29 February 2016

Ottawa Blues This Week - 29 February 2016

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It’s always wise to check with
the venue to confirm the show!
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SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK
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Westfest All-Star Fundraiser
Orange Art Gallery, 290 City Centre
Sunday, March 6, 3-8 pm; tickets $100

Your $100 ticket includes live music, delicious meals (lots of veg options!), and a tasty selection of drinks including craft beer and wine.
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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK
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The Mud Boys
Atomic Rooster, 303 Bank Street
Sunday, March 6, 6-9 pm; no cover

A rare opportunity to see Ottawa’s ‘Plumber of the Blues’, Dean Dupuis and his band of Mud Boys.
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AREA HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK
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Calabogie Presents...The Winter MUSIC Series
Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo
Black Donald’s Pub, Calabogie Peaks, Calabogie ON
Saturday, March 5 @ 2 pm

Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo was formed in Ottawa, Canada, July 1991, to explore the rhythms and eerie melodies of New Orleans and of the bayou's of rural Louisiana. They have transformed these Mari Gras anthems into their own, while keeping true to the genre.
Elements of Blues, Boogie, Jazz, Reggae, Calypso & Latin music can be savored in their MUMBO GUMBO. 
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Tony D & 2M Crew
Kaffé 1870, 715 Riverside Drive, Wakefield QC
Saturday, March 5 @ 9ish

Tony D & 2M Crew featuring Matt Sobb and Mike Turrene will be laying down their special Jook Joint blues and grooves at a real to goodness Juke Joint in lovely downtown Wakefield, QC, Saturday, March 5th. Come for the decor alone...houndawgin' it all night long. Show time 9-ish.
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Lucas Haneman Express
The Branch, 15 Clothier Street East, Kemptville ON
Saturday, March 5

His one of a kind sound lends itself to styles as diverse as blues, funk, jazz, folk, reggae, rock and world music.  Lucas has been focusing on writing and recording original music with his new project called "The Lucas Haneman Express", in which Lucas performs as a guitarist and singer alongside Jeff Asselin (drums) and Martin Newman (bass), with Megan Lawrence on vocals.  The Lucas Haneman Express represented the Ottawa Blues Society at the recent International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN, where they advanced to the semi-final round.
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LOCALS THIS WEEK
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Saturday, March 5
Tunes After Noon with Greg Kelly & Friends, s/g Al Wood @ Black Irish Pub, 1-3 pm
The Back Beat @ D’Arcy McGee’s, Orleans, 9 pm
Sunday, March 6
The Mud Boys @ the Atomic Rooster, 6-9 pm
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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS
(almost) EVERY WEEK
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Jeff and Shane Tuesdays in the Irish Village
Heart & Crown, Byward Market, Clarence Street
Every other Tuesday
Every other Tuesday, you can find Jeff Rogers accompanied by Shane McEwan playing at The Heart and Crown Downtown.
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The Jam @ Kaffé 1870, Wakefield QC
Every Wednesday @ 9 pm, no cover
6 rotating hosts, each specializing in a different genre
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Matthew & Curtis Chaffey (The Split)
The Lift Lounge, Delta Hotel, 101 Lyon Street North
Wednesdays, 5:30-8:30 pm
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John Carroll
Chateau Lafayette (The Laff), 42 York Street
Wednesdays, 8 pm
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Irene’s Blues AllStars 
Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street
Thursdays, 9 pm – 1 am; no cover
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. 
Hosted by Corky Kealey and Vince Halfhide.
Special guests: 
            March 3 – Niel Barrington
          March 10 – John Yemensky
          March 17 – Peter O’Newsom
          March 24 – Rod Williams
          March 31 – Jeff Hagerman
          April 7 – Jason & Caroline
          April 14 – Lee Bowie
          April 21 – Dave Schroeder
          April 28 – Luke Ambridge
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Weekly jazz jam
Options Jazz Lounge, Brookstreet Hotel, Kanata
Thursdays, 7-11 pm; no cover
“… February 11, was the third anniversary of weekly jazz jams at the Brookstreet Hotel's Options Jazz Lounge in Kanata – and the HML Trio will be keeping the music going, as they have from the beginning.
There are not many jams that last without a break for that long, and with the same host band. But the Ottawa jazz trio – Jamie Holmes on drums, Alex Moxon on guitar, and J.P. Lapensée on electric bass – has built a steady following for the Thursday jam, week in and week out.”
Check out the full article on this jam at
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Jeff Rogers
SALT, 345 Preston Street
Fridays, 9:30 pm
Every other Saturday, 9:30 pm
Friday and alternate Saturday Nights in a gorgeous Piano Lounge, find Jeff singing all kinds of music, playing a nice new grand piano, while drinking fabulous cocktails.
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Roddy Ellias
Caveau Mediterranean, 1638 Bank Street
Every Saturday night, starting February 13
            February 27 – John Geggie (bass) & Roddy Ellias (guitar)
          March 7 – Megan Jerome (voice) & Roddy Ellias (guitar)
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The Allaire Show
            with John Allaire & special guests
Quinn’s Ale House, 1070 Bank Street
Last Saturday of the month, 3-5 pm
Songs and stories from around the world.
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Jeff Rogers
Deacon Brodie’s, 247 Elgin Street
Every Sunday, 2-6 pm
Every Sunday afternoon, you can find Jeff playing some tunes at Deacon Brodie's on Elgin.
Downtown Ottawa, come for brunch (till 2pm) and then stay for tunes as Jeff takes requests and kicks off your Sunday Funday!
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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)
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2016 WINTER MUSIC
AT CALABOGIE PEAKS
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Calabogie Presents...The Winter MUSIC Series
January 2, 2016 - March 26, 2016
Calabogie Peaks Resort is excited to bring back the music events this winter with après ski entertainment!

Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo - March 5, 2016
Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo was formed in Ottawa, Canada, July 1991, to explore the rhythms and eerie melodies of New Orleans and of the bayou's of rural Louisiana. They have transformed these Mari Gras anthems into their own, while keeping true to the genre.
Elements of Blues, Boogie, Jazz, Reggae, Calypso & Latin music can be savored in their MUMBO GUMBO. www.mumbojumbo.ca

Rocket Rached - March 12, 2016
A classic blues shouter who harkens back to the days of Jimmy Witherspoon and Big Joe Turner. The "Rocket" is a frontman extraordinaire without equal, who erupts with energy and once on stage it’s both infectious and entertaining. http://www.fatcity8.ca/jed.html

Maria Hawkins - March 19, 2016
The Maria Hawkins Band perform in clubs and for public events regularly (blues, soul, R&B, funk and rock). They have a great following in the Ottawa region and perform annually for fairs, festivals, community events and fundraisers. Maria and her band have opened for Colin James and performed with Amanda Marshall. http://mariahawkins.ca/

Three Times Lucky - March 26, 2016
Three Times Lucky, formed in 2009, are a group of experienced Ottawa area musicians offering a combination of classic rootsy blues rock, with a healthy dose of their own original numbers to boot. So put on your favorite dancing shoes and come out to a show real soon! Yer Alternative Rockin' Blues Satisfaction Guaranteed! 
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VIRÉE BLUES BORÉALE
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23rd Edition of Virée Blues Boréale
Le Petit Chicago, 50 Promenade du Portage, Gatineau QC

March 9 – Mike Deway
March 30 – Brent Johnson & the Call Up
April 13 – Miss Robin Banks & her All-Star Blues Band
April 27 – Nadia Waltz
May 11 – Mike Goudreau & the Boppin’ Blues Band
May 25 – Raoul & the Big Time
June 8 – Dawn Tyler Watson
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AREA HIGHLIGHTS ONCE A MONTH
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Blues On Tues         
The Granary Beizli, 3270 County Rd 10, Vankleek Hill ON
Third Tuesday of every month@ 7 pm; $10
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Blues On The Rideau
The Cove Inn, Westport ON
Dinner & Show Fundraisers
Once a month 7-11 pm; $65

Blues On The Rideau is a Dinner and Show Fundraiser Series that has been running at The Cove Country Inn in Westport, Ontario for the past 10 years. The shows start in September and run once a month through to May (December excluded) and feature some of the best Blues bands in Canada (and a few American ones too). It has come to be recognized as one of the premier Blues Series in Canada. Every show is a fundraiser for a different local charity. To date the Series has raised over $55,000. The goal for this season is another $5K.

The Cove Inn is located in the beautiful village of Westport on Upper Rideau Lake - about a 90 minute drive from Ottawa, 45 minutes from Kingston. All BOTR shows run from 7 to 11 pm and include a delicious full course buffet dinner. The staff at The Cove are very friendly and the venue is small, intimate and relaxed. After dinner you get to see and dance to the bands up close and personal – the way Blues is best enjoyed – all for a very reasonable price – $65 (plus tax). There are door prize giveaways at every show and 2 Grand Prizes drawn at the end of the season from all of the Comment Cards filled in by attendees over the year.  

ADVANCE RESERVATIONS are required and it is wise to book well ahead especially if you want to stay overnight. Rooms at The Cove and nearby B&Bs and motels frequently sell out for Blues nights. Call The Cove at 613-273-3636 or 1-888-COVEINN to reserve.

