WEDNESDAY JUNE, 24th 2009 - MAXWELL - IN VANCITY ! ! ! THE BLACKsummers'night TOUR ! ! !

THE "COCOCURE" MAN HISSE'F WILL BE AT THE

CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS IN VANCITY ON

WEDNESDAY JUNE 24th AFTER AN APPEARANCE IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON USA THE NIGHT BEFORE.

THE SHOW STARTS AT 7:30.

NOT MUCH PRE-PUBLICITY FOR THIS VANCOUVER, CANADA STOP ON THE 'BLACKsummers'night' 20 CITY TOUR, SO IT SHOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW MANY PEEPS TURN OUT FOR THIS NEO-SOUL PERFORMER.

ZIGZAGZ IS CONTEMPLATING GOING TO THE PERFORMANCE (PROMOTING MAXWELL'S NEW "BLACKsummers'night" ALBUM) BUT HASN'T MADE HIS MIND UP 100% YET.    

WEIGHING HEAVILY IN "GOINGS" FAVOUR IS THE FACT THAT, ALONG WITH D'ANGELO, MAXWELL IS ZZ's FAVOURITE ARTIST IN THIS SUB-GENRE OF CONTEMPORARY NEW WORLD AFRICAN MUSIC.

June 24 - Maxwell [7:30 - Centre For The Performing Arts]

DJZigZag

FROM JUNE 26th UNTIL JULY 5th Canada Trust VANCOUVER INTL. JAZZ FESTIVAL

IF YOU ARE VISITING VanCity IN THE NEXT LITTLE WHILE YOU WILL WANT TO TAKE IN SOME OF THE MUSIC THAT WILL BE FEATURED AS PART OF THE Canada Trust VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL.

WAGRadio's picks include;

June 26 THE DAVID SANBORN GROUP 

[7:30 - Centre For The Performing Arts]

June 26 KING SUNNY ADE & his AFRICAN BEATS

[9:30 - Commodore Ballroom]

June 26 BRAD TURNER QUARTET 

[8:00 - The Ironworks]

June 28 THE MONTEREY QUARTET (GONZALO RUBALCABA on piano / opening act BRAD TURNER's group) [7:30 - Centre For The Perf. Arts]

June 29 SONNY ROLLINS [8:00 - Orpheum Theatre]

June 30 KENNY WERNER QUINTET (Pianist Werner has DAVID SANCHEZ on tenor and RANDY BRECKER on trumpet - say no more!) 

[7:30 - Centre For The Performing Arts]

July 1 BOB MURPHY QUARTET 

[8:00 - The Ironworks] 

July 3  OLA ONABULE * (Brit Soul Singer) 

* DJZigZag recommends this performer . . .

[9:00 - Performance Works]

July 4  CHUCHO VALDES QUINTET / HUGH FRASER QUINTET 

[7:30 - Centre For The Performing Arts]

July 5  JENNIFER SCOTT & RENE WORST 

[2:00 pm - Taproom @ Granville Island Brewing]

***PLEASE RE-CHECK ALL TIMES / DATES & VENUES AT coastaljazz.ca ***

WAGRadio Management

Photo: Terrenzo Wong

NEW GROOVIN' BLUE 'BOUT TO RISE AND SHINE - GB 09-08

GROOVIN' BLUE 09-08 

IS 'BOUT TO HEAD YOUR WAY.  

LIKE THE OTHER CONTEMPORARY ZIGZAG SHOWS IT IS AN AMALGAM OF THE OLD, THE NOT-SO-OLD, AND THE DAMN-RIGHT FONKY!  

THE FUNKY WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF (THIS TIME) BY MASTER ORGAN BLASTER JIMMY SMITH.  

THE 1990'S ARE BEING HANDLED BY MAZE feat. FRANKIE BEVERLY and ALLEN TOUSSAINT.  

"TODAY" IS THE HOME GROUND OF R CITY, LADEN, METHOD MAN, LaKISHA JONES, AKON and A FEW OTHERS.

SO, THROW AWAY YOUR GENERATIONAL AND MUSICAL CONFINEMENTS - - OPEN UP YOUR SOUL EARS - - AND GET READY FOR ANOTHER 

NEW WORLD AFRICAN GOOD TIME MUSIC FESTIVAL.  

GROOVIN' BLUE 09-08 - - - COMIN' IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS ! ! !

