29 November 2010

Ottawa Blues This Week - 29 November 2010

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SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK

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Jenny MacDonald

With special acoustic performance by “Loon Choir”

Rainbow, 76 Murray Street

Wednesday, December 1

Nova Scotia songstress, Jenny MacDonald will stop in Ottawa as part of her multi-province Canadian tour. Fresh from the studio, MacDonald will offer a sneak peak of her soon-to-be-released material from her new album, "Bye, Bye, Mr. Bluesman" which will hit the streets and radio waves in early 2011. Recorded by East Coast Music Award recipient Scott Hupman (2009 Blues Album of the Year - The Hupman Brothers), the album features a number of talented east coast and Canadian musicians including: Scott and Ryan Hupman (The Hupman Brothers), Ian Sherwood, Matt Myer (Gypsophelia), Rob Crowell (The Mellotones/Deer Tick), and more!
Aesthetically, the album takes the listener through a dreamy collection of 15 blues-inspired songs, tales of hellos, goodbyes, frustrations, and butterflies. A small, but mighty force, Jenny MacDonald offers a performance that is at once bold and brassy, delicate and fragile, and quirky enough to leave you smiling, laughing, and crying. With a personality as generous as her talent comes a charismatic performance - fulfilling from start to finish.

http://www.jennymacdonald.com

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Wild T & the Spirit

Tucson’s, 2440 Bank Street

Friday, December 3

Wild T is building a reputation for himself as the next premier guitarist to emerge from the Canadian music scene! Wild T ranks up there with Jeff Healey and Colin James as one of the finest guitarists Canada has produced. Be sure to catch this Canadian Guitar Sensation!

http://www.wildt.ca/

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Ross Neilsen & the Suffrin’ Bastards

With Papa Shango

Rainbow, 76 Murray Street

Saturday, December 4

Whether telling tall tales or capturing the spirit of the blues through his own originals and unique covers in his intimate solo shows or combining clever lyrics with old school, in-your-face guitar playing with his band, Ross Neilsen will take you on an emotional journey through the joys and pains of life, death, triumph and defeat. Neilsen will touch your heart, soul, body and mind, sending you home to sing yourself to sleep. And in the morning? You will want more, much more.

(edited from info by Sarah French)

http://www.rossneilsen.com

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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK

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Rhythm Café

Baobab Studio, 415C Piccadilly Avenue (Island Park Dr. and Wellington)

Saturday, December 4, 2-5 pm; adults $10, students & seniors $8; kids under 12 FREE

On Saturday December 4th from 2-5pm at the Baobab Studio in Ottawa's west end, Baobab Tree will host Rhythm Café – an exciting afternoon of African drumming, dancing and singing performances, an all ages drum workshop, an informal café and a silent auction.

Rhythm Café is a great community building event for all ages, entertaining more than 2000 people over the years with interactive music and culture. A special focus this year will be on Baobab Youth, a dynamic group of two dozen drummers and dancers who will travel to Ghana in July 2011. Come see them perform and learn about this unique educational journey they are taking.

www.baobabtree.org

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Christmas Goose

NAC 4th Stage, 53 Elgin Street

Saturday, December 4 @ 7:30 pm (doors 7 pm); $20

A concert featuring seasonal songs by local songwriters, with Terry Gillespie, Lee Hayes, Tom Lips, Al Wood, Pat Moore, Greg Kelly, John Hanson, Kate & Hollis and Ball & Chain.

The Ottawa Food Bank will share in the proceeds.

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Brandon Agnew

Avant-Garde Bar, 135½ Besserer Street

Saturday, December 4 @ 8 pm

Brandon Agnew & The Pocket 4’s – Blues/Roots/Jazz
and
Old Whiskey Road (Ottawa, ON) – Folk/Country/Roots
and
Huntley Slim & The Suburban Cowboys (Carp, ON) – Bluegrass/Country/Roots

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Big Soul Project

Dominion Chalmers Church, Cooper & O’Connor Streets

Saturday, December 4; doors @ 7 pm; tickets $10

Big Soul Projects rings in the festive season with a medley of Calypso, Gospel, Salsa, Reggae and seasonal selections.

