Raise the Hammer

This is great news! Who the heck wants to drive into Toronto anymore? And pay gas, tickets, parking, food?!? But if you want to see live music at this calibre, you're often forced to visit this ugly cit down the road. The Corktown area is evolving in ways resembling the culture changes we're seeing being invested just outside the "true" bounderies of downtown ie. James North and Locke Street. Hamilton, as a small city, has too many clubs and restaurants with owners in these area's (who have great spaces mind you) but do not (for various reasons) take these risks to create an arts supportive scene, especially live music at this level of gusto. I am also impressed with the changes going on at Walt's Beanery in Jackson Square. They call it Waltz Live Music now. Great sound system and stage. Wow. I've been lucky to catch the last couple of weekends. Hilario Duran on Sat Jan 26. wicked Cuban Jazz pianist. You'd pay lot's to see him down the road in Toronto. A couple of weeks ago they hauled in a Hammond B3 for jazz player Tony Monaco. Mel Brown, a blues legend in his own right plays there now... great locals like Brian Griffith too... Now I have two great intimate places to hear top notch music performed up close by top notch players at dirt cheap prices. Finally, a turning point is happening. We just need to support these great venue's and these wonderful musicians. There will be more to come... people have to go somewhere -- since Hess Village destroyed its own live music scene long ago.

hey Musicsupporter. I heard about the change from Walts to Waltz. Hope they redo the King St signage too. How were the crowds and how was the vibe in Waltz for the shows you saw? I want to check it out. Any website or place to get a schedule?

Yes, I asked about the name change. They're just finishing a new logo and look. I heard they're planning renovations over the next few months. Sounds positive. They've announced there will be a web site soon. I took in the Hilario Duran performance on Saturday evening. Extraordinary show! Wonderful. The mood was outstanding. And... what class... Waltz brought in a Steinway piano for him to play. Amazing night. Great crowd. Nice people. Very impressed. The crowd had a blast! Also, at Tonic lounge just next door upstairs at the Sheraton I also saw Brownman Nick Ali, one of the best jazz trumpet players on the circuit. Wow. What's happening here? Two huge shows, cheap, all in the same night. This was a great weekend.

I saw Brownman at the Tonic that night. Blew me away. He's an incredibly gifted trumpet player with true vision (and gorgeous to boot). Hamilton's turning into quite the jazz city.
- The Jazz Kitty

I love how communities from all over the world enjoy Jazz music!

Incidentally, Waltz Live Music will shortly be going live with their new web site.

The url is http://www.waltzlivemusic.ca/

They will be posting events, pictures and important information. Look for the site to go live sometime in December 2010. Love the new Waltz!