More info on the Series, including Bios, LINKS to websites and YOU TUBES of all the artists can be found at www.BluesOnTheRideau.ca 

2015/16 SEASON – our 11th year!
March 25
From Montreal
ANGEL FORREST BAND
With a career spanning 26 years and 8 albums to her credit Angel is recognized as one of the best female vocalists in Quebec. Now she’s become nationally and internationally famous. Last year she won the Maple Blues Award winner for Best Female Vocalist (her second in a row) and Best Songwriter. A colourful, flamboyant performer with a voice like Janis Joplin. Her first appearance at BOTR and we’re very pleased to have her!
PROCEEDS TO KICK IN FOR KIDS

April 22
From Montreal
RIA REECE BAND
A young, beautiful up-and-coming artist with a powerful, soulful voice who sings Blues, Jazz, Soul & R&B like Etta James & Koko Taylor. 4 Quebec Lys Blues Award nominations for her first album and a finalist in the 2014 Toronto Blues Society’s Talent Search. She hasn’t played outside of Quebec that often yet but that’s about to change – come and see her before she gets famous!
PROCEEDS TO 4-H CANADA

May 13
From Hamilton
HARRISON KENNEDY BAND
One of the best Soul/Blues/R&B singers this country has ever produced - period. Lead singer in the Detroit supergroup “Chairmen Of The Board” in the 1960s Harrison semi-retired when the band broke up, took a “real job” and only played Blues on the side for a few decades. He re-emerged full time in the early 2000s and since then he’s released 7 albums (4 of which earned Juno nominations), been nominated 15X for Maple Blues Awards and an American Blues Music Award. Harrison has been here twice before - now you get to see him with his full R&B band behind him. I guarantee this will be a night to remember. Reserve early!
PROCEEDS TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Bands and dates are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. Check the website or call The Cove closer to the shows to confirm.

BLUES ON THE RIDEAU is produced by Choose The Blues Productions www.choosetheblues.ca 
in cooperation with The Cove Inn, Westport www.coveinn.com  
Sponsored by Dan Aykroyd Wines www.danaykroydwines.com
Perth Brewery www.perthbrewery.ca
101.9 DAWG FM Ottawa www.dawgfm.com
Ottawa Blues Society www.ottawabluessociety.com
LAKE 88.1 Perth/Rideau Lakes www.lake88.ca

Please visit and LIKE us on Facebook and Twitter
www.facebook.com/ChooseTheBluesProductions    
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FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH
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Black Music Series
National Arts Centre, 53 Elgin Street
Tickets $25
March 5 – Diane White

MDA Productions is an organization that facilitates performance opportunities for local artists, raising awareness of World Music through concerts and music productions. The main purpose of their artistic projects is to enrich the cultural experience of Canadian audiences in the National Capital Region. Black Music Series will highlight performances of black artists representatives of the Ottawa music scene in different genres such as Gospel, Soul, Jazz, Pop, R&B, Hip Hop, and others.
Don’t miss the chance to attend these unique and exciting concerts in collaboration with Miguel de Armas Quartet.
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SPECIAL EVENTS – MARCH
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Rick Fines
Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street
Wednesday, March 9 @ 8 pm; $10

Steeped in roots music, Rick Fines crafts a unique blend of warm-hearted blues, juke joint folk, and dockside soul that both embraces and defies the genres that influence him. As a veteran of the North American blues and folk circuits, he engages audiences with captivating songs, diverse guitar styling and his signature vocal growl. His newest album, “Driving Home, is his most eclectic and electric to date.  
 
Rick believes in the transformative power of music. When not performing, he can be found teaching and sharing with students across Canada – including work with the Blues In The Schools programs in Ottawa, Saskatoon, Toronto, and Yellowknife. He’s also participated in the Ontario Arts Council’s Artists in Education program.
http://rickfines.ca/
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Steve Hill & Paul Reddick
Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Blvd, Orleans
Friday, March 11 @ 8 pm; tickets $40

Paul Reddick kicks off the show and Steve Hill drives it home. A spectacular night of blues that you don’t want to miss! 

Easily and widely considered one of Canada’s most prolific and exciting guitarists, Steve Hill is the 2015 Juno Award Winner for Blues Album of the Year, 2015 Maple Blues Award Winner for Electric Act of the Year, Guitarist of the Year, Recording/Producer of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. 

