March 2020 – Murray Porter
Published March 1, 2020 in Maple Blues Archive, Maple Blues Newsletter
Murray Porter plays Lula Lounge on April 16 celebrating 25th Rez Blues.
Maple Blues Archive
February 2020 – Dwane Dixon
Published February 9, 2020 in John's Blues Picks, News
Montreal-based blues rocker Dwane Dixon calls his style ‘rocking roadhouse blues’ in the manner of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Billy Gibbons. The idea for his third album came from a story he heard about his father.
February 2020 – Jimmy & The Sleepers
Published February 9, 2020 in John's Blues Picks, News
Jimmy and the Sleepers is a new band for me out of Edmonton and yet it is their third album and it’s been out for almost a year such are the regional difficulties we work with.
February 2020 – Sussex
Published February 9, 2020 in John's Blues Picks, News
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Rob Lutes has numerous nominations at the MBAs: several times for Acoustic Act of the year and as male vocalist of the year and as songwriter of the year.
February 2020 – Rott’n Dan and Lightnin’ Willy
Published February 9, 2020 in John's Blues Picks, News
Rott’n Dan may be better known to you as the front man/harp player for the excellent blues rock outfit Boogie Patrol, based out of Edmonton. Lightnin’ Willy (Ryan) is not in that band but is a very good singer and acoustic guitarist, with a background in folk as well.
February 2020 – Fuel Junkie
Published February 9, 2020 in John's Blues Picks, News
Fuel Junkie is a young, Montreal-based horn band, none of whose players have featured in this column before.
Top Blues – February 2020
This month’s recommended listening by Brad Wheeler, music writer for the Globe and Mail Twitter: @bwheelerglobe
Loose Blues – February 2020
Published February 9, 2020 in Loose Blues News, News
Blues at Winterfolk: The Winterfolk Blues & Roots festival is moving to the Annex but continues with a healthy dose of blues. Opening night, Friday February 21, presents festival favourite Jack de Keyzer and a “Blues and Bluegrass” showcase with Ken Whiteley, Chris Whiteley and Diana Braithwaite and the Layrite Boys as well as a “Finger Picking the Blues” workshop with Isaak Bonk, Brian Blain and Mr. Rick. Saturday brings sets from Noah Zacharin and Mr. Rick and a “Campfire Jam” hosted by Brian Blain. On Sunday Brian will have a solo set and Jack de Keyzer will present Evolution of Blues Guitar (from Robert Johnson to Jimi Hendrix), followed by the Guitar Jam with Mike McKenna, Danny Marks (pictured), Donne Roberts and D’Arcy Wickham. More info at www.winterfolk.com
February 2020 – Digging Roots
Published February 9, 2020 in Maple Blues Archive, Maple Blues Newsletter
Digging Roots plays Lula Lounge on April 16 celebrating 25th Rez Blues.
Mark Hummel – January 2020
Published January 9, 2020 in John's Blues Picks, News
Harmonica ace Mark Hummel sets the wayback machine to Chicago in the 1940’s to re-introduce us to the “Bluebird Beat”, the sound that producer Lester Melrose developed that was hugely popular at the time.
