18 April 2016

Ottawa Blues This Week - 18 April 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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Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys
Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street
Wednesday, April 20 @ 9 pm

With flashes of flair and fancy footwork, and a blatant disregard for predictable stage presence, Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys deliver an ultimate concert experience. The quartet, including Gordie MacKeeman (fiddle, cello, acoustic guitar, feet percussion, vocals), Peter Cann (guitars, banjo, vocals), Thomas Webb (guitars, bass, banjo, steel guitar, vocals) and Jason Burbine (bass, percussion, guitar, vocals) weave together a refreshing mix of invigorating songs, traditional-leaning ideas, and modern influences infused with solid instrumentation, rockabilly-inspired numbers, and toe tapping reels - all polished by MacKeeman's stunning fiddle work and famous crazy legs, shaking and twisting with a laughing regard for physics. 

Stepping out in style on their new album, “Laugh, Dance & Sing” features 13 original songs and traditional tunes that excel in demonstrating the group’s infectious high energy flair, crisp musicianship and rollicking rhythm and roots sound.

With a growing list of notable achievements, Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys are currently nominated for five 2016 Music PEI Awards, were honoured with two 2015 Music PEI Awards, including Entertainer of the Year and Touring Artist of the Year and their album, “Pickin n’ Clickin’” was awarded the 2014 East Coast Music Award and Music PEI Award for Roots Traditional Group Recording of the Year. 
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Philip Sayce
Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street
Friday & Saturday, April 22-23 @ 9:30 pm

After 20 years in the music business, Philip Sayce is finally getting started. “I’m just in first gear,” quips the 38-year-old Canadian singer-guitarist down the line from L.A. “Now it’s time to burn rubber.”
And high time for classic-rock fans, blues freaks and guitar heads to get up to speed. The best way to do that: Score Sayce’s Canadian major-label album debut “Influence”, available April 7. As coming-out parties go, it’s a barnburner — and a superb showcase for Sayce to display his blistering guitar heroics, soulful vocals and earthy songwriting, while paying tribute to some of his own musical icons.
(read Darryl Sterdan’s entire article in the Toronto Sun at http://www.torontosun.com/2015/04/06/meet-philip-sayce--canadas-newest-home-grown-guitar-hero)
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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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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK
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5th Annual Ottawa Grassroots Festival
Southminster Church, 15 Aylmer Avenue, Ottawa
Thursday to Sunday, April 21 – 24

The Grassroots Festival is a family-friendly gathering of folk music, dance and spoken word. The festival creates inclusivity, encourages participation, respects volunteers, supports artists and develops community partnerships. It’s called Grassroots because it is! This not-for-profit organization is run entirely by volunteers.

An eclectic program with performers too numerous to mention.
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Lucas Haneman Express
Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street
Saturday, April 23 @ 9 pm

Saturday, April 23 is soon approaching, and on that night The Lucas Haneman Express is extremely excited to be back at Irene's pub once again sharing our fresh funky blues sound with the masses! 
What? The one year anniversary of the "Welcome Aboard album", and the unveiling of exciting new material. 
When? 9 PM until late in the evening. 
Who? The LH Express (For the whole night)!
Why? Because Irene's is the bomb!
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Maria Hawkins – Live At The Rainbow
Hosted by River City Junction
Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street
Sunday, April 24-25; 4 pm ‘til 2 am; $10

A day in support of www.gofundme.com/mariahawkins by local musicians in support of a successful cornea transplant for Maria. Tickets are $10 and there is a limited number. contact Maria directly to get your tickets. Musicians who are performing will not have to pay cover - but their guests will. We hope to boost the gofund me total in order that Maria can also get a painful tooth repaired with a root canal. 

Music starts at 4:00 with the gospel sounds of the Musicability choir and the music will carry on non-stop with plenty of folk, roots, blues and blues rock performers and the highlight of our event Sneezy Waters!
 