With tracks that are heavy and hard hitting, deep and melodic, Hill manages to nail a wide range of emotions with his songwriting and masterful guitar playing. When it comes to one-man bands, Hill has no limits. Throughout his lengthy and intense live shows, Hill performs standing up while singing and playing guitar, with his feet playing bass drum, snare drum, hi-hats and with a drum stick fused to the head of his trusty guitar, along with any other percussion within reach. With roots in blues, rock and a little bit of country, Hill performs his original songs, blues classics, and, quite often, raucous renditions of Jimi Hendrix tunes. 

Seven-time Maple Blues Award winner, JUNO and American Blues Music Award nominee, Paul Reddick’s distinctive voice covers a wide emotional palette; always engaging; sometimes a shout, more often a conversationally vivid whisper. But it is Reddick’s songs — sometimes sweet, sometimes bitter, always thought-provoking and rarely sentimental — and the passionate way he delivers them that best illustrate what the influential British magazineMojo described as his “wayward brilliance.”

Reddick has long been a part of Canada’s rich roots music scene; he is one of the best harmonica players in the country, and he’s contributed to the recordings of other key artists, among them Kathleen Edwards, Colin Linden, Treasa Levasseur, Scarlett Jane, Suzie Vinnick and more. 
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The Sheepdogs
Bronson Centre Theatre, 211 Bronson Avenue
Friday, March 11

Trends come and go, styles fall in and out of fashion, but The Sheepdogs remain steadfast in their commitment to rock n’ roll excellence. Since their inception, the band has always sought to play the kind of music they themselves love: “Pure, simple, good-time music,” as singer/guitarist Ewan Currie puts it. It’s no surprise, then, that the band’s fifth LP, “Future Nostalgia”, is firmly rooted in the rock tradition that listeners have come to expect from the boys.
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ZAPP Productions presents
The Music of Joe Cocker & Leon Russell
Brockville Arts Centre, Brockville ON
Friday March 18 @ 8 pm
Tickets – Box Office 613-342-7122

The Regent Theatre, Picton ON
Saturday March 19 @ 8 pm
Tickets – Box Office 613-476-8416

The Crowd favourite at the 2013 Kitchener Blues Festival, this show with 14 of the country’s top Blues and Roots music artists is a powerhouse Soul and Gospel/rock show guaranteed to bring the house down.

Juno Award winning producer Lance Anderson (who brought The Last Waltz to the theatres) has brought together another wonderful roster of Blues All-Stars. Singers Chuck Jackson (The Downchild Blues Band), and Matt Weidinger, Cheryl Lescomb and gospel sensations Quisha Wint and Selena Evangeline to recreate the magic of the award winning 1970s tour, album and movie of the same name.

Backed by a nine piece band which includes TWO drummers (Michael Sloski, The Cameo Blues Band) Shamakah Ali (The Barkays)) and percussionist (Art Avalos, Manteca), horns (David Dunlop (Boss Brass), Simon Wallis (Lighthouse)), Hammond organ (Matt W), piano (Anderson)  session guitarist Terry Blersh, Danny Brooks and bass (Collin Barrett), the rhythm this group creates is a freight train which will pick you up and drop you down at the Fillmore East in NYC.

They came together to celebrate the music that Joe Cocker and Leon Russell threw together to fulfill a tour that almost didn’t happen. Cocker’s English band was not allowed into America. At the last minute he asked Russell to assemble a group of musical all-stars for a tour. Joe asked the right man, as Leon was one of the most connected studio musicians and songwriters in L.A. and part of the world famous ‘Wrecking Crew’.

Our Mad Dogs show is in that same all star spirit. During this two hour show you will hear their wonderful arrangements from the “Hall of Fame” hit record including: ‘The Letter’, ‘With a Little Help From My Friends’, ‘Feeling Alright’, ‘Space Captain’, ‘Honky Tonk Woman’,  ‘Cry Me a River’, ‘Drown in My Own Tears’.  Leon’s wonderful arrangements of Beatles tunes like: ‘She Came In Through the Bathroom Window’, ‘Something’, ‘Let It Be’ are featured in the show as well as originals like: ‘Superstar’, ‘Give Peace a Chance’ and ‘Dixie Lullaby’.

