Maple Blues Online

This month’s Round-Up will recap festivals for June, with a few additions, and provide further information for those in July. Festivals held in August, September and October will be announced in the upcoming issues of MapleBlues. If you are hosting a festival or are an artist performing in a festival and would like to send a notification to ensure inclusion in the newsletter, please email me, Shar Grace, at volnoir@hotmail.com

Harrison Kennedy (right) had Kool and the Gang opening for his band, the Chairmen of the Board many years ago at the Apollo in NYC and on Monday, June 29 Kool will return the favour as Harrison opens for them on the mainstage at the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival. He also plays the Barrie Jazz & Blues Festival (June 11 - 22) and Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival (June 4 - 7) where he will be hosting some Blues in Schools programmes.

Friday, June 12th Rita Chiarelli takes the stage at The Opera House for a 7pm performance. Beginning at 9pm that same evening on the Main Stage, Women in Blues w/Suzie Vinnick, Treasa Levasseur and Donna Grantis, headliner is Tracy K. Saturday, Jack de Keyzer, Anderson Sloski w/special guest John Finley and Juno Award Winner Fathead. Sunday, Blues Jam w/The Steve Henry Band, headliner that evening is Monkey Junk. There is also entertainment throughout the weekend at ten participating venues (free admission at venues). www.orilliaspringblues.com.

Rita Chiarelli (right) is always a big hit on the festival stages. This July she plays Thunder Bay Blues Festival (July 3-5) and the Porquis Blues Festival (July 10-12). Meanwhile, on Friday, June 12, Rita plays the Orillia Spring Blues Festival

Legendary icon Randy Bachman headlines Luminato First Night, the Festival's free opening night concert along with Digging Roots and Duke Robillard.

The Guitar Festival features the slide guitar playing of Derek Trucks of The Derek Trucks Band. Hailed by Rolling Stone as perhaps the best guitarist of his generation, Derek heads a line-up that also includes Quebecois singer/songwriter, record producer and pedal steel artist Daniel Lanois, Louisiana's Sonny Landreth, joined by special guest Cindy Cashdollar from Austin, Texas; Jerry Douglas; Ontario's own Kevin Breit, with his ensemble FolkAlarm; the Campbell Brothers, exponents of the rare "sacred steel" style; Hawaiian kona specialist Don Rooke; and Debashish Bhattacharya, pioneer of Indian slide guitar.

The Travelling Blues is a free show at Metro Square on June 6th, showcasing the global diversity of blues music, with Canadian, American and African performers such as Taj Mahal, Harry Manx, Mamadou Diabate, and Madgascar Slim.

This is the second year at the new site - Woodbine Park. Featuring some new and familiar faces while maintaining the valued tradition of presenting exceptional talent; all free to the public. The Bandshell hosts the Larry Garner Blues Band, Reba Russell Band, Lurrie Bell, David Rotundo, Jack de Keyzer, Steve Strongman, Braithwaite & Whiteley, Scott McCord & The Bonafide Truth and Treasa Levasseur, Enter the "Don’t Lose the Blues" contest for only a toonie and be elligible to win one of the many prizes, from CD's to a roundtrip flight to Chicago, or a Cobalt Blue "Dead on 67" reissue of a Danelectro Hornet Guitar. Check the website for details. www.waterfrontblues.ca

A free festival preview concert will be held May 29 at The Rotundo, Barrie City Hall featuring Dawn Tyler Watson & Paul Deslauriers, Harrison Kennedy, Steve Strongman and Trevor Finlay. Other artists featured throughout the festival dates include: Michael Pickett, Julian Fauth, Paul James, The Andy Earl Band, Jack de Keyzer, Carlos del Junco Band, Wild T & The Spirit, Blues Parlour, James Anthony Band, Kelly Davies, The Ronnie Douglas Blues Band, Memphis Mud, The Sapsuckers w/Greg Ritchie, Dirty Little Swing Thing, The Dunk Band, Blues Birds and many others. Please visit the website for venue locations and/or concert series for the artists. The site is in process of being updated at www.barriejazzbluesfest.com

