Rumba is a musical show put together by Cubamanos – a 12-musician band with four dancers; all professionals belonging to the famously rigorous Cuban Music Institute. The artists are based in Manzanillo, Cuba, cradle of Cuban Music where traditional “son” was born. Manzanillo has a 100,000 population with its highest building reaching three storeys. The city hosts some of Cuban most prolific artists. Despite humble living conditions, they bear one … Continue reading Cubamanos
Christine Jensen has a new album out. Habitat will be released on October 1st in stores near you. This release will be followed by a live show on October 3rd at Lion D’Or as part of the Off Festival. Christine’s latest ‘opus’ is a labor of love … ” Every time I do a large ensemble thing like this, it’s not a short event.” Explains … Continue reading Christine Jensen – It’s All About the Sax …( Sorta )
Joe Louis Walker could have easily ended up like several of his friends … Dead. Passed on to that musical graveyard in the sky. A place which houses so many of not only his contemporaries – some of his closest pals. Jimi Hendrix and Mike Bloomfield to name but two. Musicians who – according to Joe, were tempted by the excesses of the music business … Continue reading Joe Louis Walker Knows The Blues! Part One
YUK YUK’S CABARET OPENS Oct. 3, 4 & 5 – YUK YUK’S CABARET: Renowned Canadian comic, Dave (Kids in the Hall) Foley headlines the inaugural week of Montreal’s newest stand-up comedy club. English shows Thursday through Saturday (2 on Sat.) with an all-French line-up every Sunday. $25. Doors open at 7pm; show time 8pm. Saturday shows at 8 & 10:30pm.514-770-7773 or http://www.ticketpro.ca MUSIC Oct. 5 … Continue reading The Rialto Theater – Upcoming Events
Ontario-born Natalie Renee is one smart girl … “I am in school right now for Occupational Physiotherapy.” Explains Natalie from her home near Niagra Falls. ” I am doing the music on the side because it is a safe bet to have a back up plan. My plan is to continue to go to school and do music on the side and whichever one flourishes … Continue reading Natalie Renee; Just Like Everyone Else …
Hier soir – a la Maison du Jazz, there were two pianos … Not one, not three – two. A pair of grand pianos taking center stage in the house that George Durst built. All week long, an event titled Piano Cameleons is taking place. An event hosted by John Roney and Matt Herskowitz which will offer a fresh take on old favorites. Special guests scheduled … Continue reading Top Ten Oddest Things Overheard at The House of Jazz
Once Gino Vannelli‘s mini-tour is finished, a tour where the final stop in Canada is Montreal’s Rialto Theater – it is off to Los Angeles to continue a new part of his career. Fitting because L.A. is where it all started … ” I can’t really say much about it …” Explains Gino. ” It is still under production and negotiations. I am not at liberty … Continue reading Gino Vannelli; All Those Nights in Montreal.Part Three
Gino Vannelli had a lot of ambition as a young man growing up in Montreal. According to him – you have to have that fire to succeed. “I was filled with fire as a kid. I moved to New York when I was young and signed a record deal by the time I was twenty-one, which was fairly young for even today’s standards. None of … Continue reading Gino Vannelli; All Those Nights in Montreal. Part Two
Hometown boy turned man; Gino Vannelli, is coming back to Montreal in November … What else is new? The man who started his musical career as a drummer in Montreal and a current resident of Portland,Oregon – often comes home. He frequently visits his Mom and was most recently in Ste. Agathe to play a festival. He was also in Montreal scouting out the location … Continue reading Gino Vannelli – All Those Nights in Montreal …
Double Concept Productions once again presents the Annual Red Hot & Blue (RHB) Rockabilly Weekend, now in its ninth year, from August 29th to September 1st, 2013. Held for the first time at the lavish Rialto Theatre, Stray Cat Lee Rocker opens the festival as part of a double bill also featuring the superb Long Island-based The Lustre Kings, rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson’s back-up band at … Continue reading 9th Red Hot & Blue Rockabilly Weekend at The Rialto
The kids’ hearts are in the proper place … That was the feeling jumping around The Rialto Theater on Friday in Montreal. The children of Duke Ellington – April and Edward Jr., suspended in time. Starting with their clothes, the duo transcended time and place right back to the era of the Big Band prominence of the 1940’s. With the big band boppin’ behind them, … Continue reading Savvy with The Savoy Ellingtons
‘ I just thought that every Father did what my Father did …” Says Edward Ellington Jr. ” It was only years later, I realized the magnitude of what my father accomplished. For a long time, I thought he was a travelling salesman.” Edward Ellington Jr. and his sister April, are the duo responsible for The Savoy Ellingtons. A group that has been together for twenty … Continue reading The Ellingtons; The Kids are Alright …
Rick Keene Music Scene 