Ottawa Blues This Week

Summary: SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK

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SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK
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Morgan Davis
Rainbow, 76 Murray Street
Thursday, May 3 @ 9:30 pm

For 33 years Morgan Davis has played the blues in Canada from Victoria, BC
to St. John’s, Newfoundland, as well as Europe and the US. Morgan writes the
songs, drives the truck, sets up the gear and performs traditional and
original Blues. His venues range from 30 seat coffee houses in the BC interior and
Annapolis Valley to huge folk and blues festivals, performing for crowds of
thousands. Playing with a band for the first 25 years of his career, recent
years have seen Davis make a successful transition to performing as a solo
artist. During his years on the road, Morgan perfected his repertoire of Blues
classics, songs that figure prominently in his performances today. His style
is taut and tough, and relies on intensity rather than speed and
pyrotechnics to make its point. Morgan Davis’ passion for the Blues has never
wavered
... and he fully expects to be on the road for the rest of his life.
_www.morgandavis.com_ (http://www.morgandavis.com)
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Wicked Grin & Beau Kavanagh
Rainbow, 76 Murray Street
Friday, May 4 @ 9:30 pm
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Ken Hamm & Arthur McGregor
Rasputin’s Folk Café, 696 Bronson Avenue
Friday & Saturday, May 4-5 @ 8 pm; $12

Ken Hamm is a Western Canadian blues and roots music artist with an
international reputation.   Emerging from early coffeehouses and Northern Ontario
bluesbands, to festivals and concert halls, Ken has been playing professionally
since the late 1960s. He has a reputation as a dynamic, moving performer,
mixing hot slide fingerstyle acoustic blues with original songs based on his
travels and encounters.
_www.kenhamm.com_ (http://www.kenhamm.com)

Arthur McGregor may be recognized as the one who begins the Ottawa Folk
Festival with his renditions of ‘O Canada’. Or maybe as the owner of the Ottawa
Folklore Centre. He is a wonderful musician in his own right, and when not
holding onto a variety of beautiful guitars, or developing the Canadian Folk
Music Awards, he can also be seen on stage.
_www.ottawafolklore.com_ (http://www.ottawafolklore.com)
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QUEBEC SCENE:
Michael Jerome Browne with the Twin Rivers String Band
National Arts Centre 4th Stage, 53 Elgin Street
Wednesday, May 2 @ 8 pm; tickets $20
Heralded by the Globe and Mail as “an immensely gifted multi-instrumentalist
and singer,” Michael Jerome Browne proves that old-time string band music is
still alive and well, from Appalachian and Cajun to Western swing, country
blues and jazz. As he explains in his liner notes, “Mostly it’s music for
dancing.” The Twin Rivers String Band backs Browne’s distinctive raspy vocals w
ith strong work on fiddle, banjo, mandolin, Cajun triangle and yodeling.
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Stephen Barry Band
Rainbow, 76 Murray Street
Saturday, May 5 @ 9 pm; tickets $15
The Stephen Barry Band debuted at the Rainbow Bar & Grill in Montreal in
September 1975. “The band is tight, driving and imaginative . . . a real
pleasure,” enthused the Montreal Gazette. Twenty years later the Montreal
International Jazz Festival honoured the band by featuring them on the Grand Stage
with their special guest, Hall of Fame inductee Harry Vann ‘Piano Man’ Walls.
The band’s reputation as one of the best blues and folk-blues ensembles in
Canada has long been established. Over the past 25-plus years the Stephen
Barry Band has had the privilege of playing with such blues legends as John Lee
Hooker, Bo Diddley, Big Moose Walker, Pinetop Perkins, Buddy Guy, Hubert
Sumlin, Magic Slim, Eddie Kirkland, Nappy Brown, John Hammond Jr., and Big Mama
Thornton, with whom they toured for over three years.
**********
Oliver Jones Trio
Library & Archives Canada Auditorium, 395 Wellington Street
Saturday, May 5 @ 8 pm; tickets $35
Jazz pianist Oliver Jones is one of Canada’s most beloved and admired
musicians and most distinguished cultural ambassadors. A legend in the
international jazz community, he has toured tirelessly in Canada and around the world
and has devoted much of his time to encouraging young Canadian musicians as
they begin their careers. He ‘retired’ in 2000 but still makes over 20
appearances yearly, including numerous charity benefits. His latest recording,
“One
More Time” , with bassist Dave Young and drummer Jim Doxas, was released in
June 2006.
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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS EVERY WEEK
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Irene’s Blues Jam
Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street
Thursdays, 9:30 pm - 1 am

