Blues Summit 7 Archive
About Press Release Partners Showcase Artists Keynote Delegates
At A Glance
Blues Summit is a not-to-be-missed, biennial forum for all members of the blues music community including artists, presenters, agents, festival bookers, event organizers, and industry representatives of all kinds. The conference provides an opportunity for members of the community to connect as well as for artists to showcase in front of blues industry professionals.
Blues Summit 7 took place on January 16-19, 2015 at the The Eaton Chelsea, Toronto.
Press Releases
Wednesday, December 31, 2014 – Blues Summit 7: End Of Year Update
Friday, December 12, 2014 – Blues Summit 7: Festivals, Alligators, Americans, Norbert
Wednesday, September 10, 2014 – Blues Summit 7: The Swiss Are Coming, The Swiss Are Coming
Tuesday, June 3, 2014 – Blues Summit 7 Registration Opens! “Complete Experience” Checklist
Wednesday, April 2, 2014 – Save the Date! Blues Summit 7 launches January 16-19, 2015
Blues Summit 7 Partners
Blues Summit is proud to announce its 2015 partners: Dan Aykroyd Wines, DAWG FM, Music Ontario, Musicians’ Rights Organization Canada (MROC), Music Managers Forum (MMF), Ticketpro, and Visit Mississippi.
Showcase Artists
The 24th Street Wailers | Toronto, ON | the24thstreetwailers.com
The 24th Street Wailers are a band that break all the rules. They are a 50’s style Blues and Rock and Rolling band, who at first glance are anything but the norm. Lindsay Beaver is a firehaired gut bucket singer/drummer who fronts the band. Saxophonist Jon Wong is a second generation Chinese Canadian who is a modern day version of a 50′s Rock n’ Roller. Jesse Whiteley, of the Canadian Folk and Blues gems the Whiteley family, is a natural born Blues talent on the piano. Rounding out the group is Lindsay’s Husband Michael Archer, a country boy at heart that plays string bass like no other. Together they have had 4 years, three studio albums, 500 shows from Yellowknife to the Gulf of Mexico and fans from around the world.
Andria Simone | Toronto, ON | andriasimone.com
Singer-songwriter Andria Simone, born and raised in Toronto just turned 27. Andria studied flute, piano and voice. “I’ve always enjoyed writing and poetry and getting my feelings out on paper.” Simone has long had a love for a wide range of musical genres, but has found a happy creative home in the world of soul and R&B. Andria performed on stage at the Toronto Blues Society’s 28th Women’s Blues Revue at Massey Hall and is currently recording her sophomore album.
Angelique Francis | Kanata, ON | angeliquefrancis.net
At only seventeen years old, Angelique Francis has wowed audiences near and far, and completely wowed Toronto at the 2014 TBS Talent Search! Angelique Francis is a singer songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist (including piano, drums, keyboard, harmonica, upright bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar and electric bass). Among her many accomplishments are performances at the Ottawa Bluesfest, opening for Canadian rock legend Trooper July 2013, Toronto Honey Jam, Museum of the City of New York, Library Archive of Canada, and The Quebec Ontario Music festival.
Ben Racine & Dawn Tyler Watson | Montreal, QC | benracineband.com, dawntylerwatson.com
Strength through unity: the regal Dawn Tyler Watson and rising blues star Ben Racine team up for a unique performance. Nominated for Album of the Year at the Maple Blues Awards for One of a Kind, Racine is a real contender. He and Watson meld their distinctive work for this rich collaboration.
Bobby Stagg | Quebec | bobbystagg.com
Originally from Edmonton but a long time Quebec resident, Bobby Stagg has recorded and toured with a veritable who’s who of Canadian and Quebec artists over the past 25 plus years. A multi-instrumentalist by trade, his live shows find him primarily playing piano, B3, Wurlitzer, and clavinet. You never know, he might just be inspired to play trumpet, accordion, or guitar. Bobby’s first solo album is entitled “Mean Business”, released on 10.4 records. “Mean Business” travels down a roots and blues road with a healthy dose of Stagg humour thrown into the mix. You can catch him playing with his rockin’ little combo or in a solo setting. Some of the artists Bobby has recorded with include: Nanette Workman, Steve Hill, Paul DesLauriers, Bob Walsh, Guy Belanger, Angel Forrest, Ray Bonneville, and Rob Lutes.
Brandon Isaak | Langley, BC | www.brandonisaak.ca
Brandon’s affinity for the rawness and spontaneity of the blues is second to none, as anyone who has had the privilege of being a part of his audience will tell you. He brings a firebrand style of guitar as well as incredibly stirring vocals that truly has to be witnessed to be appreciated! He is VERY much in the moment as he rips it up, and we know you’ll be impressed with the caliber of showmanship within his performance of songs & stories by this great Canadian artist.
Brandon will also be performing at the Toronto Blues Society’s 18th Annual Maple Blues Awards on January 19, 2015.
