Vague Recollections of the Blue Note Cafe

08/16/2026

Small World, Biggest Star repost
I've mentioned this story many many times, it never gets tired.
A real genuine legend Long John Baldry, spent a summer one weekend working Broadways, in the Hotel Fort Garry. Soooo you have to imagine the worlds most famous, most flamboyant 6 foot 7 lead singer ever, with Cathy McDonald, a legend herself in tow every night tumbling in late.

If i remember correctly local guitar wizard Laurie Koyle, Baldry's side guy and Harlequin original guitar player, flew in late and needed a guitar. Does not make a difference what kind "ELECTRIC, 6 STRINGS!" I remember him ripping it up at the Cafe on that guitar he just met AND warming up for the Broadways shows with a dinner sets on the old Kawi electric piano with me airbrushing on the Camcos.

UNREAL

08/10/2026

Burton Cummings Repost

Seeing the Burton Cummings' posts brings back memories of the 3 hour, 3 am set that his band the "Carpet Frogs" laid down, with Burton tearing it up on the old Kawi e- piano.

In between 40 or so Billboard hits, including 4 or 5 international #1 chart toppers, 35 tunes you knew the words to, incredible stories of being on tour with Elton John, Ringo Star and of course, Winnipeg stories.

Were you at that incredible show?

Did you go to ST. John's High school with Burton?

Do you remember the CJOB music trivia talk show hosted by Burton Cummings and Gary McLean?

07/26/2026

Rollie Wilder and the Jung Intelligencia played the Blue Note Cafe several times. Blue Moon is a recording from their last set. I will let Ken tell the story.

Rollie had a life well lived. Worked the fields during the depression, was a band leader and POW guard in the Second World War. Leader of the B Deck Band on the Queen Mary, when the ocean liner went back to civilian trans-Atlantic transportation.

Later he was a part of a acapella group performing live shows and recording radio spots. Returning to Winnipeg in the 1960's, Rollie was the lead in the Rainbow Stage production of Buttons and Bows.
Years later, Rollie was working at the Robert Fletcher Building as a narrator, recording audio books for the Province of Manitoba. Jung Intelligencia drummer, Craig Koshyck, worked as a summer tape operator. I (Ken) was picking Craig up from work and he introduced me to Rollie. Rollie said he would like to try and sing with us kids. It went well.

07/08/2026

With the Folk Festival around the corner there are a lot of stories popping up. The Dummies playing Main Stage. volunteering at the dance stage for years and getting "Special Guest" passes later in the Cafe's run.

No other memory has faded to the warm glow that having a workshop, inspired by The Cafe, called "BREAKFAST AT THE BLUE NOTE", gives me. An 11 am workshop hosted by The Blues Puppies and featured regular Blue Note performers.

What an honour to be a clog (lol) in that wheel.

07/05/2026

07/05/2026

One Life Nightlife

07/05/2026

When it's really hot out, you can increase your coolness by wearing a Blue Note Cafe T-Shirt. Send us a message for details and Canada Post will deliver some relief from the heat.

07/01/2026

Ken and I wish everyone a safe but still fun day.

06/28/2026

GO CANADA!