Toronto Jazz Festival has several blues and blues-friendly headliners along with lots of blues from the usual suspects in clubs across town including a couple of new venues. Watch for Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings plus Blackburn - June 26 at Nathan Phillips Square; Buckwheat Zydeco plus Michael Beausoleil- June 28 at Nathan Phillips Square; Kool & The Gang plus Harrison Kennedy - June 29 at Nathan Phillips Square; Susan Tedeschi with Alex Pangman opening - July 3 at the Opera House and Mose Allison at the Fleck Theatre at Harbourfront Centre on Tuesday, June 30. Other blues artists featured are: Fraser Melvin Blues Band, Julian Fauth, Havana Blues Trio, Brokenjoe, Soul Stack, Scott McCord & The Bonafide Truth. www.tojazz.com

Harrison Kennedy, Jack de Keyzer, Shrimp Daddy & The Sharpshooters, The Johnny Max Band, w/more to be announced. www.torontoribfest.com

JULY

From the land of The Sleeping Giant, on Lake Superior, the 8th Annual Thunder Bay Blues Festival has just announced its line-up of blues artists. This festival is host to artists: Rita Chiarelli & The Big Blues Band, Los Lonely Boys, Big Walter Smith, Ricky Paquette, Carlos del Junco, Robert Cray, Elmer Ferrer Band, Kenny Neal, Carson Downey Band and more. For ticket information, www.tbayblues.ca

The Ottawa Bluesfest is a world-class event that showcases local, regional, national and international artists. Daily, weekend and full festival passes are available. This year’s line-up includes: Blue Rodeo, Buckwheat Zydeco, Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm, Colin Linden, Daddy Mack Blues Band, Divine Brown, Homemade Jamz Blues Band, Hubert Sumlin, Jackson Browne, Joe Cocker, JW Jones Band w/Little Charlie Baty, Monkey Junk, Rick Fines, Roomful of Blues, Steve Marriner and so many more! Check the website at www.ottawabluesfest.ca

Loyal Blues Fellowship is holding its first Blues Festival weekend. The line-up includes, Danny Marks, Loyal Blues Band, Agent Blue, Tim Vaughn, Bad Poetry Blues Band, Rick Robichaud Band, Georgette Fry and more! For ticket & camping information visit the website at www.loyalblues.ca

This is the 7th year for the Ribfest which is held at the Markham Fairgrounds. The line-up includes favourites such as Alex Carter & The Tonedogs, Jack de Keyzer, Chuck Jackson, Danny Marks. There are more artists to be announced at www.markhamribfest.com

The Porquis Blues Festival is celebrating it’s 11th anniversary. Tucked up in northeastern Ontario, a group of dedicated volunteers has persisted in delivering top-notch blues music to it’s loyal fan base. This year, Porquis Blues Society features the award winning entertainment of (July 10-12) Chiarelli and Julian Fauth. Also on the schedule are Jake and The Fundamentals, Elmer Ferrer, Erin McCallum, The Barrelhouse Blues Band, Wabi Delta Blues Band, Tim Vaughn, Billy Joe Green, Al Lukas, Paul DiSalle, Soul Doubt, The Shaftmen, Estelle & Di, Detour. www.porquis.ca

Artist Line-Up includes: David Gogo, Johnny Winter, Sab w/David Rotundo & Robin Hawkins, Teddy Richards, Los Lonely Boys, Alex Tintinalli Band, The Funk Brothers, Howling Diablois w/The Pazman, Steve Earle, Root Doctor, Devon Allman & Honeytribe. Up until June 21st if you purchase one 4-day pass to this Bluesfest (Windsor) you will receive the second one Free at participating sponsors. Check the website for schedule information and further details at www.thebluesfest.com

