October - 50 and the double O's

This month I turn 50. I don’t know what it is supposed to feel like, but I feel good, probably better than I did when I turned 40. So, I am going to take that as a sign of good health, or healthy delusion. I’ll take either. ;)

My next gig is a fun one, at the faithful Emmet Ray in Toronto. I’ll be playing the early show (6:00pm until 8:30pm) with two longtime friends and collaborators, Michael Occhipinti on guitar and Sean O’Connor on saxophone.

Michael and Sean are massively talented and extensively accomplished, and playing with them is always a thrill. This is actually the first time we’ve ever played together as a trio, which makes it special and a great way to play my first gig of my 50s.

Michael and I recorded a duo album in 2004 in a home studio that was located in the basement of the home of the Chief Justice of the Tax Court of Canada by engineer Kevin Cooke. The album, “Winter Music” has aged well and is still worth a listen! Here’s a track, my song “Hope Song”:

The cover is a painting by Robert Blonski.

Sean O’Connor was part of my Light Industry trio with Andrew Furlong in the pre-COVID times, here we are in our tour jackets:

and here we are in the basement (FACT: some of the best music happens in basements) of Annette Studios playing my song “Catacombs”:

I hope my friends in the Toronto-area can come down to the show, and if you plan to, send an email to reso@erbar.ca to reserve a seat and get a discount on your cover charge.

For my friends farther afield, I hope to see you soon in my fifties!