All these wonderful songs played with the original sized band and arrangements. It is part revival meeting, hippie love-in and part R&B and Soul history. A truly magical experience many have called "The best show I have seen in my life!"
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Bill Durst
Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street
Friday, March 18

Back in the day, Bill Durst co-founded the band Thundermug which existed from 1970 to 2001 (with a few hiatus periods in that time). In 2009, he released the first of four blues/rock recordings on his independent Durstwerks label. About the most recent, “Good, Good Lovin’” released in November 2015, Bill says: “It’s a real kick ass blues rocker. It pumps and thumps and it blows my hat off. Can you tell I like it?”
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Matt Andersen & the Bona Fide
NAC Southam Hall, 53 Elgin Street
Thursday, March 24 @ 8 pm

A powerhouse performer, Matt Andersen’s “fingers sail over his acoustic guitar strings with the speed and grace of a hummingbird,” he has a giant yet soul-filled and passionate voice, and a commanding stage presence. In a word, Andersen is awesome! With over 5 million views on YouTube, independent album sales topping 30,000, a European Blues Award, Maple Blues Awards and Best Solo Performer at the Memphis Blues Challenge, Andersen’s worldwide fan base shows no signs of slowing down.

“The blues is a big part of what I do, and in my solo show some tunes are straight-up blues, for sure,” he says. “But I would never stand beside B.B. King and say, ‘I play blues, too.’ None of my albums are blues albums – I’ve won blues awards with them, but I wouldn’t say they’re blues albums.”

Since the release of “Weightless” in early 2014, Andersen has received a Juno nomination for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year, a CIMA Road Gold award, and a Maple Blues Award for Male Vocalist of the Year. His ninth full-length album “Honest Man” is set for release February 26 via True North Records.

Supporting the release of “Honest Man”, Andersen will take to the road for four months through North America and joining him on the Canadian dates will be another JUNO Award nominated songwriter, Donovan Woods.  No stranger to each other, the Toronto artist and Andersen penned two tracks together for “Honest Man” including the album closer ‘One Good Song’.

Joining him on stage behind the drum set is Geoff Arsenault (Daniel Lanois, Matt Mays, Al Tuck, Mary Jane Lamond), a multifaceted artist with a soulful sensibility known for his generous and harmonious style. On bass and harmonica is the JUNO Award winning multi-instrumentalist and producer Steve Marriner (MonkeyJunk, Harry Manx). And taking up the guitar and keys is Chris Kirby (Wide Mouth Mason, Big Sugar), a 10-time ECMA nominee, 5 time Music Newfoundland Award winner, and in demand songwriter, co-writing with the likes of Tim Chaisson, Phil Churchill (The Once), Eddie Schwartz, Stephen Fearing, and many others.
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Sussex, featuring Rob Lutes
Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street
Friday, March 25; $10

SUSSEX – “Parade Day” (Lucky Bear Records)
Review from Folk Roots/Folk Branches with Mike Regenstreif, February 6, 2016

I’ve known Montreal-based singer-songwriter Rob Lutes a long time and have enjoyed watching (and listening) to him develop as a singer, songwriter, guitarist and performer. He knows well how to combine his gritty voice and fluid, blues-based guitar playing into something very compelling. With Sussex, Rob has taken his music to a new level.

Sussex is a collaboration of Rob, who is rooted in folk and blues, and vibraphonist Michael Emenau, whose roots are in classical music and jazz. Rob and Michael played together 25 or so years ago as high school students in New Brunswick and began collaborating again after Michael moved to Montreal in 2011.

“Parade Day”, the first Sussex album, includes five songs written or co-written by Rob, one by Michael, and five of their songwriting collaborations. They also include a charming cover of Randy Newman’s ‘Dayton, Ohio – 1903’.

Rob plays acoustic guitar and fronts the band as lead singer while Michael is heard throughout on vibes and occasionally on percussion and piano. And they get some great backup from the likes of guitarist Ben Charest (best known for his infectious film score for Les Triplettes de Bellville); trumpet and flugelhorn player Ivanhoe Jolicoeur; upright bassist Sage Reynolds; and violinist Josh Zubot.

The album opens strongly with ‘Hollow Log’, a song about maintaining a sense of balance in the face of life’s problems. The vibes weaving in and around the vocal lines give the song an irresistible jazzy-rootsy flavor. The jazz-meets-roots fusion really comes alive on such numbers as ‘Truth and Lies’, with some nimble, Reinhardt-like guitar lines by Ben; ‘Superman’s Escape’, a bouncy song with the vibes, guitars, violin, bass and horn all contributing to the toe-tapping groove; and ‘Sparkle Blues’, a slow, jazz ballad. I also really enjoyed Sussex’s take on ‘Dayton, Ohio – 1903’, a gentle period piece from Randy Newman’s classic 1972 album “Sail Away” (which was also memorably covered on Priscilla Herdman’s “Forgotten Dreams” – a 1980 album I had a little something to do with).

