Peter Varvaro is one of the hardest working men in Montreal.
Fifteen hours a day or more for twenty five years, Pete has provided the best food and the best entertainment in Montreal.
Covid has affected all restaurants very badly yet no other restaurant must put up with the constant harassment from town officials and local merchants / residents. Jealousy and language issues pre and post Covid have sent Pete to court more than any hard working man should have to. Ever changing bylaws regarding signs, no parking signs erected at a moment’s notice; the list of harassment is long.
Please listen below to the type of music that will be back live at Smoke Meat Pete one day. Support Smoke Meat Pete and all local businesses.
Kim Mitchell has a new album coming out titled; ‘The Big Fantasize’
It is his first album in thirteen years and the word ‘Anticipation’ is an understatement for music fans everywhere.
Very few artists in this great Country can be called a legend. Kim is one of the greats and a songwriter whose talent is grossly overlooked on the world stage. Thankfully – Canada loves him and he will be inducted into The Canadian Songwriter Hall of Fame
Please listen below to my interview with Kim and Hear Kim’s Brand New Song ‘Wishes’.
It is his first album in thirteen years and the word ‘Anticipation’ is an understatement for music fans everywhere.
Very few artists in this great Country can be called a legend. Kim is one of the greats and a songwriter whose talent is grossly overlooked on the world stage. Thankfully – Canada loves him. Eh?
Please listen below to A Preview of My Upcoming Chat with Kim and Hear Kim’s Brand New Song.
Canada’s female singers are extraordinary. The beauty comes from within and shines from outside. Choosing the Top Ten Canadian Female Vocalists are impossible but here goes.
Please appreciate some of Canada’s greatest female singers and listen below to The Top Ten?
Just because live music has come to a halt, that does not mean new music has.
From Nova Scotia to Vancouver. Winnipeg to Ontario. Musicians from Canadian cities and Provinces are everywhere and filled with talent.
Please appreciate some of Canada’s great new tunes including Kim Mitchell and listen below for a chance to have your music on an upcoming release from award winning fiddlers Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy.
Canada’s male singers are unique. Something about the tone, the pitch makes them truly Canadian. Let us see if a list of Top Ten Canadian Male Vocalists jives with your choices?
Please appreciate some of Canada’s greatest male singers and listen below to The Top Ten?
So many chords and yet so little. So many licks and so many melodies.
Canada’s guitar players are unique. The sounds of the Country tend to be played loud and clear echoing Canada’s vast land and peoples. The tone, the feel – as Canadian as Maple Syrup.
Greg Keelor – Blue Rodeo
Sue Foley
Please appreciate some of Canada’s greatest guitar players and listen below to The Top Ten?
Canada exports many songs that go on to change the world.
Hockey may be what Canada is known for yet if you dig through the layers of music in the past century, songwriters and musicians are unearthed more often than dinosaur bones.
From East Coast to West. North to South. Canada’s vastness helps contribute to the nature of poets and lyricists. The sway of Canada’s great cities provide musical rhythms – soft or hard.
Greg Keelor – Blue Rodeo
Sue Foley
Harry and Steve
Please appreciate some of Canada’s greatest assets and listen below to The Ultimate Canadian Playlist.
The O Canada Jazz Orchestra which has been captured in a virtual performance of Hersog’s world class, high energy and infinitely swinging new arrangement of “O Canada!”
Hersog created the orchestra and the arrangement with the intention of showcasing the camaraderie that exists among Canadian jazz musicians in these difficult times.
The musicians, who come from all ten Canadian provinces, include folks like Christine Jensen, Joel Miller, Bria Skonberg
Hersog’s 17-piece ensemble is rife with Juno Award winners, Canadian jazz heavy weights, and even a recipient of the Order of Canada. There are musicians representing all ten Canadian provinces. Formed with the intention of showcasing the camaraderie that exists among Canadian jazz musicians in these difficult times, this ensemble delivers a world class, high energy, and infinitely swinging performance of the Canadian National Anthem.
