Dedication, passion and knowledge. That is what we saw on the Rogers stage at The Montréal International Jazz Festival once Sue Foley started to play.

Leaving her home in Ottawa at the age of sixteen to become one of the great Blues guitarists of all time was the goal. That goal has been achieved. Sue is just getting started.

Sue was in town along with her three-piece band following a hugely successful show in Quebec City the night before. Back-to-back gigs elevate most performers to a different level on the second night and that is what the Montreal audience received. Foley reached thoughtfully into her catalogue to grab tunes from her Juno winning album The Ice Queen. Her guitar piercing the sky profoundly yet grounding it with the roots of The Blues.

Touching into her latest album (One Guitar Woman), Sue’s acoustic renditions of Memphis Minnie, Elizabeth Cotten and Ernesto Lecuona educated the audience of the different levels (genres) within roots music and introduced the ‘concept’ of the ‘women who started it all‘ to a large audience mostly ‘deaf’ to the history of music.

Raw power, unique tones and a soft touch. Sue brought it all and as the show progressed, the audience grew larger. The levels of applause grew larger. Montreal audiences know music and are not shy when they recognize the ‘real’ deal.

Montreal spectators appreciate dedication, passion and knowledge. It was a marriage made in heaven on a beautiful summer night at The Montreal International Jazz Festival.