Rick Keene Music Scene – Jack DeKeyzer; Remaining True to Himself on The Album Checkmate

It’s been a while since Jack DeKeyzer first heard the Blues … The Stones and Led Zeppelin – just two of the bands who parlayed American Blues into the heart and then hands of Jack. Spanning a career that has seen Jack open up for the likes of B.B. King, Jack pays homage to the men who inspired him. Otis Rush, Elmore James and Muddy … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Jack DeKeyzer; Remaining True to Himself on The Album Checkmate

Rick Keene Music Scene – Senri Oe Makes the Successful Transition from Pop to Jazz

Jazz is everywhere – even in J-Pop music …   Senri Oe was one of the biggest Pop stars in Japan. When one of his band mates died unexpected, Senri decided life was short. He turned his attention to Jazz and moved to New York to become a student. A move that was not as simple as he thought it would be. Please listen below … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Senri Oe Makes the Successful Transition from Pop to Jazz

Rick Keene Music Scene – Colin James Has ‘Miles to Go’ In His Music Career

It ain’t easy being grey … Colin James has a new album due out on September 21st. No more hair dye as the fifty-three year old Canadian music legend embraces the present, the future and the past. On the new record – Colin pays homage to the men ( and women) who inspired him and  helped him to hone his skills as a young guitar … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Colin James Has ‘Miles to Go’ In His Music Career

Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – Dr. Lonnie Smith; Doin’ Only What He Can Do

The word legendary. Tossed around like a flea – bit peanut monkey sometimes. In the case of Dr. Lonnie Smith – it is he who is tossing the primate around … Commencing his career in the late fifties alongside George Benson – Smith used his knowledge as a multi-instrumentalist and student of Jazz, Blues, Gospel and R&B to rise to the top of the Jazz world … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – Dr. Lonnie Smith; Doin’ Only What He Can Do

Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – Beth Hart’s Dynamite Show Steals the Jazz Festival

There are so many female vocalists on the planet. Great ones, good ones, average ones and yes – bad ones. Beth Hart is in a class all by herself. Think of the soul of Joss Stone. The power and rawness of Janis Joplin. The sweetness and velour of Adele. The danger of Amy Winehouse. Add the above together and Beth Hart is the sum of … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – Beth Hart’s Dynamite Show Steals the Jazz Festival

Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – Ranee Lee Delivers A Performance For The Ages Despite Sadness

Ranee Lee has endured some tough gigs in her time yet nothing like the one last night at L’Astral.   Earlier in the day – Lee’s husband Richard Ring ( Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Ed Thigpen, Ray Brown, Michel LeGrand, Oliver Jones ) passed away following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Ring was not only her husband but her longtime guitar player and mentor. … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – Ranee Lee Delivers A Performance For The Ages Despite Sadness

Rick Keene Music Scene – Montreal Jazz Festival Review; Jann Arden Keeps Them Laughing

Variety shows once ruled television …   Music, comedy and drama – all inclusive in an hour long Sunday night program. A Jann Arden concert is a one woman variation on the above formula as all the aforementioned elements shine within. From the get – go, Arden is a joker in a self depreciating kinda way. Whether it is her ‘poor choice of pants’, her … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Montreal Jazz Festival Review; Jann Arden Keeps Them Laughing

Rick Keene Music Scene – Montreal Jazz Festival Review; Cecile McLorin Salvant – The Voice of An Angel

A voice is an instrument. Aside from Lisa Fischer ( Twenty Feet to Stardom, Rolling Stones back-up singer) – vocalists like Cecile MClorin Salvant come around as often as Haley’s comet. With the same ease as most walk, Salvant traverses the scales, intonations and vocal range as elegantly as a debutante at a coming of age party. Salvant does so with as much effort as … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Montreal Jazz Festival Review; Cecile McLorin Salvant – The Voice of An Angel

Rick Keene Music Scene – Montreal Jazz Festival Review; Charlotte Gainsbourg / Aliocha

An acoustic guitar and a great voice – sometimes is not enough. Aliocha Schneider was BORN TO BE AN ARTIST … All of his siblings are actors and so is he. Like most artisans – the craft can cast shadows on many different walls. Writing and performing songs – an extension of creative output for the twenty – four year old Montrealer. Vocally – Aliocha, … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Montreal Jazz Festival Review; Charlotte Gainsbourg / Aliocha

Rick Keene Music Scene – Montreal Jazz Festival Preview; The Best of The Blues

Having the blues is a good thing …   The only type of music that collects down-to-earth people. The only real genre within music that connects all walks of life to it’s fan base. Arguably – the cornerstone of all music.   Beginning June 28th on the Hyundai / CBC/Radio-Canada Stage (Parterre symphonique, corner Clark and De Montigny) – The Blues will be alive everynight. Check … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Montreal Jazz Festival Preview; The Best of The Blues

Rick Keene Music Scene – Montreal’s Next Super-Group; East of Sunday

In sports, music and all forms of art and business – every ten years or so,  a new superstar emerges. The band, East of Sunday, just happen to be from Montreal and they will ensure another Montreal group (The Damn Truth) won’t get lazy. If so – Montreal will have a new crowned champion in the Rock n Roll scene sooner rather than later . East … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Montreal’s Next Super-Group; East of Sunday

Rick Keene Music Scene – Montreal International Jazz Festival; Free Outdoor Shows!

TD Stage (Place des Festivals) In addition to its 2 major events, the Place des Festivals hosts larger-than-life parties in thePerformances TD series at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. June 28 / !!! (Chk Chk Chk) — This dance-punk-indie-rock combo is already 20 years into a fab career. They’re the logical follow-on from Talking Heads, PIL and New Order. June 29 / Boulevards — Incarnating the … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Montreal International Jazz Festival; Free Outdoor Shows!