Hamilton Jazz Veteran George Arnone Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Hamilton jazz veteran George Arnone on Sunday, January 5, 2020. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

The George Arnone Big Band posted the following message on their Facebook page.

The band is saddened and heartbroken to have to announce that our Founder, George Arnone, has passed away.

George has been a part of the music scene in Hamilton for decades, as a sought-after sideman in various combos and bands and of course, as the band leader in his beloved George Arnone Big Band, which he formed in the 1980’s and played in until his retirement just over 2 years ago.

As a rehearsal band in east Hamilton for many years, George has had hundreds of musicians from the Hamilton, Burlington, Niagara area go through his band.

We will miss George terribly but his name and musical legacy will live on with The George Arnone Big Band.

Here is his obituary:

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of George Arnone surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, January 5, 2020 at the Juravinski Hospital in his 85th year. Beloved husband of 60 years to Ludmila. Loving father of Cita, Patricia, and Charles. Dear grandfather of Evan, Dean, Julia, Nicholas, Blaize, Lucas, and Lee. Loving brother of Rosie, Heather, Mary, Valerie, and Doug. Predeceased by his parents Charles and Amelia, and brothers and sisters, Shirley, James, Billy, and Clifford. George had a great love for his family especially his grandchildren who he spent much time with. He loved sports and played on and coached many teams. George has been a well known saxophone player that played in countless bands over many years and was the founder and leader of the George Arnone Big Band, where he played until his retirement two years ago. He will be forever remembered for his kindness, generosity and caring nature. He will be dearly missed by so many especially his family that loved him dearly. Visitation will be held at P.X. DERMODY FUNERAL HOME, 796 Upper Gage Ave., on Friday, January 10th from 5-9pm. Prayers will be said on Friday. A Funeral Mass will be offered at Blessed Sacrament Church on Saturday, January 11th at 10am. Entombment to take place at Our Lady of Hope Mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Parkinson Foundation or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. On-line Condolences can be made at www.dermodys.com

Bandmate Dave Baldry had this to add:

George gave me the opportunity to learn how to play Big Band music when I had no background in it...he did this for many musicians in the area.  He loved it when young people wanted to be a part of his band and he was happy to give them (and me!) a chance.  I've had many musical mentors over the years, but I think that he gave me the best chance to expand my talents and for that, I will always be  extremely grateful.  I and those who have had the pleasure of knowing him will miss him terribly. 

Links: George Arnone, More George Arnone Big Band Stories, Video above courtesy of the George Arnone Big Band

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Hamilton Music Producer Nick Blagona Passes

We are saddened to hear of the passing of music industry giant, Nick Blagona on January 4, 2020. The famed Hamiltonian worked with many legends such as Cat Stevens, Tom Jones, The Police, The Bee Gees, Chicago, Deep Purple, Rainbow, April Wine, Kim Mitchell, The Tea Party, and many more. He also worked with many local artists as well. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Nick left this comment on his Facebook page.

I am of sound mind and spirit and I wish to express my appreciation to Alex Andronache, Gil Moore, all the staff at Metalworks, for all the great years of mastering that they entrusted me with;

Lindsay and David at Yamaha as well as the crew in Germany for years of generosity for the STEINBERG sponsorship you afforded me. I am very grateful.

I thank every artist whoever entrusted me with their creative output and hope I did each of you proud. 

I thank my children for forgiveness I don’t deserve and for the love they felt for me, regardless.

For old dear friends who cared long after I moved on, and for those close friends who endured throughout my life.

Thank you God, for leaving me ears when all else failed me, physically, and now I take my leave. It’s January 4, 2020 at 10:55pm. MJ had to complete this tonight.
It has Been Real!

His wife Mary-Jane Russell left this note on her Facebook page.

Canadian Music Industry Recording Engineer/Producer legend and my partner of 32 years (who I married in late 2018) Nick Blagona, has died at age 74 of complications to kidney, heart and lung disease, last night, January 4th, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Nick Blagona was in fact Nicolai Nicolaiavich Blagonadegny, of Russian/Prussian heritage.

