Al Cromwell

  • Folk
  • R&B
  • spirituals
Occupation(s)Singer, instrumentalistYears active1963–1995
Musical artist

Alan Cromwell (1938 – 28 September 1995) was a Canadian blues and folk musician who was active on the folk scene in Toronto, during the 1960s and 1970s, where he performed at Steele's Tavern,[1] the Horseshoe Tavern, The Purple Onion and various venues in Kensington Market and Yorkville, Toronto.[2][better source needed][3] From Phinneys Cove, Nova Scotia, he learned spirituals, blues, and folk songs from his father, Norman Cromwell.[4][2][better source needed]

Cromwell performed during the early years of the Mariposa Folk Festival, notably in 1963.[4][5]

In the 1980s, Cromwell became better known as a blues player, playing with Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee and Josh White.[6][failed verification] He continued to be a regular live performer in Toronto throughout the 1980s and 1990s in jazz and folk clubs. He is included on the live album Grossman's Live issued in 1987.[7][better source needed][8][better source needed]

Cromwell died in Toronto on September 28, 1995.[9][10] He was posthumously inducted as a memorial member of the Porcupine Awards Hall of Fame.[11] An award was established in his name in the Folk/Blues category in the same year.

References

  1. ^ Plummer, Kevin (10 January 2015). "Historicist: Steele's Tavern and the Rise of Gordon Lightfoot". Torontoist. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Al Cromwell". YouTube. 2012-07-28. Retrieved 2018-06-30.
  3. ^ Barker, Gerry (26 October 1963). "In Town and Out". Toronto Daily Star. p. 28.
  4. ^ a b 3rd Annual Mariposa Folk Festival : August 9th, 10th & 11th Orillia Ontario Canada. Toronto. 1963. p. 3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. ^ Sydney Banks (producer), George Dick (director), Ed MacNamara (host) (1963). Mariposa Folk Festival concert film, 1963 (16 mm). Screen-Bank Productions.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ Bowman, Durrell. "Blues". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2018-06-30.
  7. ^ "Various - Grossman's Live". Discogs. 1987. Retrieved 2018-06-30.
  8. ^ Blair Cromwell (2013-01-21), Al's Blues - Al Cromwell, retrieved 2018-06-30
  9. ^ "Bluesman Al Cromwell Dies". Toronto Star. 2 October 1995. p. E4.
  10. ^ "Al Cromwell 1938-1995". Toronto Blues Society Newsletter. 2 : 9: 3. October 1995.
  11. ^ Fruitman, Steve (2012). "1995 Porcupine Awards". Retrieved 2018-06-30.