Carlos del Junco & Jimmy Bowskill | Toronto, ON | carlosdeljunco.com
Jimmy Bowskill and Carlos del Junco are two Juno nominated musicians that have combined their remarkable talents as front men into a dynamic duo. Jimmy Bowskill’s prowess as a killer guitar player and soulful singer has long been established since first being nominated for a Juno at the age of 13. He’s already released 5 CDs by the age of 24 and shared the stage with the likes of Jeff Beck, Dr. John and Buddy Guy. Carlos del Junco is one of the world’s top harmonica players and has 8 CDs and two Juno nominations and a lengthy list of awards that includes winning gold (twice!) at the Hohner World Harmonica Championships in the early 90’s as well as winning The Maple Leaf Blues Harmonica player of the Year award 8 times. Together, they’ll be sure to leave a smile on your face and keep your feet shuffling while they jump, boogie and rip their way thru a mix of blues originals and cover tunes.
catl. | Toronto, ON | catltheband.com
catl. are a slammin’ rhythm and blues duo hailing from Toronto. They are well known for their hard hittin’, high energy shows and have a reputation for getting people off their butts to do a li’l drinkin’ and dancing. They have released 4 full-length records to critical acclaim and toured extensively throughout the United States and Canada. The stripped down, gutteral rhythms of this super-charged real-life couple’s music are “just pure, enthusiastic fun, played loudly enough to vibrate the venue’s stage – and a couple of hearts, too.” (Exclaim! 2012) Winner of 2009 Toronto Blues Society Talent Search and featured on the cover of Now Magazine.
Chris Antonik | Toronto, ON | chrisantonik.com
Toronto-based Chris Antonik was nominated for Best New Artist at 2011’s Maple Blues Awards after the release of his debut album, and has since become one of Canada’s fastest-rising blues artists. Blending innovative, thoughtful songwriting with stunning blues guitar work, some music critics have already drawn comparisons to Eric Clapton.
In 2013, Chris’ sophomore album Better for You was hailed by critics as “a masterpiece,” “the best Canadian blues-rock album of 2013,” and “the sound of someone taking the blues to a new place.” The album spent three weeks at #1 on DAWG FM, attained significant airplay across Canada, the US and Europe, including on Sirius XM Bluesville, and was nominated for Best Blues Album by the German Record Critics’ Association. Oregon’s Cascade Blues Association called it “one of the finest releases from the Great White North in many a year.”
Chris has performed at major blues festivals across Canada, and in 2014 undertook his first US tour (with another one planned for spring 2015). An exceptional guitarist, a soulful singer and an inventive songwriter, Chris delivers a passionate live performance that gives audiences more than their money’s worth.
The Conor Gains Band | Cambridge, ON | www.conorgainsmusic.com
At 21 years old, Conor Gains has already been nominated for a Maple Blues Best New Artist Award as well as performed with the BB King All stars, in Nashville and Memphis. In July 2011, the trio headlined the blues stage at the “Montreal International Jazz Festival” and performed at the “Tremblant International Blues Fest” in 2012.
David Gogo | Nanaimo, BC | www.davidgogo.com
As one of Canada’s hardest working and most prolific blues guitar virtuosos, David Gogo has amassed a worldwide fanbase and an impressive list of accomplishments. He has earned four JUNO nominations, the 2012 Western Canadian Music Award for Blues Recording of the Year, the CBC Saturday Night Blues’ Great Canadian Blues Award for a lifetime contribution to the blues in Canada, and has twice been named Maple Blues Guitarist of the Year. He has played on stage with Johnny Winter, Otis Rush, Albert Collins and Bo Diddley and has opened forGeorge Thorogood, ZZ Top, The Tragicially Hip, Buddy Guy, Little Feat and Jimmy Vaughan. In March 2013, he performed as the supporting act for blues legend B.B. King for the third time in his career, this time at the Port Theatre in Gogo’s hometown of Nanaimo, BC.
Gogo has released thirteen albums to date and has been a guest on a number of recordings. He has composed music for television and major motion pictures and his songs have been performed and recorded by musicians worldwide. He continues to tour relentlessly, performing across North America and Europe in venues ranging from small blues bars to massive blues festivals. Whether he’s showcasing his blistering guitar licks and soulful vocals during an electric performance or drawing the crowd in with his humour and down-to-earth personality during an acoustic show, audiences everywhere can attest to Gogo’s outstanding talent.
Drew Nelson | Ottawa, ON | drewnelson.ca
Drew Nelson, conceivably one of Canada’s most criminally underrated musicians, is back with his first album in eight years and a renewed determination to reignite a successful career that he had almost turned his back on. The Ottawa based singer/songwriter/guitarist decided to focus on domestic life for a while after many years of playing 200-plus dates. “I grew tired of the constant travel but after a while I began to miss doing the thing I love and am good at,” says Nelson.
Erin McCallum | erinmccallum.com
When Erin McCallum first heard Big Mama Thornton’s “Hound Dog”, she sensed something very special. She heard a sound and delivery that she identified with immediately, and continues to channel both in the studio and in live performance.
11 years into the Blues music scene, McCallum is making great strides employing a basic approach – drawing from the long-standing roots of Blues – as basis for her own vision of the genre. And people are taking notice. Establishing a sound revolving around that voice – a captivating alto tenor – Erin has received well deserved recognition with two 2011 Maple Blues Award nominations. Erin has also been awarded an International Songwriting Award by the International Songwriting Competition (2013) for her work on the release “Complicated Woman”, and been nominated for two Ontario Independent Music Awards (Best Blues). McCallum has also performed at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, as well as the International Showcase (2011).
Gary Kendall Band | Toronto, ON | garykendall.com
Everyone knows Gary Kendall as oft-elected Maple Blues’ Bassist of the Year, blues man about town and keeper of the boftom end for Downchild. But Gary’s alter ego is found in his much beloved Gary Kendall Band – a band in which each carefully selected player is equal and accountable. Formed in 2005, Gary reached out to some of Toronto’s best musicians to create a turn-on-a-dime squad of blues marauders to build a loyal following for their own brand of music – and for doing exactly what they like to on any given night – play the blues.
