MisterBryans

Marathon Man

So I'm playing three (3) nights in a row at Lula Lounge this weekend plus on Sunday I am DJ'ing between bands at the Word On The Street Festival.

Yikes!!

Maracatu Nunca Antes Record Release Video

The Situation In Burma

Music aficienados in Toronto would recognize Jeremy Ledbetter as the piano player/music director for David Rudder and bandleader of the Caribbean Jazz outfit Canefire.....

Here is a note he sent around yesterday

From: "Jeremy Ledbetter" <tangamabalanga@hotmail.com>

Hello,

I usually send these group emails to advertise CaneFire gigs. Today I'm writing about something much more important.

As most of you are probably aware, a wave of protests has erupted this week in the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). The Burmese government is now openly threatening to use military force against the protesters. I'm asking you to help prevent that.

I was in Myanmar in April this year, during which time I taught English at a Buddhist monastery. I can honestly tell you that the Burmese people are probably the most welcoming, kind and caring people I have ever met in all my travels. I can also tell you that they live in a constant state of fear that is unimaginable for most of us.

The current protests are being led by Buddhist monks opposed to the military government there -- a terrifying, despicable dictatorship that has brutally oppressed its people for 45 years and currently holds Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest.

These protests are the largest in Myanmar in almost 20 years -- not because anything has changed in 20 years, but because the last time this happened the military opened fire on unarmed protesters and killed, by most estimates, 3 000 people. There is absolutely no reason to think they won't do so again now.

PLEASE take just a moment right now to sign an online petition by the US Campaign for Burma, calling on the Chinese government -- the country that holds the most influence over the Burmese government -- to pressure the generals in Myanmar for a peaceful resolution. Just click on this link and add your name:

http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/uscampaignforburma/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=730&t=HomePage.dwt

Word On The Street, Sunday September 30th

I'm literally playing all day and all night this coming Sunday, and it's way better than a real job!! From 11am til 6pm I'll be at the CityTV mainstage for the 18th Annual Word On The Street Festival

Here's part of the press release

Engaging patrons at The Word On The Street for years, the Citytv Main Stage offers musical entertainment throughout the day, from opera to soul and everything in between. Hosted by Pam Seatle, reporter of CityNews, and Anne Mroczkowski, anchor/reporter of CityNews at Six and host of The Mayor, this year’s performers include DJ Billy Bryans, Ron Davis Trio, Tapestry new opera works, Marco D’Amico, Gypsy (ROMA) Flame Show Band, Earl La Pierre Jr., Carlos Bastidas Latin Band and Tabby Johnson. The Citytv Main Stage is located near Queen’s Park Crescent East and Wellesley Street East on Sunday, September 30^th.  The day promises to be a celebration of laughter and music as we unite Canada in a national celebration of literacy and the written word.

The whole line up is here.

Official website is here

Jimmy Bosch in Toronto October 6th

As if there aren't enough shows already, one of the leading figures of the salsa dura movement Jimmy Bosch, is coming to T.O. for the Canadian Salsa Congress on October 6.

i don't know if you can buy tix only for the concert, or whether you have to be a 'congressero' (probably you can buy a one day pass) but Jimmy Bosch is the real thing.

Cuba and the Internet

This article gives a decent overview of internet access in Cuba.

On one hard there seem to be government ministers who actually think that you can 'control' the internet, and on the other hand the U.S. embargo has....

prevent(ed) Cuba from accessing undersea high-speed cables as close as 12 miles from Havana.

Cuba must rely on an expensive but relatively slow satellite connection to the Internet, and those limits frustrate officials who highlight computer training as early as the first grade.

The moment of truth will occur in 2009, when Cuba is scheduled to complete (an) underwater 965-mile fiber-optic cable from Venezuela.

Soccer Gossip

Ex manager of Chelsea Jose Mourinho will go to Barcelona, Ronaldinho - currently benched by Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard - will go to Chelsea, as will Brazilian striker Kaká, and coach of super-hot Manchester City, Sven-Gorran Erickson.

Odviously, I have no idea whether any of this is true.

Pedrito Calvo On Breakfast Television

This Wednesday morning September 26 - Pedrito, Hilario and their musicians will perform on Breakfast Television. I hope someone can record it or capture on a file.

(There are usually two songs, one after 7am and another after 8)

It's Pedrito Calvo Week In Toronto

Here's a partial set list that Hilario gave me for the upcoming Pedrito Calvo show at Lula Lounge. The songs that aren't Van Van are Benny Moré

El Negro Esta Cocinando
Sabor a Mi
Se Acabo a Querer
Que No, Que No
Sera Que Se Acabo
El Negro No Tiene Ná
Por Encima Del Nivel
Guantanamo
Hoy Come Ayer
Santiago de Cuba
La Tia
Recaditos No
Marylú (with Telmary)

I Think It's Called Censorship

Here's a news update from U.S. based publicist Dmitri Vietze about problems that Marcel Khalifé' is facing in San Diego.

Just a few weeks ago, a venue in San Diego, CA denied on political grounds the use of their theater to renowned Lebanese musician Marcel Khalifé, after local concert organizers had already arranged the event with the Salvation Army, who operates the venue, The Joan B. Kroc Theatre at the Salvation Army Corps Community Center. The possibly discriminatory incident demonstratesthe misperceptions and tensions that exist in today's political climate towards Arabs, even those who advocate for peace. Concert organizers-who had been in touch with the venue for several months and had followed their application process rigorously- were told that a concert by Khalifé-an UNESCO Artist for Peace- would be "divisive" and "unbalanced" because it does not present an Israeli artist alongside Khalifé.

It's an effective way to shut down a gig isn't it. We'll let you book Los Van Van in our room but only with Willie Chirno.(for balance). Metallica? sure no problem, but with a Christian rock band. 50 Cent gets an American Idol winner etc etc

There is an interesting blog from the U.S. called Muzzle Watch that relates to this type of censorship around Arab Israeli issues.

I'll send them the link.