Workers of the world, singout!
The National Post, May 26, 2007

At the Communist's Daughter, a tiny bar on Dundas Street West steps from Ossington, the bartender serves a beer to a customer as the band members, crammed into the windowsill, start strumming their guitars.

Then, wearing a gentlemanly vest and round spectacles, the barkeep breaks into song, crooning the words to Nat King Cole's classic Sweet Lorraine. He doesn't have a mic, but his sweet voice fills the room. He picks up his trumpet and launches into a solo before singing the second verse.

This is the scene every Saturday afternoon at Communist's Daughter. Since the bar opened four years ago, the Red Rhythm has played a matinee show here during singer/bartender Michael Louis Johnson's regular shift. The band, also consisting of Roberto Rosenman on lead guitar, Patrick Gregory on rhythm guitar and Terry Wilkins on upright bass, describes its music as "gypsy jazz" or "gypsy swing" -- a string-based form of jazz that was played by gypsy musicians in Europe in the 1930s and popularized by Django Reinhardt.

"I love playing here because it's so personal," says Johnson of the 25-seat venue. "It's like being in someone's kitchen. We sing songs, tell stories."

During the show, the band often launches into lengthy guitar solos, allowing Johnson to take drink orders, clear empty bottles and prepare "beer cheese sandwiches," pieces of Portuguese bread covered with a spread made of aged cheddar and pale ale. Johnson also serves other house favourites, such as deluxe pickled eggs and the Commie Salami sandwich.

"Most artists check their waiter job at the door," says one of the audience members, actor Kelly McIntosh. "Michael has taken it to a new level by managing to do both at once."

During the second set, the band launches into an original number called The Hobo Song, which features hand-claps and Johnson's rather peculiar dance moves. Curious pedestrians walking down the street pause and peer into the bar. Perhaps next week, some of these same pedestrians might venture inside the Communist's Daughter to see the show.

The Red Rhythm plays Communist's Daughter on Saturdays from 4 to 7 p.m. 1149 Dundas St. W. For more information, please call 647-435- 0103.