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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK
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Steve Marriner
Salle La Basoche, Le Centre Culturel de Vieux Aylmer, Aylmer QC
Friday, January 30 @ 8 pm
Maple Blues Harmonica Player of the Year 2008!
Une bête de scène énergique et inépuisable qui mélange habilement différents genres de blues à des airs plus rock’n’roll. Le jeune harmoniciste d’Ottawa a fait ses classes en jouant deux ans en tournée avec Harry Manx et en écoutant le blues de Chicago et ses maîtres de l’harmonica. Son premier disque, sur le label de Manx, s’intitule Going Up et il lui a valu deux nominations aux Maple Blues Award 2007 dans les catégories Découvertes de l’année et Harmoniciste de l’année. Un spectacle à voir absolument!
http://www.stevemarriner.com
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MonkeyJunk
Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street
Sunday, February 1
Join MonkeyJunk where it all began, Sunday nights at Irene’s, for their ‘Send-off to Memphis’ party.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=379546922
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SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK
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9th edition of the All New Virée Blues Boréale presents
Bob Walsh, Jim Zeller & Guy Bélanger
117 Promenade du Portage, Old Hull Sector, Gatineau QC
Wednesday, January 28 @ 8 pm
In its all new environment, at Club Addiction, Virée Blues Boréale will present you with its next edition’s program, with a total of over 100 years of cumulated stage expertise. Our three legendary Blues performers, Bob Walsh, Jim Zeller and Guy Bélanger will be together on stage for a very special show, for one night only, to kick off Virée Blues Boréales’s 9th edition. For many, our three guests don’t need to be introduced but for our newer fans, here’s a short introduction to these stars.
With his legendary charisma and kindness, our 1st guest, Bob Walsh, will feel back to his roots: a show in a small bar, with a trio, just like at his debut. For over 35 years, this singer and guitar virtuoso has been touring the Canada and Europe singing the Blues with his unique voice ... and always with his usual passion. His expressive and colourful voice, supported by his exceptional musical talent allow for some lively as well as sensual performances, which earned him many awards, including the Felix for the Best Artist in a language other than French.
Most of us have heard the likes of B.B. King, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Albert Collin and Bob Dylan on CDs or may have seen them in performances. But those are just a few of the international stars our 2nd guest, Jim Zeller, has performed with. The 2006 Lys Blues Hommage laureate has been living his Blues adventure since youth and, for over 30 years, has been touring the world.
Our third guest is one of those rock-solid performers, reliable but not often enough in the limelight. Guy Bélanger is a sideman, seldom identified by people on the street but so highly praised by his peers. It took more than 30 years of experience (almost 40 playing the Blues) for this Quebec harmonica player to decide to release his first album, launched in February 2008. But then, you most likely already have some music by Guy Bélanger at home as, on top of his Blues performances, Guy has worked with France D'Amour, les Colocs, Éric Lapointe, Nanette Workman on CDs as well as on Cirque du Soleil projects and has two (soon three) movie soundtracks out, including the famous “Gaz Bar Blues”, a movie by his brother Louis Bélanger, which earned them the Jutra for Best Soundtrack of the Year. Guy must also be credited for the theme for “Et Dieu créa Laflaque!”, a very popular TV show.
For this occasion, the three will be joined by Jean Cyr, a master of the bass and by the very talented Freddy Freedom on guitar. Make sure not to miss this one-of-a-kind event!
www.audio-occasion.qc.ca/musique/bob.html
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Ricky Paquette
Tucson’s, 2440 Bank Street
Saturday, January 31 @ 9:15 pm
Though only 18 years old, Ricky Paquette has been playing guitar for half of his life. His style combines his love of blues with classic rock, though he has studied classical guitar as well. His most recent CD is a live recording of his 2006 appearance at the Montreal Jazz Festival.
