Downchild Blues Band featuring Jane Vasey

Jane Vasey was one heck of a piano player as you can see.

[@ohara89]

I have a hard time thinking of Downchild without Jane even after all these years. Knowing Donnie and the band, I can't imagine the feeling of their loss. Damn, miss you Jane.

[@wookisuki]

Wow ! Who can ever forget the EL Mocambo, used to drive all the way from Cobourg to see and listen to Jane and the Band , and got trapped in a blizzard on the way back home ! God ! it was sooooo worth it !

[@johnfaulkner7833]

I drove from Belleville to see her and the band play the Mocambo; plus the band played the Mad Mechanic Bar in the city. Class band and she was a class act. Gone WAY too soon.

[@TheEditorgy]

I saw Jane perform at a Midwest folk concert and she blew me away. She ignited the audience , the old performers from New Orleans where smiling from ear to ear. she was glowing and beautiful and six months later she was gone. I know how her band members felt.

[@Bluesphan]

Wow... 50 odd words and I'm reduced to tears. Thanks for sharing.... great memory for you to treasure!

[@santamara]

Wow! Simply sensational! Jane is missed! Beautiful spine tingling post! Thank you! R.I.P. Jane Vasey Peter and Downchild, always amazing!

[@TheBCBuddy]

Jane Vasey and Peter Appleyard, amazing Canadian Icons.

[@kbatao]

I had the biggest crush on Jane.Met her in Calgary when we both did a gig at the uptown Ranchmans.If it was called that then.Beautiful and super talented.

[@timothyboles3009]

Downchild always rocked the house! Good times! Great tunes! Jane Vasey is just smokin' Love it!

[@lyonsjl]

I'd like to add my thanks for posting this as well. Unless I'm mistaken, the tune is "For Pete's Sake" and was only ever released on a greatest hits album. I was fortunate enough to interview Ms Vasey when I had a blues show at CFMU radio at McMaster University after Downchild opened for the Cars (of all bands). Id always been in awe of her talent but was amazed at how warm, sweet and humble she was. I love the look of pure joy on her face in this video when trading riffs with Appleyard.

[@bignsmall6]

Goddamn, could Jane play a mean Piano ! This band should have been bigger ! RIP Jane !!

[@edwardsalley1248]

Seen her many times at live shows. Beautiful girl marvelous piano player. Tragically gone way to soon. RIP Jane.

[@Garnog404]

Virtuoso blues player, and a beautiful woman as well. I am in awe.

[@timnan53]

i just seen a documentary on Downchild and i had to look up Jane Vasey, amazing video, thankyou , what a talent, i just do not know what to say about her, just amazing to listen and see her

[@seniorsurveyor]

WOW!!! That is an awesome 88! I had not heard of her before but I sold now.

[@MrTikka1950]

@vingchick A very big thank you. This find staggered me.I vacillated for various insignificant reasons and never saw Jane perform live. I caught up at the 'But I'm on the guest list" recording session. Shotgun Blues (Jane, this one's for you...) broke me up.I moved from Toronto to Sydney Australia in 1988. I now have an 11 year old daughter .You should have seen her eyes light up when I showed her this clip of Jane. The beat and memory goes on thanks to you. Mike

[@scottcummings2173]

RIP Janey. Used to love to hear her at Desperados in Georgetown and The Psyche Delly in Bethesda, Maryland. None better....ever!

[@edwardsalley5287]

Jane Vasey amazing talent. Downchild the best Canadian blues band ever. Been big fan since the beginning in 1969.

[@frankieglickman1036]

Jane was one of my favourite childhood friends, and we stayed friends until we lost her. I will miss her forever.

[@zaenkmus]

That is so sad, my condolences. My mom, who was an amazing classical pianist from Winnipeg, passed away recently and I remember her mentioning her decades ago and I was always moved by her early passing. A great talent as evidenced here. R.I.P

[@Juliasblues]

Jane sure had it !!....she was so approachable and down to earth too....Damn, those were the Days !!! Saturday Dixieland Jazz Matinee at Grossman's, then across to The El Mocambo for some Downchild......Hot !

[@rickmanjames]

i just can't stop watching this

[@stellaercolani3810]

She was do incredible and beautiful. Died so young. Rip angel...

[@gregsbest]

Yes, love that video. Tx for this. Remember them well. Jane sure had that charisma- if the crowd was sleepy, or too laid back- she would step up from the piano walk around in front of it , and then start clapping with the beat- man! THEN the crowd would then pay attention !! She was/ is a class act. I'd like to know a female player that now plays like her ! This is one of the best videos on KZbin.com . Thank You. Can't see it enough...Gk.