Hosted by Mike Ktenas on bass and Corky Kealey on drums, Stellar Cast
presents blues every Thursday at Irene’s.
_www.irenespub.ca_ (http://www.irenespub.ca)
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CISCO OTTAWA BLUESFEST NEWS
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Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest announced that Bob Dylan, George Thorogood, Gary U.S.
Bonds, Manu Chao, Sarah Harmer, Burnside Style, Steve Marriner, The White
Stripes, Joel Plaskett, The Flatlanders, Hedley, Faber Drive, George Clinton &
The P-Funk All Stars, moe., The Steve Miller Band, Blue Rodeo, James Hunter,
INXS, The Cat Empire, Kanye West, Henry Butler, The Rhythm Council, Bela
Fleck & The Flecktones, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Ruthie Foster, Janiva
Magness, Leahy, Diunna Greenleaf, Leo Kottke, Jonny Lang, Elmer Ferrer, Randy
Newman, The Robert Cray Band, Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians, Blackie & The
Rodeo Kings, Patrick Watson, Sam Roberts, Candye Kane, Papa Mali, Kid Koala,
Toumani Diabaté, The Mighty Popo, Mihirangi, John Rae & The River, Hawksley
Workman, Bob Schneider, Ohbijou, Spiral Beach, Final Fantasy, Alejandro Escovedo,
Todd Snider, Ndidi Onukwulu, Ten Years After, Tokyo Police Club, Sharon Jones
& The Dap-Kings, Steve Forbert, Deadstring Brothers, Detroit Women, Femi
Kuti, Soul Jazz Orchestra, Mute Math, City and Colour, Shout Out Out Out Out,
Buddy Guy, Fiona Boyes, Los Lobos, Chris Duarte, Xavier Rudd, Lucky Peterson,
Larry McCray, Metric, Jim Bryson, Danny Michel, John Mooney, Alexisonfire,
Watermelon Slim, IsWhat?!, David Maxwell, Samuel Jackson, AlexCuba, the bird and
the bee, Matt Anderson, Dave Gunning, Dorit Chrysler, Stephen Fearing, Tom
Wilson, Colin Linden, Rick Fines, some of the best gospel acts on the planet
(such as Richie Righteous, The Canton Spirituals, Da T.R.U.T.H., The Toronto
Mass Choir, Soul Influence, Chorale de la Prophétie, Patricia Shirley, and
Ryan Lewis), the Solid Gold Dance Party – featuring Thelma Houston, The Village
People, Taste Of Honey, Peaches And Herb, The Trammps, Anita Ward, France
Jolie and the Solid Gold Dance Party Dancers & Band, plus many more performers
will gather in Ottawa for the 14th annual Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest presented by
the Ottawa Citizen, beginning Thursday, July 5 and running continuously
through Sunday, July 15. A day-by-day list of performers is available at
_www.ottawabluesfest.ca_ (http://www.ottawabluesfest.ca)
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BLUES IN KINGSTON, ONTARIO
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(Courtesy of the Kingston Blues Society _www.kingstonbluessociety.ca_
(http://www.kingstonbluessociety.ca) )
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KBS Presents 1st Year Anniversary Show
Portuguese Cultural Hall, 959 Division Street, Kingston ON
Friday, May 25; doors open @ 7 pm; show starts @ 8 pm

Featuring 1999 W.C. Handy Award for ‘Best New Blues Artist’ and Blind Pig
recording artist, Big Bill Morganfield. Big Bill’s band features Kenny ‘
Beedy Eyes’ Smith, son of legendary bluesman Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith, Brian
Bisesi and Cindy Adler.
_www.bigbillmorganfield.net_ (http://www.bigbillmorganfield.net)
Opening will be Kingston’s own female blues powerhouse, Marg Bass and the
Marg Bass Blues Band – she will have you up on the dance floor in no time at
all.