Established in 1999, Big Soul Project is a community choir with the objective of bringing people together in song to promote a sense of connection and empowerment within its membership and in turn enliven the community at large through the gift of music. In keeping with its spirit of inclusiveness, there are no auditions. Members are from many walks of life, and range in age between 18 and 78.

Big Soul Project fuses the vocal energy of a large choir with the smooth grooves of their talented R&B Band. They aim to entertain and inspire with songs of hope, love, joy and peace performed with a soulful beat. Big Soul's accomplishments include performing on CBC, opening for Gospel legends the Blind Boys of Alabama and selling out the Christmas concert performances year after year!

http://www.bigsoulproject.com

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AREA HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK

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Old Man Luedecke

Black Sheep Inn, Wakefield QC

Friday, December 3

Old Man Luedecke is one of Canada’s best loved and most intriguing roots singer-songwriters. His memorable melodies, poetic sense and easy charisma appeal to anyone searching for new growth from old roots. Born in Toronto, he has made his home for years in the music rich maritime province of Nova Scotia, on the east coast of Canada. There his music has been wholeheartedly adopted and is becoming representative for its traditional storytelling folk elements. It speaks to a new generation of people craving such meaning in their music. Luedecke is a young man with an old soul who doesn’t sugar coat his fears and this lets his songs breathe with a fresh breeze of bittersweet hopefulness.

http://www.oldmanluedecke.ca/

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Swan Songs

This week – Heather Walsh & John MacDonald

The Swan on the Rideau, 2730 River Road, Manotick ON
Saturday, December 4; 8 pm ‘til midnight


With a gift for harmony Heather has an incredible vocal range and sings from the heart. She lives the song. John is an accomplished guitarist, flautist, singer and songwriter. Together they make a connection that you will love being a part of.

Starts at 8 pm as usual.

http://www.swanonrideau.ca/

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MAPLE BLUES NOMINEES

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Internationally recognized Canadian Blues artists will be getting plenty of attention at the 14th Annual Maple Blues Awards on January 17, 2011. This year’s crops of nominees are not only recognized at home, but have been leading Canada's growing international reputation as a leader in the blues community. Voting is open now and closes Saturday, December 11 at midnight PST. Blues fans, cast your votes online at http://www.mapleblues.ca.

Leading the nominations is Toronto’s Downchild with six; Ottawa’s Monkey Junk, who were awarded the 2009 Best New Artist Debut at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis, TN, follow with five. Toronto based singer Shakura S’Aida and Fathead each have four nominations. The first Canadian to win The International Blues Challenge award, New Brunswick’s blues giant Matt Andersen, garnered two nominations.

The 2011 Maple Blues Awards take place at Koerner Hall on January 17, wrapping up the bi-annual Blues Summit Five, a music conference which is a not-to-be-missed forum for all blues music industry members, artists, presenters, and agents.

Now in its 25th year, The Toronto Blues Society is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the Blues. The Maple Blues Awards is Canada’s national blues awards program. Its goal is to promote blues music across Canada, and to recognize outstanding achievement in the field.

The 14th Annual Maple Blues Awards Nominees:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Downchild

Johnny Max Band

Matt Andersen

Monkey Junk

Shakura S'Aida

ELECTRIC ACT OF THE YEAR

David Gogo

Downchild

Jack de Keyzer

Jimmy Bowskill Band

Monkey Junk

ACOUSTIC ACT OF THE YEAR

Braithwaite & Whiteley

Harrison Kennedy

Harry Manx

Little Miss Higgins

Matt Andersen

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Bob Walsh

Duane Blackburn

Harrison Kennedy

Jim Byrnes

John Mays (Fathead)

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Dawn Tyler Watson

Erin McCallum

Robin Bank$

Shakura S’Aida

Treasa Levasseur

NEW ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

Arsen Shomakhov

Chris Antonik

Erin McCallum

Hupman Brothers

Mike "Shrimp Daddy" Reid

RECORDING OF THE YEAR

Downchild/I Need A Hat/Linus; Producer – Don Walsh

JW-Jones/Midnight Memphis Sun/NorthernBlues; Producer – JW-Jones

Mel Brown/Love, Lost and Found/Electro-Fi; Producers – Mel Brown, Alec Fraser & Andrew Galloway