[@chrisdimson]

@wookisuki yes i remember in 78 or 79 we went to the elmo every night for 1 week to see downchild with jane an tony flaim every night 7 days straight/they were great,jane was very approachable and down to earth.would love to go back in time and do it again!!!

[@ronmercer7766]

I remember watching this show as a summer replacement on CBC. First time I heard Downchild and have been a fan since.

[@liveclassictunes]

What a beauty Jane was... god bless her.

[@333chalmers]

She's trying to keep the 88s straight! I love that band, and Jane is a hero. Thanks so much.

[@habackuk]

I can't tell you how happy I am that this was recorded and saved for posterity. Jane Vasey....

[@dm7b5]

You would never see this on today's tightly formatted TV with everything so short and timed. What a great moment. I am off to learn some of these licks right now- but there will only ever be one Jane. Bless her.

[@ulpana]

Such a revealing comment both honoring such a rare and short-lived major artist of keys (Jane Vasey's classical and Euro-centric rigid upbringing went into one funky yet imaginative whole musical visionary and playful spirit, Jane Vasey, Z"L Rest In Play), while also noting with great insight @dm7b5 : "You would never see this on today's tightly formatted TV with everything so short and timed. What a great moment. I am off to learn some of these licks right now- but there will only ever be one Jane. Bless her." That is an observation one comes across in the best of the Mass Comm essayists with often even more awakening variations. Like Neil Postman, Z"L Rest In Playful Thought who taught at the neighborhood college of my well-spent Flushing yoot, Queens College, City University of NY. That goes double for down here in Pay2Play United States of Amnesia with our cookie cutter formatting of the world's perhaps greatest technological innovation in mass communications and community building: radio then television now Cyberian platforms to support broadcasting that has barely been in the service of Public Interest having so soon been auctioned off to the highest Private Interest bidder and buried in Neo-Liberal\Neo-Con\Perma Daddy Warbucks E-CON Profit Maximizing bid-net modeling.... Sans competition as the corporate capture shows anyone willing to look and analyze with a bit of Critical Theory of Communications thrown in. Can somebody name all the players in this combo? Mitch Ritter\Paradigm Sifters, Code Shifters, PsalmSong Chasers Lay-Low Studios, Ore-Wa (Refuge of Atonement Seekers) Media Discussion List\\LookseeInnerEarsHearHere

[@thisisdoc]

Awesome ... thanks so much for this video. It brought tears to my eyes. The world lost an awesome person and artist.

[@liveclassictunes]

One of the most beautiful pianists ever... amazing player and her beauty mesmerized me.

[@stellaercolani3810]

I saw Jane play also. Extraordinary!

[@manoftoba]

Unbelievably fantastic and awsome piano playing. WOW Number one in my book. Thanks for posting this. I had to check it out after watching the special on TV.

[@theresastephens1649]

Jane Vasey - brilliant. Saw her a number of times. Truly amazing!

[@mr20222022]

Great Video! Met her briefly so many years ago and was such a nice person as well as a great piano player!! Thanks for posting

[@LarryAndRissa]

Thanks sooooooo very much for posting this. Jane was truly one of the best! Larry.

[@andrewmoodie1]

This is probably my #1 alltime most favourite KZbin video, I mean it. And it gives me goosebumps too. I'm sorry I never saw Jane play, but I saw Peter play a few times, first time was when I was a kid and he was with Benny Goodman in Ottawa, he was an amazing player and a great showman.

[@wolleysegap9740]

What is the name of this song, I must have it ! Is it on CD ?

[@MsOakville]

She was always great. Loved watching her play and saw here many times at the Elmo

[@jaded0017]

seen her perform several times...fantastic...gone too soon... RIP Jane

[@dukenukem3568]

I was lucky enough to see Jane play a couple of times and every time was a treat as she was pure magic on those keys and could really get a place jumping. I still love those Downchild's recording with her letting fly with the magic.

[@ricksmerage]

Got to play a duet with her years ago in the Genosha Hotel Oshawa -Amazing time

[@tgooding]

Every time I need a 'pick me up' I come and watch this video. It's great :)

[@ricksmerage]

I had the experience of playing a duet with her in the Genosha Hotel -Oshawa -Ont. and later with the Band at night. She was the best Boogiewoogie player in the Country, if not the world !!

[@macplumber]

I used to see her play in the bars in Halifax back in the late 70's and early 80's. Mosty at the Misty moon. Great Band!