Nick Blagona is survived by me, Alex Blagona, his wife Joanne Blagona and granddaughter Lilia Blagona all of Ipswich, UK and Anna Blagona and granddaughter Mila Blagona of Toronto, Ontario Canada.

There will be no funeral, to Nick’s wishes.

However he hopes folks who cared will gather and make music together, tell stories, play tunes Nick helped record, raise a glass or smoke a wee bit of him in the Spring, close to his birthday in May, at HALO STUDIO on Augusta St. in downtown Hamilton, thanks to Marcone Music.

Nick Blagona, Uncle Nick, Big Nick, The Tone Guru lived a large life and created a Body of world-class musical output that was magic in both quality and quantity. Nick leaves a legacy so few achieve. Thank you

Media stories: 

• Hamilton Spectator
• 2013 Interview with CHCH
• FYI Music News
• Canadian Musician
• Billboard
• Ultimate Classic Rock
• Guitar.com
• Society of Rock

More comments:

• Roger Glover of Deep Purple
• Michael Lee Jackson's blog.

Here are a few reactions from social media, we will post more when we find them.

Cootes Paradise

It is with profound sadness that we must announce that our beloved friend and record producer, Nick Blagona died last night. We will miss him terribly, and vow to finish the project we started together a few months ago. It was very important to him. We send our deepest condolences to his beautiful and devoted wife, Mary-Jane Russell.

Lily Sazz (Cootes Paradise)

My heart is broken over the loss of my dear friend, Nick Blagona, who died last night. I am among the lucky individuals who called him a close friend. My last visit with him on Wednesday was more than 2 hours of sharing laughter, stories, and deep thoughts of successes and regrets. My husband Paul and I will miss him terribly, and I weep as I write this. Mary-Jane Russell, his wife, showed such love and devotion throughout all of this, and I can only pray that there is some relief together with the grief, knowing that Nick is now free.

Lily also made and posted this video.



Video above courtesy of Lily Sazz

 Dale Harrison (Headstones drummer)

Sad New in Rock History today. Legendary Rock N Roll producer & Engineer Nick Blagona has passed away. RIP.

Nick; I want to thank you for the amazing music you produced through the years, your resume is nothing short of incredible. I remember meeting you in the early 90's taking on a spec project with "Paradise Alley" My first opportunity to work with one of the greats, an you where so freaking cool , Me: are we going to use a click for this track ? .... You : why is your time that bad? Ha .. yah it turned out to be a hell of a track.. thank you for that brother! Also in that time I had the privilege to meet your lovely wife MJ, you two are such an awesome couple always kind and always had encouraging things to say to me which helped me get to where I am. Gracias! Through the years we stayed in touch and kept running into each other, from Ian Gillan's Deep Purple concerts, Tea Party recordings in Metal Werks, while I was tracking with Headstones and later mastering for us. Most recent collaboration with Tommy Grasley. I wish the circumstances were different but with life comes death. You where loved by all who know you and the work you have done is timeless art that will be appreciated forever! Until we meet again brother. Love and respect .

Bill Dillon

Last words from a man last night with a recording history that others could only dream of, and many in the business of recording, with the highest credentials, hold in esteem and reverence the body of work Nick left behind, a quick look at his discography would reveal many hundreds of famous albums, artists and hit singles too long to list here, but we've All heard them thru our lives.

I worked on only two relatively small projects with Nick and throughout those short weeks the stories and experiences he would share were also the stuff dreams are made of.
Nick helped make dreams come true for soo many artists globally, it's no stretch to say he left behind a major portion of what we've come to know as the recording industry,he was a key figure in its on going success. I'll take a chance here to speak on behalf of all of us in the business around the world in wishing him God bless and thank you Nick.