DJZigZag

Photo: Frederich Hende

THIRSTY HOWELL - "MUSIC FROM SOMEWHERE WARM"

O.K. New World African Music purists - - get ready to rumble with DJZigZag cuz tekniklee speekin' this compact disc probably doesn't qualify as Black Music . . . BUT this CD by THIRSTY HOWELL and the soulful hip music contained within does lap gently enuff against the shores of New World Africa that we are not only recommending it but we are suggesting that Mr. Thirsty posts one of these Cd's ASAP to Salt Spring Island and to my pals at  SKY VALLEY RADIO where DJZZ knows they will jump on it fo' sho' cuz this Cd is right in the pockey-way of those brothers.  

If your tastes run to a more laid back state (like Florida) with artistes:

VICTOR WOOTEN

JAMIROQUAI

NORMAN BROWN

THE GROOVE CONNECTION

JAZZYFATNASTEES

TONY MARTINEZ & CUBAN POWER

DAVID BENOIT

GROOVE COLLECTIVE

NETTAI TROPICAL JAZZ ORCH.

ITHAMARA KOORAX & FRIENDS

CHIELLI MINUCCI

CARIBBEAN JAZZ PROJECT

ALPHONSE MOUZON

EXODUS QUARTET

LUIS SALINAS

ERIC MARIENTHAL

COUNT BASIC

SLIDE FIVE

and you luv the sounds 

of the mid to late 1990's - this is a must-buy album for you.

The soon-to-be-podcasted GROOVIN' BLUE 09-08 features the first two cuts from the Cd - "Celia Cruz On The Radio" and "Weather Balloons or Satellites" which feature such well-known musicians as VINCE MAI, JERRY ADOLPHE, SAFFRON HENDERSON, BILL SAMPLE, JOANNA GYURKOVICS, DOUG JOHNSON, PETER CLARKE, ORLANDO MACHADO and many, many more.

!!! BUY THIS CD !!!

www.thirstyhowell.com

www3.telus.net/skyvalleyradio/

DJZigZag

SUNNY SWEET DADDY FONK & DJZIGZAG PRESENT A NEW FUNK SHUI SPECIAL ! ! !

YEAH !  A BRAND NEW FUNK SHUI SPECIAL ! ! ! 

AND THIS TIME IT IS ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC OF THE CRESCENT CITY ! ! !   NEW ORLEANS ! ! !

DJZIGZAG AND SUNNY SWEET DADDY FONK BRING YOU THE SOUNDS OF THEIR YOUTH. 

THIS (MORE THAN ANY OTHER) WAS THE GENRE OF RHYTHM 'N' BLUES MOST INFLUENTIAL ON VANCOUVER CANADA'S 

EAST END MUSICAL STARS . . .

  - SINGER/PIANIST AL "MR BIG" FOREMAN,

SAXOPHONISTS FREDDY CARATENUTO & LARRY VOLEN, THE NIGHT TRAIN REVUE, 

SY RISBY, LITTLE DADDY & THE BACHELORS, 

HARRY WALKER, BILLY DIXON, AND KENTISH STEELE (TO NAME A FEW).

SEVENTY-EIGHT-PLUS MINUTES OF 1960's ROLLICKING PIANO, SHUFFLING DRUMS AND RIFFING HORNS - SO ASSOCIATED WITH THE MYSTICAL CITY ON THE BANKS OF THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI.  

AND MOST OF OUR HOSTS' HEROES ARE REPRESENTED - EDDIE BO, ERNIE K-DOE, JESSIE HILL, CHRIS KENNER, HUEY 'PIANO' SMITH & THE CLOWNS, EARL KING, AARON NEVILLE, BENNY SPELLMAN AND SO MANY, MANY MORE.  

GLARINGLY ABSENT ARE A FEW NEW ORLEANS MUSICAL GIANTS (LIKE THE FAT MAN HIMSELF) BUT THAT WILL BE RECTIFIED WHEN 'CRESCENT CITY SPECIAL PART TWO' MAKES ITS APPEARANCE IN 2010.  AND WHO KNOWS, THERE COULD BE A FATS DOMINO 'LEGACIES' SPECIAL WITH SWEET DADDY WONG AND ZIGZAGZ IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

WAGRadio Management

ANOTHER GREAT SUMMER BOOK - "RECORD MAKERS and BREAKERS" by JOHN BROVEN

Ooo Wee ! ! What a great esoteric book ! Although, putting that label on it understates how good this 584 page gem is. Jam-crammed and fact-filled, this book is really written for the likes of DJZigZag and Sweet Daddy Fonk Wong and the rest of you nutzoid crazies who are into this kind of minutiae. We are talkin' 'bout those picky facts that bring about a dazed look from your spouse or lover when quoted. I'm talkin' wonderful bits of much-coveted New World African Music history. And to make things worse, (from the perspective of those same aforementioned individuals) this book isn't just about the singers and musicians and their music but about the business and the business-people behind the independent record companies who recorded and distributed our heroes music.

