Music never sleeps … Aside from the big name events taking place such as Osheaga, the Montreal International Jazz Festival and Tremblant Blues Festival – there are concerts, cd launches and Festivals taking place everywhere … Such as … CD Launches August 25 – Willows (By Geneviève Toupin) – release date (Roads) August 26 – Willows – Launch Glass Bottle September 9 – … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; What’s Going On?
Jill Barber is hard to pin down … Is she Jazz? Pop? A little of both? Judge for yourself with some songs off her latest album; Fool’s Gold. A melting pot with a sound purposely copied via The Dap Kings – Amy Winehouse’s backing group. It is no surprise Jill sounds a little like Winehouse. Please listen as Jill discusses the above topics moments before … Continue reading Jill Barber; Up Close …
Oshawa native Jeff Gunn is on a mission … A while ago – he learned there was more to guitar playing than meets the eye …er … ears … His goal? To instruct players on how to take their skills and take them to the next level. Not only that … Jeff? Visit Jeff Here! Continue reading Guitar Player Alert! Jeff is ‘Gunn’ – ing for You!
Montrealer Hilary Jane has been singing in and around Montreal her entire life. Practically … Now, following a series of events, life-altering events – she has decided to write and record her first full length album. It is a throwback to a different time and Hilary somehow makes it fresh again … Please listen to this woman’s story and get ready to have your feet … Continue reading Hilary Jane; The Right Thing at ‘The Right Time’
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
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.
Previous to Diana Krall’s free show at the 2014 Montreal International Jazz Festival, the audience was treated to a surprise. The husband and wife – treated those in attendance with an impromptu sound-check. Lucky for those who happened to be taking up the sun. Enjoy! Stay tuned for all my reviews and some great photos! The Violent Femmes are appearing tonight at Metropolis. … Continue reading Diana Krall and Elvis Costello Soundcheck – Montreal International Jazz Festival
Elvis Costello press conference: http://youtu.be/4p1WVIinpmY Elvis is playing at 7pm at La Festival Maison Symphonique. Continue reading Watch “Elvis Costello press conference” on YouTube
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?
Rick Keene Music Scene 