being a finalist on "RockStar INXS") would be playing downtown at Gore Park for the lighting of the CHML Christmas Tree of Hope. I figured it would be a great way to deliver her CDs for Women's Blues Revue Live. She's got a track on it called "Up Above The Clouds". We laughed about it, because I had a few songs on the project for which I was unsure of the composer, and Suzie Vinnick helped me track down a few of them. She called Sean Cotton, a frequent collaborator and backup band member for Suzie, to see if he knew who wrote that tune, and low and behold, it turned out to be him and Corin Raymond (aka The Undesirables). Anyway, she put on a great half hour set in sub-zero temperatures, and Sean and the band sounded great, too.

CBC Radio's "Fresh Air" host Jeff Goodes and Lily Sazz

After Gore Park, I headed back to Dundas to attend the Design Hope event at the Dundas Valley School of Art. I knew that Dan Medakovic was the organizer of the CD compilation that was a big part of their "out of the cold" campaign this year, and that Rob Lamothe (one of my faves) was performing there. That was a great event! Well-attended, and they raised over 55,000 dollars in the months leading up to last night. I bumped into lots of people I know, and got to meet Jeff Mahoney from the Spec in person, and an extra bonus was meeting Jeff Goodes from CBC. His show is on from 6-9am on Saturdays and Sundays, so as a night-owl musician, I never got to hear it. (At least not by getting up early... maybe by staying up too late!) Anyway, now that I'm married to Pastor Paul, I like to say that "Sunday is the new Monday", and I seldom miss Jeff's musings on his Ontario-wide show. I love hearing about the little towns and events going on across the province, and his interviews with the characters involved. Plus he plays an eclectic mix of music, and you never know what you'll hear.

Lily Sazz

Lily's Jamilton Blog: www.jamilton.ca
Website: www.lilysazz.com

Pictures, pictures...

2006-12-05T15:29:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd post a few pictures of the last couple weeks' activities.
First one (above) is a shot from my audience perspective at the Hamilton Music Awards, which were great, I thought. I chose this shot because Colin Linden can be seen on the screen at just that instant. Lots of friends up there!

This is me, Marg Stowe, Michelle Josef, and Ellen McIlwaine. I hope they forgive me for putting this on my blog. We were all bushed after an afternoon of rehearsal for the next day's Massey Hall concert. But the cool thing was that Ellen was raised in Japan, so ordering and eating Sushi with her was extra fun.

This is one of my favourite candid shots. It's Shelagh Rogers (from CBC Radio) having her makeup applied by sister Margot. Shelagh, who emcees the Women's Blues Revue, shares my dressing room at Massey Hall, and I couldn't resist snapping a couple of this tender sisterly moment. Margot likes to fly in from Vancouver and hang with the gals at the show.

This is what I called my "CBC Sandwich" shot. On the left, is Holger Petersen, host of "Saturday Night Blues" on CBC, and on the right, it's Shelagh Rogers, host of "Sounds Like Canada". It's the first time I've ever seen them in the same place at the same time. We let Holger share our dressing room, too, and he was dubbed "Holgeretta" for the evening. "The only man who is man enough to share the stage with these women..." Holger co-emceed the Women's Blues Revue this year, since it's also the 20th anniversary of SNB.

I'll post a couple of pictures on my Jamilton blog, too. Check it out at www.jamilton.ca.

Ciao for now...

Lily

Women's Blues Revue Live!

2006-12-02T12:04:00.000-08:00

November 25th's Massey Hall Women's Blues Revue concert is now behind me! The show went off without a hitch, and the live broadcast went smoothly. They'll be airing most of the concert again on Sounds Like Canada on CBC Radio One 99.1 FM with host Shelagh Rogers on December 15th after the 10 a.m. news.

The WBR Live CD was launched on show day, and it's being received very well so far.

The first review is in and can be read at The Live Music Report online.

Next project is Groovecorp and Hen Party both performing at Sonny Del-Rio's Hamilton Hometown Christmas event on Sunday, Dec. 3rd, along with 13 or so other fine bands. I'm looking forward to it!

