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 !

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 !

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

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

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?

Dawn Tyler Watson – A ‘Jawbreaking’ Interview !

Montrealers know Dawn Tyler Watson. Or – do they … ?    Dawn Tyler – Watson has been entertaining Montrealers and Canadians for what seems like an eternity. In a good way … Hard to believe her latest release ‘JawBreaker’ is only Dawn’s fourth solo album. Her small-ish output is not for lack of talent or opportunity, it is based on … Please  listen below … Continue reading Dawn Tyler Watson – A ‘Jawbreaking’ Interview !

Dawn Tyler Watson – Experience is a ‘Jawbreaker’ ! Album Review

Montrealers know Dawn Tyler Watson very well … One of this city’s brightest diamonds has shone bright for a few decades. In her latest offering; ‘Jawbreaker’, Dawn exudes passion with experience. They say practice makes perfect yet musicians are all aware, perfection is as unattainable as The Holy Grail. Perfection is the hunger which, more times than not – sustains a career. In ‘JawBreaker’, Tyler … Continue reading Dawn Tyler Watson – Experience is a ‘Jawbreaker’ ! Album Review

Pete Dumoulin – Owner of The Catchiest Song ‘Not on Radio’.

Sometimes – it takes a while.   For Chateauguay – born Pete Dumoulin, now is now. Following years of writing and performing song, Pete has finally released an album. It’s a good one ! Pete has No Regrets … ‘Things I’d Change’; the Dire Straits performance enhancing first song, is a hit – in – waiting. The catchiest tune this side of the pond. Every … Continue reading Pete Dumoulin – Owner of The Catchiest Song ‘Not on Radio’.

Watch Elvis Leave the Building !

Presented for the first time in Montreal! RETURN TO GRACE Premiere on June 15  8 p.m.  Place des Arts evenko presents for the first time in Montreal, RETURN TO GRACE from June 15 to June 19, at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. A  glorious, heartfelt tribute to Elvis Presley’ s music featuring Steve Michaels,  and over 30 singers, dancers and musicians on stage, RETURN TO GRACE flawlessly delivers … Continue reading Watch Elvis Leave the Building !

Chaim Tannenbaum; His First Album and It’s a Beauty !

Chaim Tannenbaum has done many things in life. Releasing an album is not one of them. Until now … Informally, he is known as the Godfather of Canadian Folk music. Having co-produced Loudon Wainwright and worked on practically every album the McGarrigle Sisters and Loudon delivered. Keeping it among the family, Tannenbaum has also worked with Rufus and Martha Wainwright.  Following a thirty-five year career as … Continue reading Chaim Tannenbaum; His First Album and It’s a Beauty !

The Anderson – Ponty Band; Music’s Best Kept Secret Astounded Montreal !

Jon Anderson of Yes fame is one matter. Jean -Luc Ponty is an entire different matter. Place the two together and what you receive in return – matters the most ! The pair were in Montreal last evening on the heels of their album; ‘Better Late Than Never’. An album which took thirty -odd years to come into fruition. Judging by the live versions of … Continue reading The Anderson – Ponty Band; Music’s Best Kept Secret Astounded Montreal !

Sheldon Kagan Has Retired ( Sorta – Kinda …)

 Montreal entertainment impresario Sheldon Kagan fulfilled a promise to himself. Retiring after fifty years in business. A goal fulfilled. A lifetime fulfilled.   Not quite …   Please listen below to discover what Sheldon has done with his immense music collection as well as what he is doing in his … er … retirement.  Sheldon?     Visit The Cummings Center Here ! For tickets … Continue reading Sheldon Kagan Has Retired ( Sorta – Kinda …)