St. Albert jazz singer Barbara Leah Meyer is a polished international jazz force and she’s taking her brand of groove to the Bacchus CafĂ© and Wine Bar this coming Tuesday.
For most of the four-hour evening starting at 7 p.m., Meyer will be singing solo and tickling the ivories. “I’ve sent out word to a few friends — Anna Beaumont and Deb Williams of Alley Scatz — and if they pop down, I’ll open it up to them,” says Meyer.
Meyer has been invited to perform at Bacchus the first Tuesday of every month. “This coming Tuesday is an exception,” laughs Meyer.
A MacEwan music alumna, Meyer originally honed her chops with Alley Scatz, an all-female trio she founded that enjoyed national success for seven years. After the trio dissolved, Meyer hit the road and worked in Europe for 21 years.
Returning in Sept. 2010, this live evening of song is her St. Albert debut. Meyer is slated to sing three sets blending standard jazz charts, original material and classy Canadian content from the likes of Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and k.d. lang.
“It’s a great venue. Because it’s cozy and I’m playing alone, it has a very intimate feel.”
Bacchus Café is located at #100, 21 Perron St. There is no cover charge. Call 780-569-5218 to reserve a table.
Mark Ammar’s Tuesday Open Stage brings in three of the most dedicated bluesman south of St. Albert.
Harpdog Brown, a harmonica bluesman since 1981, has been influenced by a who’s who of blues — Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, James Cotton and Tom Waits. In 1994, the Dog was the only Canadian to win the Muddy Award and his 1995 Juno nominated album Home is Where the Harp is Live still gets people talking.
Also on tap are Fred La Rose, a house bassist at LB’s and frequent musician with the Rusty Reed Band. Making up the freelance trio is Yugi I Hara, a guitarist with the wildly popular Boogie Patrol and a favourite at LB’s.
The jam starts at 9 p.m. at 23 Akins Drive. No cover.