Guy Bélanger | Montreal, QC | www.guybelangermusic.com
Harp-blower extraordinaire and composer of note, Guy Bélanger, with the aptly titled “Blues Turn” makes a return to the sources, the Blues, which marked the first two decades of his career. This Quebec City harmonicist offers us a mature recording of fresh originals and carefully selected covers, in league with cream-of-the-crop musicians from Chicago (Jimmy Joghnson, Studebaker John, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith), Toronto (Steve Strongman, Alec Fraser, Adam Warner) and Montreal (André Lachance, Marc-André Drouin, Michel Roy). To date, Guy has contributed to more than 100 recordings in his career (Cirque du Soleil, Bob Walsh, Les Colocs among others), he has composed four movie soundtrack and released 4 solo recordings.
This powerhouse performer has been awarded no less than 14 Lys Blues trophies and has been nominated three times for the prestigious Maple Blues Awards. His new album is among the 5 International Blues Challenge’s Best Self-Produced CD finalist in Memphis.
Jake Chisholm | Toronto, ON | www.jakechisholm.ca
There is a sincerity in Jake Chisholm’s music that is immediately identifiable. Whether his compelling vocal, his memorable guitar hooks, or his thoughtful lyrics ; he excels in all areas, providing the listener with the feelings of both familiarity and being privy to something cutting edge ; both at once. No fancy bells and whistles here, just a deep and full sound that is a fresh take on blues and adding rock ‘n’ roll elements. Inspired by classic blues, soul and rock n roll, Chisholm’s tasteful yet intricate guitar work and songwriting evokes vivid and shameless tales of love, lust, and lessons learned. An in demand session player on the Toronto jazz & blues scene, Chisholm has earned a reputation as a talented and respected young vocalist/guitar player.
Jenie Thai | Edmonton, AB | www.jeniethai.ca
Jenie Thai is building a musical presence throughout the country through the electric energy she displays on stage and the old soul that’s conveyed through her songwriting. Jenie’s roots and blues education began young and her training on the piano started at age seven; she took private lessons for fifteen years. Through her classical training she spent her early school years performing difficult repertoire at various workshops, camps, and festivals year round receiving national accolade and in 2010 she was offered a spot in Paul McCartney’s international music school based in Liverpool.
Jordan Officer | Montreal, QC | www.jordanofficer.com
A master of sonic space, Jordan Officer is an extraordinary musician and creator. Recognized for an approach that moves back and forth between power and subtlety, the Montreal guitarist and arranger is one of those rare players with a knack for getting straight to the essential. In his hands, the blues, jazz and country blend into an eminently singular and personal language. Whether in the company of singer Susie Arioli or in the framework of his solo projects, this alchemist of swing has made a name for himself over the past decade as an artisan in the music that he loves.
Kat Danser | Edmonton, AB | katdanser.com
Kat Danser’s music navigates a paddle steamer from the muddy banks of the Mississippi Delta downriver toward a big ol’ full moon over New Orleans. Dubbed ‘Queen of the Swamp Blues’, this Edmonton-based guitar slinger, songsmith, and blazing vocalist channels the spirit of roots, blues and gospel music pioneers.
strong>The MacKenzie Blues Band | Owen Sound, ON | www.mackenziebluesband.com
Winners of the 2014 Maple Blues Award for “Best New Group or Artist” and 2X Semi Finalists at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn., the MacKenzie Blues Band have been enjoying the recognition of a hard working band. Blues Rockers with Style, they emit the energy of a small, joyful supernova. Firmly rooted in blues traditions, TMBB writes their songs from their experiences and world view.
Madagascar Slim | Toronto, ON | madagascarslim.weebly.com
Listening to Jimi Hendrix in Antananarivo Madagascar, a teenage dreamer could only imagine he would become one of Canada’s top guitar slingers. Randriamananjara Radofa Besata Jean Longin, aka Madagascar Slim, went to a Quebec missionary high school that eventually led his parents to send him to study accounting in the cold foreign land of Canada. Student protests and turbulence were behind Slim when he met his wife to be Cathy St. Cyr where he performed in the Quebec chanson troupe Tiguidou. Later on Chicago Blues Standards, vamped out at Toronto’s dingy blues dive Grossman’s Tavern, were part of Slim’s training with Steven C and the Red Rockets.
Michael Jerome Brown | Montreal, QC | www.michaeljeromebrowne.com
Michael Jerome Browne, Canadian Folk Music Awards Solo Artist of the Year 2012 & 2008, Maple Blues Acoustic Artist Award Winner, Kerrville (Texas) New Folk Finalist, Three time Juno Award Nominee in both the roots/traditional and blues categories. Michael is a multi-instrumentalist, a songwriter, and a living encyclopedia of American Roots music.
“Sliding Delta” is the new album on Borealis Records, available early in 2015. It is a tribute to his early influences, filled with his own personal interpretations of the rural blues of Mississippi John Hurt, Fred McDowell, Memphis Minnie, Skip James, Charley Patton, Blind Willie McTell and many others. Recorded live off the floor in three days, it features MJB on several 6- and 12-string guitars, 5-string banjo, mandolin and rack-harp. It also includes a duet with Eric Bibb recorded in Scotland while on tour.