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AREA HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK
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Blues on the Rideau presents
Ria Reece Band
Friday, April 22, 7-11 pm; $65 + HST
OBS members only (not guests) 10% discount on dinner & show ticket; advance reservations required.
Proceeds to 4-H Canada

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!
http://www.riareeceband.com/

Advance Reservations are required.
Call The Cove at 613-273-3636 or 1-888-COVEINN to reserve.
OBS members – Blues On The Rideau is offering 10% off Dinner & Show tickets to all Blues On The Rideau events at The Cove Inn in Westport ($65 cost – OBS members $58.50). For more info and conditions for the OBS discount www.ottawabluessociety.com/membership

BLUES ON THE RIDEAU is produced by Choose The Blues Productions 
www.choosetheblues.ca  in cooperation with The Cove Inn, Westport 
www.coveinn.com 
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LOCALS THIS WEEK
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Saturday, April 23
River City Junction @ the Atomic Rooster, 4 pm
The Lucas Haneman Express @ Irene’s, 9 pm
The Back Beat @ Moose McGuire’s, 9 pm
Sunday, April 24
Maria Hawkins Fundraiser with River City Junction & more@ the Rainbow, 4 pm
Jesse Greene Band @ 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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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: 
            April 21 – Dave Schroeder
          April 28 – Luke Ambridge
          May 5 – Vince Halfhide
          May 12 – Elyssa Mahoney
          May 19 – Rob Alexander
          May 26 – Mark Crissinger
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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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Roddy Ellias
Caveau Mediterranean, 1638 Bank Street
Every Saturday night
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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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VIRÉE BLUES BORÉALE
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23rd Edition of Virée Blues Boréale
Le Petit Chicago, 50 Promenade du Portage, Gatineau QC

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!
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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SPECIAL EVENTS – APRIL
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The Jivewires and the Lucas Haneman Express
Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street
Friday, April 29 @ 9:30 pm; $10

The Jivewires bring their wild & crazy jump blues show into The Rainbow with the incredible Lucas Haneman Express for a night to remember! Original bass player and songwriter Kurt Walther will be sitting in on the fun. Boogie blues dance swing yur ass off or die tryin'!! The Jives put on a high energy show of original songs inspired by the great "jump blues" artists of the late ‘40s and early ‘50s like Louis Jordan and wild swing masters like Cab Calloway. With an emphasis on groove, improvisation and social satire, The Jivewires will get you jumpin' like never before!
The Lucas Haneman Express is a soulful, fun filled and electrifying musical ride. The group’s front man, Lucas Haneman, has long been widely regarded for his distinctive and explosive guitar work. With Jeff Asselin (drums), Martin Newman (bass), Megan Lawrence on vocals, and a full length album full of ear candy and poignant lyrics, the Ottawa based musician has found his true means of self-expression. The band's music is a combination of funk, blues, reggae and rock, tied together by undertones of the Jazz spirit (musical interaction and reaction). "Welcome Aboard" is the Lucas Haneman Express's aptly titled debut release, and it is a journey through fresh funky grooves, memorable melodic hooks, gripping guitar solos, and blistering band interplay.
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Paul DesLauriers Band
Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street
Saturday, April 30 @ 10 pm

The Paul DesLauriers Band is made up of virtuoso guitarist and singer Paul DesLauriers and masterful rhythm section Greg Morency on bass and Sam Harrisson on drums. On January 30, 2016 the band took 2nd place at the 32nd International Blues Challenge, the world’s largest gathering of blues acts, organized by The Blues Foundation. Held in Memphis, Tennessee, they rose to the top to take the runner-up title in the band category in a world-wide competition that saw 119 bands competing for a spot on the podium. The current self-titled electric album from these three pillars of the Quebec Blues scene has captured the subtlety and intensity, the unique interplay and excitement they are so well known for.
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EVENTS AHEAD in 2016
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Morgan Davis
Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street
Wednesday, May 4

For 45 years, Morgan Davis has been on the road travelling across Canada, the United States and Europe. His performances draw from a rich tradition of country blues, as well as his own contemporary songs infused with wit and a large dose of humour. Morgan’s passion for the Blues has never wavered … and he fully expects to be on the road for the rest of his life.
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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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Music by the Bay Live presents
Alvin Youngblood Hart
St. Francis Centre, 78 Church Street South, Ajax
Friday, May 13 @ 8 pm; tickets $50 advance, $60 at the door