Shakura S'Aida/Brown Sugar/Ruf; Producer – Jim Gaines

Various Artists/Things About Comin’ My Way-A Tribute To The Music Of The Mississippi Sheiks/Black Hen; Producer – Steve Dawson

BB KING INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band

Duke Robillard

Janiva Magness

JJ Grey & Mofro

Mavis Staples

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Garrett Mason

Jack de Keyzer

Steve Dawson

Teddy Leonard

Tony D

HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

David Rotundo

Guy Bélanger

Paul Reddick

Roly Platt

Steve Marriner

PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Graham Guest

Julian Fauth

Kenny "Blue Boss" Wayne

Lance Anderson

Michael Fonfara

HORN PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Al Lerman

Chris Murphy

Chris Whiteley

Johnny Johnson
Pat Carey

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR

Bucky Berger

Chris Nordquist

Geoff Arsenault

Matt Sobb

Vince Maccarone

BASSIST OF THE YEAR

Alan Duffy

Alec Fraser

Brandi Disterheft

Gary Kendall

Keith Picot

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

Harry Manx

Jolene "Little Miss" Higgins

Paul Reddick & Colin Linden

Sue Foley & Peter Karp

Treasa Levasseur

http://www.mapleblues.ca

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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS EVERY WEEK

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New in November:

Southside Tuesdays

With Steve Marriner

Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street @ 9 pm SHARP; no cover

Tuesdays, 9 pm – 1 am – starting Tuesday, November 2

Join multi-talented multi-instrumentalist Steve Marriner for something different every week - blues/country/roots music of all kinds.
Music starts at 9 pm SHARP - NO COVER - CHECK IT OUT!

http://www.myspace.com/stevemarriner

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Irene’s Blues AllStars

Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street

Thursdays, 9 pm – 1 am

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, this weekly Thursday night jam features Corky Kealey on drums with Vince Halfhide on bass and 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 its continuing popularity.

Special guests:

December 2 – Rob Alexander

December 9 – Chuck Karn

December 16 – Lonesome Paul

December 23 – Vince Halfhide

December 30 – Peter Brown

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

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Open Blues Jam

Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street

Every Sunday, 4-7 pm; cover $3 (jammers free)

The jam is open to all ages. Jammers sign up on the jam sheet at the door & each jam session lasts for 3 songs. Drums & amps are provided, you only need to bring your instruments (but you can bring your amps if you want to).

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Sunday Blues, 6-9 pm, no cover

Atomic Rooster, 303 Bank Street (at MacLaren)

http://www.atomicrooster.ca

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Open Blues/Rock jam

Le Petit Chicago in Hull Centre-Town, 50 Portage Street

Sundays, 8-11 pm

We provide drums and amps, just bring your instrument. One musician at a time can play, with the band for improvisation, or as a standalone, for 15/20 minutes. You can register your name on a list at the door, choosing at what time you'd like to play. We suggest that you know how to communicate in terms of chords and rhythms, to make the improvisation easier and more convenient for the other musicians. You're more than welcome to come and play with us, and bring your friends! Le Petit Chicago is a very nice bar and we hope to see a lot of people. Spread the word!
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Southwest Sundays

With The Dusty Drifters

Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street

Sundays, 9:30 pm – 1 am

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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS ONCE A MONTH

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Blues Jam

Avant-Garde Bar & Restaurant, 135½ Besserer Street

First Tuesday of each month @ 8 pm

Hosted by River City Junction, this jam is open to guest performers, but is not an open jam’.

If you want to play, please contact River City Junction in advance to work out what instrument you play & what songs you would like to do.

Contact Jason jason@rivercityjunction.com

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BLUES ON THE RIDEAU 6th SEASON

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Blues On The Rideau at The Cove Inn, Westport Ontario – the popular once a month Dinner & Show Fundraiser Series - returns for its 6th season starting October 22. It’s another superb Line-Up of artists this year with multiple Juno, Maple Blues and American Blues Award nominees/winners. Proceeds from all Shows go to support different local charities. $27,000 has been raised over the past 5 years and the goal is to raise at least $5,000 more this season. If you love good food and great Blues in a small, friendly atmosphere and you haven’t been to a BOTR @ The Cove night before then you owe it to yourself to try one. You won’t be disappointed. If you’re a regular you already know how good these nights are! Welcome back.