Duane Rutter

Nick mixed and mastered my 2015 album Crazy Things and I was over the moon to have him do it. Not only was Nick is a legend who will be dearly missed, but he was a helluva great guy.

Mary, our family and I wish to extend our most heartfelt condolences to the wonderful Mary-Jane Russell as well as all of Nick’s family and many friends. 

Patricia Lynn (Buckshot) Bebee

Thank you Nick for giving everything you've got to our musical community. I will be forever grateful that you mixed and mastered "Merchants of Youth" and for suggesting I go on tour with Nina Haugen - lol. You got me and I was so lucky to have gotten to know you...read your silly jokes and know that we just lost a genious! Your spirit will live on......may you rest in peace. Love Lynn. 

TommyGunn

Nick Blagona. A LEGEND.
I was fortunate to work with Nick a number of times. He was funny and brilliant. I loved hearing his stories. His mix and mastering was both genius and magical.

Nick was a generous man. One evening he introduced me to Deep Purple in Hamilton. As we were being introduced, my friend Tom Browner and I experienced the true Love of brothers and true friends when Ian Gillian, Nick and Mary-Jane we’re reunited. You could feel the love.Looking back it was the last time they would see each other after Decades of work. Our favourite songs.

He was “The Tone Guru.”
Nick, I will miss you. Until we meet again,
Keep on ROCKIN. XO 

Blast from the Past: Nick Wins 2016 Hamilton Music Award

Links: Nick Blagona, More Nick Blagona Stories, Videos above courtesy of Bridge The Atlantic

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Happy International Cello Day ft videos by Loretta Hale

Links: The Dill, Video above courtesy of The Dill



Links: Justin Sawicki, More Justin Sawicki Stories, Video above courtesy of justinsawicki



Links: Andre Bisson, More Andre Bisson stories, More Van Morrison Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Andre Bisson



Links: Stephanie Coldwell-Anderson, Video above courtesy of StephanieRiann

Links: Loretta Hale, More Loretta Hale Stories, More Cello Days Videos

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Merry Christmas! Videos by Big Rude Jake, Kauffey Temple, Jeremy Fisher, Mike Daley, Nathan Fleet, Walk Off the Earth

Links: Big Rude Jake, More Big Rude Jake Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers



Links: Mo' Kauffey, More Mo' Kauffey Stories, Video above courtesy of Paul Pengelly



Links: Jeremy Fisher, More Jeremy Fisher Stories, Video above courtesy of jeremyfishermusic



Links: Mike Daley, More Mike Daley Stories, Video above courtesy of Mike Daley



Links: Nathan Fleet, More Nathan Fleet Stories, Video above courtesy of Nathan Fleet



Links: Walk Off The Earth, More WOTE Stories, Video above courtesy of Walk Off the Earth

Click here for more Christmas stuff

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Hamilton's Danny Medakovic Has Something for Everyone on New CD

Very few songwriters around can match Danny Medakovic's skill and diversity. His latest album, The Years offers a variety of tastes for the discerning Folk/Americana connoisseur. From country drinking songs, political commentary, historical tales, soulful emotional laments and beyond, Dan has something for everyone. He even throws in some touches of  reggae, blues and more to spice things up.

Dan's lyrical storytelling is second to none as the songs veer from poetic to whimsical to impassioned and more. Each tune tells a wonderfully-told tale and has its own unique spirit.

Aiding Dan is great group of musicians, including Alan Hinckley (bass), Michael Scott (drums), Chris Altmann (pedal steel), Denis Keldie (keyboard), Geoff Ball (cello), Mark Volkov of Cootes Paradise (sax), Les Smith (harmonica) and Mike Trebilcock (background vocals).

CDs,Vinyl and downloads are available at his live shows at through his Bandcamp page. As an amazing bonus, the recording also includes a songbook with lyrics, chords and comments.

You can stream the album below.

