April showers

There's a lot of things on the immediate horizon that I'd like to share with you:

• April 11, 2008: My old friend Ronley Teper returns to Barfly (4062 St. Laurent) with her witty cabaret folk songs and perhaps sock puppets as well. I might play on a few tunes.
• April 12, 2008: The Red Bull Music Academy information session at Jello Bar (151 Ontario E.) with hometown boy A-Trak dropping knowledge among the masses. Prospective DJs, producers, musicians, vocalists and MCs that want a shot at two weeks of musical paradise in Barcelona should get in touch with Scott C.
• April 14, 2008: Kids Eat Crayons @ Quai des Brumes (4481 St. Denis). An intimate get-together with your favourite genre-busting jazz/metal freaks 'n' geeks.
  
• April 15, 2008: Stephen Johnston Group @ Jello Bar. 2 sets of R&B, reggae, jazz and pop.
• April 17, 2008: Vocalist Julie-Claire Carter presents her final bachelor's recital at Tanna Schulich Hall (527 Sherbrooke W.). She's chosen some interesting tunes, and it's a great , swinging band. Philippe Bouffard - tenor; Dave Goulet - guitar; Nic Bédard - bass; Karl Schwonik - drums.
• April 26, 2008: I couldn't in good conscience not be part of an Andrew D'Angelo benefit concert. Anna Webber came up with the idea first. We're hosting a show at La Brique (6545 Durocher, #402) with Anna's new quartet, Indigone Trio, The Youjsh, and Gordon Allen. $10 at the door, all proceeds go to Andrew. We have limited copies of his new CD for sale as well (thanks to Skirl Records).
• April 30, 2008: KEC @ La Sala Rossa. We're opening for the multi-talented transplanted Icelandic singer-songwriter Nista (aka Stina Agust). It'll be a fun night!

Finally, April 24-May 1 is CKUT's funding drive. Celebrating 20 years between your ears, you can start pledging now to win prizes! Two passes to the Suoni Per il Popolo festival will be given away on the Jazz Euphorium show April 30 (8-10 pm EST). I'll be along for the ride on World Skip the Beat's funding drive extravaganza April 28 (noon-2 pm EST).

There's some more big news on the way but it'll have to stay under wraps for now.