It does quote recollections like this;

"THE BILL DOGGETT COMBO played regularly in Detroit, especially at the Flame Show Bar, which was a snazzy black-and-tan club where aspiring young writer Roquel "Billy" Davis and Berry Gordy would hang out with the sharp-dressed, racially mixed clientele. "I'd take friends down to see Bill's group," said Jim Wilson, and the whole joint would really be rocking with the songs. Bill could play sweet melodic tunes, or things like "Honky Tonk."

John Broven, the writer, then goes on (for two pages) to tell particulars of how "Honky Tonk Pt. 1 & 2" was recorded and became a huge Pop and R&B hit. When DJZigZag read this section of the book, with never before recounted facts, it seemed to glint from the pages like gold in his eyes - probably 'cause this 1956 instrumental was, and still is to this day, DJZZ's favourite record of all time.

We know you will love "Record Makers and Breakers: Voices of The Independent Rock 'n' Roll Pioneers" - [University of Illinois Press / 2009]

WAGRadio Management

LOUIS PRIMA with SAM BUTERA and THE WITNESSES - "HEY MARIE"

Sad to note that saxophonist MR. SAM BUTERA (right hand man to New Orleans' LOUIS PRIMA) has passed at age 81 (June 3rd, Las Vegas, Nevada USA).  What joy these two fun-loving musicians gave us.  From the perspective of my youth - Louis' wife Keely Smith, Sam and Louis were East End Vancouver, Canada favourites.  This was helped by the East Side being not only the bastion of Black music appreciation but also the Italian-Canadian cultural & communal centre on the West Coast.

This film clip shows Louis with SAM BUTERA & THE WITNESSES at their show-band R&B honkin' sax comedic best.

DJZigZag

MAZE Feat. FRANKIE BEVERLY - FIRST OF GROOVIN' BLUE 'LEGACIES' SERIES -

**NOW PODCASTED**

GROOVIN' BLUE

'LEGACIES' SPECIAL.

The new GROOVIN' BLUE Podcast is the first WAGRadio show broadcast under the heading of the 'Legacies Series'.  Only one or two of these unique shows may be produced yearly and will differ from a normal Groovin' Blue show because they will feature the music of a single artist.  The first musical act chosen by DJZigZag is MAZE featuring FRANKIE BEVERLY.  ZigZagZ sez that he is committed to broadening their popularity via WAGRadio.   

MAZE featuring FRANKIE BEVERLY

HISTORY:

It was MARVIN GAYE who convinced a self-contained San Francisco group (that he'd asked to open for him on the road) to change their name from Raw Soul to Maze.   But Marvin did more than that to directly contribute to the Frankie Beverly-led group's success.  It was Marvin, in 1976, who introduced them to the Vice President of black music at Capitol records, Larkin Arnold.  Signing them, gave the L.A. label a gold L.P. record and Maze (from that album) three R&B hit singles and the undying love of New World African Music devotees around the globe. Maze has a fan base (from the 1980's) who's depth of emotion and caring can only be compared to that of fans of Bill Withers.  

DJZigZag 

Photos: Warren Roseborough

HOT & JUICY / BUMPY & LUMPY - - THE ALL NEW SOUL-Ta-Fy-ING GROOVIN' BLUE 09 - 07 ! ! !

IN ZIGZAGZ not-so-humble OPINION GROOVIN' BLUE 09-07  - - IS THE MOST SOUL-FAN-TAS-TI-FYING GROOVIN' BLUE EVER - - BUY HEY ! !  - - AIN'T THAT THE WAY IT S'PO'ED TA BE ? ?

Joining (already mentioned) NEW WORLD AFRICAN MUSIC ARTISTES, are newcomers BLACK RYNO, BUGLE, ESTELLE, E REECE and DA'VILLE.  

So dig in cuz this is a very filling repast . . . .

WAGRadio Management

Photo: Frederich Hende

DAYS AWAY FROM NEW GROOVIN' BLUE [09-07] & WORKIN' ON FUNK SHUI SPECIAL WITH SWEET DADDY FONK

The soon to be pod-casted GROOVIN' BLUE 09-07 features nu choons by LADEN, MANTIS, TIM BENSON, MC LYTE and BUSY SIGNAL as well as some soul-worn favourites by BOBBY WOMACK, CURTIS MAYFIELD, BRENTON WOOD and THE AFRO-BLUES QUINTET PLUS ONE.

SUNNY 'SWEET DADDY FONK' WONG & DJZZ are also molding a FUNK SHUI 'CRESCENT CITY' SPECIAL which, as the title implies, and as we've already more than hinted at, will embrace the rockin', hand clappin', feelin' good music of NEW ORLEANS.