2010/11 LINE-UP
All artists appear with their bands
Visit artists’ web sites and MySpace sites for more information, audio and video clips.

January 21/22 (*2 night stand) - JACK DE KEYZER
Singer/songwriter and the King of Canadian blues guitar Jack de Keyzer returns to BOTR for a 4th time. 2010 Juno Award winner for Best Blues CD (his 2nd Juno – he also won in 2003) & and a 7X Maple Blues Award winner his reputation speaks for itself.
www.jackdekeyzer.com www.myspace.com/jackdekeyzer
Proceeds to Rideau Vista & St. Edwards’ Elementary Schools

February 18 – CLIO & THE BLUES HIGHWAY
A rising new star from Quebec with a beautiful voice. Nominated for Best New Artist Of The Year Lys Award and Best Female Vocalist Maple Blues Award last year. Swing style, jazzy, smoky Blues.
www.myspace.com/cliovalerie
Proceeds to the Rideau Waterway Land Trust

March 18 & 19 (*2 night stand) - MONKEY JUNK
Ottawa’s own and a very HOT band these days. Winners of the Blues Music Award for Best New Band Debut and 6 Maple Blues Awards in 2010! Swamp R&B, soul boogie & bedroom funk.
www.monkeyjunkband.com www.myspace.com/monkeyjunkottawa
Proceeds to the Friends of Foley Mountain

April 15 – PAUL REDDICK
Canada’s poet of the Blues with his superb harmonica and voice returns to BOTR for a 3rd visit. A multiple Maple Blues Award winner with a great new album.
www.paulreddick.ca www.myspace.com/paulreddick1
Proceeds to Westport In Bloom

May 20 – TREASA LEVASSEUR
Back for a 2nd visit. The slim lady with the BIG voice. A 2010 Juno Award nominee & multiple Maple Blues Award nominee. Delicious Blues, soul, funk & R&B.
www.treasalevasseur.com www.myspace.com/treasalevasseur
Proceeds to the Rideau District Museum

June 10 – RAOUL & THE BIG TIME
Toronto actor and Blues man who blows harp like Little Walter reincarnated. A multiple Maple Blues Award winner. Rough ‘n ready swing Blues.
www.raoulandthebigtime.com www.myspace.com/raoulandthebigtime
Proceeds to Habitat For Humanity

NOTE:
* If there is enough advance ticket demand on single show weekends a Saturday night show may be added - so BOOK EARLY!
* All Shows are filmed by Ken Bowman with audio by Little Chicago Sound Company and one song is posted to YOU TUBE soon after the performance. Visit
www.choosetheblues.ca for examples from last year.
* Artists and dates subject to change. Visit
www.choosetheblues.ca or call The Cove closer to each show for updates.

The Cove Inn www.coveinn.com is located in the beautiful town of Westport, Ontario on Upper Rideau Lake - a 45 minute drive from Kingston, 1.5 hours from Ottawa, 4 from Toronto and 3.5 from Montreal. Well-priced accommodation is available at The Cove and nearby B&B’s so out-of-town blues fans can stay overnight and enjoy a great little getaway.

$55 (plus HST) for full course buffet dinner, show & dancing.
All Shows 7 to 11 pm
Advance Reservations required
CALL THE COVE (613) 273-3636 or 1-888-COVE-INN

Blues On The Rideau is produced by Choose The Blues Productions, Kenmore Ontario in cooperation with The Cove Inn, Westport Ontario
Visit www.choosetheblues.ca for more information

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MUSIC IN MERRICKVILLE

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Music in Merrickville

Baldachin Inn, Merrickville ON

Upcoming shows:

Saturday, December 11 – The Brothers Chaffey with Tony D Band @ 8 pm; $20

Saturday, January 22 – Lee Harvey Osmond (Tom Wilson) with Harlan Pepper

$30 includes gallery showing of Tom Wilson's paintings

Saturday, February 26 – Jack De Keyzer with TBA @ 8 pm; $20

A new music series in Merrickville kicked off on Saturday, November 13 with Silver Creek. Organizer Suzy Brickell wrote: “Silver Creek was fantastic, a great way to start Music in Merrickville and certainly well attended.”