Sussex has already launched “Parade Day” in Quebec City and Montreal. Several more launch concerts are coming up including a show on March 25 here in Ottawa at Irene’s.
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Jerome Godboo
La Basoche, 120 rue Principal, Gatineau
Friday, March 25 @ 8 pm; $30

Auteur-compositeur-interprète et harmoniciste hors pair, le Torontois Jerome Godboo compte pas moins de douze albums en vingt ans de carrière, dont son plus récent, Sanctuary City. Récipiendaire du prix Lee Oscar du meilleur harmoniciste à l’International Blues Challenge de Memphis en 2014, il a joué aux côtés de Prince, James Cotton, Dutch Mason, Ronnie Hawkins, Jack de Keyzer et Jeff Healey. (PR from Ovation Events)
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MonkeyJunk in Concert
            with Ross Neilsen
Black Sheep Inn, Wakefield QC
Saturday, March 26 @ 8:30 pm; $20 in advance
Sunday, March 27 @ 4:30 pm; $20 in advance

MonkeyJunk - multi-Maple Blues Award winning rock and roll/swamp/blues band; JUNO award winner.
Ross - ROOTS – BLUES – RAWK
“Your material is strong and timeless. You can play your instruments. The drums are strong. The guitar is hot. The bass is in the pocket.” Jim Dickinson, High Priest of Memphis Music
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EVENTS AHEAD in 2016
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Jack de Keyzer
Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street
Friday, April 1 @ 9:30 pm; $15

2X Juno Winner and 7X Maple Blues Winner, blues guitarist, singer, song writer and band leader, Jack de Keyzer's latest CD is a live recording, “Voodoo Boogie”. Catch the live show at the Rainbow.
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Colin James – Up Close and Personal
NAC Southam Hall, 53 Elgin Street
Saturday, April 2

For his 16th studio album, Hearts On Fire, Colin James wanted to try something different. While still working with longtime friend Colin Linden they added a “team” of seasoned musicians that each brought their unique talents to the studio. Whether it was at The House of Blues in Nashville, TN or Magic Ten Studios in Vancouver, BC the team effort has resulted in a record James is very proud of.

The first thing one will notice on Hearts On Fire is James’s vocals: warm, expressive, upfront. For someone who’s as well-known as a guitarist, this is something of a change of pace. The songs are very well chosen and highlight James’ seasoned vocals. Mostly composed by James and Tom Wilson (one third of Blackie & The Rodeo Kings & Lee Harvey Osmond front man).

“My last acoustic album goes back to National Steel in 1998,” Colin reflects. “It seemed a good time for some quieter material, especially as I will be touring more as an acoustic group this time around.”

Colin James is an inductee in the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame. He has won six Juno Awards including “Male Vocalist of the Year” and the “Best Producer” award for his efforts with The Little Big Band.  He is the recipient of 17 Maple Blues Awards having most recently been honored in 2013 with “Entertainer of the Year”.
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Ross Neilsen
The Branch, 15 Clothier Street East, Kemptville ON
Saturday, April 2

Currently on the Matt Andersen tour as ‘merch guy’, Ross Neilsen recorded his latest CD in Almonte in January. What was planned to be a solo effort turned into a band CD.
For more insight into the fascinating Ross Neilsen, check out this Mako Funasaka’s interview with him, available on podcast here https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-talkinblues-podcast/id1073359611?mt=2  and this article http://www.gridcitymagazine.com/make-art-not-commerce/?platform=hootsuite
And head out to Kemptville to the Branch on April 2, to hear his music!
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Music by the Bay Live presents
Tommy Castro and The Painkillers
St. Francis Centre, 78 Church Street South, Ajax ON
Sunday, April 3 @ 8 pm

Night after night, Tommy Castro, a fierce and fiery road warrior, fervently delivers his driving, Blues soaked, soul baring music to fans all over the world. The road is where he honed his guitar playing to a razor’s edge. It’s where he learned how to captivate an audience with his intensely passionate vocals and his memorable songs, licks and grooves. It’s where he learned to turn his band into a dynamic, high performance engine, able to bring down the house with a soulful ballad and then bring fans to their feet with a blistering blues rocker.

Over the course of his four-decade career, Castro has played thousands of shows to hundreds of thousands of fans, packing dance floors, always leaving them screaming for more. He has released 14 albums filled with original blues, soul and West Coast rock, each one standing alone. Hailing from the San Francisco area, Castro, along with his band, The Painkillers (currently featuring bassist Randy McDonald, keyboardist Michael Emerson and drummer Bowen Brown), play music that is guaranteed to fire up fans and leave critics searching for new words of praise.

