Music never sleeps … Aside from the big name events taking place such as Osheaga, the Montreal International Jazz Festival and Tremblant Blues Festival – there are concerts, cd launches and Festivals taking place everywhere … Such as … CD Launches August 25 – Willows (By Geneviève Toupin) – release date (Roads) August 26 – Willows – Launch Glass Bottle September 9 – … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; What’s Going On?
Jill Barber is hard to pin down … Is she Jazz? Pop? A little of both? Judge for yourself with some songs off her latest album; Fool’s Gold. A melting pot with a sound purposely copied via The Dap Kings – Amy Winehouse’s backing group. It is no surprise Jill sounds a little like Winehouse. Please listen as Jill discusses the above topics moments before … Continue reading Jill Barber; Up Close …
Fate has it … Or – ‘Leeward Fate’ has it, sometimes things happen for a reason. Such is the case for a trio of musicians who are now based in North Carolina. A menage-a-musicians who, fate has it – met in Leeward. The math is there yet math and grids are far removed from the way their latest album was recorded. Digital bah – humbug … Continue reading Leeward Fate; No Ordinary Band …
Oshawa native Jeff Gunn is on a mission … A while ago – he learned there was more to guitar playing than meets the eye …er … ears … His goal? To instruct players on how to take their skills and take them to the next level. Not only that … Jeff? Visit Jeff Here! Continue reading Guitar Player Alert! Jeff is ‘Gunn’ – ing for You!
Martin Goyette has a voice. An inner message which channels the Blues’ legends of the past. Too much? Too corny? Have a listen and decide with your ears … Martin? Martin is singing on Aug.9th at Festiblues Check out all the info on Martin right here! Continue reading Martin Goyette; ‘Sweet Warm Jelly’
How many people do you know that worked with George Clooney, Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion and Oliver Jones? Not to mention – Dr. Trevor Payne and The Montreal Jubilation Choir. Michelle Sweeney has all the ingredients of being a Diva. Nothing can be further from the truth given the negative condemnations normally associated with the term. Please listen as Michelle speaks about singing and … Continue reading Michelle Sweeney; Down-to-Earth Diva?
It goes without saying, this is one of the finest festivals I’ve ever played! Thank you Montreal for building an institution.” Ben Harper on Instagram. At least one Harper showed. Stephen Harper – our resident Prime Minister did not appear at The Jazz festival nor was his pride evident in Canada’s and the world’s biggest festival. Well – at least God appeared happy. The tunes … Continue reading Montreal International Jazz Festival 2014- Recap Part Three
It is the people of Montreal that make the Jazz Festival so good. ‘If you build it – they will come …’ Musicians from Zaire to Atlanta, each and every one of them, during the Jazz Festival or in the cold winter months, exude the same sentiment. “Montreal has the best crowds …” Maybe it is the winters which make us appreciate everything. Perhaps it … Continue reading Montreal International Jazz Festival 2014 – Recap Part Two.
In the words of Ed Robertson of The Barenaked Ladies; ‘That’s Jazz!” The front-man of Canada’s funnest band, mocking the Festival’s choice of The Barenaked Ladies as an act at Le Festival International de Jazz de Montreal. No doubt, over the years – the Festival has swayed from Jazz. For purists – something which angers them. For music fans – pure bliss. Over the … Continue reading Montreal International Jazz Festival 2014 – Recap Part One.
Previous to Diana Krall’s free show at the 2014 Montreal International Jazz Festival, the audience was treated to a surprise. The husband and wife – treated those in attendance with an impromptu sound-check. Lucky for those who happened to be taking up the sun. Enjoy! Stay tuned for all my reviews and some great photos! The Violent Femmes are appearing tonight at Metropolis. … Continue reading Diana Krall and Elvis Costello Soundcheck – Montreal International Jazz Festival
Elvis Costellp played on Sunday at La Maison Symphonique de Montreal on Sunday. Here are parts of the press conference from Sunday afternoon. Continue reading Elvis Costello Press Conference – Montreal International Jazz Festival 2014
The evening started strangely … Daniel Lanois, the famed producer of most notably U2 fame – arrived on stage dressed as a beachcomber. That – in itself; not strange at all. What followed was a little unsettling for most at Place des Arts. Film makers smiled yet aside from their collective orgasmic sighs – the venue was, as a whole; unnerved. The first … Continue reading Jazz Festival Reviews; Daniel Lanois and Emmylou Harris
Rick Keene Music Scene 