Rick Keene Music Scene – Top Ten Favorite Interviews 2016.

Yakety-Yak – don’t talk back … In the past year, many musicians from all genres have been kind enough to speak with me. Giving their time and music to share stories and insights from the world of music. Tales of recordings, the dynamics of bands or plain anecdotes from where they come.  To siphon the interviews into a tank of top ten – both unfair … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Top Ten Favorite Interviews 2016.

Rick Keene Music Scene – Top Ten Favorite Interviews 2016. Part One.

Yakety-Yak – don’t talk back … In the past year, many musicians from all genres have been kind enough to speak with me. Giving their time and music to share stories and insights from the world of music. Tales of recordings, the dynamics of bands or plain anecdotes from where they come.  To siphon the interviews into a tank of top ten – both unfair … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Top Ten Favorite Interviews 2016. Part One.

Rick Keene Music Scene – Deck the Halls with ‘Sounds’ from Around the World and Help the Homeless.

They say it is the ‘most wonderful time of the year’.  Well, ‘they’ better run and tell the Mayor of Montreal and all his cronies that for 3,016 citizens, it is not the most wonderful time of the year. That said – Christmas is always a great time for tunes ! Melodies, riffs and harmonies. Always an uplift to the darkest of souls at this time … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Deck the Halls with ‘Sounds’ from Around the World and Help the Homeless.

Matt Dusk – Bringing Back Christmas in a Big Way !

There is nothing like the good ol’ days.   Especially when Christmas comes to mind. Most people have fond memories of the Holiday Season and Matt Dusk is one of them. In fact – Matt’s memories are so great, he decided to put together a Christmas album with a couple of guests. Traditional combined with new. A love affair with the past … Trust me … Continue reading Matt Dusk – Bringing Back Christmas in a Big Way !

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

Montreal En Lumiere; February 18th – March 5th

Food and music ! Can it get any better ? The 17th Edition of Montreal En Lumiere gets underway this week and aside from culinary delights and bright lights – it is an opportunity for some music stars to shine ! Please listen below to the shows which are part of Montreal En Lumiere as well as other concerts in and around Montreal. Thanks for … Continue reading Montreal En Lumiere; February 18th – March 5th

Carol Welsman Returns to Montreal. It’s About Time!

It has been a learning curve … Carol Welsman, one of Canada’s main Jazz exports, has arrived full circle with her new album; Alone Together.   Following a Top Five ranking by USA Today of all genres for her last album ‘ Reflections of Peggy Lee’, Welsman’s confidence and skill have never been so high. Being included with the likes of Barbara Streisand and Mark … Continue reading Carol Welsman Returns to Montreal. It’s About Time!

Gary Moffet – Full Circle in His Musical Tastes …

Gary Moffet of April Wine fame did not ‘like to Rock’ as a teenager. Although the now sixty – six year old guitar player is better known as a Rock n Roll guitarist, his true passion shines through in his most recent endeavors. Moffet is a producer, arranger, composer and songwriter. A student of music and a player who has an ear to draw the … Continue reading Gary Moffet – Full Circle in His Musical Tastes …

The ‘Two Yoots ‘ Ain’t Bad .​.​.​.

Sometimes – kids can lead by example. Such is the case with The Record Breakers. A bunch of teens with so much devotion to their craft, it makes adults appear lazy. This is probably one of the reasons The Record Breakers have played more gigs than most Montreal bands this past year. Please listen to a couple of songs from two of the members as … Continue reading The ‘Two Yoots ‘ Ain’t Bad .​.​.​.

A Jazz Festival Preview – Halie Loren on a Saturday Night!

Halie Loren enjoys a little  ‘Northern Exposure …’   Given the fact she was born in Alaska and the show ‘Northern Exposure ‘ is about Alaska (although not filmed there) , things have come full circle as Halie prepares for her first gig as part of The Montreal International Jazz Festival. How does she feel? Hailie ?   Visit Halie Here!             … Continue reading A Jazz Festival Preview – Halie Loren on a Saturday Night!

MTL HB5 – A Jazzy Chat About .. er … Jazz!

Montreal Hard Bop Five are reliving the past. A quintet quintessentially quizzing patrons on their knowledge of Jazz. Through Jazz … Between certain years, Hard Bop Jazz was primarily dominating the Jazz circles in places such as New York. Somewhat of a forgotten art as the Jazz genre continually wrestles the talk between purists and the ‘avante garde’ crowd – Montreal Hard Bop Five ( MTL … Continue reading MTL HB5 – A Jazzy Chat About .. er … Jazz!

Sheldon Kagan; Memories of a Concert Promoter

Sheldon Kagan has been around … From his humble beginnings in a bachelor apartment at the age of fifteen to introducing Jazz legend Miles Davis on stage – Mr. Kagan has a few stories to tell. Please listen to his tales of playing cards at his home with Artie Shaw and how he feels about Miles Davis – all these years later … A true … Continue reading Sheldon Kagan; Memories of a Concert Promoter