Tickets for upcoming shows go on sale approx 3 weeks prior to show

Rooms are available at the Baldachin Inn or for other accommodation in the area, check the links at http://www.facebook.com/l/5e2bcEhuTi7RsyvZWSUzAa1I1zA;www.baldachin.com

Show is licensed with light snacks available.

Table or individual seating; no reservations required.

All tickets available at Compact Music or by calling the Baldachin Inn at 613-269-4223

Tickets will be available at the door unless sold out.

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SPECIAL EVENTS COMING SOON

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Treasa Levasseur

Black Sheep Inn, Wakefield QC

Friday, December 10

Born in Winnipeg, raised in North Bay, and long-time resident in Toronto, Treasa Levasseur’s roots spread far and dig deep. She goes “home” several times a year, and when she played in Toronto’s famed Massey Hall as part of the Women’s Blues Revue, her mother came to see her perform — for the first time.

Levasseur plays piano, accordion, guitar, mandolin, and anything else she can get her hands on. In May of 2008, she won CBC Radio’s ‘Ultimate Sideman Showdown’ with her trusty accordion and charming presence. Heavily influenced by such soul artists as Mavis Staples, Carole King and Annie Lennox, she remains musically versatile and has played everything from heavy metal to hiphop, country, sugary pop and thoughtful folk music.

Above all, Levasseur has a passion for making music. She simply wants to PLAY — and, in addition to her own career, she cheerfully makes the time to play with at least three other bands on a regular basis. The fact is that she has now created a new family in the big city— a wide-ranging group of musicians and music fans who have learned to love her passionate commitment, unerring harmony singing and instrumental prowess.

Her 2nd CD, “Low Fidelity” may well be a collection of personal songs and stories, but it is never mawkish or sentimental. And her descriptions of romantic entanglements and love (sometimes lust) lost and found resonate with everyone. Everyone, after all, has been there, done that, and lived to identify with the way Levasseur tells the tale.

As always, she has plenty to say, and she will continue to say it with sincerity and sass and a powerful voice that cannot be ignored or denied.

(edited from bio by Richard Flohil & Jadea Kelly)

http://www.treasalevasseur.com

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Maria Hawkins Band

Annual Pre-New Year's Party

Rainbow, 76 Murray Street

Wednesday, December 29


Maria's vocal skills, backed by an ensemble of some of Ottawa's best musicians and her own bottomless energy, combine on stage for an exhilarating musical experience that leaves participants breathless.

She isn't just about the blues. Maria's voice creates a rich palette of colours and textures in virtually any musical styling: Motown, R&B, soulful soul and funky funk. Don't Miss The Maria Hawkins Experience!

http://www.mariahawkins.ca/

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BLUES IN KINGSTON

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Kingston Blues Society Jam

RCHA Club 193 Ontario Street

3rd Saturday of each month, $3 at the door


Host Band: Mojo Shooter, plus many of Kingston’s best musicians. Always one of the best nights of entertainment Kingston has to offer – come early as seating is limited. Come out and see Mojo Shooter, Dan and some of Kingston's best musicians get together and jam the night away.

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Georgette Fry

Brandees, 178 Ontario Street, Kingston ON

Every Thursday night at 8:30 pm (new start time)

The Ones

Monte’s in the Prince George Hotel, 200 Ontario Street, Kingston ON

Every Thursday night @ 9 pm

Sam Hopkins and Spencer Evans

Upstairs @ the Brew Pub

Every Second Sunday 2-4 PM

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For more, please contact Kingston Blues Society

www.kingstonbluessociety.ca

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BLUES ON THE RADIO

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DAWG-FM, CIDG, 101.9 is ON THE AIR! Blues 24/7

Live streaming on the website at http://www.dawgfm.com/

Sundays: 8 pm

Ottawa Blues Society DAWG’ON BLUES

Each week OBS hosts keep you up to date on what’s happening on the Ottawa area blues scene, play some great blues from local bands and showcase regional and Canadian talent.