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AREA HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK
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Elyssa Mahoney & Lucas Haneman duo
JR`s Restaurant, 385 Ottawa Street, Almonte ON
Saturday, January 31, 7-10 pm
Award winning singer, songwriter Elyssa Mahoney and national award winning guitarist Lucas Haneman have been collaborating since 2006. First performing at many local venues and events, building a reputation and following, as their success grew they realized that not only did they enjoy performing together but they also liked creating their own original songs together. Elyssa writing the lyrics while Lucas composed the music, their originals have been striking a chord with audiences everywhere. Recently, they've both been honoured with the Best Blues Award at the 2008 Ontario Independent Music Awards. Elyssa’s roots in blues/rock and Lucas's in jazz & rock, combines to create music which covers a wide range of genres from pop to rock to blues & Jazz. Their CD "Pull Me In" was released earlier this year.
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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS EVERY WEEK
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Irene’s Blues Jam
Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street
Thursdays, 9 pm – 1 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.
Guests this month:
Jan 29 – Jed Rached and Joe Hawkins
http://bacton.smugmug.com/share/cFoCZfrollzaE
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Sunday Blues, 5-8 pm
Atomic Rooster, 303 Bank Street (at MacLaren)
November 9 & December 21, 2008; February 1, 2009
Zydeco Loco www.zydecoloco.ca
December 7, 2008; January 18th & March 1, 2009
Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo www.mumbojumbo.ca
Other bands & dates to be confirmed; check out their new website
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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
First Saturday each month; $6 at the door
Honky Tonk Saturday Night is a monthly event happening the first Saturday of every month.
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BLUES IN KINGSTON
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Douglas Watson R&B Revue Band
Brandees, 178 Ontario Street, Kingston ON
Saturday, January 31
The new band has been together for almost 3 years and features Mississippi Pete Temple on harmonica, Chris “Mr Sweetness” Latta on guitar and Maciej Lukasiewicz on drums. They released their first CD “Voodoo Healin’” last year. Since then gigs have been getting easier to find and they have written some catchy new tunes for a 2nd CD and now things are starting to move forward.
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Weekly events
Georgette Fry
Brandees, 178 Ontario Street, Kingston
Every Thursday night at 8:30 pm (new start time)
The Ones
Monte’s in the Prince George Hotel, 200 Ontario Street, Kingston
Every Thursday night at 9 pm
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For more, please contact Kingston Blues Society
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KINGSTON BLUES IN FEBRUARY
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KBS Valentine’s Blues Show
Debbie Davies
Main Ballroom, Confederation Hotel, 237 Ontario Street, Kingston ON
Saturday, February 14, 2008; doors @ 8 pm, show 8:30 pm
Tickets – show only: $20 KBS members; $25 non-members
From Los Angeles California one of the great female blues guitarists, Debbie Davies cut her teeth playing in blues and rock ‘n’ roll bands in the San Francisco Bay area before landing the lead guitar spot in Maggie Mayall and the Cadillacs, an all-female band led by wife of British blues pioneer, John Mayall. In 1988 she was recruited by Albert Collins to join the Icebreakers, and for the next three years she was a featured guitarist performing behind one of the most innovative bluesmen of all time. Since 1993, Debbie has produced nine solo recordings and two collaborative CDs, one with guitarists Tab Benoit and Kenny Neal, and another with guitarists Anson Funderburgh and Otis Grand. She has received eight nominations for Blues Music Awards, and in 1997 won the award for Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist. She is nominated yet again in this category for 2008. A twenty-year veteran of the road, Debbie Davies is truly one of the leading lights on the contemporary blues music scene today.
Opening act will feature Ila Vann, backed by one of this area’s best young blues bands, Mojo Shooter. After an awesome performance at the KBS monthly jam, Ila and Mojo Shooter have agreed to team up once again to open this fantastic Valentine’s Show.
Dinner and Overnight packages are available:
Dinner Package – $50 members; $55 non-members
Dinner Seating Starts 5:30 till 7:30 pm (entry to show at 7:45 pm)
Dinner is an Executive Buffet featuring carved Roast Beef, Chicken Supreme, Green Salad, Pesto Pasta Salad, Rosemary Roasted Potatoes, Fresh Baked Artisan Breads, Coffee, Tea and Triple Chocolate Layer Cake with Fresh Fruit and Chocolate Sauce.
