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; Jazz Festival Review – Boz Scaggs Redefines His ‘Public’ Image

Admit it. Lido Shuffle is all you know … Boz Scaggs is that type of artist. The masses think that if an artist is outta sight – outta mind, they must be dead or their career is. True fans know – artists such as Scaggs do not care about hits. William Royce “Boz” Scaggs – is known for vocals with The Steve Miller Band. he … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – Boz Scaggs Redefines His ‘Public’ Image

Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Interview – Jordan Officer Blows the Roof Off Place des Arts !

Jordan Officer is a groundbreaking artist. Kinda … Groundbreaking in a way that combines his talent with old school tools and old school sounds. You see – Jordan is a scholar. A student of where music comes from. Blending Dick Dale with Joe Bonamassa. Bob Wills with Stevie Ray Vaughn. Guitar with the fiddle. All elements of music that make music what it is today … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Interview – Jordan Officer Blows the Roof Off Place des Arts !

Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – George Thorogood ‘Destroys’ The Jazz Festival ( for a few hours).

What is there to say about George Thorogood that hasn’t been said before ? Electrifying ! Exciting ! Raw energy ! Just some of the adjectives used to describe Lonesome George and his music ensemble The Destroyers. Okay – so those words were utilized by George himself. So what ? One of the reasons George (et al) were here as part of The Montreal International … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – George Thorogood ‘Destroys’ The Jazz Festival ( for a few hours).

Rick Keene Music Scene – Carvin Jones Bringing His Electrifying Guitar Work to Montreal !

You have never seen anything like him. Carvin Jones is among the ‘top fifty Blues guitarists’ in the world according to Guitar Magazine. He has received accolades from Eric Clapton, Albert King and Buddy Guy. His live performances are legendary and now he’s coming to Montreal and Canada ! Please listen below to my chat with Carvin Jones and hear about ‘The Ultimate Guitar Experience … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Carvin Jones Bringing His Electrifying Guitar Work to Montreal !

Rick Keene Music Scene – Justin Saladino is Brilliant with Latest Album ‘A Fool’s Heart’

Justin Saladino is smart. Too often, Blues guitarists remain true to the Blues and it confines them. Pigeon holes their talent and next thing you know, twenty years have passed and another whisky shot comes there way at four in the morning. Few (over the years) have come to the realization that Blues may be the necessary classroom but diversity is the only way out … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Justin Saladino is Brilliant with Latest Album ‘A Fool’s Heart’

Rick Keene Music Scene – Steve Hill Is ‘Live’ and Well !

The prodigal son has returned home. Sorta … Trois Rivieres native and guitar player extraordinaire Steve Hill is a busy guy. Following a very successful jaunt to Europe – Hill is home for a little bit before heading off to England and Germany once more. It was while he was ‘home’ and doing a gig in the province of Quebec that Steve finally recorded a … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Steve Hill Is ‘Live’ and Well !

Rick Keene Music Scene – Mike Jones Talks Billy Joel, Elton John and Some Guy Named Penn Jillette?

Two guys walked into a bar and next thing you know – magic happened ! This is the tale of pianist Mike Jones. Magician Penn Jillette was one of the guys who walked into the bar and he loved Mike’s playing so much; Mike Jones became the opening act and musical director for Penn and Teller’s famous magical act in Las Vegas. Fast forward sixteen … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Mike Jones Talks Billy Joel, Elton John and Some Guy Named Penn Jillette?

Rick Keene Music Scene – Mike Jones’ Top Ten Piano Players. Part Three

Two guys walked into a bar and next thing you know – magic happened ! This is the tale of pianist Mike Jones. Magician Penn Jillette was one of the guys who walked into the bar and he loved Mike’s playing so much; Mike Jones became the opening act and musical director for Penn and Teller’s famous magical act in Las Vegas. Fast forward sixteen … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Mike Jones’ Top Ten Piano Players. Part Three

Rick Keene Music Scene – Mike Jones Creates ‘Magic’ with Penn Jillette. Part Two

Two guys walked into a bar and next thing you know – magic happened ! This is the tale of pianist Mike Jones. Magician Penn Jillette was one of the guys who walked into the bar and he loved Mike’s playing so much; Mike Jones became the opening act and musical director for Penn and Teller’s famous magical act in Las Vegas. Fast forward sixteen … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Mike Jones Creates ‘Magic’ with Penn Jillette. Part Two

Rick Keene Music Scene – Mike Jones Creates ‘Magic’ with Penn Jillette. Part One

Two guys walked into a bar and next thing you know – magic happened ! This is the tale of pianist Mike Jones. Magician Penn Jillette was one of the guys who walked into the bar and he loved Mike’s playing so much; Mike Jones became the opening act and musical director for Penn and Teller’s famous magical act in Las Vegas. Fast forward sixteen … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Mike Jones Creates ‘Magic’ with Penn Jillette. Part One

Rick Keene Music Scene – Carla Bruni ‘Covers’ Montreal

Sometimes, one does not know what to expect from an artist. Model / actress / singer / songwriter Carla Bruni is one of those artists. On the heels of her latest album French Touch – the native of Italy and wife of former President of France Nicolas Sarkozy, elegantly wowed L’Olympia on Sunday night. Song by song. Cover by cover. French Touch is Bruni’s fifth … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Carla Bruni ‘Covers’ Montreal