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 -April Wine’s Co-Founder Jim Henman Has Had Enough of School Shootings and Is Doing Something About It !

Children are the future … Imagine how the world will appear in ten years? Imagine there is no safe zone at all? Homes and schools – the two places where kids should feel safe. A pair of sacred turfs now affected more and more by gun violence in the United States of America. One of the co – founders of April Wine, Jim Henman , … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene -April Wine’s Co-Founder Jim Henman Has Had Enough of School Shootings and Is Doing Something About It !

Rick Keene Music Scene -April Wine’s Brian Greenway; Part of Canadian Music History

What you hear on stage is only the tip of a musician’s iceberg. Starting with Mashmakhan , guitarist Brian Greenway has had a very colorful and fruitful musical career. The Wackers , The Dudes , April Wine and now two new entities to keep Brian’s musical chops fresh and alive . Brian Greenway’s Blues Bus and Brian’s Attic Dust Solo Show. Please listen below to … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene -April Wine’s Brian Greenway; Part of Canadian Music History

Rick Keene Music Scene – Paolo Stante ; The Next Generation of Montreal Guitarists

Practice makes perfect … For guitarist Paolo Stante – the less he thinks – the more he feels the music. Just prior to the release of his third disc; At It Again – that is the essence of Paolo’s music. Experience through gigging and writing has brought less panic to Stante’s craft and in turn, At It Again is his most complete album thus far. … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Paolo Stante ; The Next Generation of Montreal Guitarists

Rick Keene Music Scene – BackTraxx; Bringing Hairspray and Rock n Roll Back from The Eighties !

Remember when Rock was energetic?     The bands, the fans and the music all had big hair and the experience of going to a show was electrifying ? An event? An experience that sculpted you for life ? Not to worry, that experience is back and once you attend a show by the band BackTraxx – your hairdresser will become very rich ! Please … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – BackTraxx; Bringing Hairspray and Rock n Roll Back from The Eighties !

Rick Keene Music Scene – Wake Up Music World, It Is The ‘Crack of Dawn’ !

In a music galaxy far, far away – a Canadian band altered the airwaves and  sent Canada into an entirely different universe.     Crack of Dawn were the first black band to be signed to a major label (CBS) in Canada. Otis Redding’s producer discovered them and the band sold more albums than Earth, Wind and Fire in Canada. They were headed for stardom … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Wake Up Music World, It Is The ‘Crack of Dawn’ !

Rick Keene Music Scene – April Wine Co – Founder Jim Henman’s Family Affair !

Without Jim Henman – April Wine may have never been the same. Without The Henman Family, East Coast music may not have been the same.   Jim Henman ( bass) along with cousins David (Guitar) and Ritchie (Drums) started the band April Wine. Jim grabbed his old mate from a band called Woody’s Termites and recruited him to join April Wine. That fellow, Myles Goodwyn, … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – April Wine Co – Founder Jim Henman’s Family Affair !

Rick Keene Music Scene – Local Montreal Band East of Sunday Chosen As The Opening Act For Carvin Jones!

Never shut the door on an opportunity. Up and coming local musicians require all the help they can get. Live venues are closing, CD sales are slumping and the money that comes in from iTunes and other streaming services is barely enough to buy guitar strings for most bands. When out of town musicians arrive in Montreal, people that have toured most of the world … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Local Montreal Band East of Sunday Chosen As The Opening Act For Carvin Jones!

Rick Keene Music Scene – Lawrence Gowan of Styx; Adding Power to Styx Through His Musical Influences

Lawrence Gowan, Larry or Gowan are interesting guys … Always open about music, Lawrence Gowan (Styx) enjoys exploring the past with Gowan and Larry. After all – those two alter egos made him into the front-man for Styx, arguably the most popular American band in history. Please enjoy my chat below with Lawrence as we discuss his influences as well as Styx’ upcoming show in … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Lawrence Gowan of Styx; Adding Power to Styx Through His Musical Influences