Big Rude Jake
Toronto, Ontario, Canada | INDIE
Music
Press
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/big-rude-jake/article1320948/Robert Everett-Green
Published on Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 3:48PM EDT
Quicksand
Big Rude Jake
Independent
Jake Hiebert's latest disc is a guided tour of vintage song styles of the thirties and forties. But while the streets are familiar, the addresses are new, and they often bring a fresh sparkle to the old neighbourhoods. There's a gospel tune performed in jubilee quartet style, a dark shabby waltz from a Weimar cabaret, and a song or two that would be right at home in the Cotton Club. Hiebert serves the blues raw and with a suave piano trio, and includes a couple of songs that mine the same vein of comic innuendo as his underground classic, The Girl in the Pink Canoe . A leaping bebop number (anchored by pianist George Koller) blows hot in the instrumental choruses, cool in the spoken-word verses. The whole disc is beautifully written and performed, with some of the best sidemen in Toronto. - The Globe and Mail
Press Quotes:
What they are saying about Big Rude Jake
“Accomplished…and witty.”
FLARE Magazine
“Wonderful…a real hoot…:”
Toronto Star
“Ingenious…funny and intelligent.”
Edmonton Journal
“Getting raves across the country.”
Vancouver Sun
“A Great mix of jazz, swing and blues.”
Toronto Globe and Mail
“The truth is, words… are no substitute for seeing Jake perform.”
Chart Magazine
“A Big Rude Genius.”
In Pittsburgh Weekly, Pittsburgh, PA
“Jake’s voice is an elastic instrument able to croon, talk, snarl, and seduce … bringing a mutant mix of Damon Runyon, Johnny Rotten, and Mose Allison to his witty, erudite tunes.”
Boston Phoenix
“No student of the Canadian music scene can consider themselves ready for graduation until they have contemplated the impact of Big Rude Jake. … A gifted songwriter.”
Indiecan.com
“Jake creates larger-than-life tales of woe, seamy streets, and loud characters. Giving a nod to old-school blues characters, he writes more in the vein of Tom Waits or Nick Cave, creating world-weary, witty characters who can’t resist commenting on the irony of their situations.”
All Music Guide
“Big Rude Jake is known by hard-core fans around North America and Europe as a truly original and intelligent song-writer and lyricist.”
Cecil Barns, ATOMIC magazine, NYC
“Jake… could best be described as Louis Jordan meeting Tom Waits by way of Leon Redbone. … And the songs themselves? Tough, honest and ultimately inspirational.”
Exclaim
Big Rude Jake:
Seen and heard around the world!
Big Rude Jake has played festivals and top venues all across Europe and North America. Here are a few gigs that we like to brag about when we tell people ask about our travels…
Notable Festival Appearances
Luzern Jazz and Blues Festival
(Switzerland)
Andernos Jazz Festival
(France)
Hillside Music Festival Main Stage
(Guelph, ON, Canada)
Cognac Jazz Festival
(France)
Idea City Conference
'Canada's Premiere
Meeting of the Minds'
(Toronto)
Montreal Jazz Festival
Toronto International
Burlesque Festival
Mariposa Folk Festival
(Barrie ON)
Toronto International
Film Festival
Detroit Jazz and Blues Festival
Rock am Ring
Music Festival
(Nuremberg)
Cognac Jazz Festival
(France)
Notable Venues
The Supper Club
(New York)
CBGB’s
(New York)
The Paradisio
(Amsterdam)
Quasimodo’s
(Berlin)
Hugh’s Room
(Toronto)
Der Grunspan
(on the Reeperbahn, Hamburg)
Brussles Ancienne-Belgique
(Brussles)
Club Red
(New Orleans)
House of Blues
(Chicago and Los Angeles)
Music Halle
(Dresden, Germany)
Volksbad
(Munich)
The Louvre
(Paris)
The Viper Room
(Los Angeles)
The Fillmore Coliseum
(San Francisco)
For Bookings, contact:
Ned Bertram and Associates
ned@nedbertram
- From various sources
Discography
Quicksand
Released 2009
Big Rude Jake’s newest release explores contemporary twists on popular music forms from decades ago. The overall sound is relaxed and contemplative. The musical arrangements often involve reduced instrumentation, with some tracks featuring Jake on guitar and vocals alone.
