August 2025
https://torontobluessociety.com/august-2025-loose-blues-news/
Singer/songwriter keyboard player, Lily Sazz, (former WBR bandleader) is nearing the finish line recording her first solo album. The last session is scheduled six months almost to the day from when the first beds were laid with Hamilton bassist Carrie Clark and drummer Robin Pirson, with an autumn release expected. “Robin and Carrie laid a solid foundation with me, and then it was such a treat to be able to dream up exactly what instrument I wanted to feature (besides me) on the first three tracks. It was such an enjoyable process that I decided to keep going with the concept. I took a leap of faith and asked some of my favourite people, and not one hesitated to say yes. I am really touched by the generosity of these giant talents. They all met my ‘pie in the sky’ wish list and add a lot of colours and interesting sounds to the songs. I even had Jack Pedler (Teenage Head) on cowbell, and Scotty Bakalar on güiro.”

The 10-song album features a who’s who of well-known musicians on individual tracks as guests. A few sessions had to be done remotely, like Colin Linden beaming slide guitar in from Nashville, Harry Manx singing and adding slide from Salt Spring Island, Steve Marriner on harmonica from the comfort of his home, and folk group Boreal (Katherine Wheatley, Tannis Slimmon, and Angie Nussey) with 3-part harmonies at their scattered locations around Ontario. Trombone Charlotte and Suzie Vinnick (guitar and vocals) made it down to Dundas in person, and Darcy Hepner (sax, formerly with Blood Sweat and Tears) enjoyed the hang at the private studio Sazz jokingly calls “an undisclosed location”. Recent sessions featured Mike Branton on guitar, along with Scott Apted and Wayne DeAdder, and coming up are Colina Phillips and Jill Zadeh (Jeliz). “I’m excited about the session with Colina and Jill, as they’ve never met, but both have sung with the world’s best, and they both live here in my town”. Jill, who is from the U.S., but lives in Dundas (neighbours with Lily) toured with Janet Jackson for years, and sang with many other stars during her years in L.A. Colina is part of Canada’s rich music history having sung on records by Bryan Adams, Anne Murray, Alice Cooper, etc. She was also a member of The Tiaras with Jackie Richardson.