15 September 2008

Ottawa Blues This Week - 15 September 2008

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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK

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5th Annual Hank Williams Birthday Bash

Featuring Ball and Chain

Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street

Wednesday, September 17, 8 pm – midnight; $8 at the door

Ball and Chain’s annual tribute to Hank on his birthday. It's a variety show featuring many local singers wishing Hank a happy birthday by singing a song or two of his. "There's soda pop and the dancin's free so if you wanna have fun come along with me."

www.myspace.com/jodybenjamin

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Sweet & the Back Beat

Louisiannie, 1518 Stittsville Main, Stittsville ON

Friday, September 19 @ 9 pm

Sweet and the Back Beat was formed in June of 2003 and is based in Fallowfield Village, just West of Ottawa. The band’s sound is built around the soulful lead vocals of Larry Sweet, whose natural feel for R&B stylists like Wilson Picket, Eddie Floyd, Sam and Dave, and Otis Redding provides audiences a fresh reminder of why this music is so important. Larry is backed by a group of local veteran musicians: Mike Belanger on guitar, Ken Reynolds on drums, Tommy Rowe on bass, and Peter Krogh on keyboards.

www.sweetandthebackbeat.com

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AREA HIGHTLIGHTS THIS WEEK

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Max Cann

Blueberry Hill Bistro, Vankleek Hill ON

Tuesday, September 16

Max Cann announced his second tour in Canada this way: “Touring Canada. Well, bits of it”! With a reputation as one of the best singer-songwriters in the southwest of the UK, he first came to Canada in January this year, the snowiest winter in 70 years. Now he’s returned and is in the midst of a series of some 25 dates in small and medium-sized clubs (plus a major festival) in Ontario, in what has been the rainiest summer since they started keeping records. To mark the tour, he’s cut a CD of songs written by himself and his three brothers. “Opener”, recorded in a small studio near Ottawa, has 15 life-affirming, truthful and thoughtful songs of melody and joy. And it’s his first solo CD after a career of more than 35 years.

As a solo artist, Max Cann still draws on his former sibling band’s extensive repertoire of original folk-rock tunes, from topical songs to hilarious novelty tunes. And there are always a few pertinent covers thrown in — for fun, and to help make a set’s point ... think Neil Young, Lightfoot, The Band, and even Joni Mitchell – he was a closet Canadian long before he ever came here. There’s humour in Max Cann’s live presentations, as well as thoughtfulness, and sentiment (not much sentimentality, though). Most of all, there’s variety — and Cann is proof that if you’re still doing music after 35 years, you’re certain to be very good at it.

www.maxcann.com

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FESTIVALS THIS WEEK

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September 15-21, 2008

Great Atlantic Blues & Beyond Festival

Halifax NS

www.atlanticbluesfest.com

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September 19-21, 2008

All Canadian Jazz & Blues Festival

Port Hope ON

www.allcanadianjazz.ca

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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS EVERY WEEK

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Blues Jam – live with Barry Buse

and the Mississippi Blues Society

Elmdale House Tavern, 1084 Wellington Street

Every Tuesday, 8:30 pm – 12:30 am; no cover

www.elmdaletavern.com

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Irene’s Blues Jam

Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street

Thursdays, 9 pm – 12:30 am

The Stellar Cast Blues Jam is a bonafide grass roots event that has grown out of the very floorboards of Irene’s Pub and has become a real crowd pleaser for musicians and music lovers alike. The Stellar Cast features Mike Ktenas (bass) and Corky Kealey (drums) as the foundation, and is filled out by a host of great local players who rotate according to availability. Each week the cast is topped up with a guest host who steers the song selections in whatever way they're inspired and the jamming begins. It's a great concept and the proof is in the popularity the night has garnered over the years.

Guest hosts coming up:

Sep 18 – Vince Halfhide (guitar/vocals)

Sep 25 – Johnny Russell (keyboards/vocals)

http://bacton.smugmug.com/share/cFoCZfrollzaE

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Open Jam

Rainbow, 76 Murray Street

Every other Saturday, 4-7 pm

For more info, please contact Mark at mark_and_esther@yahoo.ca

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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS ONCE A MONTH

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Ball and Chain and the Wreckers

Honky Tonk Saturday Night

Elmdale House Tavern, 1084 Wellington Street

1st Saturday of the month @ 8:30 pm – midnight; $5 at the door

www.myspace.com/jodybenjamin

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Sunday Blues, 5-8 pm

Atomic Rooster, 303 Bank Street (at MacLaren)

1st Sunday – Maria Hawkins www.mariahawkins.ca

3rd Sunday – Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo www.mumbojumbo.ca

4th Sunday – Zydeco Loco www.zydecoloco.ca

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BLUES IN KINGSTON

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KBS Monthly Blues Jam

This month’s special host band, AGENT BLUE

RCHA Club, 193 Ontario Street

Saturday, September 20, 9 pm – midnight; $3 at the door

Come out and see Agent Blue (one of the longest running and best Kingston Blues bands) and special guest Keith Winwood, as the band and Keith lay down some great blues. Then watch and dance as Agent Blue, Keith and some of Kingston's best musicians get together and jam the night away. Always one of the best nights of entertainment Kingston has to offer – come early as seating is limited.