For more information, visit www.musicbythebaylive.com/
email musicbythebaylive@rogers.com or call 905-831-8661
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Rita Chiarelli & Sweet Loretta
Shenkman Theatre, 245 Centrum Blvd, Orleans ON
Friday, April 8 @ 8 pm

"It's a Rockin' all Female R&B Blast!"
JUNO-winning Canadian music icon Rita Chiarelli is famous for thrilling audiences across the world as 'Canada's Blues Queen'. Chiarelli's latest concert show has her wowing audiences with her all-star female bluesy R&B band, Sweet Loretta. Together, Rita Chiarelli and Sweet Loretta have brought the crowds to their feet at Ottawa's National Arts Centre, Toronto's Hugh's Room and Massey Hall, with an exciting stage show and stellar musicianship. It's a show not to miss!
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Michael Kaeshammer
NAC Theatre, 53 Elgin Street
Saturday, April 23 @ 7:30 pm

Kaeshammer’s performances, on record and on stage, are an invitation to join the party. He doesn’t play at you. He plays with you. At one of his shows, you’re all in it together – not only part of the story, but virtually part of the band.

“For me the performance is as much about the energy coming off the stage as the energy coming from the audience. It’s about being myself, writing from the heart and showing my love for life. That’s what I want to convey. After the show, people ask me, ‘do you really have that much fun?’ And I say ‘you don’t know the half of it. It’s even more exhilarating than it looks’.”

A night with Michael and his band isn’t the kind of show where you just sit, watch and applaud politely every now and then. Their goal isn’t to intimidate you with the scholarly depth of their music, it’s to entertain, inform and include you – A wild ride with no fixed destination except where he feels he and the crowd want to go.

On stage and on record it’s all about drawing the audience in. That’s where the joy is, pure and simple. And while joy is something Michael Kaeshammer has never had difficulty expressing, on “KAESHAMMER”, his third record on Alert Music, the German born, Canadian bred pianist expresses it more enthusiastically than ever.
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George Thorogood & the Destroyers
            Opening – JW Jones
National Arts Centre, 53 Elgin Street
Monday, May 9 @ 8 pm

In 1973, a barely-out-of-his-teens Wilmington guitarist piled his gear into the drummer’s Chevy van to play their very first gig at a University of Delaware dorm. More than 4 decades, over 8,000 live shows, and some 15 million albums sold worldwide later, that same maverick guitar-slinger is still making electrifying music, still thrilling audiences, and still the most bad-to-the-bone performer in rock.

It’s 2016, and George Thorogood & The Destroyers are Badder Than Ever. For George and his longtime band – Jeff Simon (drums, percussion), Bill Blough (bass guitar), Jim Suhler (rhythm guitar) and Buddy Leach (saxophone) – their new Badder Than Ever Tour is indestructible proof that staying true to yourself and the music can still mean something. And with a catalog of classics that includes “Who Do You Love”, “I Drink Alone”, “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer”, “Move It On Over”, “Bad To The Bone” and more, being able to share it with audiences is what will always matter.

Special Guest: Ottawa’s own JW-Jones, JUNO Award nominee, singer/guitarist, who tours constantly and is known for his high-energy show. “Like his music, he’s smooth on stage, the band always swings.” (Mike Moss, Callahan’s Music Hall, Detroit MI)
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Steve Strongman
La Basoche, 120 rue Principal, Gatineau
Friday, May 27 @ 8 pm

Le public de Gatineau en demande encore et encore! Lauréat du Maple Blues Award du meilleur guitariste de l’année (2012 et 2013) et du prix JUNO du meilleur album de l’année (2013), Steve Strongman sillonne la planète depuis plus de vingt ans, séduisant tous les publics par son charisme, sa voix puissante et son jeu de guitare incomparable. Son plus récent album, “Let Me Prove It To You, est en nomination pour un prix JUNO du meilleur album de l’année au Canada (2015). Il sera de retour à Gatineau avec un nouveau spectacle et un CD! (PR from Ovation Events)
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KINGSTON SPECIAL EVENTS
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Three Times Lucky
RCHA Club, 193 Ontario Street, Kingston ON
Saturday, March 5 @ 8:30 pm; $7 @ the door

One of the best dance and “whole lotta fun” bands we have ever presented, Three Times Lucky is a great band that has been together for over 7 years – a band that should be known as one of the best blues bands in the country!

They are an amazingly tight band that plays smoking hot, smoldering slow and absolutely excellent blues. This band will have you dancing and singing all night long. They mix their great original material with just the right amount of familiar classics.