Daniel Hersog’s O Canada Jazz Orchestra
Christine Jensen – BC/QC Remi Bolduc – QC Phil Dwyer – BC Joel Miller – NB/QC Ben Henriques – BC Mike Herriott – NL Brad Turner – BC Bria Skonberg – BC Al Muirhead – AB William Carn – ON Dale Sorensen – PEI Andrew Jackson – NS Sharman King – BC Jocelyn Marie Gould – MB Amanda Tosoff – BC/ON Gent Laird – SK Mark Kelso – ON
Concerts may be on hold right now but Michael Kaeshammer is not.
Live music is essential to the soul. It cures everything from depression to a broken heart.
Michael has taken the opportunity to fill a void with a live album that was going to be released anyway. A DVD of the show with special guests is also available.
Please listen below to my chat with Michael and hear some great tunes from the new album. Live music at it’s finest !
No House of Jazz in Montreal, no Rick Keene Music Scene.com
Sadly – due to the government’s reaction to Covid, Montreal’s House of Jazz has closed it’s doors.
In honor of the late George Durst and Francois Martinek, please listen below to some great new Jazz with a lot of fun thrown in. George Durst loved the fun aspect in Jazz.
If you enjoy Rick Keene Music Scene – Please help me to support music. Donate here. Thank you.
Every band that arrives in Montreal says the same thing. ‘Montrealers know music and it shows.’ The enthusiasm from the crowd to the band, the energy exchanged – second to none.
Enough of the hate and time spent spreading it. Social media commenting is endorsing and spreading of hate.
Please listen below to Some New Tunes You Do Not Hear Anywhere Else !
Streaming Live at the Village Vanguard
Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons beginning June 13
On February 22, 2020 the Village Vanguard, the world’s oldest continuously operated jazz club, marked its 85th year in the basement at 178 7th Avenue South in New York City.
On March 16th the club closed its doors indefinitely.
On Saturday, June 13th at 7 p.m. EDT the club will present its very first livestream with The Billy Hart Quartet featuring Mark Turner, Ethan Iverson and Ben Street
A matinee will follow at 2 p.m. EDT on Sunday, June 14th
Each week there will be two shows approximately 75 minutes in length Saturday @ 7pm EDT and Sunday Matinee @ 2pm EDT $7 gets you in the portal at villagevanguard.com Bring your beverage of choice.
Livestream schedule:
• June 13th and 14th – Billy Hart Quartet featuring Mark Turner, Ethan Iverson and Ben Street
• June 20th & 21st – Vijay Iyer Trio featuring Nick Dunston and Jeremy Dutton
• June 27th & 28th – Joe Martin Quartet featuring Mark Turner, Kevin Hays and Nasheet Waits
• July 4th & 5th – Joe Lovano TrioFascination featuring Ben Street and Andrew Cyrille The 16-piece Vanguard Jazz Orchestra is on hold for the moment. Please continue to check the website and follow the club on Instagram @vanguardjazz and Facebook for updates.
If you enjoy Rick Keene Music Scene – Please help me to support music. Donate here. Thank you.
Every band that arrives in Montreal says the same thing. ‘Montrealers know music and it shows.’ The enthusiasm from the crowd to the band, the energy exchanged – second to none.
Every band that arrives in Montreal says the same thing. ‘Montrealers know music and it shows.’ The enthusiasm from the crowd to the band, the energy exchanged – second to none.
Every band that arrives in Montreal says the same thing. ‘Montrealers know music and it shows.’ The enthusiasm from the crowd to the band, the energy exchanged – second to none.
Please enjoy Your Playlist with Special Guest Jean Marc Pisapia from The Box!
The Box are one of the most successful Canadian bands of all time. Hit after hit was as easy as pie for principle songwriter and vocalist Jean-Marc Pisapia.
Please listen below to my chat with Jean-Marc about the ideas behind the hits and how the setting for Strangers in the Night ties in to The Box’s biggest hit.