It's been a while since our last installment, so first a Happy New Year, followed by a hopeful, Happy Valentine week to all the single people reading today's update. I spent the big day at the Senator with my quartet performing for happy couples and even happier wannabes, all of whom were wrapped up in the moment, sharing the night out over a bottle of wine and the promise of good things to come. It has been my privilege to hold down the fort at the Senator on Valentine's for the last several seasons, and our Movie Songs program proved just the ticket this year, as many then headed purposefully out into the night after the show, to follow their instincts wherever they might lead.

This Week In Toronto:

The Top o' the Senator continues to host “George Evans and the Montréal Movie Songs Quartet, featuring Kevin Dean” through to Saturday night. If you have heard the record and would like a chance to hear these magnificent Montréal players in a rare Toronto appearance, take this opportunity to come by. If you have not yet heard the record, then pick up a copy at the club - I would be happy to sign it to you or a loved one.

As for the band, John Sadowy, leading the group on piano is known to the vocal community for his work in musical directing for Ranee Lee. He is a thrilling soloist and expert vocal accompanist who also excels at authentic Latin feels and grooves. You won't want to miss him. On bass and drums are Dave Watts (last here in town with vocalist Dorothée Berryman) and Jim Doxas (featured with Ben Charest and the Triplets de Belleville ensemble). Trumpeter Kevin Dean rounds out the group, taking time off from teaching at McGill University for this engagement, Kevin is one of Canada's best and should not be missed.

Sunday Special Show:

This past year I made a friend in rising young vocalist Sophie Milman, whose self titled debut CD is practically flying off store shelves in Canada. As Soph lives just up the street we often chat, and thought it might be fun to bring our camaraderie and mutual love of vocalist Sarah Vaughan to the Senator for one special night, on Sunday, February 20th. The lovely Ms. Milman and I will be backed on this special evening by Richard Whiteman and his hot, young trio, which features Brandi Disterheft on bass and Sly Juhas on drums. One Night Only, starting at 8:30 pm at the Senator.

Movie Songs, the album:

I am happy to report that since the November release of Movie Songs, we have been played coast to coast, featured on outlets both national and regional. Jazz.fm in Toronto featured our album for two months as a selected new release for December and January. The hits on my website alone proved how valuable this gesture was on their part, and I have to thank the staff of Toronto's only 24 hr jazz station for this vote of confidence.

South of the border, David Kenney of WBAI In New York City is so taken with the new disc that he has featured several tracks to date. Look for a special retrospective of recordings from all five of my released CDs to air on David's program in March (which happens to be Cabaret Month in NYC, a fine time to feature a jazz-cabaret crossover artist, originally from that city's active cabaret scene). Fans can find this unique program at www.oldisnew.org.

Until next time,

Best wishes, g