News

Musicians Take Note: If your band is ready for the big stage (“market-ready,” as they say), then there are a couple of career development opportunities you should consider… The International Blues Challenge will take place on Beale Street in Memphis January 21-25, 2014. The TBS is holding a live performance competition (date and venue TBC) to determine which artists will be sanctioned by TBS to compete in Memphis. Two artists will be selected in the following categories to perform in front of industry professional judges: Band, Solo/duo, Youth (under 21).

Shemekia Copeland will set the main stage on fire at the Kitchener Blues Festival Saturday afternoon, August 10

Taking the Blues uptown: TBS Music Advisory Committee member Lance Anderson wrote and recorded all tracks for a TV special on the Biography channel called ‘The Shaw Festival – Behind the Curtain’ It premiered on Roger’s specialty Biography Channel on Sunday, May 26th. Lance writes, “…Interesting look at how many very skilled artists, artisans and tech people it takes to put on the Shaw Festival. Remarkable achievement.” It is scheduled for a later release on PBS in the US. Lance is producer/instigator for Make It Real Records (and artistic director of the Orillia Spring Blues Festival June 7 – 9) Terry Blersh – Toronto blues guitarist plays acoustic guitar (almost classical style) on many of the cues.

Buckwheat Zydeco plays Hugh’s Room on Wednesday July 3

This month’s recommended listening by Blues Doctor Julie Hill, Producer & Host of Blue Remedy, Wednesdays 8 to 10 pm et, on Radio Regent, Toronto

The Carolina Chocolate Drops will perform at Luminato in a free concert with Corey Harris on Monday, June 17 at 8p.m. in David Picaut Square (formerly Metro Square, next to Roy Thomson Hall). In addition to a busy touring schedule for the band, Chocolate Drops singer Rhiannon Giddens has teamed up with her sister Lalenja on a project for Music Maker Relief Foundation called “I Know I’ve Been Changed.” On the 15-track album, Rhiannon Giddens, of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and her sister Lalenja Harrington team up to perform both traditional and original tunes. Rhiannon plays banjo and fiddle on the album, in addition to singing.

Morgan Davis plays Waterfront Blues on Sunday June 2 and the Gladstone First Thursday on June 6

This month’s recommended listening by Brad Wheeler, music writer for the Globe and Mail (globeandmail.com and Twitter: bwheelerglobe

Supporting Blues for Youth, Studying The Blues, Singing The Blues, George Olliver’s celebrates 50 years, a Layla Zoe Update, R.I.P. Larry Leishman,  In the studio, Blues Camp in Montreal, and Save Trumpet Records