Alvin Youngblood Hart was born in Oakland, California, and spent some time in Carroll County, Mississippi, in his youth, where he was influenced by the Mississippi Country Blues performed by his relatives. His music has been compared to a list of diverse artists ranging from Lead Belly, Spade Cooley to acoustic and electric guitar as well as banjo and sometimes the mandolin. Bluesman Taj Mahal once said about Hart: "The boy has got thunder in his hands." The cosmic American love child of Howlin’ Wolf and Link Wray! Known as a "musician's musician," Alvin Youngblood Hart's praises have been sung by everyone from Bob Dylan to Brit guitar gods Eric Clapton & Mick Taylor. This trio brings a very eclectic music experience that you will be telling all of your music loving fans about the next day and for years to come.

Alvin Youngblood Hart’s Muscle Theory is a live explosion of roots rock that is a test of time in the world of music. He creates a blurred line of Blues, Roots, Country and Rock music that has been enjoyed in our culture for decades. The band bends the strings and drops the groove to a level that is only achieved with experience and true love of playing with such passion.
For more information, visit www.musicbythebaylive.com
email musicbythebaylive@rogers.com or call 905-831-8661.
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Steve Dawson & Michael Jerome Browne
Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street
Wednesday, May 18 @ 8 pm

As one of Canada’s most sought-after producers, session musicians and guitarists, Steve Dawson spends much of his time helping other songwriters and musicians bring their creative visions to life. Based in Nashville for the past few years, he occasionally tours with the Black Hen Revue, mostly in Western Canada, so his appearance in Ottawa is a special treat. 

“A clear labour of love, it’s easy to hear the blood, sweat and tears that went into creating his latest release, “Solid States and Loose Ends”; it’s filled with beautiful melodies, killer grooves and exceptional playing ….” The recording has just gone to #11 on the US-based Roots Music Report Blues chart and the song ‘Broken Future Blues’ has just been picked as Elwood’s Blues Breaker of the Week. http://thebluesmobile.com/elwoods-blues-breaker-steve-dawson/ (there is also a solo performance video of the song at this link).

Michael Jerome Browne has been playing roots music for over thirty years and was nominated for Acoustic Act and Guitarist in this year’s Maple Blues Awards. His latest release, “Sliding Delta” is a collection of 1920s & 1930s rural blues.
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2nd Ottawa River Blues Cruise
            with the Jim Zeller Circus
Saturday, May 21; 6-10 pm; $55 per person

This is the time to buy your tickets for the 2nd blues cruise that will be held on May 21 from 06:00 pm to 10:00 pm. This year, the cruise will begin with a cold buffet then by popular demand, Jim Zeller and his band will be in charge of making us sing and dance.

I invite you to convey the good news to your friends. It will be a pleasure to see you again!
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Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar
Black Sheep Inn, Wakefield QC
Saturday, May 21 @ 8 pm

In the spring of 2014 Delta Sugar emerged fully formed featuring Samantha Martin, Mikey McCallum, Sherie Marshall and Stacie Tabb and … recorded the masterful, spine tingling “Send the Nightingale”. Released in February 2015, the album represents a quantum leap for both Martin and her group. As a vocalist her roots lie squarely within the wellspring of powerful, strong woman’s voices embodied by such forbears as Marion Williams, Mavis Staples, Etta James, Tina Turner, Bettye LaVette, Lucinda Williams and, perhaps most closely, Bonnie Bramlett. As a songwriter, she draws on black gospel and southern soul with a hint of roots country and sixties pop while her lyrics suggest an old soul with wisdom beyond her years.