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Smokin' Daley and the Consequences

RCHA Club, 193 Ontario Street

Saturday September 27: 8 - 12 p.m.

This 6-piece band plays a lively mix of Blues, R&B, and Classic Rock. They have been playing together for about 10 years. An eclectic program of fun tunes that makes for a good evening of dancing, listening, and partying.

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For more info on any of the above, please contact Kingston Blues Society

www.kingstonbluessociety.ca

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SPECIAL EVENTS COMING SOON

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Wild T & The Spirit

Tucson’s, 2440 Bank Street

Friday, September 26 @ 9:15 pm

Returning to the power trio format, the band now features a rhythm section with Chris Lesso on drums and Guenther Kapelle on bass. Their new CD “Fender Bender” was released in Canada & Europe in Feb 2008.

www.wildt.ca

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Tell Mama & The Troubadour

Carleton Heritage Inn, 7 Bridge St, Carleton Place ON

Friday, September 26, 8 pm; tickets $10

From Shelley: “Well, we haven't played in Carleton Place for over a year and now we are playing twice in one month! Franc and Cam and I will be joining Lyle Dillabough a.k.a. the Troubadour for a double bill at the Mississippi Ale House - another beautiful restoration of a Carleton Place landmark. We will back up Lyle while he does some covers and original material including a new tune which has just been produced for him by Ray Materick (`Linda Put the Coffee On`) and then we will take a set to 'represent'.”

www.tellmama.net

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GUITAR WORKSHOP

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Blues, Slide & Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop

with Al Tambay

Alcorn Music Studios, 903 Carling Avenue

Sunday, September 28, 1-3 pm; tickets $20

Al will be demonstrating and explaining the techniques he uses for blues slide, in the style of Robert Johnson, Johnny Winters, George Thorogood & Sonny Landreth. This is a hands-on workshop for beginning to intermediate blues, slide, & fingerstyle Guitar. Bring your acoustic guitar & slide.

www.alcornmusicstudios.com

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BLUES ON THE RIDEAU – 2008/2009

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Blues on the Rideau at The Cove Inn, Wesport ON enters its 4th season starting October 17/18 and will run on the third weekend of every month (except December) through to June 2009. The Series features some of Canada’s best blues artists performing in the friendly, cozy atmosphere of The Cove combined with a delicious buffet dinner. Westport is a 45 minute drive from Kingston, 1¼ hours from Ottawa. All Shows support different local charities – all for only $55 per person (dinner, show, taxes and donation to charity included). Dinner starts at 7 pm, 1st set begins at 8:30 pm. Advance reservations required – call The Cove at (613) 273-3636 OR 1-888-COVE-INN to book now. Last season almost every Show sold out in advance so to meet demand this year all artists will play both Friday and Saturday nights – you have two chances to see your favourites!

Accommodation at The Cove and nearby B&Bs is available at very reasonable rates. If you live out of town this is a great way to enjoy BOTR – no driving home after a few drinks, you can relax and enjoy and as an added bonus – you get to meet and talk with the artists the next day at breakfast! It’s a perfect mini-getaway. Book well in advance though – rooms fill up fast. Call The Cove and they will make the arrangements for you.

October 17 & 18 – CURLEY BRIDGES w. CHRIS WHITELEY BAND

Friday proceeds to Rideau Vista Elementary School

Saturday proceeds to St. Edward’s Elementary School

November 21 & 22 – GARY KENDALL BAND w. Special Guest CHUCK JACKSON

Friday proceeds to Blues in the Schools with Mark ‘Bird’ Stafford

Saturday proceeds to David McCarthy Scholarship

January 16 & 17 – ROXANNE POTVIN BLUES BAND

Friday proceeds to Westport Area Food Bank

Saturday proceeds to Lions Club Mobility Van

February 20 & 21 – FATHEAD

Friday proceeds to Friends of Foley Mountain

Saturday proceeds to Rideau District Museum

March 20 & 21 – RICK FINES & SUZIE VINNICK w. BAND

Friday proceeds to Juvenile Diabetes Association of Ontario

Saturday proceeds to Gilda’s Club for Cancer Families

April 17 & 18 – PAUL REDDICK & THE SIDEMEN

Friday proceeds to Rideau Waterway Land Trust

Saturday proceeds to Westport in Bloom

May 15 & 16 – DANNY BROOKS & THE MEMPHIS BROTHERS

Friday proceeds to Compassion Canada Sponsor a Child

Saturday proceeds to Habitat for Humanity

June 19 & 20 – STEPHEN BARRY BAND with

Special Guest MICHAEL JEROME BROWNE

Friday proceeds to Lucy Drysdale Memorial Scholarship

Saturday proceeds to Westport Library

Artists may change - check the web site or call The Cove for updates.

Visit www.bluesontherideau.ca for more information

See you at The Cove!