[@abjectt5440]

The Misty Moon. I'm 69 you must be close to me. lol

[@peterbroad6885]

Ah, the Misty Moon. Always changing locations, kept bringing in major Blues acts. Saw Muddy Waters, Edgar Winter, Long John Baldry along with great Maritime bands , Matt , Dutchie and Sam Moon amongst others. I was an ' Upper Canadian ', going to SMU, only there for 2 years, best music and bar scene in Canada. If you weren't at the bar on Saturday by 1 pm, had to wait in line. Alot of bar names elude me, remember Midtown Tavern, Privateers, My Apartment.

[@kenobrienable]

@@peterbroad6885 Saw them at The Moon in 81 and at The Fleet Club.Did My Navy Training in Halifax.Good Times.

[@flimnap4841]

Awesome.

[@HereToday25]

thanks so much for posting this, I used to see them play in the 70s when I lived in Toronto. Jane was the best!!!

[@joesmith6366]

love watching this sill[[[ never gets old

[@stellaercolani3810]

Saw Jane too. Brilliant rip.

[@maureensmith3488]

Saw her play at the old misty moon if Halifax, she was unreal !

[@wildwolf4657]

WOW ...Man ....Them keys are on fire

[@kerrylee101]

Totally awesome!!!

[@papadmitri]

I knew her in Winnipeg and she (at least once) played at Cinema 3 on Ellis Avenue accompanying the old silent movies they sometimes showed there. Amazing performer -wonderful person -gone too soon. She seems to come alive again watching these You tube treasures!!

[@garyungurain6284]

9

[@papadmitri]

@@garyungurain6284 What do you mean by "9"? I'm confused.. Let me know what you meant by that . I'm curious.

[@thisisdoc]

WOW! I keep returning time and time again to watch Jane *tickle those ivories* The album is * So Far* and the name of the track is "For Pete's Sake" You can download the track from iTunes or do what I did ... buy the album :) Once again thank you so much for posting this video. There was also another video (from the CBC) and the series was called "The After School Special". I remember watching the show and saw Downchild Blues Band on one of its broadcast ... It also featured Jane as well ...

[@wolleysegap9740]

Thank you ! I must have Jane's playing. Is it still in print ?

[@pandas231]

Finally found this after looking for it a few times. Love it!

[@secordman]

Great to see this again. Thanks a lot for this, this is the true spirit of music.

[@damonhines8187]

Joy! Monster players, playing off and pushing each other, enrapt in the buzz and thrill.

[@bluesdoor]

This is how you play Boogie Woogie wow Jane rocks the house and what a Great drummer & bass player is right on her. On a really piano even more mind blowing.. Who's on Bass?

[@geeky311]

GOD REST HER SOUL CAUSE THIS LADY HAD SOUL MAN

[@JusWickedmax]

i fell in love again.

[@gerrymatthews7898]

Is that Peter Appleyard on the vibes? What great chemistry between him and Jane.

[@DazyDaye]

if anyone has a clip or mp3 of jane doing her "trying to keep my 88"s straight" pleeeaase post it.........I just love the way she did that song ............ we miss you Jane..............

[@Canaderek]

"For Pete's Sake" and "Caledonia" by Downchild are two of my all-time favorite songs. Thanks a lot, pal!

[@wookisuki]

@brakedancer2007 I too loved her doing this song, I wish also i owned a clip of her performing it . Saw her do it in person . Next best , I have the CD of her doing this song , and Doc doing "Stagger Lee ' !!! LLoyds Auction House in England couldn't buy this CD from me

[@rrider993]

Damm...She made playing that look Just So Easy! That's when you know it's almost magical. We sure miss those old Toronto hotels, beer parlours and Bars...most always with live bands.

[@tonsoftits]

AMAZING!!! Gave me goosebumps!!

[@douglasnewman8918]

That is so cool. wish I had been there.

[@ielts-Pro-Online]

i had such a crush on her

[@rottenronnieful]

Jane was and is the greatest.

[@AraGuitar]

love the xylophone

[@audiogod15]

Best left hand I've ever seen. Bar none! Gone far too soon.

[@stewartoaks267]

refreshing indeed thanksw

[@bigpianoguy]

I had the rare opportunity of recording with Peter Appleyard & also playing live with him at Toronto's Skydome; truly a musician's musician. I could just watch & listen to him play for hours. And in the studio, just like Moe Koffman - always 'got it' on the first take...

[@charliek4190]

Wonderful

[@margaretross9150]

Wow!

