Steve Maddock - The Blues Project (September 2021 Cellar Live)

The velvety voice of one of Canada's most versatile vocalists, Steve Maddock shows a new side belting out the blues on 10 blues-drenched tunes!

The project began in 2018, when Cory Weeds pitched an idea to Steve for a Joe Williams tribute show at Frankie's Jazz Club in Vancouver. Williams is arguably one of the greatest jazz & blues singers we've ever had. In March 2019, they played two club dates, calling the show "Nothin' But the Blues: A Tribute to Joe Williams". It was so well received, that they immediately began planning a follow-up gig. The theme expanded , still travelling a blues path, but drawing material from other artists. Weeds was an invaluable source, hipping Maddock to such names as Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Jimmy Witherspoon, David Peaston, and Billie Poole. In September 2019, they played a second show at Frankie's: "Steve Maddock Sextet: The Blues Project". Cory suggested they make a record for the Cellar Music label, so they invited their friend Bill Coon, a wonderful musician & composer, to co-produce. After several challenges and delays due to the global pandemic, the band finally got into the studio in December, 2020 and now have "The Blues Project" album dropping on September 3.

1. Everyday I Have The Blues/All Blues 08:28

2. Turnaround (If You're With Me, Today Will Last Forever) 04:38

3. My Funny Valentine 04:10

4. Please, Send Me Someone To Love 06:49

5. Liars' Club 05:16

6. Backdoor Blues 04:14

7. Let Me Out 05:46

8. God Bless The Child 05:27

9. Au Privave 03:24

10. Alright, Ok, You Win 03:54

Steve Maddock – vocals

Chris Gestrin – piano

André Lachance – bass

Dave Robbins – drums

Cory Weeds – tenor saxophone

Brad Turner - trumpet

Executive Producer: Cory Weeds

Produced by Bill Coon

Recorded at The Armoury Studios in Vancouver, BC on December 1, 2020

Engineered by Sheldon Zaharko

Mixed and mastered by

Photography by

Design and layout by Perry Chua

PREORDER

Nightcrawlers - Do You Know A Good Thing? (2021 Cellar Live)

One of Vancouver's most beloved jazz groups of the past 10 years serve up heaps of grease playing the music of Eddie Harris, Shirley Scott, Hank Marr and other purveyors of greasy jazz! Usually a two horn front-line, this edition of the Nightcrawlers features only the tenor saxophone with Cory Weeds at the helm. Filling out the sound of the band is percussionist Jack Duncan with the all-star Vancouver band Dave Sikula on guitar, Chris Gestrin on Hammond B3 and Jesse Cahill on drums.

Here's what Cellar Music CEO, Cory Weeds had to say about the release:

Before recording this album, The Nightcrawlers were on what appeared to be a permanent hiatus. As a band they hadn’t gigged in several years, dating back to The Cellar. When the coronavirus put a stranglehold on the world, The Cellar Music Group was fortunate to have the support of organizations like FACTOR Canada and Creative BC who stepped up with relief funds for organizations in the music industry. The Cellar Music Group was one of the lucky recipients. So I wanted to do something fun and something that involved just local musicians, production and studio staff.

During the first two or three months of the pandemic, I was listening to a ton of organ music and I was inspired to make another organ record. The problem was that Day By Day was due out, O Sole Mio was in the can and I was set to record my album with strings, so the world did NOT need another record led by Cory Weeds.

I called Jesse Cahill and asked whether he would consider reuniting The Nightcrawlers for a recording. Although he didn’t say yes, it wasn’t no. Eventually, through some prodding, he came around and we started conceptualizing. Jesse was hearing something different for this record. He wanted one horn instead of two and wanted to add congas to the mix. We had done a few gigs at Frankie’s with that lineup under my leadership, and it was really fun and a great sound. It was fantastic to have percussionist Jack Duncan on board. He elevated the sound of the band.

Jesse and I met in my backyard (socially distanced, of course) to talk through some material. We have very similar tastes in music and more specifically in organ music, so coming to a consensus about the material was pretty quick and easy.

The four key members of The Nightcrawlers – Jesse, Dave Sikula, Chris Gestrin and I – have shared the stage for many hours over many years in various configurations, and playing with them feels like playing with family. This recording came at a time when we all needed a bit of normalcy in our lives. We needed to forget about what was going on in the world, have some fun and make some joyous music.

I hope you enjoy gettin’ greasy with The Nightcrawlers.

1. 1974 Blues 06:23

2. Do You Know A Good Thing When You See One? 06:53

3. Devilette 06:10

4. These Foolish Things 06:16

5. Soulful Kitty 06:26

6. Movin’ Out 06:41

7. New Mango 05:08

8. Greasy Spoon 04:11

Cory Weeds – tenor saxophone

Dave Sikula – guitar

Chris Gestrin – organ

Jesse Cahill - drums

Jack Duncan – congas on tracks 1, 3,4,6, 7

Executive Producer: Cory Weeds

Produced by Jesse Cahill and Cory Weeds

Recorded at The Armoury Studios in Vancouver, BC on November 8, 2020

Engineered mixed and mastered by Sheldon Zaharko

Photography by Jesse Cahill (cover) and Cory Weeds

Design and layout by Perry Chua

PREORDER

Cory Weeds Little Big Band - Explosion (CELLAR LIVE July 6, 2018)

Vancouver jazz impresario Cory Weeds fronts a world class 11 piece "Little Big Band", in an ambitious recording at Bryan Adams' "Warehouse" studio in Vancouver's Gas Town neighbourhood.  

Weeds and his guests speak to the important collaboration between the visiting artists - Gary Smulyan, Joe Magnarelli, Steve Davis and PJ Perry - and the Vancouver players who host them.  

Weeds' prolific activity, in particular pairing top tier New York musicians with local Vancouver players, has helped build Vancouver into a vibrant jazz city, with a deep well of skill.  Although Weeds' live club The Jazz Cellar shuttered years ago, the associated label Cellar Live continues on with a vibrant and regular slate of recordings, and Weeds' work with the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society (managing Frankie's Jazz Club) keeps him at the nexus of all action.  

In this film, we hear some sincere testimony on what Weeds does best - producing a swinging, exciting project that enriches the scene around him.  The symbiosis between artist and producer survives in Weeds' world, with an appreciative nod in both directions.

01 Minor Mishap

02 Soon

03 East Of The Village

04 Park Avenue Petite

05 My Girl Is Just Enough Woman For Me

06 Canadian Sunset

07 KD's Motion

08 Please Send Me Someone To Love

09 Ready And Able

Cory Weeds tenor saxophone

GARY SMULYAN baritone saxophone

STEVE KALDESTAD tenor saxophone

PJ PERRY alto saxophone

JOE MAGNARELLI trumpet

CHRIS DAVIS trumpet

STEVE DAVIS trombon

ROD MURRAY trombone

CHRIS GESTRIN piano

PAUL RUSHKA bass

JESSE CAHLL drums