On July 16th – head on to the St. James Church on rue Ste. Catherine in downtown Montreal. Noon is the witching hour … Norman is starting what he hopes will be a new trend. Accumulating Jazz artists to play and raise money for the poor in Montreal. Check it out – won’t ya? On Vacation! Be back soon … … Continue reading Norman Marshall Villeneuve – July 16th
How many people do you know that worked with George Clooney, Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion and Oliver Jones? Not to mention – Dr. Trevor Payne and The Montreal Jubilation Choir. Michelle Sweeney has all the ingredients of being a Diva. Nothing can be further from the truth given the negative condemnations normally associated with the term. Please listen as Michelle speaks about singing and … Continue reading Michelle Sweeney; Down-to-Earth Diva?
It goes without saying, this is one of the finest festivals I’ve ever played! Thank you Montreal for building an institution.” Ben Harper on Instagram. At least one Harper showed. Stephen Harper – our resident Prime Minister did not appear at The Jazz festival nor was his pride evident in Canada’s and the world’s biggest festival. Well – at least God appeared happy. The tunes … Continue reading Montreal International Jazz Festival 2014- Recap Part Three
It is the people of Montreal that make the Jazz Festival so good. ‘If you build it – they will come …’ Musicians from Zaire to Atlanta, each and every one of them, during the Jazz Festival or in the cold winter months, exude the same sentiment. “Montreal has the best crowds …” Maybe it is the winters which make us appreciate everything. Perhaps it … Continue reading Montreal International Jazz Festival 2014 – Recap Part Two.
In the words of Ed Robertson of The Barenaked Ladies; ‘That’s Jazz!” The front-man of Canada’s funnest band, mocking the Festival’s choice of The Barenaked Ladies as an act at Le Festival International de Jazz de Montreal. No doubt, over the years – the Festival has swayed from Jazz. For purists – something which angers them. For music fans – pure bliss. Over the … Continue reading Montreal International Jazz Festival 2014 – Recap Part One.
Who is Cody Chestnutt? Easy. Put Marvin Gaye, Barry White, Lionel Ritchie and practically every other R and B singer from the 1970’s into a blender, add some influence by The Roots and – TA DA! A Cody Chestnutt shake. Shake? The audience at Club Soda did just that! If anything, the man who just flew in from L.A – was a ball of energy. … Continue reading Cody Chestnutt Review – Montreal International Jazz Festival 2014
Myriam Phiro is a French Quebecer. She left for New York city to hone her acting, singing, dancing and modeling craft. Turns out – a great move on her part. Traveling the world with a major learning curve in Montreaux, Myriam’s adventures continue with a re – occurring stop back home. Performing at The House of Jazz is her way of staying in touch with … Continue reading Myriam Phiro; ‘La Maison’ is Where the Heart Is …
Elvis Costellp played on Sunday at La Maison Symphonique de Montreal on Sunday. Here are parts of the press conference from Sunday afternoon. Continue reading Elvis Costello Press Conference – Montreal International Jazz Festival 2014
Diana Krall was in town to play a free show at the Jazz Festival last night. An estimated crowd of 150,00 took in the event. Here are parts of her press conference from Saturday. Enjoy …! Continue reading Diana Krall Press Conference – Montreal International Jazz Festival 2014
The evening started strangely … Daniel Lanois, the famed producer of most notably U2 fame – arrived on stage dressed as a beachcomber. That – in itself; not strange at all. What followed was a little unsettling for most at Place des Arts. Film makers smiled yet aside from their collective orgasmic sighs – the venue was, as a whole; unnerved. The first … Continue reading Jazz Festival Reviews; Daniel Lanois and Emmylou Harris
Volume three cannot be far off … Following two very successful solo albums; Steve Hill of Trois Rivieres, Quebec is living a life of renewed interest and respect. Respect is what this guy deserves … Not too many musicians take the hard way out. Undertaking a solo project is one thing – taking the stage as a one man band is another entirely. Playing guitar, … Continue reading Steve Hill; Hendrix, Guitar Tuning and Volume Three?
Paul Deslauriers is one smart cookie … Nothing like jumping on an opportunity to pay homage to a childhood idol and hooking up with an old friend at the same time. As part of the Montreal International Jazz Festival – Paul is taking the stage with his band and with longtime guitar buddy Steve Hill. Not together – apart … On la Scene Lotto Quebec … Continue reading Paul Deslauriers and Jimi Hendrix; A Match Made in Heaven (Ask Steve Hill).
Rick Keene Music Scene 