News

Alligator Records is by many lengths the premier blues label. Since its founding, we have been treated to beautifully produced albums by the top tier of performers. They are distinctively packaged and easily accessible to all blues fans.

Steve Strongman’s last three albums were all nominated for the Blues JUNO and A Natural Fact won it. At the International Blues Challenge this past January, Steve placed first in the Solo/Duo category. Tired of Talkin’ will most certainly keep this trend going

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Cliff Stevens hails from Montreal but he’s seldom there, being busy touring Europe, Mexico & Morocco. Nobody But You is his fourth solo album since an apprenticeship as a sideman.

Amy Louie Grossman’s Music Scholarship: Grossman’s Tavern is pleased to announce that the applications are open for the annual Amy Louie Grossman’s Music Scholarship (ALGMS), from June 10, 2019 until September 13, 2019. The winner will be announced at their fundraiser on Tuesday, September 24th, 2019, 7pm at Grossman’s Tavern. Musicians or bands interested in applying for the ALGMS are asked to fill out a proposal, highlighting what they plan to do with the funding. The ALGMS scholarship is valued at $2,000 CAD.

Previous winners of the ALGMS include Jerome Godboo, Chloe Watkinson, Bad Luck Woman & Her Misfortunes, Dan McKinnon and The Swingin’ Blackjacks. Details http://www.grossmanstavern.com/?p=4207

Alligator Records has a proud history of signing electric blues guitarists. In fact, many would say it’s the label’s main attraction, starting with Son Seals and continuing through Albert Collins, Johnny Winter, Roy Buchanan, Michael Hill, Michael Burks, Toronzo Cannon, Selwyn Birchwood and now Christone “Kingfish” Ingram.

It is not so well known that Terry Robb is one of blues’ top acoustic fingerpicking guitarists. That may be partly because this longtime Portland, Oregon resident rarely travels to the east. It is even less well-known that he was born in Vancouver. Now 62, he has released fourteen albums, both with band & solo, and this latest is a combination of the two and, he says, a culmination of his career.

This month’s recommended listening by John Valenteyn, host of John Valenteyn’s Blues on ciut.fm, 89.5 and CD reviewer for Maple Blues.  

Montreal’s Jim Zeller is a harmonica ace, a forty-year man with eight albums under his belt and a long list of session credits, principally with Nanette Workman, Boule Noire and the rock band Mahogany Rush. Known for his wild stage show, his albums reflect his taste for the unusual and unpredictable.

Kevin Breit’s mastery of anything with strings is legendary. A first-call session player when he chooses to be, he also continues to release albums that reflect his eccentric and unclassifiable musical tastes.

This month’s recommended listening by Greg Torrington, Blues Channel Manager at Stingray Music – available on digital cable providers throughout Canada.