Bruce Boucher says, “I know I have said it before but this is a must see band. At $7 cover charge they may be the best value we have ever presented. Check these videos out and I know you will want to come and see this excellent band.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyCbcDYDpTU – one of their excellent originals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbXd4gmv0J4 – beautiful blues – amazing blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v4d9elPkJs – great version of ‘Devil In A Red Dress
and one more …
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Jack de Keyzer
RCHA Club, 193 Ontario Street, Kingston ON
Saturday, April 9 @ 8:30 pm
Tickets are selling fast for this show. Info at http://www.kingstonbluessociety.ca/
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Red Dirt Skinners
RCHA Club, 193 Ontario Street, Kingston ON
Friday, April 15 @ 8:30 pm
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KINGSTON REGULAR EVENTS
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KBS Monthly Jam
The Standeasy
RCHA Club, 193 Ontario Street, Kingston ON
Third Saturday each month @ 8:30 pm, $3 at the door

The KBS monthly jam is always full and both the musicians and the audience always have a great time. Always one of the best nights of entertainment Kingston has to offer – come early as seating is limited. Sponsored by the Kingston Arts Council and the City of Kingston.
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For more, please contact Kingston Blues Society
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BLUES ON THE RADIO
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101.9 DAWG-FM, CIDG, is ON THE AIR!  Blues 24/7
Live streaming on the website at http://www.dawgfm.com/

Sundays, 8-9 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, March 6 – OBS DAWG’ON BLUES – Blues Kitchen with Sue Gahrns
Next week, March 13 – OBS DAWG’ON BLUES – with Larry Deszcz

Sundays, 7-8 pm: INSIDE THE BLUES
with James Doran
Inside The Blues features music and interesting backgrounder information on today’s top Blues artists with a strong focus on Canadian talent mixed in with some great Blues classics. All Shows are archived on www.insidetheblues.ca after broadcast and can be listened to there at any time. 
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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.
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Wednesdays: 9-11 pm
In A Mellow Tone
Hosted by Bernard Stepien, Ron Steeds, Allan Wigney, Jean-Michel Labatut and Aidian Thomas, ‘In A Mellow Tone’ introduces listeners to the entire history of jazz, from its beginnings to the latest innovations. Every program has a focus; on a musician, a city, a festival, an instrument, a record label or on recent releases. The hosts draw on their large personal CD and LP collections to supplement CKCU's extensive resources.
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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
Host Holger Petersen has been a broadcaster, record producer, album collector, and serious blues fan for over 35 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.
And check out SNB videos here http://www.cbc.ca/snb/video/
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The Bluesmobile with Elwood Blues, CHEZ FM 106.1
Sundays 6-7 pm; Wednesdays 11 pm – midnight
            March 5-6 – James Hunter
          March 12-13 – Bobby Rush
          March 19-20 – Tedeschi-Trucks
          March 26-27 – National Blues Museum, St. Louis MO
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On CJHR 98.7 Valley Heritage Radio
Thursdays, 8-10 pm
Got The Blues
Pat Watters is your host for this blues only radio show, now in its 7th year.  It can be heard throughout the Ottawa Valley and streaming on the internet at valleyheritageradio.ca.
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Sunday Morning Soul
with Johnny Max
Check www.sundaymorningsoul.com for times … and you can hear the best in Brand New Blues, Roots, Soul and R&B, each and every Sunday morning.
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Streaming great Blues, Roots, Soul, R&B, Folk, East Coast and Celtic music across Canada and around the world 24/7/365.
Check out their Canadian Blues shows and hosts, including James Doran’s ‘Inside The Blues’, Brant Zwicker’s ‘At The Crossroads’, along with Mark Stenzler's ‘Blues Zeppelin’ from Switzerland … and lots more Canadian and international Blues shows. 
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"Spektakel" with MissRepresentIT
Airs on Radio Tonkuhle
Every 2nd Saturday of the month @ 11 am EST
Live stream on www.tonkuhle.de
Infos and and playlists are on her blog at www.abroadcom.net
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LOCALS LOOK AHEAD
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Sunday, March 13
Clint Everson Band hosts the Open Jam @ the Rainbow, 4 pm
Saturday, March 19
Blues & Company & the Clint Everson Band @ the Rainbow, 9 pm
Sunday, March 20
Celebration of Women at the Open Jam @ the Rainbow, 4 pm
The Tony D Trio @ the Atomic Rooster, 6-9 pm
Saturday, March 26
Terry Gillespie @ the Atomic Rooster, 4 pm
Sunday, March 27
River City Junction hosts the Open Jam @ the Rainbow, 4 pm
Saturday, April 9
Tunes After Noon with Greg Kelly & Friends, s/g Vince Halfhide @ Black Irish Pub, 1-3 pm
Friday, April 15
The Mud Boys @ Irene’s, 9 pm
Saturday, April 23
The Lucas Haneman Express @ Irene’s, 9 pm
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