[@flimnap4841]

And with Stodie on bass. Also RIP.

[@arthurvasey]

A search for my surname on KZbin brought me here!

[@rogerstill71]

I saw Jane with Downchild at Queen's U in Kingston but she didn't step out a lot, I think her illness was affecting her then. It was a hell of a good show anyway, Donnie was frenetic that night

[@michaelsummerleigh4779]

Ain't NOBODY could boogie better than Janie...

[@DandyLion662a]

Great clip. I had the good fortune of seeing Jane at a Mariposa Folk Festival on Toronto Island in the early 70s. I'd never heard of her but she was great. A few years later I was living in St. Jamestown and our regular hangout was the Hotel Isabella where the regular performer was the Hock, always with a great backup band. Thanks so much for posting this.

[@tamething1]

One of the cutest songs of all time is "Trying To Keep Her 88's Straight".

[@rottenronnieful]

i have many fond thoughts based on jane and the era

[@peterjames7476]

still get goosebumps

[@Satchelabc123]

@brakedancer2007 For me it is Jane's version of "Half Ain't Been Told". Piano blues at its absolute best.

[@barbaravanwhy4564]

Oh my God.

[@coolmangs1234]

And check whose playin the vibes at Albert's hall,the Brunswick house. This is when I really loved T.O. !!!

[@Playingwith3D]

the good ol days. Indeed.

[@alecbruyns4490]

That's Peter Appleyard.

[@bertfrankian4804]

RIP Albert's hall, The Brunswick house. It was a great place to listen to a blues band.

[@coolmangs1234]

for the real Downchild fans!

[@chrisdimson]

does anyone have Tony Flame singing Flip,flop,&fly??he did it the very best,smooth voice

[@Insiderman53]

This looks like Peter Appleyard and his house band playing at the Brunswick House where he recorded his musical variety tv show

[@gregsbest]

@bluesdoor I think his name is Trevor Kendall, you can see him interviewed in the Downchild Blues Band documentary !! That was produced by the one and only Dan Ackcroyd from Canada. It really is a great doc. Well Done Mr. Ackcroyd. I remember Dan playing the blues harp at the El Mocombo years ago when he would fly up from New York between Saturday Night Tv-performances and play a quick 3 songs and then quickly get back to N.Y. for the remaining Sat.Night Live show. Great talent all around.

[@lairtonrezende]

Muito legal! Yeah!

[@user-ry4hl2vo1s]

Is that Peter Appleyard? Such a good player. And Jane was the best.💙

[@RawKnee1111]

What a soulful talent. Rest Peacefully, Jane. .... is the drummer Wayne Wilson, from Whisky Howl?

[@RadioGordo]

Yes is is as I recall.

[@RawKnee1111]

@@RadioGordo Thanks ... it's a great video.

[@TheEditorgy]

Trying to keep her 88's straight is on the Downchild Blues Band - We Deliver album but don't know of any videos

[@bimmjim]

I was in a band like this in 1965. When did the Downchild Blues band begin??

[@thereforeayam]

gimme a break ....................................smokin!!!!!!!

[@cristiyoutube]

Plz tell me who are the members in this session ?

[@JohnGeary]

Saw her and the band play live at the Rollin' Keg in Fredericton, NB in 1979. This is a great clip - where and when was it recorded?

[@johnwhyle7703]

It was recorded by the CHCH crew from Hamilton at Abert's Hall upstairs at the Brunswick, Bloor St. Toronto. Good TV crew-great band. Mid 80s maybe

[@PeterByker]

@@johnwhyle7703 Dude, great info, thanks!

[@mikeacton2203]

gone too soon and she could play with anyone

[@inversion66]

Gotta take a detour from the rightful praise of Jane Vasey here and mention Peter Appleyard. He was well known in Canada when I was a kid in the '70s, but now he's probably getting to be a semi forgotten figure. Which is too bad, as he was a fine musician. Being a vibes player probably doesn't help, as people sometimes think of it as an easy listening instrument, despite players like Lionel Hampton, Appleyard, and Gary Burton.

[@ulpana]

Don't forget Jay Hoggard! Tio Mitchito

[@1960taylor]

Toronto music scene used to be great. Downchilds was unreal especially with Hock, the greatest blues singer in history.

[@juiellineau]

John gatti I used to Hock singin 'flip, flop and fly'

[@roccimo]

The song here, btw, is For Pete’s Sake.

[@8052U]

Any recording out there of 'Gotta keep your 88's straight? Please and thank you.