DJZigZag is also working on an ALL-JAZZ G.B. and an ALL-JAMROCK G.B. - - So get ready for a ton a' 2009 summertime jams.

WAGRadio Management

Photo: Frederich Hende

THE INK SPOTS - THE GYPSY

We went way way way WAY back for this one (1946 to be exact) to a major vocal group of the day.
The reason THE INK SPOTS short film clip stood out was the clownin' around that passed unnoticed (?) at the time.  While lead singer BILL KENNY is telling his INK SPOT pals (at 1:13 in the film short) how, "his heart was so full of tears", fellow Ink Spot CHARLIE FUQUA is breaking up IVORY "DEEK" WATSON by pointing to his hand and mugging. Deek has to duck his head and put his hand over his mouth to keep from breaking up.  When we move to a two-shot of Mr. Kenny and bass singer ORVILLE "HOPPY" JONES, it's obvious Mr. Jones has been so intent on watching his pal's jiving (instead of paying attention to Bill K), he can only muster a permanent smile bordering on laughter. Its a wonderful bit of unintended film humour that we believe musta' somehow got by the studio brass.  We wonder how Bill Kenny kept a straight face warbling this sorrowful tale as the other 'SPOTS' ack' a fool.  Some of his close-ups musta been shot at a different time.  This marvelous quartet was at the top of their game in '46 - world-wide super stars - and it shows in this relaxed attitude to film, Hollywood and show business.

WAGRadio Management

MAZE featuring FRANKIE BEVERLY - WE ARE ONE

Just to prove a point - to those of you who still may be sceptics.
Here's  MAZE featuring FRANKIE BEVERLY  again.

I do understand that the majority of people I talk to (of all ages) have never heard of  MAZE featuring FRANKIE BEVERLY.  Those same people are unaware that in the late 70's & 1980's the musical ensemble was adored by millions of NEW WORLD AFRICAN MUSIC fans around the world.   This lack of popular acceptance may have something to do with the (already stated) fact that pop stations of the day turned a blind eye to their soothing soulful musical output.  I haven't a clue why pop stations, the same ones that were playing EARTH, WIND & FIRE, GEORGE DUKE, SHALAMAR and HEATWAVE, didn't program MAZE - but they didn't.   

One things fo' sho', after watching the videos, I know you'll say you don't know why they didn't receive airplay either . . .

DJZigZag

MAZE feat. FRANKIE BEVERLY ! ! I WANT TO FEEL WANTED

Oh sweet love of all that's sweet and lovely ! ! !
Ain't they a bitch and a half ! ! ! !

MAZE featuring FRANKIE BEVERLY are still filling arenas all across the U S of A and have never ever had a hit on the pop charts.
In the late seventies and eighties they were so loved by those of us who love New World African Music that only an artist of the emotional stature of BILL WITHERS could elicit a larger response of joy from an audience. Turn your hip-hoppers on to this group - - turn your children on to them - - TURN THE WORLD ON TO WHAT THEY HAVE MISSED ! ! !                   Arguably, MAZE feat. FRANKIE BEVERLY is the most joyous and soulful and love-inspiring group of brothers to ever have joined together to make music.

DJZigZag

BROOK BENTON - Rainy Night In Georgia (live 1982)

One of the all time great Soul / R'n'B song stylists -  MR. BROOK BENTON  -  in this early eighties live performance fulfils our need for something new to view. 

Brook is also featured in the 2008 Groovin' Blue Christmas shows that are still available on WAGRadio [PODBEAN].
DJZigZag

LEAN TIMES CHANGE 2009 NEW WORLD AFRICAN MUSIC SCENE

It seems, in the last part of 2008 and the beginning of this year, that there have been fewer New World African Music videos produced.   

Copyright laws have also counter-productively influenced the promoting of (by blogs like ours) certain new videos.  

Jamaica, hit hard by the recession, has almost ceased producing any newly-mown, home-grown music promos of worth.  Add to this the already too-long trend of contemporary Jazz videos being virtually non-existant - and the phrase 'lean times' seems to be in no-way descriptive enuff.

Therefore WAGRadio fans, you may be seeing more NWAM nostalgia-clips posted (than you're used to): at least until the world gets back on its financial feet.  Our mandate is that any old film shorts or 'kines' we offer you are as close as possible to the artistic quality and high-style performance of the Flamingos 'Jump Children' (from "Go Johnny Go").

We would ask that if you view any New World African Music videos that you deem worthy of blog inclusion (especially contemporary)  - advise us -  as a   COMMENT   or e-mail

radio@wagradio.com   

WAGRadio Management

Cartoon: Robert Leighton   [courtesy: Douglas Miller]