Butane Fumes and Bad Cologne
Release Date: 1993
Mixes various traditional styles, with a heavy emphasis on traditional jazz, swing, and blues. Powerful lyrics in the tradition of Berthold Brecht and Noel Coward.
Blue Pariah
Release Date: 1996
Alternative swing, or Swing Punk.
Big Rude Jake (The self-titled CD)
Released internationally on Roadrunner Records in 1999
Now only available from the Artist or on I Tunes.
Sometimes referred to as “Defiance” by fans.
Live Faust, Die Jung
Released 2001
This is a departure album for the artist. It combines folk blues and jazz with 60\'s soul and 70\'s pop. The music is not swing, or traditional jazz in its core.
Big Rude Bootleg - Live at Lee's Palace
1994
For Bookings, contact:
info@bigrudejake.ca
Photos
Bio
Jake is a composer, singer, ‘blues shouter’ and musician with a diverse array of influences. Noted for the distinct ‘swing punk’ sound of his first few albums, he loves and celebrates music – all of it, with special attention to the roots of American music. You’ll hear jazz, swing, ragtime, rock’n‘roll, jump, gospel, blues, folk… Add a little cabaret and some punk attitude, and you’ve got Big Rude Jake.
Powerhouse Songwriters
Big Rude Jake started by forming a band that combined his interest in traditional jazz, jump blues, rockabilly and punk. The lyrical style was inspired by his love for his favourite powerhouse songwriters like Tom Waits, Jacques Brel and Berthold Brecht. Jake’s fascination for the music and mythologies of cities like New Orleans and New York would certainly show up in the mix. And a mix it would certainly be.
That idea took him around the world and back.
Stuffy Jazz Intellectuals
Drawn to the jazz tradition for its passion and sensuality, Jake lamented the rise of the stuffy “jazz intellectual” and dreamed up a plan to bring jazz back to its street-wise, rough-hewn roots. His stage persona evoked strident passion and longing.
In the first few years, he actually avoided playing in jazz venues altogether. Instead, he performed his jazz and swing influenced compositions in rock venues and blues bars across Canada, where he found kindred spirits who appreciated his dream of a “Bawdy House Jazz” revival.
Originally billed as “alternative music,” Big Rude’s vision caught the attention of media and critics. His independent recordings were sold in the “rock,” “punk” and “alternative” sections in music stores, and he proved that jazz and swing, with the right attitude, could have as much street credibility as any rock, soul or hip-hop act in the country.
After the rise of such U.S. bands as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and the Squirrel Nut Zippers, Jake was swept into the neo-swing movement that was all the rage across North America. He moved to New York, signed with Roadrunner Records (now known for the success of Nickelback and Megadeath) and began touring Europe and the United States.
Disappearance
Shortly after BRJ’s return to Toronto, he was hit by a taxicab as he cycled home from a gig. His injuries forced him to cancel the national tour for the independent album he had only just completed (LFDJ). Jake left the recording industry to heal and regroup, going into semi-retirement.
The years away from that world did him good. He returned to playing solo guitar, enjoying the chance to focus on his ragtime fingerpicking style which he had learned under the tutelage of Mose Scarlett. He got into in better physical shape than he’d been in years. He’s also more relaxed, having pursued his interest in Buddhism with vigor.
Big Rude Jake’s return to the recording business was marked by the release of Quicksand in September 2009 – yet another departure, inspired by Americana, Ragtime, Roots, Gospel and Folk.
Stand by, as 3 other new BRJ albums are in various stages of development. A live album is due out before the end of 2011!
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