Miss Robin Bank$ | Toronto, ON | www.reverbnation.com/robinbanks
A master of tone and phrasing, Robin Banks has a vocal style, strength and clarity that has been compared to Etta James and Dinah Washington. But match that with the charisma and boldness of a Tina Turner and you’ll understand why Robin Banks has the world on a string! Robin Banks has her roots deeply dug. Born in Canada a mere 50 miles from Detroit, then transplanted to Dallas, and then Jamaica, Banks is a diverse, international artist who is clearly comfortable with Jazz, Classic R&B, Soul, even Reggae. She’s often lauded for her captivating live performance, her confident ability to connect and affect each member of her audience, her sincerity and certainly her authenticity. For over 20 years, Robin Banks has established herself as a fearless, female force in International Blues circles recording and performing with the likes of Duke Robillard, Sweet Sam Myers and a long list of legendary Texas, West Coast, Mississippi and Chicago musicians.
Murray Porter & Robbie Antone | Vancouver, BC; Six Nations | www.reverbnation.com/murrayportermusic
You’ve never heard the term ‘dynamic duo’ until you hear these two award-winning musicians play together… 2012 JUNO Award winner Murray Porter, and 2012 Jack Richardson Music Award winner, Robbie Antone, for ‘Best Blues/R & B’, in London, Ontario, are joining their musical blues forces together. Over the past 5 years, these two classy blues gentlemen have played together at Hugh’s Room in Toronto, the Music Club in London, and recently at `Aboriginal Day Live’ for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) in Winnipeg. Both were featured performers on `Rez Bluez’, which won the 2008 award for ‘Best Television Program promoting Aboriginal Talent’ from the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards. Both Murray and Robbie are self-taught musicians who began their craft in their early teenage years. Today, they each have over 30 years professional performing experience.
Murray’s a Mohawk piano player from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory (but now live in North Vancouver, British Columbia) brings his culture and history to the masses through his music.
Robbie’s harmonica playing, tears at your heart from his first note. He’s from the Oneida Nation of the Thames, just outside London, Ontario.
Norbert Schneider | Austria | norbertschneider-music.com
Norbert Schneider was born in Vienna and grew up in Prottes in Lower Austria. His fascination with the raw energy of blues caused him to reach for the guitar at the age of 15. In addition to playing music, he also discovered his second passion during this time period: composing. With his voice, which has a range of three octaves, and his semiacoustic Gibson guitar, he bridged the gap between different musical styles such as blues, soul and pop. It’s no wonder that his audience feels like they’re sitting in Bourbon Street in New Orleans during his concerts.
In 2012, Norbert Schneider released his fifth album “Medicate My Blues Away.” At the Eurovision Song Contest preliminary decision in Vienna he performed his single “Medicate My Blues Away.” The same year, he joined the European Blues Challenge in Berlin in addition to 18 other candidates, where Norbert placed second. In 2014, Norbert received the Amadeus Austrian Music Award, one of Austria’s most prestigious music honors.
The Oh Chays | Port Alma, ON | www.theohchays.com
The Oh Chays, husband and wife folk-roots duo Kelly and Michael Authier (pronounced “OH chay”), have played stages big and small across Ontario, wowing audiences with their spirited and versatile musicianship and their hilarious, often biting wit.
The Paul DesLauriers Band | Montreal, QC | www.pauldeslauriersband.com
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. The self-titled new 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. Released on March 18th 2014, the album reached the #1 spot on the iTunes Canada Blues Chart within a month! Currently touring in support of the new album, notable performances include The Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Tremblant International Jazz Festival, The Dutch Mason Blues Festival and the Calabogie Blues & Ribfest. All three members are currently nominees at the 2015 Maple Blues Awards – Paul for Guitarist of the Year, Sam for Drummer of the Year and Greg for Bassist of the Year. Paul DesLauriers won 2 Maple Blues Awards in 2014, including Guitarist of the Year. Sam Harrisson is a three-time Maple Blues Award Drummer of the Year nominee.
Raoul and the Big Time | Toronto, ON | www.raoulandthebigtime.com
Raoul and The Big Time performed their first gig in the back room of The Cameron House, Toronto in 1998. They went on to win The Maple Blues Award for Best New Artist the following year and since then have released five recordings, most recently HOLLYWOOD BLVD, featuring guest performances from blues legends such as Junior Watson, Larry Taylor, Curtis Salgado, Rick Holmstrom and many more. They have performed at many major festivals including Vancouver Folk, Salmon Arm Roots and Blues, Montreal Jazz and Ottawa. Featured this year on the CBC radio program Saturday Night Blues they have received extensive play both nationally and internationally. They are excited to return to The Blues Summit, this year performing with keys and horns, a staple of their live show the last five years. This year they are nominated for Entertainer of The Year, Recording/Producer of The Year, Songwriter and Drummer of The Year.
The Ria Reece Band | Montreal, QC | www.riareeceband.com
The Ria Reece Band is old school Rhythm & Blues. Powerful and soulful, Ria Reece’s haunting vocals take center stage. A great live act, this Montreal band’s energy and passion is consistently felt throughout every performance. The band’s most notable influences are the bluesy sounds of Etta James and Koko Taylor, the soulful sounds of Sam Cooke and Al Green.
Ross Neilsen | Fredericton, NB | rossneilsen.com
Canada’s hardest working blues rock musician Ross Neilsen does it right. He’s taking strong, timeless material to the place that matters: The People. Seven Years, over 1200 shows and more than half a million kilometers traveled. In a time of corporate cookie-cutter music, this is the return to real. Proving hard work pays off, Neilsen has been honoured with a nomination for Best New Artist at The Maple Blues Awards in 2010, two Rising Star nominations from CBC, back to back Blues Album of the Year nominations from the East Coast Music Association, a win for Best Blues Recording for Redemption at the 2010 MusicNB awards, a semi finalist in the solo/duo category at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN in 2012 and most recently Five nominations from Music New Brunswick.
Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar | Owen Sound, ON | samanthamartin.ca
“You may not know it yet, but Samantha Martin is a rock star. She’ll tear your heart out one note at a time.” – Serena Ryder
If Mavis Staples and The Black Keys had a child, and Sharon Jones was the Auntie, it would sound like Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar. It is stripped down and raw with vocals that will leave you wondering how something so big could come out of someone so small. In this new gospel infused, blues and soul formation, Martin is releasing a full length album in Jan. 2015.
Steve Dawson | Nashville, TN, USA | stevedawson.ca
Over the past decade or so Steve Dawson has become such an indelible fixture on the Canadian musical landscape that it’s tempting to take him for granted. One of the drawbacks of being so talented is that Dawson makes everything he does sound so effortless. The music that continually flows out of him is so natural and unforced that it’s possible to forget all of the toil that went into producing it. Behind the organic, flowing guitar work, the crisp arrangements and the laconic singing voice, resides one of the brightest, hardest working musicians the country has ever produced.
Steve released an album of solo acoustic instrumental guitar music in 2014 entitled ‘Rattlesnake Cage’. This is the record that Steve Dawson’s growing number of fans have been waiting for.
Sugar Brown | Toronto, ON | sugarbrownmusic.com
Born in 1971 and raised in Bowling Green, Ohio, Sugar Brown was born as Ken Chester Kawashima to a Japanese father and Korean mother who both immigrated to the United States in the mid-1960s. Now a permanent resident of Toronto, Canada, Sugar Brown is a modern blues musician, singer and songwriter. His brand of dark, sweet, and inconsolable blues has caught the attention of the Canadian music scene, winning the 2013 Toronto Blues Society Talent Search and quickly receiving invitations to play at the Kitchener Blues Festival and the prestigious Mariposa Folk Festival in 2014.
Suzie Vinnick | Wainfleet, ON | suzievinnick.com
A Saskatoon native transplanted to the Niagara Region of Ontario, Suzie Vinnick is the proud owner of a gorgeous voice, prodigious guitar and bass chops, and an engagingly candid performance style. Her career has seen triumph after triumph. Among her most recent successes: achieving finalist status in the Solo/Duo Category at the 2013 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN; winning 2 X 2012 Maple Blues Awards for Best Acoustic Act and Female Vocalist, being named 2012 Sirius XM Canada Blues Artist of the Year. Suzie has toured nationally with Stuart McLean’s The Vinyl Café and the John McDermott Band, and performed for Canadian Peacekeepers in Bosnia and the Persian Gulf. She was also the voice of Tim Horton’s for 5 years. How cool is that?
Tobin Spring | Huntsville, ON | www.tobinspring.com
Huntsville based bluesman Tobin Spring has made some waves in the Canadian blues scene opening for a variety of artists including Big Sugar, Blue Rodeo, Kim Mitchell and April Wine. He’s had four of his songs put into heavy rotation on Moose fm stations across Ontario (“It’s Only Life,” “September,” “Higher Height” and “Both Sides Of The Coin”) He also wrote and produced the theme song for the 2010 Ontario Winter Games entitled “Be Here.”
Wicked Grin | Ottawa, ON | www.wickedgrin.ca
Since 2003, Murray Kinsley and Wicked Grin have been rockin’ festivals and clubs throughout Ontario and Quebec with their distinctive hard driving, in your face blues. Murray’s fresh take on gritty blues and killer guitar delivers full-tilt blues with a groove that just won’t quit. The band was named Runner Up in the Toronto Blues Society 2014 Talent Search.
Keynote Speaker
Bruce Iglauer
The Toronto Blues Society is proud to announce Bruce Iglauer as this year’s Keynote Speaker at Blues Summit 7! The Keynote will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2015
Biography: Bruce Iglauer is the president and founder of Alligator Records, the largest contemporary blues label in the world. Iglauer founded the independent, Chicago-based label in 1971, at the age of 23, operating it by himself from a one-room apartment. Now Alligator has grown to 16 people, and its catalog contains over 280 CDs, over 125 produced or co-produced by Iglauer. His productions include albums by Hound Dog Taylor, Albert Collins, Koko Taylor, Lonnie Brooks, Shemekia Copeland, Carey Bell, Saffire—the Uppity Blues Women, Son Seals, Johnny Winter, Roy Buchanan, Michael Burks, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Jarekus Singleton and many more. Twenty-six of the albums he’s produced have been nominated for Grammy Awards, with one winner. Alligator releases have won dozens of Blues Music Awards, the highest award the blues world presents.
Iglauer is also a founder and co-director of the Blues Community Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting blues music education and assisting blues musicians and their families who are in need. He has served on the board of directors of The Blues Foundation and of A2IM, the American Association of Independent Music. He was a founder of NAIRD, the independent labels organization that preceded A2IM, and served on its board for 26 years. He is also a co-founder of Living Blues, America’s oldest blues magazine.
Iglauer was been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2002, Chicago Magazine awarded Iglauer its Chicagoan Of The Year Award. In 2014, A2IM awarded him its Lifetime Achievement Award.
Iglauer has traveled worldwide with his artists, and prides himself on his road management abilities. “I want to be remembered as the blues’ best roadie,” he says. “And I want Alligator to be the label that carries the blues into the future and turns new generations on to the power and pleasure of the blues.”
