A lot of the bands that play the Auditorium Theatre use too much amplification and wind up sounding terrible. We all understand rock music's need for volume...and so did Canadian rock giants The Tragically Hip, which despite its volume sounded fantastic. Singer Gordon Downie has an incredible bright and dynamic rock voice. The band's fanbase is fanatic (kinda like hockey fans, only drunker) and the band satisfied with broad selections from its catalogue, including stuff from its fantastic 2000 release "Work." The band came back and wrung out what little the sold-out crowd had left with an encore that bordered on another set.

Me and the birthday girl spent last Saturday night at the Little Theatre Cafe. And man alive, this place has gone far and beyond the afterthought it once was. And I'll tell you why: it's jazz cats like The Steve Green Trio.

First of all, the trio has four members. That alone is tres cool. Greene comps and chops and trills and twangs as the band stirs the batter. Slithering seductively on top is Tina Albright, a statuesque blonde with a smoky contralto. This isn't a blues group, nor is Albright singing the blues, but the way she works the mic, stretching and playing with the lyrics (almost as casually as Greene) it draws upon some of the blues' simultaneous joy and despair.

The joint was jammed as folks hovered in a holding pattern waiting to swoop as soon as a seat opened up. The cappuccino machine hissed, cutlery clinked, people slurped, and a four-piece trio casually played some of the sweetest acoustified jazz you'll hear anywhere. There are moments like this all over town. I was lucky to stumble upon this one. I hope it happens again...soon.