For 26 years, the Toronto Blues Society has been presenting the Women’s Blues Revue. This year’s event takes place on Nov. 24 at Massey Hall. As one of the highlights of the yearly blues calendar, the revue offers the best blues, roots, R&B and jazz vocalists that Canada has to offer. A three-time Women’s Blues Revue alumna, Shakura S’Aida gives us some personal insight, in her own inimitable style, on the voices scheduled for this year’s event.
Angel Forrest
Angel Forrest is one of my favourite blueswomen ever and she is finally coming to perform at the Toronto Blues Society’s 26th Annual Women's Blues Revue at Massey Hall on November 24! I've performed with Angel on countless stages in the U.S.A., Canada and Russia! She is phenomenal and a firecracker — and I cannot wait to watch her singing at my favourite event of the year! (Especially ’cause it always takes place on my birthday weekend! Hint, hint.)
Sabrina Weeks
I've only caught Sabrina once live, but I loved the way she and her West Coast band Swing Cat Bounce got my feet moving. She has a sweet voice and a great feel for swing and jump-up blues. I quite enjoy her music and I’m looking forward to seeing her on the Massey Hall stage, and watching the audience movin’ to what she’s groovin’.
My sistergirl has been kicking up serious musical dirt in Toronto for a while. She's funky with seriously London-type smoothness to her voice, and she's unique and beautiful to boot. Her presence at the Women's Blues Revue will bring yumminess undefined.
Oh what can I say about my baby sis? She's fiery, yet cool, voice like an angel and yet one glimpse and you know she's a bad girl, too. I first heard her sing when she was about 11 years old and none of us who know her are surprised at her determination or her success. Be prepared to be unprepared for what Mz. Thang will be serving up that night.
Kellylee Evans is my friend and my hero. This woman has like 22 children [just kidding] and yet she has managed to share her stunning voice with thousands of fans in Canada and Europe. When I am happy, when I need focus, when I need to rest, I listen to my soulsistah's voice and all is right with the world. ’Nuff said.
I’ve woken up to the beautiful sounds of Ms. Charles at least three times via CBC Metro Morning and I swear, I thought I had woken up in heaven! Her voice is old skool personified and reminds me of Ms. Dorothy Moore (and y'all know how much I love me some Ms. Moore). It’s gonna be great seeing her onstage with all of my friends.
Next up S’Aida will give us her take on the talented women who make up the Women’s Blues Revue house band. The 26th annual Women’s Blues Revue takes place on Nov. 24 at Massey Hall in Toronto.
Related:
Women's Blues Revue ticket contest