This week, December 5 – Profile of solo musician John Carroll and brand new songs from Wicked Grin

Next week, December 12 – Christmas Blues

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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: 9-11 pm

In A Mellow Tone

with Ron Sweetman

Jazz from every era & every style – from 1917 to 2010. 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, December 1 – Seasonal Suggestions: Recent jazz and blues releases, with an emphasis on instrumental performances. Will be chosen from Dan Adler, Ab Baars, Hadley Caliman, Pete Christlieb, Avishai Cohen, Eli Degribi, John Goldman, Michael Herring, Jazz Passengers, Matt Jorgensen, Dave Liebman, Aaron Lington, Tom Rizzo, Don Scott, Paul Tynan, UOU and Bruce Williamson.

Next week, December 8 – Lula Reed: A singer with a distinctive style, who came from the church, found fame with R&B bandleader Sonny Thompson, but gave it all up to return to the church. We’ll hear her recordings from 1951 to 1962 for the King and Federal labels.

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On CBC Radio Two 103.3 FM

Saturdays: 6-8 pm

On CBC Radio One 91.5 FM

Saturdays: 9-11 pm

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 CJHR 98.7 Valley Heritage Radio

Thursdays, 8-10 pm

Got The Blues

Pat Watters has been hosting this blues only radio show for the last 2+ years. It can be heard throughout the Ottawa Valley and now streaming on the internet at valleyheritageradio.ca so Ottawa folks can now listen!

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CBC RADIO CONCERTS ON DEMAND

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CBC Radio Two's Canada Live @ 7 pm Mon/Fri

Monday, November 29
concert 1: Festival Blues AllStars, recorded at the 2010 Vancouver Island MusicFest in Courtenay, BC
Vancouver Island MusicFest has been bringing great roots and world music to the Comox Valley and Vancouver Island since 1995. Headlining this year's Friday night main stage were Tim Williams, Amos Garrett and the Festival AllStars. The set was hosted by the venerable Canadian bluesman Amos Garrett along with Tim Williams, who brought along the Electro-Fires, his long-time band. To top it off, they invited a stellar lineup of great B.C. guest musicians to join them - Les Quitzau, Paul Pigat, Gary Preston, and Roy Forbes. Pull up your low rise chairs alongside eight thousand other music lovers and take in the main stage spectacle.

Thursday, December 2
concert 1: Colin James, recorded at CBC Vancouver's Studio 40
Born and bred in Saskatchewan, Colin James has long called Vancouver home. Colin was still in his teens when he was discovered by blues guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughan. As a singer, guitarist, and songwriter, Colin James has had a varied musical career, from blues to rock, pop and swing, following his muse without regard to fads or trends. A dozen albums later, Colin's an established rock and blues institution who's never gone away and just keeps on getting better; his guitar and vocals have never been more soulful. The audience lined up around the block to get in to this concert, which happened just weeks after Colin James' latest album, Rooftops and Satellites, was recorded, and was the first chance for his fans to hear his brand new record.


CBC Radio 1 broadcast, Fridays at 2:05 pm
Friday, December 3 on CBC Radio 1
concert 1: Colin James, recorded at CBC Vancouver's Studio 40
Born and bred in Saskatchewan, Colin James has long called Vancouver home. Colin was still in his teens when he was discovered by blues guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughan. As a singer, guitarist, and songwriter, Colin James has had a varied musical career, from blues to rock, pop and swing, following his muse without regard to fads or trends. A dozen albums later, Colin's an established rock and blues institution who's never gone away and just keeps on getting better; his guitar and vocals have never been more soulful. The audience lined up around the block to get in to this concert, which happened just weeks after Colin James' latest album, Rooftops and Satellites, was recorded, and was the first chance for his fans to hear his brand new record.

Canada Live podcast, released on Fridays
Friday, December 3 on the Canada Live podcast
Michael Jerome Browne and The Twin Rivers Stringband, recorded at La Sala Rossa in Montreal
Guitarist and vocalist Michael Jerome Browne has a reputation as one this country's best blues and roots performers, and he has a trunk full of awards to prove it! In this concert at La Sala Rossa in Montreal, Michael is joined by acoustic trio The Twin Rivers String Band, made up of Ottawa natives Jody Benjamin on guitar and Cajun triangle and Michael Ball on the fiddle. Michael plays an assortment of guitars along with a fiddle and sings like no one else. The room is quiet because Michael insists on having just one microphone - but that's just the way the roots audience likes it!