Overnight packages:
Room Only
- Executive Room with King bed $129/plus applicable taxes
- The Standard Room with 2 Double Beds $109/plus applicable taxes
Dinner & Room Package
- Executive package includes dinner for 2 and a night in one of our executive King rooms overlooking the water $185/taxes included
- Overnight package includes dinner for 2 and a night in one of our Standard rooms overlooking the water $165/taxes included
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Kingston Blues Society Monthly Jam
February’s Special Guest Performer Danielle Lennon
RCHA Club, 193 Ontario St. (big blue door), Kingston ON
Saturday, February 21, 9 pm – midnight; $3 at the door
Always one of the best nights of entertainment Kingston has to offer – come early as seating is limited.
Come out and see Mojo Shooter (one of Kingston's best bands) and Kingston Symphony violinist Danielle Lennon. Then watch and dance as Mojo Shooter, Danielle and some of Kingston's best musicians get together and jam the night away.
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LOYAL BLUES FEDERATION EVENT
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Harrison Kennedy
Upstairs at the Penguin, 399 Front St., Belleville ON
Friday, February 6 @ 8 pm; tickets $20
Loyal Blues members get $5 rebate on advance tickets
Buy online, get $10 dinner coupon for dinner at the Penquin
Three time, Juno®-nominated Lead singer of 70s Detroit soul hit-makers "Chairmen of the Board" and last year's Loyal Blues Fellowship's "Blues in the School" artist, best known as the lead vocalist on the Chairmen of the Board blues classic ‘I'm the Chairman of the Board’, in 2008, Harrison Kennedy was nominated for Best Blues Recording in Canada's Juno Awards, and Best Male Vocalist in this year's Maple Blues Awards. He’s one of Canada’s hidden treasures.
http://www.loyalblues.ca/events.htm
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SPECIAL EVENTS COMING SOON
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4th meeting of the Ottawa Jazz Musicians’ Co-op
Bank Hotel, 18 Eddy Street, Hull QC (near Promenade du Portage)
Sunday, February 8 @ noon
All local jazz musicians are most welcome. At this meeting,a co-op consultant, Russ Christianson, will be coming from Campbellford (near Peterborough) to help us undertake what is known as a pre-feasibility study. Come and meet Mr. Christianson and express your views about the Co-op initiative.
RSVP if you can attend.
Michel Martin,singer, Hull
819-771-9859
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Blues Open Stage
Branch Restaurant, 15 Clothier St E, Kemptville ON
Sunday, February 15, 3-5 pm
Sunday May 24, 3-6 pm
George Buys is hosting a Blues open stage at the Branch restaurant in Kemptville ON Feb.15 and May24, Sundays from 3-6pm. All are welcome!
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Wild T & the Spirit
Tucson’, 244 Bank Street
Friday, February 20
Once again the band is hitting the road from Feb - May 09. They’ll be playing a few shows in Ontario in February, then a Canadian tour will take the band across the country, through Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, finishing up at the end of March in Saint John, NB. A few more shows in London & Windsor ON follow, then back over to Europe for a European tour, performing concerts in Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Austria and Holland.
John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network) has picked Wild T & the Spirit’s "Fender Bender" CD as his best blues/rock album of 2008.
http://www.bluesundergroundnetwork.com/2008_Year_End_Review.html
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Mardi Gras @ the Dale
Elmdale House Tavern
Saturday, February 28, $10 cover
Ball and Chain present the band Swamperella (Authentic Cajun music and Louisiana -style dance band). Cover includes a scrumptious taste of Cajun food just for the occasion!
www.
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BLUES ON THE RIDEAU – 2008/2009
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This popular Dinner & Show Fundraiser Series – now in its 4th year – continues to gain momentum this season. Shows are selling out in advance again and Saturday night Shows are being added – subject to artist availability – when ticket demand warrants it.
