Belinda Brady

After a power outage that began on Friday from a whack of lightning that hit a neighbour's tree, and then subsequently, a small transformer at the top of the hydro pole right next to it, Saturday proved be a banner day!

A trip to the beautiful town of Kleinburg for their first annual Jazz Festival, featuring 'our' very own Belinda Brady, and Toya Alexis. Belinda was introduced by her manager, Farley Flex, probably the reason why Canada has the burgeoning urban music industry it has today ... original musical director of FLOW 93.5, always on the lookout to discover, develop and promote up-and-coming talent, Canadian Idol judge, etc. etc. Nice guy!

Belinda opened up the festival, and took the stage with passion and energy ... what a great job! With a back-up singer, her 'Chinese-Jamaican' guitarist :), Ashley on keyboards, the sound was perfect for the absolutely cloudless, blue sky of a day. A little bit of Nat 'King' Cole, a little Bread, and some tunes from her Naked CD -- including the single I Cried which is currently getting play on Mix 99.9 -- all in all a very impressive set. Talent, professionalism, stage presence, a two-time Juno nominee(!), even a pedigree to boot. Keep an eye on this one ... :)

What followed was a leisurely stroll around Kleinburg with the gals, a little shopping, and a stop at the Doctor's House for martinis & pesce. Ok, the incident with the 'killer pinecone out to bring someone down' we could have lived without, but the 'Giuliana belly dancing' was a moment to remember.

And, listening to Belinda's CD on the way home, well, the drive down the 400 never sounded so good.

Stay tuned for more photos from the show ...

Oh, ya, we got power back by about 6:30 Saturday night.