Rick Keene Music Scene – The League of Rock Has Arrived in Montreal and Why This is Important !

There are many reasons why The League of Rock arriving in Montreal is important and none of them have anything to do with Jack Black. In fact – a school of Rock could not be further from the reality of The League of Rock. Two different animals – one musical head ( so to speak). League of Rock is an opportunity for musicians who normally don’t play … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – The League of Rock Has Arrived in Montreal and Why This is Important !

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

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

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

Return to Grace; Elvis Unfortunately – Has Left the Building ! Montreal Review

If attending ‘Return to Grace’ at Place des Arts over the course of the next week or so, close your eyes. Something somewhat common takes place. Steve Michaels sings and sounds just like his alter ego; Elvis Presley. Songs heard a thousand times before pierce memories from far inside brains. Transporting people to the fifties, sixties and the seventies. Elvis, audibly and with eyes closed … Continue reading Return to Grace; Elvis Unfortunately – Has Left the Building ! Montreal Review

Montreal International Jazz Festival Preview; ‘Moving Forward’ with Adam Karch

Adam Karch is a hard working guitar player. Always learning but quick to pay homage to songwriters … Karch has a new album out and unlike his last disc ‘Blueprints’ – ‘Moving Forward’ contains mostly original songs. With a few precious covers tossed into the mix. You know – to mix it up a bit … Please listen below to my chat with Adam. Find … Continue reading Montreal International Jazz Festival Preview; ‘Moving Forward’ with Adam Karch