Delegates
Sorting. Delegates are sorted first by Location (USA, Europe, Canada), then Organization, then Last Name. International delegates are located at the top of the list.
| First Name | Last Name | Organization | Town/City |
| Sherman Lee | Dillon | Artist | Cary, NC |
| Bruce | Iglauer | Alligator Records | Chicago, IL, USA |
| Dennis | Massingill | Kalamazoo Blues Festival | Kalamazoo, MI, USA |
| Garrick | Smith | Lake Placid Blues Fest | Lake Placid, NY, USA |
| Steve | Dawson | Artist | Nashville, TN, USA |
| Jeff | Davis | Playing With Fire | Omaha, NE, USA |
| Vanessa | Marie | Playing with Fire | Omaha, NE, USA |
| Ginny | Buckley | Pennsylvania Blues Festival | Philadelphia, PA, USA |
| Robert | Dwyer | New York State Blues Festival | Syracuse, NY, USA |
| Norbert | Schneider | Arist | Austria |
| Big Mama | Montse | Artist | Barcelona Blues Society | Vidrà, Girona, Spain |
| Dieter | Sigrist | Best Of, Radio Bern | Bern, Switzerland |
| Mark | Stenzler | Blues Zeppelin | European Blues Union | Bern, Switzerland |
| Margarida | Lima | Guest | Bern, Switzerland |
| Silvia | Sigrist | Guest | Bern, Switzerland |
| Silvio | Caldelari | Sierre Blues Festival | Sierre, Switzerland |
| Sabrina | Weeks | Arist | Kamloops, BC |
| Brant | Zwicker | At The Crossroads | Kamloops, BC |
| Brandon | Isaak | Arist | Langley, BC |
| David | Gogo | Artist | Nanaimo, BC |
| Elaine | Bomberry | Rez Blues Productions | North Vancouver, BC |
| Peter | North | Salmon Arm Blues & Roots Festival | Salmon Arm, BC |
| Harpdog | Brown | Arist | Surrey, BC |
| Murray | Porter | Arist | Vancouver, BC |
| Robbie | Antone | Artist | Vancouver, BC |
| Cindy | McLeod | Calgary International Blues Festival | Calgary, AB |
| Jason | Yaholkoski | Graffitti Music | Calgary, AB |
| Kirby | Sewell | Kirby Sewell Band | Calgary, AB |
| Ian | Menzies | Menzies Mixed Media | Calgary, AB |
| Alexander | McTaggart | Arist | Edmonton, AB |
| Jenie | Thai | Arist | Edmonton, AB |
| Kat | Danser | Artist | Edmonton, AB |
| Cam | Hayden | Edmonton Blues Festival | Edmonton, AB |
| Terry | Wickham | Edmonton Folk Festival | Edmonton, AB |
| Holger | Petersen | Stony Plain Records | Edmonton, AB |
| Trent | Schmiedge | Graffitti Music | Saskatoon, SK |
| Stan | Budgell | Saskatoon Blues Festival | Saskatoon, SK |
| Judy | Enns | Saskatoon Blues Society | Saskatoon, SK |
| Gordon | MacAulay | Saskatoon Blues Society | Saskatoon, SK |
| Al | Wood | Saskatoon Blues Society | Saskatoon, SK |
| Kap | Palmer | BLUES NITE ENTERTAINMENT | Winnipeg, MB |
| Jamie | MacDonald | Aurora Winter Blues Festival | Aurora, ON |
| Lisa | Hutchinson | Arist | Barrie, ON |
| Peter | Loudon | Lisa Hutchinson Band | Barrie, ON |
| Roly | Platt | Roly Platt | Barrie, ON |
| Jason | Meens | Active Arts Studio | Belleville, ON |
| David | MacMillan | True North Records | Burlington, ON |
| Yves | Trottier | DAWG FM | Calabogie Blues Festival | Calabogie, ON |
| Brenda | Thyer | Delegate | Cambridge, ON |
| Tim | Holek | Great Lakes Blues Society | Chatham, ON |
| Ian | Royce | Travel n Blues | Collingwood, ON |
| Lily | Sazz | Groove Corporation | Dundas, ON |
| Joel | Dawson | The Mackenzie Blues Band | Flesherton |
| John | Davis | Canal Bank Shuffle | Fonthill, ON |
| Connie | Harrison | West Coast Blues Festival | Goderich, ON |
| John | Harrison | West Coast Blues Festival | Goderich, ON |
| Carthy | Murdock | West Coast Blues Festival | Goderich, ON |
| Myles | Murdock | West Coast Blues Festival | Goderich, ON |
| JW | Jones | Artist | Greely, ON |
| Angela | Wallis | The Hawk FM | Hamilton, ON |
| Ken | Wallis | The Hawk FM | Hamilton, ON |
| Tobin | Spring | Arist | Huntsville, ON |
| Angelique | Francis | Artist | Kanata, ON |
| James | Doran | Choose the Blues Productions | Kenmore, ON |
| Diane | Leduc | Choose the Blues Productions | Kenmore, ON |
| Rick | Clarke | Lighthouse Blues Festival | Kincardine, ON |
| Marilyn | Clarke | Rick & Marilyn Blues Productions | Kincardine, ON |
| Michele | Langlois | Limestone City Blues Festival | Kingston, ON |
| Jan | MacDonald | Limestone City Blues Festival | Kingston, ON |
| Rob | Tamblyn | Limestone City Blues Festival | Kingston, ON |
| Neil | Tarswell | Grand River Blues Society | Kitchener, ON |