For further details _www.kingstonbluessociety.ca_
(http://www.kingstonbluessociety.ca)
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SPRING AT THE FOLKLORE CENTRE
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SLIDE GUITAR WORKSHOP: Overview of Slide Guitar with Ken Hamm
Saturday, May 5; 3-5 pm; $20 members; $25 non-members

This is a course for those looking to expand their playing into the slide
realm. It is intended for beginners but experienced players will be blown away
by Ken’s playing and are certain to pick up some tricks. Bring your guitar
and a slide of any variety. Folks, this is a pretty rare opportunity to learn
with a Canadian master guitar player.
“My favourite guitarist on the entire planet!” – Arthur Black of CBC Radio’
s Basic Black.
“For most of the past 20 years, guitarist Ken Hamm has been a major
influence and proponent of acoustic country blues in Canada. He is firmly based in
blues roots traditions, but is not limited by them, often exploring other
genres and creating original compositions reflecting his background and his life
experiences.” – The Regina Folk Festival

Contact Alan Marsden, OFC School Co-ordinator at 613-730-2887 ext 19 or
email _amarsden@ottawafolklore.com_ (mailto:amarsden@ottawafolklore.com)
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SPECIAL EVENTS IN MAY
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Sneezy Waters & Lynn Miles
Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Avenue at Lyon
Wednesday, May 9 @ 7:30 pm; tickets $20 (advance), $25 (at the door)

Music lovers will get two great artists for the price of one at the last
Underground Sound concert of the season. Juno Award winning singer/songwriter
Lynn Miles and country legend Sneezy Waters and his band will take to the
stage at the Glebe Community Centre for an evening of stellar music. Both are
long-time Glebe residents.

Lynn Miles won a Juno in 2003 for her album “Unravel”. She is renowned for
her plaintive style and tuneful stories steeped in pop, folk and country.
Sneezy Waters is best known for portraying Hank Williams in the runaway hit ‘
Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave’. The show toured extensively in Canada
and the United States from 1977 to 1990. Paying respect to a wide range of
influences from Woody Guthrie, Frank Zappa, Philip Glass, Tom Waits, Bob
Dylan, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, John Lennon, Willie P. Bennett, and Ian
Tamblyn, Sneezy is treasured for his vast repertoire and sensitive interpretation
of a song.

The Glebe Community Association (GCA) and the Glebe Business Group host
Underground Sound, a series of concerts run by volunteers to raise money to bury
the hydro wires when Bank Street undergoes reconstruction. Close to $40,000
has been raised so far, with significant contributions by corporate sponsors
ScotiaBank, Loeb Glebe, Capital Home Hardware, Glebe Pharmasave Apothecary,
Councillor Clive Doucet, Compact Music and Keller Williams Ottawa Realty. If
the City of Ottawa decides not to bury the lines, the money will be spent on
other improvement projects to make Bank Street beautiful.
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Trevor Finlay Australian Homecoming
Tucson’s, 2440 Bank Street
Friday, May 11 @ 9:15 pm

Tucson’s welcomes back the Trevor Finlay Band from their 6 week Tour of
Australia! Tucson's hosted the Aussie Tour Kick-off shortly before the Band
commenced a gruelling 6-week schedule Down Under. Help welcome them back in
style; it’s sure to be an exciting evening.
_www.tfband.com_ (http://www.tfband.com)
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Duke Robillard
Rainbow, 76 Murray Street
Friday, May 18 @ 9:30 pm

