Pro audio legend Keith Barr--founder of Alesis and numerous other companies--died on August 24 at the age of 61, felled by an apparent heart attack in his Vancouver, WA home.

Characterized by those who knew him as more an engineer and inventor than a businessman, Barr nonetheless founded a number of companies over his career, starting with guitar effect pedal manufacturer MXR Innovations in 1973.

The 12th Annual Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle Blues & Jazz Festival will be taking place September 10-12, 2010 on various stages in Memorial Park located in Mississauga, ON’s entertainment district of Port Credit.
Performing on this year’s Angus Mackay Main Stage will be Ronnie Hawkins & the Hawks, Dr. Hook featuring Ray Sawyer, Johnny Winter, Watermelon Slim & the Workers, Mark Hummel’s Blues Harmonica Blowout, Raoul & the Big Time, and the Downchild Blues Band.

On Tuesday September 14th, the Coalition for Music Education in Canada will be holding an event commemorating 16 new Champions for Music Education. The group being honoured is made up of people who are dedicated to music education.
 

Ted Kowalski, a singer in the Canadian quartet The Diamonds, died on August 8 at the age of 79 from heart disease.
Covering popular R&B songs, The Diamonds had several hits during the late 50’s including Little Darlin’ and the original tune The Stroll. Kowalski sang tenor in the Toronto-based group.
In 1984, The Diamonds received a Juno Lifetime Achievement Award. The quartet were also inducted into the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame, the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Kowalski leaves behind his wife Valare Bromley and children Marianne and John Kowalski. He was living in Whitby, ON at the time of his death.    

Now in its seventh year, the KoSA Music Academy, founded and directed by Aldo Mazza of the group Répercussion, opens its doors this fall in a newly built facility:  The KoSA Centre des Arts.