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BLUES ON THE RADIO

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On CKCU-FM 93.1

The Mighty 93.1

www.ckcufm.com

Community Radio serving the Ottawa Carleton Region

Sundays: 9-11 pm

Black and Blues

with John Tackaberry

The show features a heavy dose of electric blues and rhythm and blues, with the occasional selection of sixties soul. The first hour is dedicated to artist profiles and reviews of recordings on particular labels. In the second hour there is a blues calendar, a rundown of events in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, and interviews with “new and reissued blues and rhythm and blues tracks on wax” alternating with “live blues and R&B for a Sunday night” in the last half hour of the show. On the last Sunday of every month, the show goes “down in the delta” for a selection of acoustic blues tracks in the final half hour of the program.

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Wednesdays: 3:30-4:30 pm

Iron Maidens

with Diane Wells (D.D. Rocker)

Where female musicians of steely determination dare to challenge their male peers in the wide, wonderful world of music. From roots to heavy metal, she’ll cover it all. To the women of the world, let your voices and instruments be heard!

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Wednesdays: 9-11 pm

In A Mellow Tone

with Ron Sweetman

Jazz from every era & every style – from 1917 to 2008. Each program features an artist, group, instrument, event, city or record label. Check out Ron’s website www.inamellowtone.com for info on upcoming shows and playlists (current show is posted several days in advance and past shows are archived). Ron is always happy to hear from listeners at ronsweetman@kalixo.com

This week, September 17 – Lester Bowie: A tribute to the great trumpeter/composer/bandleader, concentrating on his work away from the Art Ensemble of Chicago.

Next week, September 24 – Bud Powell: A survey of the career of this innovative pianist/composer/bandleader, who was born on September 27, 1924.

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Monthly, every 4th Saturday, starting June 21 at 9-9:30 am:

Honky Tonk Saturday Morning

with Ball and Chain

This 12-part series features Michael Ball and Jody Benjamin performing live on radio. Each month will have a different theme like classic country, bluegrass, old time, drinking, cheating and yodelling.

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On CBC Radio One 91.5 FM

Saturdays: 10 pm – midnight

Saturday Night Blues

www.cbc.ca/snb

Host Holger Petersen has been a broadcaster, record producer, album collector, and serious blues fan for over 30 years. His collection of blues records numbers in the thousands. On Saturday Night Blues each week you’ll hear a mix of classic blues from the ‘Petersen Vaults’, concerts, interviews, artist features, new releases, plus anything that boogies, jumps, or swings, plus your requests from the Bluesline.

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On CHEZ106 FM

Sundays: 6-7 pm

House of Blues Hour

The House of Blues Radio hour, hosted by Dan Aykroyd aka Elwood Blues, features an hour of rockin’ blues from a wide variety of performers ranging from traditional to contemporary. The show is the most widely syndicated radio program dedicated to the blues in North America, and has been running on stations across the continent for over ten years.

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WEEKLY EVENTS ON THE SMALL SCREEN

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ALWAYS check local listings to confirm.

On BRAVO – www.bravo.ca

Tuesday, September 16 @ 7 am – Talkin’ Blues

Sonny Landreth (2005): Series exploring the world of contemporary blues music. This episode features a profile of soulful Louisiana vocalist and slide-guitar virtuoso Sonny Landreth.

Tuesday, September 16 @ 7:30 am – Rhythm, Roots & Soul

Long Walk to Nowhere, Broken Joe (E) 2008

This series profiles R&B, soul, gospel and roots musicians through their words and music. Mako Funasaka documents a moment in time of these wonderful musicians from many different musical genres. This episode features the members of Broken Joe -- Joe Toole, Jerome Godboo and Alec Fraser.

Monday, September 22 @ 11 am - Mae Moore and Lester Quitzau: In Their Own (2005)

Documentary examining the lives of the acclaimed folk singer and her blues-guitarist husband on British Columbia's scenic and tranquil Pender Island, through engaging interviews and performances.

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WEEKLY EVENTS EVERY MONTH

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Tuesdays: Open Jam at the Rainbow, 9 pm – 1 am

Tuesdays: Jam hosted by Barry Buse or Al Tambay @ Elmdale House, 8:30-11:30 pm

Wednesdays: Dr Dave Revue @ the Rainbow, 5-8 pm

Wednesdays: Brian Downey @ The Avant-Garde Bar, 8:30 pm

Wednesdays: Acoustic music with Jeff Rogers @ Tucson’s, 7:30-11 pm

Wednesdays: New Blues Jam @ the New Bayou, 9 pm

Thursdays: Acoustic blues with Al Tambay & friends @ Tucson’s, 7:30-11 pm

Thursdays: Mike Ktenas hosts the Blues Jam @ Irene’s, 9 pm to closing

Saturday afternoons: Blues jam @ the Rainbow, 4-7 pm

Sunday afternoons: Blues jam @ the Rainbow, 3-7 pm

Sunday afternoons: Guy del Villano @ Royal Oak, Gloucester

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