Lots of blues available in the concerts on demand section of the CBC Website … http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20091114downc

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SPECIAL EVENT ON THE SMALL SCREEN

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“Flip Flop And Fly…

Forty Years of the Downchild Blues Band”

A feature documentary with Dan Aykroyd and Paul Shaffer

HBO Canada and TMN

Saturday, December 4 @ 6:25 pm EST

Flip Flop and Fly is a live concert/documentary that celebrates the 40 year career of Donnie ‘Mr. Downchild’ Walsh and the legendary Downchild Blues Band. Downchild has had a huge impact on Canadian and American musical culture but to-date, this impact has been overlooked by pop culture historians. “Flip Flop and Fly” will right that wrong!

In the late 60s Donnie Walsh and his brother Richard ‘Hock’ Walsh imported blues music from the United States to Canada and introduced Canadians to this passionate and infectious music. Forty years, 19 albums, countless live performances and numerous awards later, Downchild remains the top live blues band in Canada, regularly selling out concerts throughout the country and around the world. Their influence on a whole new generation of young Canadian musicians cannot be overstated: Jeff Healey, Colin James, and Amanda Marshall are but a few who were influenced by Donnie’s blues tradition. In the U.S. his contribution remains timeless: Donnie and his brother, the late Hock Walsh, were the inspiration behind Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi’s iconic film The Blues Brothers. Says Aykroyd, “There would be no Blues Brothers if it wasn’t for Downchild.” In fact, two Downchild original songs, ‘I Have Everything I Need (Almost)’ and ‘Shotgun Blues’ appear on The Blues Brothers multi-platinum soundtrack “Briefcase Full of Blues.” Donnie and Dan’s longtime friendship is based on mutual respect and their lifelong passion for blues music as both tirelessly continue to spread the word.

Narrated by Aykroyd, Flip Flop and Fly captures “once in a lifetime” live footage of Downchild’s sold out 40th Anniversary performance last fall at Massey Hall in Toronto and tells the story of the band’s incredible journey through interviews with members past and present, archival interviews, vintage film footage and band rarities from inception to present day. Friends, fans, music journalists and musicians all add their memories, providing added perspective on the amazing journey of Downchild. Also included: never-before-seen footage of the late Jeff Healey in performance with Downchild.

Featuring special guests Dan Aykroyd, legendary American bluesman James Cotton, Canada’s own Colin James and Stax recording icon Wayne Jackson of The Memphis Horns, viewers will be treated to all of Downchild’s classic hits, plus some brand new songs from their 2010 Juno-nominated CD “I Need a Hat.” Flip, Flop and Fly is a poignant tribute to one of the greatest bands ever produced in Canada.

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WEEKLY EVENTS ON THE SMALL SCREEN

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ALWAYS check local listings to confirm.

On BRAVO – http://www.bravo.ca

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

Salty Sessions/Hot Toddy (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 band Hot Toddy.

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

Nothing Halfway, Rick Fines & Susie Vinnick (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 Rick Fines and Suzie Vinnick.

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LOCALS LOOK AHEAD

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Thursday, December 9

John Carroll @ the Elmdale Tavern

Friday, December 10

Wicked Grin @ Tucson’s

Saturday, December 11

Jesse Greene Band @ the Rainbow

Terry Gillespie @ Irene’s

Quicksand @ Tucson’s

Sunday, December 12

River City Junction hosts the Rainbow Sunday jam

Tuesday, December 14

Tyler Bell Band (shooting a live music video) @ the Rainbow

Saturday, December 18

Big Chill @ Tucson’s

Sunday, December 19

Tempus Fugitives hosts the Rainbow Sunday jam

Sunday, December 26

Boxing Day Open Jam with Dr. Dave @ the Rainbow

Wednesday, December 29

Maria Hawkins Annual Pre-New Year’s Bash @ the Rainbow

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