I'll post some photos of WBR when I get a chance.

Lily

2006-11-11T14:00:00.000-08:00

Groovecorp played at MacLeod's American Roadhouse in Waterdown in October, and it was Les Kadar's last night with the band. We had the cake, but we had the dancing girls, too! Too bad Carmen's eyes are covered, but I was stuck behind my keyboard and couldn't take a better picture...

2006-11-11T13:39:00.000-08:00

The pictures in this post are all from October's OCFF (Ontario Council of Folk Festivals) conference. There's so much I could write about, but I'm just too dang busy right now.

I'll just say that it's an amazing conference, with inspirational talent and tons of camaraderie - most of all, there's jamming and showcasing, including guerilla showcasing in the hallways, the stairwells, and sometimes even the elevators.

MJ Russell (a fellow Hen from Hen Party) went with me. She's pictured with Tannis Slimmon hearing one of Tannis' new compositions. And also MJ in the hallway right outside our room at the hotel (in Ottawa). The other pics are from the hotel room showcases and jams. Jory Nash still dressed up from the gala dinner, and also a typical scene of cases in the bathroom, and interesting displays and decorations people put in their rooms to make it interesting.

Hen Party

2006-10-07T12:36:00.000-07:00

This is the new promo for the Hen Party, which is a new project I've started along with Catherine Bragdon, MJ Russell, and Tiffany Thompson. We'll be debuting at the annual peace concert put on by Project Ploughshares. Details at www.henparty.ca.

The Documentary

2006-09-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

I know this is first mention in my blog of this project, but it's something that's brewing. I'm working with Brenda Whitehall (Vancouver) and others, of course, on a documentary that will include a segment about my mother (Vera), who is a holocaust survivor (as was my whole family). But my mother is the only one left - one of the youngest survivors alive, since she was only 12 when she was in the concentration camp. Anyway, this is a picture of Brenda interviewing my mother, while videographer Mishann films. We did this back in the summer. We're currently working on gathering archival materials, planning the music, and so forth. Looking forward to watching this become a reality.

Happy Anniversary

2006-09-12T09:01:00.000-07:00

That's my husband Paul Fayter. (I know, I think he's handsome, too!) We celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary in June at the Old Mill in Ancaster where we were married.

Mary-Jane Russell (MJ) and Nick Blagona

2006-09-12T07:12:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd pepper in some highlights of summer '06 photographs. This first one is a photo of my friends and neighbours Mary-Jane Russell (MJ) and Nick Blagona. She's a singer, songwriter, actor, producer, manager, etc. etc., and Nick is a world-renowned record producer/engineer/mastering genius. I love the way MJ's wine looks in this picture - like a magic potion she's about to administer to Nick.

It's the Best We've Never Sounded.

2006-08-19T18:34:00.000-07:00

[Warning: cross posted with my Jamilton blog - this post only]

Tonight, Groove Corporation was supposed to play at the Dundas Cactus Festival. We were really looking forward to it. I was there last night, and caught TrickBag as well as JamHouse's Ultimate Pink Floyd Tribute. Groovecorp's bassist, Steve Hilbert, plays, er, moonlights with them. They had a great and appreciative crowd and we were pumped to pump the funk, but alas, we were rained out. Not rained out enough that we didn't still have to show up, but rained out enough that we at least didn't have to unload and set up. So there you go.

So speaking of last night, though, I spotted another friend Steve, only it was Steve Mahon (Marshall) from TeenageHead, and he was shooting video of the band. I figure maybe I'll start a series of portraits of famous guys filming other guys. What do you think? Anyway, take a look at the picture and you'll see our Steve in the background on bass, Tony Furtado on drums, and Steve Mahon on video camera. (He said it's okay to put him on my blog. I actually asked permission for this one. Because, after all, doesn't everyone want to end up on someone's blog?)

Ugh what a let down. Here I am home and it's 9:34 p.m. As Craig said, "It's the best we've never sounded."

