Bridgette Yarwood and keyboardist Evan Schaaf began a  semi-regular gig at the Ric’s Grill Mix Lounge, May 4.

 They played a variety of jazz standards and a few jazzy originals to the delight of an appreciative crowd.

 They showcased some  of Schaaf’s superb piano playing and highlighted Yarwood’s exceptional voice, which shows she sings jazz as well as she songs hard rock, maybe even better.

 They will be playing every other week.

—  by Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor

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It is always great to see Okotoks based bluesman Darren Johnson.

He returned to Lethbridge to play the new Tongue N Groove, May 6 for a handfull of chattering patrons.

 He played a variety of music off his debut CD, “Close to Home,”  and introduced a few new songs.

He also reinterpreted blues classics like “Little Red Rooster” and classic rock like “Midnight Rider.

Throughout he kept things mellow, with subdued slide guitar and a Tom Waits meets Louis Armstrong gravelly growl.

 He had a fantastic sense of melody and played tasteful leads on the guitar during his low key show. He even sang a beautiful version of “Georgia on My Mind.”

Jimmy Rankin, best known for being part of Nova Scotia folk superstars the Rankin Family, has gone country on his brand new fourth solo CD “Forgot About the World,” which was released April 12. He is playing a late announced show at the Geomatic Attic, May 14.

“It’s been really well received. We’re getting a lot of good feedback about it. Country radio is playing “Here in My Heart,” and it‘s getting some really great reviews,” Rankin said from a tour stop in Toronto.

He noted his previous CD was very much a roots CD, so he wanted to take this one to the next level.
“I wanted to write some songs that could be played on the radio,” he said.

While most of the CD is in the modern pop-country vein, Rankin re-examines his folk roots on “Colorado Dave” which is a reinterpretation of an old folk story about a man who left Nova Scotia in the 1800’s and moved to Colorado and got hooked up with the James Gang before escaping and returning home to live with his mom.


 He also has a duet with Serena Ryder, who helps sing “Walk That Way.”

“When I wrote the song, I immediately thought of Serena. I’ve been a fan of Serena’s for a long time. She‘s an amazing singer. I love singers who are so soulful,” he continued.
“So I feel fortunate I got her to sing on my record.”

While he is concentrating on supporting his new solo album, another reunion tour and possibly another album with the rest of the Rankin Family may also be in the cards.

“In fact about four years ago, we reunited after an eight year hiatus. We got together and did some shows. We had an absolutely great response,” he continued. They recorded two CDs after reuniting and are considering a third.
“It’s possible, but we haven’t done anything other than discuss it,” he said.

He is looking forward to his first solo show in Lethbridge, as the last time he was here, he was opening for country superstar Keith Urban.

“It will be the best of both worlds. There will be some Rankin Family songs and some solo songs from throughout my career,” he said.

This week will be a great one for Edmonton blues players visiting Lethbridge.
 But first there are a couple significant jam sessions happening tonight.

 Cudos is calling it quits for live music by having one last jam session hosted by James Clare tonight beginning at 8:30 p.m.

The other big jam session will be at the Slice tonight, beginning  at 7 p.m. Friends and family with gather to remember the life of Jimmy Coates, whom many of the local music community remember fondly for being a tireless supporter of live music. There will be a five dollar cover charge to offset costs of the funeral. Who’s Yer Daddy will start things off at 7 p.m.

 One of my absolute favourite acoustic bluesman Marshall Lawrence makes his Lethbridge debut at the Owl, May 14, with Johnny Greenshields.

Lawrence is billed the doctor of the blues as he has a doctorate in psychology, but quit in 2009 to concentrate on his other passion— music.

 He has released three CDs— his plugged in, rockin’ debut “Where’s the Party,” the acoustic follow up “The Morning After,” and his latest — the acoustic “Blues Intervention” which was released last year.
There is no cover for the show. John Greenshields will be playing first, followed by Marshall Lawrence at approximately 10:30 p.m. There will be no cover.