The sound of Devin Cuddy hard at work could be heard from the sidewalk in front of the legendary Queen Street West bar, the Cameron House. Ivories were being very well tickled, as the energetic pianist practised up a musical storm following an injury to his wrist he suffered playing hockey. With a cross-country tour, a new album out July 29 and a release show at the Horseshoe Tavern on Aug. 8, he’s got a lot of work to do.

Cuddy’s new album, Kitchen Knife, expands and adds significant depth to the young musician’s rapidly developing sound. It’s unique, and one he describes as a combination of his first love, jazz — in particular, the great Louis Armstrong — and the Texas singer-songwriter tradition characterized by the likes of Townes Van Zandt. Think Lyle Lovett at an after-party with his big band following a few cold beverages. It’s rough-around-the-edges barroom swing in the best possible way.

“We’re trying to bridge those two things,” says Cuddy, taking a seat at the bar. “That aspect is still a work-in-progress.”

So far so good, though.

Cuddy’s first album, dubbed Vol. 1, was nominated for a Juno Award in the roots/traditional album of the year category.

Whereas the first album was recorded “off the floor” to mimic Cuddy’s live performances, Kitchen Knife sees a beefed up sound with layers added in-studio with the help of producer Greg Keelor of Blue Rodeo.

“We thought we’d try to get a more spontaneous approach, thought that might help,” Cuddy explains. “More instruments, a lot of organ and more percussive. The sound is just bigger. In the end, it all worked out.”

Cuddy grew up in the Riverdale neighbourhood of Toronto, and he was surrounded by music, both at home and on the road, with his dad — legendary Blue Rodeo frontman Jim Cuddy. He studied music as a kid, paying particular attention to the clarinet in high school. But after heading to York University to study jazz piano, and despite his musical pedigree, he still wasn’t sure if performance was for him. Not that Pops put any pressure on his son.

“They very much let me do my own thing; both my parents would have been very supportive no matter what,” says Cuddy.

“I think my dad was thrilled that I found it on my own, and now he is more involved. But he always wanted to stand back and let me learn on my own and then help when I asked for it.”

The aforementioned Cameron House figures prominently in his choice of musical direction since finishing school.

Apparently, the bar — which has seen the likes of his dad’s band as well as other Queen West stalwarts such as the Skydiggers make their starts over the decades — is Cuddy’s unofficial musical headquarters.

At this piano, in this very bar, he took his first tentative steps performing. On the second floor is the home of his label, Cameron House Records (affiliated with Warner Music), and above that, his actual home. He even works behind the bar on occasion.

“A friend of mine, an acquaintance at the time, took it over,” Cuddy explains. “Really it’s everything to me in terms of my career right now. It’s also returned to being more of a music hangout.… It’s great to come to a place where you know people. This is that for a lot of people.”

Devin Cuddy plays at the Horseshoe Tavern on Aug. 8.