Remaining 2008/09 Season Schedule
February 20 – FATHEAD
** As of January 23 Friday night Show is Sold Out with waiting list. Possible 2nd night February 21 may be added if there is sufficient ticket demand - decision by January 29. Contact The Cove ASAP if interested.
Proceeds to Friends of Foley Mountain & Rideau District Museum
March 20 – RICK FINES & SUZIE VINNICK w. BAND
Proceeds to Juvenile Diabetes Association of Ontario & Gilda's Club for Cancer Families
April 17 – PAUL REDDICK & THE SIDEMEN
Proceeds to Rideau Waterway Land Trust & Westport in Bloom
May 15 – DANNY BROOKS & THE MEMPHIS BROTHERS
Proceeds to Compassion Canada Sponsor a Child & Habitat for Humanity
June 19 – STEPHEN BARRY BAND with
Special Guest MICHAEL JEROME BROWNE
Proceeds to Lucy Drysdale Memorial Scholarship & Westport Library
DINNER & SHOW $55 (includes taxes & donation to charity)
Buffet at 7 pm, Show at 8:30
Advance reservations required
CALL THE COVE (613) 273-3636 or 1-888-COVE-INN
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.
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
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: 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, January 28 – Delmark @ 55: We celebrate fifty-five years of great jazz and blues on the Delmark label. Could include Eric Alexander, John Burnett, King Curtis, Sleepy John Estes, Francine Griffin, Kalaparush, Sun Ra, Ted Sirota, Roosevelt Sykes, Malachi Thompson and Junior Wells.
Next week February 4 – Listen Before You Buy: The cream of the crop of recent jazz issues by Leonisa Ardizzone, Rebecca Cline, Darunam/Milan, Chris Davis, David Egan, Carol Fredette, Larry Gelb, Fred Hess, Barbara King, No Square, Hilary Noble, Organ X, Willy Torres, Marlene VerPlanck and Skip Wilkins.
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This Saturday, January 31st, 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.
This month's theme will be LOVE ... that ever-present, ever-needed feeling ... in honour of Valentine's Day. Michael & Jody will do both classics and originals in the old-fashioned tradition of live music on the radio. Thanks for listening.
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On CBC Radio One 91.5 FM
Saturdays: 10 pm – midnight
Saturday Night Blues
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, January 27 @ 7:30 am & 5:30 pm – Rhythm, Roots and Soul
People Gonna Talk/James Hunter (2007): 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 R&B artist James Hunter.
Tuesday, January 27 @ 11:30 am – Talkin’ Blues
Hubert & Darrell (2003): Series exploring the world of contemporary blues music. This episode features an intimate conversation with guitar great Hubert Sumlin, and a music video from Darrell Nulisch.
Tuesday, January 27 @ 9 pm – Long John Baldry: In the Shadow of the Blues (2006)
The life and legacy of guitarist and singer Long John Baldry is examined in this one-hour documentary. Baldry played a key role in the growth of the British rhythm and blues movement, and led bands in the mid-1960s that featured Rod Stewart and Elton John, both of whom are interviewed in the documentary. In the ‘80s, Baldry emigrated to Canada, living first in Toronto and then in Vancouver, where he died in 2005. (also Wednesday, January 28 @ 2 am)
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WEEKLY EVENTS EVERY MONTH
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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: Open 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: Guy del Villano @ Royal Oak, 318 Bank Street, 2-6 pm
Sunday afternoons: Blues jam @ the Rainbow, 3-7 pm
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LOCALS LOOK AHEAD
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Friday, February 6
The Mud Boys Rock ‘n’ Roll Revue @ Tucson’s, 9:15 pm
Saturday, February 7
Scotty Doubt Band with Rob Pappas @ the Rainbow, 9:30 pm
Friday, February 13
Moetown @ Tucson’s, 9:15 pm
Saturday, February 21
MonkeyJunk @ Tucson’s, 9:15 pm
Friday, February 27
The Mighty Popo @ the Rainbow, 9:30 pm
Saturday, February 28
Quicksand @ Tucson’s, 9:15 pm
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