Grant Simpson.net

Kate and I have just started our CD release tour with a couple of gigs around Vancouver Island.

I’ve had two gigs on Thetis Island now organized by the Arts Council there and I’m telling you, it’s one of the most beautiful places to “be” – and play. The people there are a lively bunch of quirky – wonderful people and I felt completely welcomed into their community both times.

A big thank you goes out to Maureen and Wayne Loiselle – to Simone and Will and Bill and Kat who all worked hard to make this visit possible for us. I truly feel like the entire gig was a visit with old friends. Thank you so much. And to the rest of the Theatis Island Arts Council Members and their families who reach out to the rest of the community and bring them in for these wonderful evenings of music and fun.

Wayne and Maureen are also the founders of a wonderful organization called “School Orchards Africa“. I’m not easily impressed by every “do good” organization or cause. The more I’ve learned about them, the more I see people making money or creating jobs for themselves – but this one is truly different. I love the way they have this truly helpful organization set up – and it’s only just beginning. Please check it out. It’s something I want to become involved with myself – and I think many of you will feel the same way.

The website is: http://www.schoolorchardsafrica.org/ and you can “Like” them of Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/School-Orchards-Africa-Society/241431745914812

The second gig we played this week was in Nanaimo – a house concert at the home of Terry and Barb Simpson. It was their first house concert and I think it was a resounding success! Thanks to both of you for all you did to make this evening a great one. The second set was opened by our friend Andre Begin who did a great recitation of “The Shooting of Dan McGrew” by the one and only Robert Service. The set was closed off by a swinging version of “Up the Lazy River” with by brother Terry on Mandolin – a perfect way to end the show. Thanks to everyone who came out and helped out with this concert.

This afternoon we’re on Gabriola Island at the Raspberry Jazz Cafe which is owned and operated by my old friend Roger Christie – who I’ve known for well over 25 years now.

Next……. off to Winnipeg for our Home Routes Tour!

Thanks to everyone who have helped. We’ve had a lot of good radio play and press about the CD already – and it’s only just beginning. Thanks so much!

- Grant

My Sweet Little Cheechako (Words and Music by Grant Simpson)

Watch Sylvia Ride (Words and Music by Grant Simpson)

4 & 20 Manfred Janssen, Grant Simpson & Jim Vautour (Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young)

I’m Gonna Try and Have a Second Honeymoon

4 & 20 (Manfred Janssen, Grant Simpson & Jim Vautour)

Here’s a few other tracks I found in the archives you might like:
These three were recorded in Korea in 2001
1. Devil May Care (Caroline Drury – vocals, Malcolm Travis – Tenor, Grant Simpson – piano)
Devil May Care
2. Gypsy – (Grant Simpson Piano)
Gypsy
3. Now’s the Time (Two Pianos with the wonderful Korean Pianist Seong He You)
Nowstime

From a CBC Hot Air Recording I did with the stellar Alan Matheson on cornet.
1. St. Jame’s Infirmary (Alan Matheson Trumpet, Grant Simpson – Piano)
St. James Infirmary

That’s enough for now. I have many dozens of trax from the past.

- Grant

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Mama Dont Allow It – Yukon Musicians
This was a CBC Birthday of some sort and I think a CBC TV Show. Filmed at the Beringia Centre and it was a bunch of Yukon bands and musicians. I was asked to come up with a “group closer” and so I suggested this one. Listen to the Yukoners burn this up! (Bob Hamilton – mandolin, Kevin Barr – guitar and vocals, I think Anne Turner on Bass, Grant Simpson on Piano, Don Bishop on Trumpet, Jay Burr on Trombone, George McConkey on harmonica, Amanda Leslie on vocals, Is it Nathan Tinkham on guitar? I think it’s Lonnie on Drums) …………am I missing anyone? Sounds like we were having some fun!!!!!

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My mom, Mildred Simpson turns 85 today and I thought I’d share a bit about her with you. When I think about the good times I’ve had with Mom over the years and try to forget about all the vicious beatings and complete and utter repression ……… just kidding Ma :c) I think about the times she’s made me laugh. We’ve had some great times together including a trip to Toronto to visit and hang out with my mom’s new cousins that I found while doing some genealogy work. They were cousins from her Dad’s side who we knew very little about when I started. I presented her with a big thick book of information I had put together and in the back of it were tickets to Toronto. Fun and quite magical. We had a grand time of visiting and hanging out.

Then I took her with me on a couple of tours when I was playing with New Orleans North. She loved the music we played in that band and adored Lloyd Arntzen and his quirky funny stories and “classy guy” approach to music and life….. and so do I. But we toured down the states a bit and throughout BC another time and Alberta on another tour (those were just the one’s I took Mom on) And we had a lot of fun while she got to see the “other side of being a musician”. Every concert we played, the presenters would fuss over her and make her feel like royalty. Then we’d laugh it up afterwards somewhere (while trying to find food to eat after the concert because we had no time to eat before the concert – and it’s quite hard to find food in Brooks Alberta and other places like that after 10.) Welcome to the Road Mom – was the constant refrain from the whole band.

I also remember having dinner with mom and I and Bria Skonberg in some little place in B.C. or Alberta and the three of us laughed it up together. That was fun – watching Bria blow-away audience after audience as only she can do. So fun! So Great! and SO GRATEFUL.

So – Happy Birthday Mom. 85 years old. That’s really somethin’.

Here’s three little things I know you’ll like to see:

Here’s New Orleans North playing “Thriftstore on the Corner” by Lloyd Arntzen – sung and played as only he can do. I know that one made you smile – and sing-a-long to every time – at every concert. (Alan Matheson – trumpet Lloyd Arntzen – clarinet and vocals – Grant Simpson – piano and Graeme Peters on drums)12 – The Thrift Store on the Corner

And here’s a very rough version of a song I wrote for my Mom’s birthday a couple of years ago. I haven’t been able to record it yet – so this is the only version I have. Just me – my guitar – sitting in my cabin playing the song so I could let Mom hear it. TheOldPostOffice

And here is a cartoon that’s been in the family for years. It was drawn before I was born, but it includes all the rest of my family. You’ll have to imagine a thought bubble over my dad’s head saying “when am I ever going to have a NORMAL child – maybe we should try one last time”

Happy Birthday MA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love Grant

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Kate and I have been working with Bob Hamilton (Producer) to complete our CD “Beneath the Yukon Moon”
The CD will be released in September 2011 followed by a short Yukon tour (October 2011) then off to Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario (November-December).

We will be posting dates for the tour soon – so stay tuned.

In the mean time, we are at that wonderful stage of the recording where adding solos to the mix using some of the Yukon’s finest musicians as well as musicians in New York (Bria Skonberg), Ontario (Jay Burr) and China (Jinming Dong). Kate and I are getting very excited about the final stages and it’s thrilling to hear our songs come to life under the care and talent of Bob Hamilton. It’s been a great experience and we feel it shows in the tracks on the CD.

Looking forward to working with this album and hopefully coming to a venue near you sometime this winter!

Check out our Press Kit at: http://www.reverbnation.com/kateweekesandgrantsimpson
Like us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kate-Weekes-and-Grant-Simpson-Beneath-the-Yukon-Moon

- Grant