| Hilliard | Walter | Jamblasters | Kitchener, ON |
| Rob | Deyman | Kitchener Blues Festival | Kitchener, ON |
| Cathy | Corrigan | The Lancaster Smokehouse | Kitchener, ON |
| Chris | Corrigan | The Lancaster Smokehouse | Kitchener, ON |
| Johnny | Max | Mississauga Blues & Roots Assoc. | Mississauga, ON |
| Ray | Walsh | SquirrelHead Music | Mississauga, ON |
| Kristine | Kane | Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle | Mississauga, ON |
| Paul | DesLauriers | Arist | Montreal, QC |
| Tom | Rowe | Delegate | Nepean, ON |
| Ross | Robinson | Toronto Blues | North York, ON |
| Claudio | DeMarchi | Mississippi Tourism | Nottawa, ON |
| Norma | Bailey | Delegate | Orangeville |
| Heather | Katz | Heather Katz & the Soulmates | Orangeville, ON |
| Larry | Kurtz | Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival | Orangeville, ON |
| Lance | Anderson | Arist | Orillia, ON |
| Tom | Jardin | Delegate | Oshawa, ON |
| Erin | Benjamin | Music Canada Live | Ottawa |
| Liam | Melville | Artist, “Wicked Grin” | Ottawa, ON |
| Leigh Ann | Stanton | Artist, “Wicked Grin” | Ottawa, ON |
| Rod | Williams | Artist, “Wicked Grin” | Ottawa, ON |
| Todd | Bernard | DAWG FM | Ottawa, ON |
| Brent | Diab | DAWG FM | Ottawa, ON |
| Ed | Torres | DAWG FM | Ottawa, ON |
| Frank | Torres | DAWG FM | Ottawa, ON |
| Kate | Torres | DAWG FM | Ottawa, ON |
| Lucie | Gaspe | Delegate | Ottawa, ON |
| Bob | Provick | Delegate | Ottawa, ON |
| Mike | Turenne | Drew Nelson | Ottawa, ON |
| Alka | Sharma | Folk Music Ontario | Ottawa, ON |
| Minnie | Matoush | Guest | Ottawa, ON |
| Dave | Brennan | Ottawa Blues Society | Ottawa, ON |
| Gary | Paradis | Ottawa Blues Society | Ottawa, ON |
| Vickie | Paradis | Ottawa Blues Society | Ottawa, ON |
| Liz | Sykes | Ottawa Blues Society | Ottawa, ON |
| Samantha | Martin | Artist, “Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar” | Owen Sound, ON |
| Mike | Wier | Artist, “The MacKenzie Blues Band” | Owen Sound, ON |
| Tara | MacKenzie | The MacKenzie Blues Band | Owen Sound, ON |
| Trevor | MacKenzie | The MacKenzie Blues Band | Owen Sound, ON |
| Rick | Fines | Artist | Peterborough, ON |
| Lori | Murray | Music By The Bay Live | Pickering, ON |
| Paul | Murray | Music By The Bay Live | Pickering, ON |
| Kelly | Authier | Artist, “The Oh Chays” | Port Alma, ON |
| Michael | Authier | Artist, “The Oh Chays” | Port Alma, ON |
| Carlos | del Junco | Artist | Port Hope, ON |
| Peggy | Voigt | Frankford Island Blues Festival | Quinte West, ON |
| Ken | McColm | Loyal Blues Fellowship Inc | Quinte West, ON |
| Wayne | Williams | Delegate | Rama, ON |
| Deborah | Cartmer | CFBU 103.7 FM | St Catharines, ON |
| David | Booth | Whistle Radio 102.7FM | Showtime Archives | Stouffville, ON |
| Bill | Durst | Arist | Stratford, ON |
| Susan | Moses | Bill Durst | Stratford, ON |
| Sarah | French | Sarah French Publicity | Stratford, ON |
| Tim | Sinnett | Canal Bank Shuffle | Thorold, ON |
| Robin | Banks | Arist | Toronto, ON |
| Raoul | Bhaneja | Arist | Toronto, ON |
| Fraser | Melvin | Arist | Toronto, ON |
| Mark | Stafford | Arist | Toronto, ON |
| Chris | Antonik | Artist | Toronto, ON |
| Shawn | Caissie | Artist | Toronto, ON |
| Jake | Chisholm | Artist | Toronto, ON |
| Sokhna-Dior | Cisse | Artist | Toronto, ON |
| Conor | Gains | Artist | Toronto, ON |
| Gary | Kendall | Artist | Toronto, ON |
| Amai | Kuda | Artist | Toronto, ON |
| Erin | McCallum | Artist | Toronto, ON |
| Paul | Reddick | Artist | Toronto, ON |
| Shakura | S’Aida | Artist | Toronto, ON |
| Andria | Simone | Artist | Toronto, ON |
| Madagascar | Slim | Artist | Toronto, ON |
| Irene | Torres | Artist | Toronto, ON |
| Brian | Blain | Artist / Brian’s Campfire Jam | Toronto, ON |
| Jamie | Fleming | Artist, “catl.” | Toronto, ON |
| Sarah | Kirkpatrick | Artist, “catl.” | Toronto, ON |
| Tom | Bona | Artist, “Raoul and the Big Time” | Toronto, ON |
| Ken | Kawashima | Artist, “Sugar Brown” | Toronto, ON |
| Lindsay | Beaver | Artist, “The 24th Street Wailers” | Toronto, ON |
| Nicole | Rocheford | Artists In Motion | Toronto, ON |
| Rico | Ferrara | Blues For A Big Town | Toronto, ON |
| Georgina | Petranovic | BluesIn’ Toronto | Toronto, ON |
