Blues, Cd Review, Jazz, Review, Rock, Uncategorized

Rick Keene Music Scene – League of Rock Montreal, A Tribute to Jimmy Van Heusen, Pat Loiselle and Pete Dumoulin

In the summertime, where the weather is fine … Summer time in Montreal. Musically – a great place to be! Jazz Festivals, Rock Festivals and for the first time in Montreal; A League of Rock ! League of Rock is an opportunity for musicians who normally don’t play in venues –  to rehearse, get coached by professional Rock stars, record a song, join a band … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – League of Rock Montreal, A Tribute to Jimmy Van Heusen, Pat Loiselle and Pete Dumoulin

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Blues, Cd Review, Jazz, Review, Rock, Uncategorized

Rick Keene Music Scene – Francisco Pais’ Lotus Project, Derek Falls’ New Track and Ranee Lee

It’s hot, humid and sweaty.  Then, there is the weather … Summer time in Montreal is filled with tunes and tans. Water and waves. Sunshine and soothing sounds. Nothing like some cool rhythms to ease the heat while sippin’ a drink by the water or on a patio. Please listen below to some great tunes and some events coming up in Montreal ! Thanks for … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Francisco Pais’ Lotus Project, Derek Falls’ New Track and Ranee Lee

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Blues, Cd Review, Concert Review, Jazz, Review, Rock

The Wainright Sisters; Laughing All the Way to The Jazz Festival !

Martha and Lucy Wainright Roche are a lot of fun …  Martha and her half-sister Lucy have written and performed with most of their family. Kate and Anna McGarrigle, the Roches, Victor – the list is long and musical.  For reasons which are comically dark, Lucy and Martha collaborated on their first project ‘ Songs in the Dark’ in 2015. Fast forward to July 8th, 2016 au … Continue reading The Wainright Sisters; Laughing All the Way to The Jazz Festival !

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Blues, Concert Review, Jazz, Review, Rock

Justin Saladino and Jamiah Rogers; The Future of the Blues !

Let us not forget – The Blues came before Jazz. The Jazz purists cringe at the ‘not Jazz’ genres at The Montreal International Jazz Festival. The artists who ply their crafts to be near the top of their specific genre, often shunned by the Jazz stuffy shirts.  In 2016, at the 37th edition – it was The Blues stage which, night after night, attracted the … Continue reading Justin Saladino and Jamiah Rogers; The Future of the Blues !

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Dawn Tyler Watson – On Top of the World! Jazz Festival Review 

Dawn Tyler Watson does not enjoy studio work. Preferring instead the spontaneity of live music. The feel. The energy of audience – singer interaction. Last night at L’Astral as part of The Montreal International Jazz Festival – Dawn displayed her true colors. On the heels of her magnificent album ‘JawBreaker ‘, Tyler-Watson was in the form of a much younger singer. ‘Shine On’ ( Jawbreaker) … Continue reading Dawn Tyler Watson – On Top of the World! Jazz Festival Review 

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Blues, Concert Review, Review, Rock

Andria Simone and Those Guys – Raising It Up a Notch. Jazz Festival Review

To get an idea of what type of personality Andria Simone is – one does not have to look past the name of her band. ‘Those Guys’. The guys are – Mark Wilson on Bass, Brian Dihari on Sax, George Nikolov on drums and Dave Kirby on guitar. ‘Those Guys’ and Simone delivered a monstrous set of Soul, R&B, Blues and Rock n Roll to … Continue reading Andria Simone and Those Guys – Raising It Up a Notch. Jazz Festival Review

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Kool and ‘ The Corporate’ Gang. Montreal Jazz Festival Review. 

Let ‘s get one thing straight. Kool and The Gang put on a tremendous show at Place des Arts as part of The Montreal Jazz Festival. Tremendous – if you are Caucasian.  Once upon a time, in a Disco Ball far, far away – Kool and The Gang were filled with soul. As were most of the Funk ( then Disco ) bands of the … Continue reading Kool and ‘ The Corporate’ Gang. Montreal Jazz Festival Review. 

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Rufus Wainright – Something Different Yet The Same. Jazz Festival Review.

​The Jazz Festival of Montreal is now an opera house. Well, not really. Rufus Wainright’s house may be operatic and he has moved out to annoy / please the neighbors.Not once – twice. Both nights at Salle Wilfred Pelletier at Place des Arts.  Wainwright – he of McGarrigle genetics,  delivered his rookie opera Prima Donna straight down the middle of home plate. Critics ( aka … Continue reading Rufus Wainright – Something Different Yet The Same. Jazz Festival Review.

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Blues, Concert Review, Jazz, Review, Rock

Susie Arioli; Montreal’s ‘Dearest Darlin’. Jazz Festival Review

Susie Arioli ain’t new to these parts … From her humble beginnings jammin’ with The Stephen Barry Band to her meteoric rise with Jordan Officer, Susie has earned her place in Montrealers hearts. Susie took her ‘ new ‘ act to the stage of Club Soda Friday evening as part of The Montreal International Jazz Festival. New meaning – sans Officer et avec Jim Bland. … Continue reading Susie Arioli; Montreal’s ‘Dearest Darlin’. Jazz Festival Review

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Blues, Concert Review, Jazz, Review, Rock

Lisa Simone – Just Like Mom ! ( Sorta) Montreal International Jazz Festival Review

Lisa Simone is as famous as her last song.  The daughter of Nina Simone, the legendary singer, quickly made everyone forget who her Mom was. Place des Arts was buzzing with excitement as Lisa’s Montreal Jazz Festival two show debut came to an end on Thursday evening.  Lisa’s world was introduced with power ! ‘My World’ – Lisa’s latest album, filled the room with tenderness, … Continue reading Lisa Simone – Just Like Mom ! ( Sorta) Montreal International Jazz Festival Review

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Blues, Cd Review, Jazz, Review, Rock, Uncategorized

Rick Keene Music Scene – You Want a Jazz Festival Preview?

There is a lot of talent coming to the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 2016 … The Festival gets underway on June 29th with Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings doing a free blow-out show to open the Festival. Jones, one of the best performers on the scene today –promises to deliver a opening showstopper for the ages. Susie Arioli performs on July 2nd at Club … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – You Want a Jazz Festival Preview?

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