new record coming soon!

I thought I would jot down a few words here as I do it so rarely now. This is an important time for me as I am heading into the studio with So Long Seven tomorrow. It is not my band...we are a collective but it is certainly the centre of my musical life.

I love playing with these guys. We just did a little tour in Quebec and it was so much fun. This new record is going to be really good. We have to special guests and some brand new tunes that have hardly been played live.

Did I mention we are recording at the legendary Grant Avenue Studio in Hamilton. (I was born in Hamilton!!)

I guess you could say this will be my ...let me see...Hoser City, Mit, An Eager Leap, Jazzstory, Tim Posgate Hornband featuring Howard Johnson, Banjo Hockey (featuring Howard Johnson), So Long Seven and now this new one from SL7 (doesn't have an official title yet) I guess this will be my 8th recording as a leader or co-leader.

It is a lot of work to make a record. I am really excited that we have our pal Anthony Michelli producing this time. I have worked a lot with him in the past but this is the first time he has produced and mixed.

I am really excited about the way my banjo is sounding today too (good timing!) as I took it to my fave guitar guy, friend and neighbour Mike Zimmerman. He gave it a quick cleanup, fret fixup etc. Thanks Mike!!

As always I couldn't do much of anything without the support of my fantastic wife; Julie. (I promise, I will come back when we are done!)

Ok, goodbye for now Toronto, hello Hamilton!!

So Long Seven live concert video

This is one of the pieces will be including at our upcoming showcase in Montreal for Mundial Montreal.

It is actually a free concert too!
Friday Nov 18, 230pm, St. John the Evangelist Church, 137 Ave. du President-Kennedy (red roof church)

So Long Seven video from Hugh's Room

Some of you know that I have been playing with a group called So Long Seven. At the end of March we had our Toronto CD release concert at Hugh's Room.

Here is a video (shot by Ed Hanley) of a tune from the show. This is one that is not on the album. It is written by Neil Hendry and called Banjo Tequila. (nothing I would be interested in. Ha!)

So Long Seven features Ravi Naimpally on tabla, Neil Hendry on guitar, William Lamoureux on violin and me on the 5-string banjo.



Among other upcoming shows we are performing at this summer's Hillside Festival in Guelph, Ontario.