While Martin is a powerhouse unto herself, “Send the Nightingale” is not the work of a single talent. In combination with what she likes to term her “co-vocalists,” Sherie Marshall and Stacie Tabb, the vocal blend Delta Sugar produces is pure, unadulterated gospel-tinged, neuron-tingling magic where the sum is even richer than the already soul-melting parts. Add to that guitarist Mikey McCallum’s Delta-inspired and mystery-inflected guitar lines and Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar emerge as one of the most powerful new artists to emerge on the roots music scene in many a year.
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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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David Gogo
Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street
Saturday, May 28 @ 10 pm

David Gogo's groove-fueled blend of blues and rock is the basis for a singular and storied music career. His songs have been featured in film and television and are regularly played on blues radio programs the world over. He has earned numerous Canadian blues accolades, including JUNO nominations, a Western Canadian Music Award, a CBC Saturday Night Blues Award, and multiple Maple Blues Awards. He has thirty years of performing and hundreds of thousands of tour miles under his belt. He's played on stage with Johnny Winter, B.B. King, Otis Rush, Albert Collins and Bo Diddley. He has opened for George Thorogood, ZZ Top, The Tragically Hip, Buddy Guy, Charles Bradley, Robert Cray, and Jimmy Vaughan among many others. Gogo can swap road stories for as long as you can listen!
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Cecile Doo-Kingué
Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street
Friday, June 3

An exceptional stage presence, guitarist / singer-songwriter Cécile Doo-Kingué blends blues, afro-roots and soul to create a unique sound. Born and raised in New York City, first generation from Cameroon, she has lived in the USA, France, and is now an adopted Montrealer.

In February 2015, Doo-Kingué released her third solo album “Anybody Listening Pt. 1: Monologues”, the first chapter of a trilogy exploring blues, roots and life in their myriad of aspects (Monologues solo acoustic, Dialogues full band, Communion live), showcasing Doo-Kingué’s songwriting in its rawest form. The album earned her accolades and multiple Maple Blues Award nominations for her exceptional guitar playing, soulful vocals, and powerful songwriting.

In January 2016, Doo-Kingué released the second chapter of her trilogy exploring blues, roots, and life in their myriad of aspects. “Anybody Listening Part 2: Dialogues” features her strength and versatility as an all-around guitarist and musician, from blues to jazz to folk to soul to rock n’ roll.  Fiery licks and seamless melody compliment her deep, laid-back voice throughout the album, leaving no doubt as to the guitarist’s oneness with the instrument, nor the unity of her sound.  Surrounded by a stellar cast of Montreal’s finest musicians, Doo-Kingué presents an eclectic collection of contemporary blues adding to the social commentary of “Anybody Listening Part 1:Monologues”, and celebrating life and music with fellow artists she is a fan of, in spaces that exude positive energy.

Cécile Doo-Kingué isn’t just another token “chick” guitarist; her talents are measured not by gender lines, but by the fact that she is quickly earning a stellar reputation and a place alongside Canada’s current roster of great guitarists. Powerful and raw, Cécile Doo-Kingué’s guitar prowess, lyrics, and sound make for enthralling and intimate communion.
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Johnny A
Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street
Friday, June 10

Lots of folks throw around the phrase “let the music do the talking,” but only a few have the fortitude to really do it – to just go out there and play, shunning flash, shrugging off image and reeling in the listener on the strength of the songs alone. 

Johnny A. is that kind of performer. For the better part of three decades, the Massachusetts-based guitarist and bandleader has proven himself capable of generating heat at venues from working-class bars to international amphitheaters – and every sort of venue in between. And when the house lights are turned up, he’s just as adept at captivating serious students of the six-string with a virtuosity that earned him the rare honour of having his name placed on a signature Gibson® guitar.

“I want to create instrumental music and deliver it like a vocalist,” he says “You can be a great player, on any instrument, and people will take notice for a while…but what people really remember is someone who brings them a great melody.” 

On “Driven”, his fourth outing as a solo performer – which is due for release this June -- Johnny serves up plenty of that, in more flavours than Baskin-Robbins and Ben and Jerry’s combined. From the Motown-inflected party-starter ‘C’Mon, C’mon’ to the introspective ‘A Mask You Wear’ (a song that’s flecked with subtle slide playing redolent of George Harrison’s vintage work), he paints vivid landscapes, scenes that create an emotional connection without words. Nowhere is that more evident than on the album’s sole cover, a languid take on the Bee Gees’ ‘To Love Somebody’, which fuses the original’s mournful poignancy with a gentle jazziness – not to mention an underlying swing that’s all the more impressive when you consider that it, like the rest of “Driven”, is the product of a one-man band.
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KINGSTON SPECIAL EVENTS
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The Grand Theatre Presents
Ruthie Foster
            with opening act Harrison Kennedy
The Grand Theatre, 218 Princess Street, Kingston ON
Friday, April 22 @ 7:30 pm; Tickets $39.50 & $34.50 plus HST & handling fee

