International Jazz Banjo Newsletter

At the recent FIGA convention in Bay City, Michigan, both Roy Hill and I were concerned to hear that Borgy Borgerson had developed a `trigger finger.’ As most in the banjo world know, Borgy has been for many decades, not only a great tenor banjoist but also, a wonderful entertainer. It’s not often that someone comes along with both of those skills but certainly Borgy has been such an artist. Although slated to play on stage sometime during the FIGA convention, understandably he decided at the last moment not to risk performing unless he could be at his very best especially since he would have been playing in front of hundreds of people and other fellow musicians. Although he made that decision, I must admit, Borgy did do some excellent jamming with many other great musicians in the vendor rooms and hallways of the hotel during the convention weekend.
In a discussion with Roy Hill during FIGA, Roy explained that Borgy would be staying at his place in London for a few days, then passing through Toronto, prior to heading back home to Vancouver.
Roy suggested that with his son’s large backyard in Mississauga, perhaps we could organize a tribute to Borgy, in the form of a `jam’ session and a barbeque for Toronto Banjo Band (TBB) current and past members, along with musicians from the Toronto area that had played with Borgy throughout the years. Since Borgy was now living in British Columbia, we realized that we must take advantage of this unique opportunity, while he is in Ontario. So, with only three days to pull this event together, Wednesday, July 25, 2006 was selected.
Upon my return to Toronto from Bay City, I quickly sent out e-mails to all the current and past TBB musicians. In addition, Roy Hill made some calls to fellow musicians, along with securing his son’s place in Mississauga for the party. The response was excellent especially by those of us that had known Borgy for many decades. Most of us had heard Borgy play over the years at the old Nickelodeon opposite the Eaton Centre in Toronto as well as at Diamond Lil’s in the Skyline Hotel near Toronto Pearson International Airport. This was an excellent opportunity to hear him once again as well as give tribute to his contribution to many of us in the banjo world who still live in Southern Ontario.
Upon arriving at Corey and Jeffrey Hill’s (Roy Hill’s daughter-in-law and son) home, everyone was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful venue. With temperatures in the mid 20’s, the backyard was wonderfully inviting, with a huge deck and a very large well-grassed backyard with towering trees. Although the party was slated to begin anytime after 2:00 pm, most attendees seemed to arrive sometime around 4:00 pm. With such a short notice, many of us unfortunately had former commitments earlier in the day.
For the first hour or so, revisiting with `old friends’ along with a few new ones, was the priority. Then finally Mel Collie prodded me to get some music going beginning with Borgy. I began with explaining how Mel and I had met Borgy some thirty-seven years earlier and a bit of Borgy’s history performing in the Toronto area over that time. Jamie MacPherson also provided some very kind words following me.
Then I introduced Borgy asking him to perform for the audience since this party was for him and his lovely wife Eunice. Well even at 80 years young, Borgy played and sounded just like the `good ole days.’
He gave his `trigger’ finger hell a couple of times verbally, but Borgy being as good as he is, well, I certainly didn’t notice any problem. Also playing along with him for this session was Doug Burrell. Doug was a member of Borgy’s band for many years and still plays an excellent tuba. Joining him as well was Jimmy Purdy on the washboard and clarinet as well as Ernie Mee on bass guitar. Well in addition to Borgy’s `smoothness’ on his modified Gibson Mastertone (partially a TB 250 & TB 500), Jimmy’s rhythm on his washboard with his `metal fingers’, Coney Island Washboard was played to perfection. Of course, Jimmy also added some bells, whistles and chimes during the song finishing off with the uncovering of `MOM’ and `WOW’ towels over the washboard. And just to round things off, we all received a few squirts of water from his squeeze bottle. Did we get a little wet? Yep. Did we laugh? Of course!!! Rounding off the performance was Ernie who played the bass with his usual impeccable precision. After about forty minutes of Borgy playing, he gave thanks to all of us who attended and, I think I might have seen a few tears from him.
Then we moved on to hear many of the other great musicians attending the barbeque. In no particular order, Roy Hill with backup from his bass player, Leon Ross, gave us some great tunes from `over there.’ I was certainly surprised for along with Roy’s tenor banjo skills, I never realized just how proficient he was on a banjo ukulele. I would say that he was as good as Mel but I better be careful and not do any sort of a comparison since both are great artists. Mel then provided some great `Formby’ banjo ukulele tunes along with his well timed jokes. We were also treated to songs on the same instrument by Steve Penny, Mel’s friend from Halifax. Steve had performed wonderfully at FIGA and this evening was no different giving us a tremendously professional sound. Way to go Steve.
Then it was Jamie MacPherson’s turn to shine and someone who is undoubtedly a very talented and versatile banjoist. His rendition of Bye Bye Blues turned what is often viewed as an overplayed number, into one of the best I’ve ever heard. Certainly Jamie’s tremolo and chord-fills are a treat in hemselves.
Then Jamie’s wife Joy who plays accordion, joined in with him and what a wonder musical team they made with some excellent harmony between their instruments.
Then finally after doing a few excellent songs on his own, Jim Groulx, Musical Director for the TBB, then led the few of us through a few numbers that we play at our TBB performances. Present and playing along with Jim leading us, were Sally Carroll on plectrum, Dave Robinson on tenor along with his vocals, Grace Longfield another tenorist and yours truly on tenor banjo. One thing about our performance without comparing to the previous acts was that we were surely able to make the claim of being the loudest.
During this time, we also had a strong audience supporting all of the acts. Lillian - Roy’s wife, Eunice – Borgy’s wife, Jo-Ann – Ernie’s wife, Jean Jolliffe – a former banjoist with the TBB and still a strong financial supporter and finally Gerry Pederson whose home was used for the initial TBB meeting in 1986 and many TBB rehearsals after that. Also present with not only her support of the music, was Karen Wharry, Seamus’s mother. She was `the cook’ for the barbeque and did a superb job with the sirloin burgers. I understand that Seamus was hoping to be there but unfortunately, those of us that are not retired still have to work for a living.
Also giving her regrets was our 84 years young (yes, she’s proud of her age) Doris Potter. Doris had called me and expressed great disappointment at not being able to attend as she and May Knudson (also a former TBB member) had a previous engagement that could not be altered.
At about 9:30 p.m. as the mosquitoes came to life, the party wrapped up. It was definitely an emotional event for all of us and especially for Borgy and Eunie who were honoured for their wonderful contributions to the banjo world. Undoubtedly it was a fantastic evening to be remembered. And once again, a big thank you has to be made to Corey and Jeffrey Hill for allowing us to use their home for the event, along with appreciation for Roy Hill’s efforts to make this event happen.
Article by Glen Midgley – Toronto Banjo Band