Artist Line-Up includes: David Gogo, Dawn Tyler Watson & Paul Deslauriers, Sab w/David Rotundo & Robin Hawkins, Alex Tintinalli Band, Larry McCray, The Funk Brothers, The Dylan Tree, Devon Allman & Honeytribe, Howling Diablois, Steve Earle, Mick Taylor, Los Lonely Boys, Teddy Richards, Motor City Josh & The Big 3, Bill “The Sauce Boss” Wharton. Tickets available now for both London and Windsor. www.thebluesfest.com

This Ribfest features something for all ages. From award winning entertainment, to a midway to the many kiosks and vendors and of course, the ribs, it’s 3 fun filled days. The artist line-up includes: Julian Fauth, Chuck Jackson, Donne Roberts, George Olliver, The Cobra Kings, Lorraine Davies & The Too Drunk to Fish Band. See the schedule at www.mississaugarotaryribfest.com

The 21st Annual Beaches International Jazz Festival. Woodbine Park (July 17-19) launches this free festival hosting the New Generation and Youth stages with artists such as, Monkey Junk, Blackburn, Teeny Tucker, kicking-off on the main stage. The Streetfest takes place July 23-25 from 7pm-11pm. Music will be emanating along the street by more than 40 bands including artists such as, Blackboard Blues Band, James Anthony, Dylan Wickens & The 9’s, Steve Strongman, David Rotundo, Scott McCord & The Bonafide Truth, Fathead, Johnny Max Band, Steve Grisbrook, Erin McCallum, Anderson/Sloski. The Cobra Kings are at The Balmy Beach Club. On July 25 and 26 there are continuous free concerts being held at Kew Gardens with The Real Divas w/Bill King, Kellylee Evans, Junior Watson, Deanna Bogart Band and Shakura S’Aida. Numerous workshops will take place from July 20-25. After all the musical rejuvenation you can come strut your stuff by participating in the Beaches Jazz Tune-Up Fun Run & Walk (there are varying degrees, 20k, 10k or 5k) which assists in raising funds to support important groups and projects in the neighbourhood. For complete schedule of events, performances, workshops and locations check out the website at www.beachesjazz.com

Festival listings for August, September, October will be covered in upcoming issues of the MapleBlues newsletter.

Breaking news just in, Edmonton Labatt Blues Festival announces its 2009 Line-Up ... tickets available now!

Line-Up includes: John Hammond Quartet, Magic Slim & The Teardrops, David Gogo, Roomful of Blues, Moreland & Arbuckle, Mark Hummel & The Blues Survivors, Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band, Arsen Shommakhov, Juke Joint Duo, The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue, Magic Dick, Deanna Bogart, Kenny Neal, Sista Monica Parker, Bruce Katz and more! Check the website for ticket information: www.bluesinternationalltd.com

Also During the Festival Season...Three New Summer Blues Series!

Glengarry Music Festival Series - Alexandria (from June - September)
This dinner/performance event takes place in 2 Beans in a Barn country barn; a unique 90 seat performance room. Alexandria is between Montreal & Ottawa. Sue Foley & Peter Karp (June 20), Stephen Barry & Andrew Cowan (Aug. 30), Ray Bonneville (Sept. 19), Johnny Max Trio (Sept. 27). For ticket information www.glengarrymusicfestival.com

Summer Blues on the Rideau/St. Lawrence Series (July/August)
There will be three waterfront dinner/show performances in this series. The Treasa Levasseur Band kicks this off on July 21 with a Sunset Blues Cruise. Steve Strongman Band on August 14 at Angelo’s Restaurant and Johnny Max Band on August 23 at The Red George Pub. For ticket information and location of venues visit www.choosetheblues.ca

Red-Hot Jazz & Cool Blues Series, Royal Botanical Gardens - Burlington/Hamilton (July-September)
In a lovely garden setting, each Wednesday, rain or shine; performances scheduled for July include: Suzie Vinnick (July 1), Johnny Max Band (July 8), Jack de Keyzer (July 15), The Gary Kendall Band (July 22), Michael Keys (July 29). Others scheduled for August/September, Rick Fines Trio, The James Anthony Band, Ken Whiteley & Mose Scarlett and more. www.rbg.ca

-- Shar Grace

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