Duke Robillard wears many hats – Guitarist. Bandleader. Songwriter. Singer.
Producer. Session musician. He’ll be at the Rainbow in May and will
demonstrate most of these talents. Duke and band have been busy finishing up the
next CD, “Duke Robillard’s World full of Blues”. It contains 110 minutes of
incredible music ranging from all types of blues styles, swing/jazz, classic
R&B, a Tom Waits song, a Bob Dylan song, plus many new Duke compositions. It’s
a two CD package with detailed notes by Duke himself, plus lots of guests.
The street date is June 26, 2007. In the meantime Duke’s latest CD, “
Outtakes and Oddities; The Unheard Duke Robillard Tapes”, is available only at Duke
’s store online! This CD has received rave reviews from fans and there are
requests for more volumes already!
_www.dukerobillard.com_ (http://www.dukerobillard.com)
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Heaven’s Radio Rendez-vous Dinner & Dance
St. Elias Centre, 750 Ridgewood Ave, Ottawa
Friday, May 18; tickets $60 per person; reserved tables of 8 are $500

In the early 1970s, Heaven’s Radio were pioneers in Ottawa’s then fledgling
blues/R&B scene.   By mid-decade they were also giving many Ottawans their
first taste of reggae, as well as writing original songs.   The music was
convincingly rootsy, charmingly home-grown, and often surprisingly inventive.
Soulful vocals and instrumental improvisation were supported by a groove that
wouldn’t quit. The result was great dance/party music that you could also
seriously listen to and enjoy. The band developed a devoted following, playing
clubs, concerts and festivals from coast to coast. They were also a natural
choice to open for such acts as the Butterfield Blues Band (NAC), Jimmy Cliff
(NAC), Peter Tosh (Camp Fortune), the Police (Theatre St. Denis, Montreal)
and Muddy Waters (Queen’s University). By the end of the decade the Radio had
released two highly acclaimed albums, “Active” and “Uptown Babies”, which
will be re-released in a boxed CD set (digitally re-mastered, with bonus
tracks) at the Rendez-vous. Local fans will remember hearing Heaven’s Radio at
venues like Squire’s Tavern, Le Hibou, the Wakefield Inn, or Carleton
University. For many the band was part of the social and musical fabric of the day.
In the days before ‘alternative’ became a buzzword, the band had a definite ‘
counter-culture’ appeal. Heaven’s Radio was not so above-ground as to be a
household word, a bit too esoteric and recalcitrant to be easily packaged
and marketed, and beloved by many.

Three original members of Heaven’s Radio will be in the core band for the
Rendez-vous. Terry Gillespie (band leader, guitar, vocals, harmonica) released
his first solo CD “Brother Of The Blues” in December 2006. It is presently
enjoying international airplay and has been on Saturday Night Blues charts
for 3 months. Vince Halfhide (guitar, vocals) is a charter member and
mainstay of the Mighty Popo Band. Corky Kealey (drums) performs regularly in the
house band for the legendary Thursday night blues jam at Irene’s Pub in Ottawa.
John Feihl, the band’s original bassist is expected to make a cameo
appearance. Sadly, long-standing bassist Bob Blackler passed away recently. He
will be greatly missed. In addition, Bill Stevenson, former member of Heaven’s
Radio will play piano during dinner.   He will later join the band for several
numbers, as will Jody Golick, former member of the band (saxophone), Ted
Gerow, frequent sideman (organ), Dave Carty, frequent sideman (drums), as well
as guests: Trevor Brewster (guitar), Stephen Barry & Jeffery Grosvenor (bass)
and Gordon Adamson (drums).
_www.heavensradio.ca_ (http://www.heavensradio.ca)
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Ricky Paquette with Samantha Timmins
Tucson’s, 2440 Bank Street
Friday & Saturday, May 18-19 @ 9:15 pm