| Linda | Turu | Borealis Records | Toronto, ON |
| Tim | des Islets | Bumstead Productions | Toronto, ON |
| David | Cox | CLK Creative Works | Toronto, ON |
| Allan | Wells | Comino Productions | Toronto, ON |
| Patricia | Lever | DAWG FM | Toronto, ON |
| Pam | Beatson | Delegate | Toronto, ON |
| Eric | Alper | eOne Music Canada | Toronto, ON |
| Alex | Sinclair | Folk Music Ontario | Toronto, ON |
| Derek | Andrews | Global Cafe | Toronto Blues Society | Toronto, ON |
| James | Wilson | Irene Torres & The SugarDevils | Toronto, ON |
| Colin | Woods | Jamblasters | Toronto, ON |
| Lenny | Solomon | Lenny Solomon Productions Inc. | Toronto, ON |
| Julia | Train | MROC | Toronto, ON |
| Thomas | Hanes | Music Africa | Toronto, ON |
| Rick | Fenton | Music Ontario | Toronto, ON |
| Emy | Stantcheva | Music Ontario | CIMA Music | Toronto, ON |
| Allison | Saretsky | Panelist | Toronto, ON |
| Richard | Flohil | Richard Flohil & Associates | Toronto, ON |
| Paul | Sanderson | Sanderson Law | Toronto, ON |
| Sean | Pinchin | Sean Pinchin | Toronto, ON |
| Bruce | Landon | SOCAN | Toronto, ON |
| Margaret | Dinsdale | Sugar Moon Music Inc. | Toronto, ON |
| Nick | Lanaro | TBS Volunteer | Toronto, ON |
| Kristen | Fung | The Distillery | Toronto, ON |
| Neil | Henry | The Distillery | Toronto, ON |
| Bruce | Morrison | Ticketfly Canada | Toronto, ON |
| Judi | Pressman | Ticketpro Inc. | Toronto, ON |
| Sharon | Evans | Toronto Blues Society | Toronto, ON |
| Ivy Mairi | Farquhar-McDonnell | Toronto Blues Society | Toronto, ON |
| Barbara | Isherwood | Toronto Blues Society | Toronto, ON |
| Ed | Parsons | Toronto Blues Society | Toronto, ON |
| Jordan | Safer | Toronto Blues Society | Toronto, ON |
| Alice | Sellwood | Toronto Blues Society | Toronto, ON |
| Casey | van Gorkom | Toronto Blues Society | Toronto, ON |
| Kathy | Gillespie | Terry Gillespie Band | Vankleek Hill, ON |
| Terry | Gillespie | Terry Gillespie Band | Vankleek Hill, ON |
| Lyndell | Montgomery | Terry Gillespie Band | Vankleek Hill, ON |
| Wayne | Stoute | Terry Gillespie Band | Vankleek Hill, ON |
| Suzie | Vinnick | Artist | Wainfleet, ON |
| Liz | Temple | Grand River Blues Society | Waterloo, ON |
| Sandy | Barkshire | Kitchener Blues Festival | Waterloo, ON |
| Claude | Cloutier | Kitchener Blues Festival | Waterloo, ON |
| Robert | Barkshire | Kitchener Blues Festival, President | Waterloo, ON |
| Silvia | Dee | Silvia Dee and the Boyfriend | Waterloo, ON |
| Kay | White | Trick Or Treat Entertainment Inc. | Wyebridge, ON |
| Greg | Morency | Paul DesLauriers Band | Chambly, QC |
| Yannick | Lambert | Donnacona Blues Festival | Donnacona, QC |
| Drew | Nelson | Drew Nelson | Gatineau, QC |
| Debra | Thornington | Ottawa Blues Society | Gatineau, QC |
| Michael Jerome | Browne | Arist | Montreal, QC |
| Roxanne | Potvin | Arist | Montreal, QC |
| Ria | Reece | Arist | Montreal, QC |
| Guy | Belanger | Artist | Montreal, QC |
| Cecile | Doo-Kingue | Artist | Montreal, QC |
| Jordan | Officer | Artist | Montreal, QC |
| Bobby | Stagg | Artist | Montreal, QC |
| Dawn Tyler | Watson | Artist | Montreal, QC |
| Phil | Brisse | Montreal Blues Society | Montreal, QC |
| Kimberley | Dorneval | Montreal Blues Society | Montreal, QC |
| Irene | Ipperciel | Montreal Blues Society | Montreal, QC |
| Christine | Martin | Montreal Blues Society | Montreal, QC |
| Sean | Willoughby | Montreal Blues Society | Montreal, QC |
| Frederic | Lamoureux | Montreal International Jazz Festival | Montreal, QC |
| Deborah | Cognet | Mundial Montreal | Montreal, QC |
| Samuel | Harrisson | Paul DesLauriers Band | Montreal, QC |
| René | Moisan | Productions Bros Inc. | Montreal, QC |
| Andre | Chevarie | Ria Reece Band | Montreal, QC |
| Greg | Torrington | Stingray Music | Montreal, QC |
| Brian | Slack | Tremblant International Blues Festival | Montreal, QC |
| Nanette | Workman | Artist | Ormstown, QC |
| Josée | Larose | The Snyders | Repentigny, QC |
| Denny | Snyder | The Snyders | Repentigny, QC |
| Dave | McCabe | Delegate | St.-Urbain Premier, QC |
| Jean | Sicotte | Les Productions Kazou | Sutton, QC |
| Ross | Neilsen | Arist | Fredericton, NB |
| Dan | Doiron | Dan Doiron Band | Halifax, NS |