From houses of worship to houses of blues, Ruthie Foster has always been a rafter-rattler. And with a soul-filled voice honed in Texas churches, she can move audiences to tears or ecstasy — sometimes in a single song. She has earned two Grammy nominations, three consecutive Blues Music Awards, (2011-13),  plus an Austin Music Award for Best Female Vocalist and a Living Blues Critics’ Award for Female Blues Artist of the Year. And those are just some highlights of her awards history. Such accolades and appearances reinforce the fact that Foster’s a blues-world rarity: an original voice who honours her forebears, yet transcends gentrification. 

Electro-Fi Artist and JUNO award winner, Harrison Kennedy grew up in a house filled with music and famous visitors such as Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday and Lonnie Johnson. In 1969 he took a hiatus from college to become a founding member of the million selling Detroit Soul Super Group “The Chairmen of the Board” with whom he toured the world, as well as appearing on Soul Train, American Bandstand and the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Since signing with Electro-Fi Records in 2007, Harrison Kennedy has released 5 internationally acclaimed albums and developed into one of the 21st century’s most insightful and original Blues singer/songwriters. The JUNO winning album “This Is From Here” has also won the prestigious Academie Charles-Cros in France for 2016 Blues Album of the Year
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Wicked Grin
RCHA Club, 193 Ontario Street, Kingston ON
Saturday, May 14 @ 8:30 pm

Building on the success of their sophomore album “Shame On Me” released in 2013, and following their 2014 Maple Blues Award for Best New Group, Murray Kinsley & Wicked Grin released “Stormy Water” in November 2015. Featuring 11 road-tested tracks, 10 of which were written by Kinsley, this tight group of experienced musicians have stepped up their game. “Stormy Water” features spirited upbeat, danceable numbers while expanding on the heavier and grittier sound the band has been developing over the past few years. “Stormy Water” was named Best Canadian Blues Rock Album of 2015 by the Blues Underground Network and bassist Leigh-Anne Stanton was named The Maple Blues Awards “Bassist of the Year” for 2015.
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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, April 24 – OBS DAWG’ON BLUES – with Blues Bud Brent
Next week, May 1 – OBS DAWG’ON BLUES – Recent Releases with Liz Sykes

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
          April 16-17 – Nathaniel Rateliff
          April 23-24 – Matt Andersen
          April 30-May 1 – Blues Music Awards preview
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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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Friday, April 29
The Jivewires & the Lucas Haneman Band @ the Rainbow, 9:30 pm
Al Wood @ the Branch, Kemptville
Saturday, April 30
Leslie Rohonczy Band @ the Rainbow, 3:30 pm
Sunday, May 1
Brian Downey hosts the Open Blues Jam @ the Rainbow, 3:30 pm
John Carroll @ the Black Sheep Inn, 4 pm
Saturday, May 7
The Back Beat @ D’Arcy McGee’s, Orleans, 9 pm
Sunday, May 8
Clint Everson Band hosts the Open Blues Jam @ the Rainbow, 3:30 pm
Friday, May 14
JW-Jones @ the Rainbow, 10 pm
Sunday, May 15
Jimmy Cochrane hosts the Open Blues Jam @ the Rainbow, 3:30 pm
Friday, May 20
Tony D Band @ the Rainbow, 10 pm
Saturday, May 21
Ball and Chain & the Wreckers + Chatterbox @ Irene’s, 9:30 pm
Sunday, May 22
Unchained hosts the Open Blues Jam @ the Rainbow, 3:30 pm
Friday, May 27
Lucas Haneman Express @ the Black Sheep Inn, 8 pm
Saturday, May 28
Wicked Grin @ Irene’s, 9:30 pm
Sunday, May 29
River City Junction hosts the Open Blues Jam @ the Rainbow, 3:30 pm
Friday, June 3
Lucas Haneman Express @ the Black Sheep Inn
Saturday, June 4
MonkeyJunk @ the Rainbow, 10 pm
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