Blast from the Past: Danny's previous album

Links: Danny Medakovic, More Dan Medakovic Stories, More Releases

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News Roundup (Myriad, Hayley Verrall, Michelle Titian, Passings)

November 2019 episode of Sold on Hamilton
with Judy Marsales ft Michelle Titian

Links: Michelle Titian, More Michelle Titian Stories, Sold on Hamilton, More Sold on Hamilton Episodes

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News

Local

• CHCH Video: Myriad, Hayley Verrall
• Inside Halton: Oakville violinist Leslie Ashworth
• Nov 2019 issue of Libretto (Hamilton Musicans' Guild)
• Hamilton Folk Club supporter Richard Gordon Shaw passes
• Milton Champion Readers' Choice Awards
• New Jason Raso blog: Tonequest
• Local Canadian Folk Music Award Nominees + Full Nominee List
• Hamilton Blues Lovers Turns 11

Hamilton Spectator

• Stoney Creek's Carly Paradis 10-year journey to Royal Albert Hall
• Hamilton Philharmonic finances back on track
• James Bryan McCollum of Prozzak (a Hamilton connection)

Canada

• John Mann (Spirit of the West) Passes
  
  
  
  Links: Spirit of the West, More Spirit of the West Stories, Video above courtesy of EveryDayMusicTV
  
  
• Dec 2019 issue of Maple Blues Newsletter

Passings

• Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson
• Doors studio bassist Doug Lubahn

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Adventures of Trebleclef, the Music-Loving Monkey

Trebleclef' attending the Gore Park Christmas Tree Lighting featuring music by the great Big Rude Jake Band.

Click here for more pictures from the event

MORE NEWS ROUNDUPS

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New Album from Kitchener's Jesse Parent is Rootsy Folk at It's Finest

Kitchener's Jesse Parent is back with another remarkable album, Somedays, Tomorrows, and Best Laid Plans. This is rootsy folk at it's finest with a warm, welcoming feel.

Jesse's incredible lyricism is on full display here as he sings about every day life and the human condition. His resonant voice draws the listener into his musical stories and gives them a unique experience. H also does a great job of covering the Paul Simon classic, You Can Call Me Al.

Joining Jesse on this outstanding recording is Emily Barkley (vocals), Matt Lima (bass), Mike Erb (drums) and Steve Wood (pedal steel guitar, dobro).

You can pick this phenomenal recording at his live shows, his online store and cdbaby. It's also available at most streaming services.







More Paul Simon Covers/Stories

Blast from the Past: Jesse's Previous Album

Links: Jesse Parent, More Jesse Parent Stories, More Releases, Videos above courtesy of Jesse Parent

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Happy Violin Day w Avalon String Trio (ft Jenn Tufgar)

Links: Jenn Tufgar (violin), Steve Parton (guitar) and Trina Nedeau (cello), videos above courtesy of Luteplayer1111, More Violin Day Stories

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Marz Garage Season 5 Kicks off with Lots of Local Videos (Jacob Moon, Alex Whorms, Motëm, Elise Arsenault)

The Marz Garage YouTube video series (from Marz Homes) is back for Season 5. Quite a lot of local performances have been added to this wonderful page in the last few months.



Links: Jacob Moon, More Jacob Moon Stories, Click here for the video above



Links: Alex Whorms, More Alex Whorms Stories, Click here for the video above



Links: Motem, Click here for the video above



Links: Elise Arsenault, Click here for the video above

Links: More Marz Garage Stories, Videos above courtesy of Marz Homes

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Hamilton Blues Lovers Turns 11 Today!

The Hamilton Blues Lovers is 11 years old today (November 29, 2019).

A word from Lou, our blogger:

With the hustle and bustle of last year's 10th anniversary celebration, it was nice to have a more laid back year of music and fun!. Looking forward to another year of great local music! I'd like to thank my wife Linda for all her hard work and support for the site. I LOVE YOU!

Links: Rodrigo y Gabriela, Video above courtesy of Because Music

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