Rockin' the Little Theatre

2006-08-13T10:37:00.000-07:00

Groovecorp played the Dundas Little Theatre recently, as part of the Cool Summer Nights Coffeehouse Concerts series. It was organized by MJ Russell, who is actually pictured dancing in the floral dress in the centre of the dance floor! Her partner, Nick Blagona mixed our live sound. Talk about overqualified... sheesh. Take a look at his website. Nick and MJ moved to Dundas last fall, and have become good friends and neighbours.

Last night, we played a return engagement at the London Music Club. We were late getting there because I'd inadvertently run my battery down in the van by leaving the dome light on, so after Alex and Pete arrived and stuff their gear in, I couldn't even hear a click when I turned the ignition key. Hurray for CAA!

Kim was riding with Steve and Frank (or "Frankensteve, our monster rhythm section" as we like to call them), and they were coming from a cutting-it-close KAYA gig at Caribana, so they were behind us.

All was well, though. Capable Cole had everything under control at the club, and other than the crowd having to hear the honourary first set (check! test! check! check!), things proceeded very well.

We're all looking forward to playing in Dundas again next weekend at the Dundas Cactus Festival (8:30 p.m. stage 2, Sat. Aug 19).

Jamilton is launched

2006-08-04T07:19:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone.

Just a quick note to announce that the new website by the Hamilton Spectator called "Jamilton" has now been launched. I am one of the inaugural blog authors for this new website about the music scene in town. Do have a look when you get a chance.

The Queen Bees at the Canada's Walk of Fame "Rock the Walk"

2006-06-03T06:56:00.000-07:00

Last night, I played at the Mod Club for the Canada's Walk of Fame "Rock the Walk". With my band "The Queen Bees", we backed Paul Shaffer, Donnie Walsh and Chuck Jackson (Downchild Blues Band), Haydain Neale (Jacksoul), Gerald Eaton aka Jarvis Church (The Philosopher Kings), Robbie Lane and Glenn Hill (Robbie Lane and the Disciples), Roy Kenner (Bush; Mandala), Tom Wilson (Junkhouse; Blackie and the Rodeo Kings), Divine Brown, Molly Johnson, Serena Ryder, Denzal Sinclair, and emcee Steve Anthony. The whole thing was produced by the amazing Denise Donlon.

Photos: 1) Haydain Neale and me. 2) Walk of Fame inductee Brendan Fraser and me. 3) Rising star Liam Titcomb and me. 4) Denise Donlon and me. 5) Steve Anthony and me. 6) Denzal Sinclair and me. 7, 8, 9, 10) Various shots with Paul Shaffer 11) At rehearsal with Denise Donlon behind me.

There were lots of cameras there, so hopefully there'll be more shots surfacing for me to post.

You can read an article about this event in the June 1st edition of the Hamilton Spectator here.
They also asked me to write this for their online edition. It's a personal account of the evening.

Haydain Neale of Jacksoul

Brendan Fraser

Liam Titcomb

Denise Donlon

Steve Anthony

Denzal Sinclair

Queen Bees w/Paul Shaffer

Me w/Paul Shaffer

Queen Bees w/Paul Shaffer

Suzie Vinnick, Paul Shaffer, and me

@rehearsal w/Denise Donlon behind me

King Biscuit Boy Tribute

2006-05-20T13:47:00.000-07:00

On May 27th, Groove Corporation will be playing at the 4 Annual
"Blues with a Feeling" - Remembering King Biscuit Boy event. I was rifling through some stuff and found this little Richard memory. He grabbed this CD out of my hand and signed it with a slightly sarcastic "in Canada" addition. I had been away travelling and he commented about my finally being home "where my friends are".

The Spectator has put up a very cool web page for this event. It's got video and audio with great Biscuit tidbits. You can view it at http://hamiltonspectator.com/king_biscuit/.

P.S. I have torn a tendon in my right middle finger and must wear a splint for 8 weeks, followed by physiotherapy, etc. etc. I guess I'll upload a picture of the splint when I get a chance. I'm still gigging with NINE FINGERS! The show must go on....

