Sax Jackson at the Osprey

The band’s latest CD release, ‘Comfort Food’ has been nominated for a 2008 East Coast Music Award. From swing jazz to rhythmic blues to rock’n’roll, The Good Rockin’ Daddys serve up a wide menu of tunes both on ‘Comfort Food’ and in concert. And all of it is good time music.

Reviewer Eric Thom says this is one of the year’s “most surprising and, ultimately, rewarding releases… the brainchild of award-winning Tenor Sax stalwart Shirley Jackson and her handpicked crew, comprised of the cream of the Maritime blues and jazz crops.”

The horn section is Dawn Hatfield—who cut her musical teeth with the Johnny Favourite Swing Orchestra—on baritone, Dave Harrison on trumpet and flugelhorn, Rob MacIntosh on tenor and Shirley Jackson herself on tenor sax. Jackson won a 2003 Maple Blues Award for Horn Player of the Year following the band’s release of its first CD, ‘Careful What You Ask For,’ also nominated for an ECMA.

Backing Sax Jackson’s horn section are names familiar to fans of blues and East Coast music in general like Brad Conrad—also from Johnny Favourite, but also formerly with the very successful Mat Mays and El Torpedo—on guitar and on piano and organ Barry Cooke who has shared the stage with the likes of Pinetop Perkins. Rounding out the ensemble are two East Coast music scene regulars, Gary Potts on drums and Jef James Wirchenko on bass.

This is the first concert of the year in the Osrpey’s Down Home Music Series, which will feature the Gina Symonds Rec Room Jam on May 10 (performing with this Shelburne County recording artist will be Texas Flood from Yarmouth and the Sears from the Barrington area, as well as many more of Gina’s musical friends), the Demolitor Family’s On the Front Porch Party on June 21, Music at the Camp with the Buchanan Family on July 5 and Mike Elliott’s Kitchen Party on Aug. 23. Also watch for JP Cormier, Matt Andersen and the Hupman Brothers in the fall.

Tickets for Shirley Jackson and Her Good Rockin’ Daddys at the Osprey on Saturday, May 3 are $17 adult and $5 for student. To reserve a table, drop by or call the Whirligig Book Shop at 902-875-1117. Tickets are also available at the door. Check out the Osprey’s web site any time to find out what’s coming up at Shelburne County’s Arts Centre at ospreyartscentre.com.