Drake is known for his above-average lyricism, but the Toronto-based rapper showed a different side of himself as he performed with his dad in an impromptu performance at a dimly-lit Toronto jazz bar last Friday. The duo joined local musician (and former “The Voice” contestant) Shane Philips on stage at the Reservoir Lounge, a swing-jazz bar/restaurant nestled in a speakeasy on Wellington St., near St. Lawrence Market.
Drake and his dad perform with shane Phillips at a jazz bar in Toronto pic.twitter.com/AfRgaXYmXz
— Akademiks TV (@AkademiksTV) October 13, 2024
They sang a soulful rendition of T-Bone Walker’s Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just as Bad), a twelve-bar blues song that became a hit in 1948, and the reaction on X is generally positive.
“Woahhh that’s cool” one user reacted, while another stated “Dang that’s dope”.
“Drake in these dives bars is giving me so much life. I feel like this the musical creative’s version of touching grass,” another raved.
Drake in these dives bars is giving me so much life. I feel like this the musical creative’s version of touching grass ????
— OVO Rick (@nanathe12) October 14, 2024
Drake also posed for a selfie with Phillips, which he proudly shared on Instagram.
“It’s not often that i let people up on my stage but #drake showed up to my show with his dad and guess what… his dad could sing so i got them both up. If my dad was alive I would have wanted the same.”
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The Reservoir Lounge is known as Toronto’s original swing-jazz speakeasy and has had many legends and unknowns perform, including Michael Bublé (where he honed his craft), Prince (who was infamously caught drinking Chablis through a straw at the venue), Peter O’Toole singing with a band, and even Tom Jones partying the night away.
The lounge also has a new live band playing each night, such as Juno Award-winning Tyler Yarema playing hop-blues and DeeDee & The Dirty Martinis belting out soulful, Motown-inspired sets.
The lounge is located at 52 Wellington Street E and is open from Wednesday to Saturday, 7:30 pm – 2 am.