Brush with Shawn Brush

2006-05-04T13:49:00.000-07:00

Bumped into old friend Shawn Brush (& friend) at the Westown on Locke St. late Tuesday night. He'd just come from the 2nd area Willie Nelson concert at the ACC (had already been to Copps). I'd been to the rehearsal of some other Jamhouse friends (including our Groovecorp bass player Steve) who are staging the "definitive tribute to Pink Floyd" at the Downtown Arts Centre this weekend. (see pic)

New Groove Corporation Pictures Finally!

2006-04-24T10:22:00.000-07:00

We finally got new band shots for Groove Corporation! You have no idea how hard it is to get ten people together in the same place for a group shot when they look nice, etc. etc. Well, maybe you do. The wonderful Melanie Gillis came right to our 2nd time at Pepper Jack and did a series of shots outdoors and in. See Groovecorp's media page for all the pics at www.groovecorporation.com/mediaroom.htm

Groovecorp@Pepper Jack Cafe

2006-03-24T11:37:00.000-08:00

What a fun night we had last night at the Pepper Jack Cafe! Thanks so much to all the friends and family who came out to support us. It was a great first night for Alex MacDougall, our new guitar player. (Although he threw his back out just before the gig and had to play sitting down, but he rocked the house anyway...)

Women's Blues Revue Part II

2006-03-12T06:21:00.000-08:00

Last night, we finished our "WBR Roadshow" at Oakville Centre for Performing Arts". I took a few dressing room shots. That's all I've got until others email me pictures they took. Picture 1: Sarah McElcheran and Colleen Allen (horns); Picture 2: Rita Chiarelli, Richard Flohil and Maureen (Moe) McTague, publicist for the Juno Awards; Picture 3: Colleen again; Picture 4: Serena Ryder warms up with Rita's guitar in the bathroom.

Spring Women's Blues Revue Shows

2006-03-09T19:16:00.000-08:00

Almost a year and a half ago, we were approached about playing some gigs other than the annual event at Massey Hall, and before I knew it, March had arrived and we were rehearsing and on stage at the Centre for the Arts at Brock University in St. Catharines, my old stomping ground. It was a great gig. The kind you wish every gig was. Thanks to Deb and the crew at Brock for providing us with gourmet catering, gorgeous bouquets for Int'l Women's Day, and an all-round unforgettable evening. Picture 1: Colleen Allen, Sarah McElcheran and Rita Chiarelli in rehearsal for the show; Picture 2: Suzie Vinnick and me during the show (photo by Mike Chess); Picture 3: The grand finale (photo by Roxy Willems). There is a photo gallery with more on the Brock website.

Dave's Last Groovecorp Rehearsal

2006-02-19T20:23:00.000-08:00

It was Dave Cross' last rehearsal with Groove Corporation tonight. We're going to miss him! (See cake...) Top Left: Paul Benedetti rehearses "What is Hip?" with us to prepare for his performance with us at his private party this Friday. Bottom: Craig and Steve finally meet!!

CFBU Radio Interview

2006-02-11T12:47:00.000-08:00

On Feb. 7, 2006, I was a guest for two hours of live radio with host Debra Cartmer for her show "Eclectic Blues" on CFBU FM in St. Catharines. My friend Roxy came along. That's her with the headphones on and my finger on her temple. :)

Digging Roots CD Release

2006-01-31T07:21:00.000-08:00

Last night, I attended the Digging Roots CD Release party at the Gladstone Hotel Ballroom (newly renovated). I took my friend Doug Smith along, since George Leach was also on the bill as a guest. Doug toured with George for quite some time. Ndidi Onukwulu and Madagascar Slim also guested.

Above: Digging Roots; Bottom 1: Ndidi and Slim; Bottom 2: Doug Smith and George Leach

Trailblazers Reunion

2006-01-31T07:11:00.000-08:00

Trailblazers reunion.: L to R: Ian Nielsen, Joe Lomano, Lily Sazz, Alex MacDougall.

Yeah, we got together at Ian's basement studio and jammed. Joe just moved back from living north of Barrie for several years. He cooked dinner for us, and we played and played - coming up with several new original grooves and song ideas. Just like old times. Kim Campagnaro from Groove Corporation is also Trailblazers alumni, so next time he'll be invited, too, and it'll be a blast.