Phenomenal young guitar sensation Ricky Paquette returns to Tucson’s, this
time with a Maple Blues nomination and winner of Lys Blues 2006 under his
belt. Complimenting Ricky’s guitar work for the evening on vocals will be
Samantha Timmins. The following evening, Saturday, the two team up again,
featuring Samantha with Ricky backing her up.
2 great shows from 2 great performers!
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Tony D
with the fabulous Zeek Gross
Centre Culturel du Vieux Aylmer, Aylmer QC
Friday, May 25

If you haven’t visited ‘the Québec side’ in a while, you might want to
check out this venue for Tony’s show. The mission of the theatre is to make sure
that the performances pay special attention to presenting events that
promote the local, national and international culture. Shows range from musical
performances showcasing various types of music –– everything from folk, blues
and world beats can be seen on this stage. The theatre sits 120 spectators and
presents music, often blues, on the last Friday of each month.
For more info on the Centre Cultural du Vieux Aylmer, including contact info
...
_www.ottawaplus.ca/portal/profile.do?profileID=1019569_
(http://www.ottawaplus.ca/portal/profile.do?profileID=1019569)
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Downchild Blues Band CD Release & Dance Party!!
With Special Guests The Tony D Band
Barrymore’s Music Hall, 323 Bank Street
Saturday, May 26 @ 8 pm; tickets $27.50 advance

Canada’s legendary Downchild Blues Band are celebrating the release of their
brand new CD “Live At The Palais Royale” with a Dance Party at Barrymore’s
Music Hall.

“Live At The Palais Royale” was recorded last fall in front of a packed
house at the historic dance hall on Toronto’s lakeshore – one of the oldest
wooden dance venues that still exists in Canada today. The Palais was recently
totally renovated in the original spirit of what used to be one of Canada’s
greatest lakefront dance halls and has, in its long history, played host to
all the major names of American music. Downchild performed on a stage on which
Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and countless more
presented their music. The album was recorded without overdubs or pitch
corrections, and is a testament to the skill of musical execution by the well
respected musicians in Downchild. The band, augmented with an additional horn
player, was on top form, and ran though some Downchild classics, a couple of
new tunes, and some rarely heard songs from its early days.

Bring your dancing shoes and COME ON IN to Barrymore’s and ‘FLIP, FLOP & FLY
’ with the Downchild Blues Band for a one-night-only performance.   Good
times guaranteed!!
_www.downchild.com_ (http://www.downchild.com)
_www.tonydband.com_ (http://www.tonydband.com)
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Big Bill Morganfield
Rainbow, 76 Murray Street
Thursday, May 31 @ 9:30 pm

Muddy Waters always lamented the fact that younger black people did not seem
interested in his music. If he were alive today, he would be very proud of
his son, Big Bill Morganfield. As the son of one of the most influential
musicians of the 20th century, Bill has proven that he`s inherited more than a
regal blues pedigree and a wonderfully menacing baritone voice from his
father. His three recordings on the Blind Pig label document his full maturation
as a guitarist, songwriter and vocalist. Big Bill Morganfield rises to the
challenge of meeting many of the burdensome expectations placed upon him and
certifies that he is now a major talent in his own right.
_www.bigbillmorganfield.net_ (http://www.bigbillmorganfield.net)
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LOYAL BLUES FELLOWSHIP – NEW ORLEANS KATRINA RELIEF
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Warren Easton High School Phase II Recovery – a worthy project, and good fun

Warren Easton High School is New Orleans' oldest public school. Phase II
consists of scraping, painting and minor carpentry. The goal is to complete
work on the second floor and third floors .. 21 classrooms and a stairwell.
Work day is 8 am till 4 pm. Great Food every night, music and tours –
evenings and weekends.
Week 1: May 30 - June 7
Week 2: June 6 - June 14
Cost estimated $1000 per person including air fare from Pearson
International, Toronto
To reserve your spot on the team, contact:
Bill MacKay of Belleville Rotary
Office: 613-961-1855 Home: 613-477-3060
_www.loyalblues.ca_ (http://www.loyalblues.ca)

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