Smokey Folk – Feeding the Cuban Soul

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 Smokey Folk @ Castro’s Lounge

Recently I discovered a local musical treasure! If you have a chance to drop by Castro’s out in the Beaches on any given Monday night, you really should check out Smokey Folk! I’ve heard these guys a few times now, and this group of five young students from York University are brilliant – very laid back, yet wonderful, consummate musicians as they churn out one Rockabilly-infused Bluegrass tune after another with an infectious performance style. Smokey Folk brings a little Nashville-style vitality and warmth to the Beaches Queen Street strip, especially in midst of this long Canadian winter.

Where Toronto bars and clubs are concerned, Castro’s Lounge is like none other, and is an inviting, intriguing place to hang out, talk business, maybe hone one’s backgammon skills, or simply enjoy a beer or two while perusing the incredible photos that festoon the walls.

Speaking of things-Cuba, you might want to check out Anna Maria Tremonti’s recent edition of  The Current that I happened to catch while listening to the CBC earlier in the week. Vic Vogel is a legendary, Montreal-based jazzer who is spearheading an initiative to help revitalize the Music Conservatory in Havana, after the island was recently devastated by several powerful hurricanes, including Hurrican Ike. Part of this heart-warming Canadian-Cuban story is to rebuild the instruments available to young musicians. If you wish to support Vic in his commendable initiative, or perhaps donate to the instrument bank that he is assembling for the Conservatory, his e-mail is 529jazz@videotron.ca (Note: Having just heard back from a rep for Vic at 529Jazz, here are photos of the instruments that have been amassed to be sent off; although this was somewhat of a one-shot deal, I’m sure that donations and/or instruments would still be welcomed!)

As far as the acoustics go at Castro’s? Well, high Fidel-ity would be one way to describe them, bien sur! Smokey Folk take the stage in a most informal manner on Monday nights around about 9.30pm – see you there!