Barb Diab and The Smoked Meat Trio; Smokey Kind of Blues …

Sometimes, it is – all about The Blues. Barb Diab and her Smoked Meat Trio ( a condensed version of the full band) are fairly new to the ‘Blues’ scene yet have already made an impact. Whether securing regular spots at The House of Jazz downtown and Laval, or – various other entertainment venues in Montreal and abroad, Diab and her ‘Bluesmen’ are earning their … Continue reading Barb Diab and The Smoked Meat Trio; Smokey Kind of Blues …

Drummer Rob Garcia; Making a Name as a Bandleader

Drummer Rob Garcia earned his chops.  The New York state native has recorded with and / or performed with some legends. He has played on over forty albums and has just finished recording his sixth album as a bandleader. Wynton Marsalis, Joseph Jarman, Anat Cohen, Sam Newsome, Diana Krall and Woody Allen. A few of the people that helped shape Rob into the drummer he … Continue reading Drummer Rob Garcia; Making a Name as a Bandleader

What’s Happening in Montreal?

As usual – a lot happening in Montreal ! Blues, Jazz, Rock, Country and Pop.  Jon Anderson, Justin Bieber, Florence and The Machine and a fundraiser for The West Island Palliative care. Just a few of the things coming !   Please listen below to some great tunes and some acts that are playing in Montreal ! Learn how to buy tickets as well!   … Continue reading What’s Happening in Montreal?

James Taylor – Montreal Review

How often does an artist come to town who auditioned for Paul McCartney and George Harrison? If your answer is never – grab a beer and go to the head of the Bell Center.   One of many tales the sixty-eight year old legend regurgitated last night in Montreal. Once upon a time, Taylor was signed as the first artist to the Beatles’ label Apple … Continue reading James Taylor – Montreal Review

Robert Stefan was ‘ Made in Canada!’

When people think of Canada – they think hockey. In reality, Canadian music has just a long and interesting legacy. How many times have you listened to a great song and were stunned to discover the artist was Canadian! The Stampeders, Chilliwack, A Foot in Cold Water – just a few bands that you have heard the tunes but did not know they went to … Continue reading Robert Stefan was ‘ Made in Canada!’

Mr. Bolly ‘s Victory ! Local Hip Hop Artist Helps Out Duffy’s Come2gether for West Island Palliative Care Residence

 Victory comes in many forms …   For Mr. Bolly, that form is karma. A weird chain of events which is taking the song ‘Victory’ and transporting it to all sorts of places. All – for the good of mankind.   Please listen below as Mr. Bolly explains the song, the feelings and the results of hard work.   Hard work with very interesting results.   Mr. … Continue reading Mr. Bolly ‘s Victory ! Local Hip Hop Artist Helps Out Duffy’s Come2gether for West Island Palliative Care Residence

‘Lonesome’ George Thorogood Does Not ‘Drink Alone’! Montreal Concert Review

It took all of three minutes for George Thorogood and his Destroyers to pull Montreal out of the winter doldrums … Just when you thought Rock n Roll was dead, along comes ‘Lonesome George’ to levitate dormant goosebumps into the stratosphere. Hair-raising kind of stuff which makes the omni-present argument that ‘music ain’t what it used to be ‘ seem righteous and justified. The tune … Continue reading ‘Lonesome’ George Thorogood Does Not ‘Drink Alone’! Montreal Concert Review

Alain Simard and Andre Menard To Be Honoured by Canadian Music & Broadcast Indsustry

Alain Simard and André Ménard, co-founders of L’Équipe Spectra, will be inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame during the next Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards Gala in the Toronto Sheraton Centre. Co-founders of L’Équipe Spectra—and, of course, the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal—Alain Simard and André Ménard have strongly influenced the cultural life of the country over almost four decades and have contributed to developing … Continue reading Alain Simard and Andre Menard To Be Honoured by Canadian Music & Broadcast Indsustry

Jean-Luc Ponty; Coltrane to Zappa to Jon Anderson.

THE ANDERSON-PONTY BAND Jean-Luc Ponty and Jon Anderson Thursday, May 26th 8 pm @ Theatre St.-Denis Buy Tickets Here !   Jean – Luc Ponty is an innovator … Credited as one of the first musicians to implement the violin within Jazz music, Ponty has not stopped there. A musical thirst has carried the seventy-one year old native of France through a long, creative and … Continue reading Jean-Luc Ponty; Coltrane to Zappa to Jon Anderson.

Noah Preminger – A ‘ Bluesy ‘ Kinda Sax Player …

 Noah Preminger is not your average run-of-the-mill saxophone player … A native of Connecticut, currently dividing his time between Boston and New York – Noah has released a very interesting album. ‘Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground’ brings the listener on a history lesson which revolves around Mississippi. In music language, Mississippi means the Delta Blues and the Delta Blues are the backbone of most … Continue reading Noah Preminger – A ‘ Bluesy ‘ Kinda Sax Player …

2016 Montreal International Jazz Festival Indoor Shows Preview – aka Great Tunes!

The Jazz Festival is fast approaching. This week, the indoor schedule was announced. Some great names will pay Montreal a visit this summer both in music and in soul.   Please listen below to some artists that will be playing as well as where you can go to buy tickets !   Thanks for listening ! Talk soon !   Visit Jazz Festival and Buy … Continue reading 2016 Montreal International Jazz Festival Indoor Shows Preview – aka Great Tunes!

The 2016 Edition of The Montreal International Jazz Festival

37th edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal Tickets on sale this Friday, April 29, at noon Exclusive pre-sale for Spectra Newsletter subscribers: Wednesday, April 27 and Thursday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.! (free subscription at infolettrespectra.ca)   Montreal, Tuesday April 26, 2016 — It’s an indoor program that combines quality, abundance and diversity! The 37th edition of the Festival International … Continue reading The 2016 Edition of The Montreal International Jazz Festival