If 2013 is any indication of what lies ahead for James Boraski & MomentaryEvolution (JB & ME), then hang on!!  The band was described as: “… the pleasant surprise from the Canadian blues music scene this year” by Germany’s Wasser-Prawda Music & Culture Magazine.  The 7-piece Roots & Rockin’ Blues group is celebrating the release of their 2013 album “Comin’ Home” and a noteworthy array of achievements both nationally, and internationally, including:

•‘Best Self-Produced CD’ by Thunder Bay Blues Society – IBC Nomination – Memphis, TN
•"Comin’ Home” amongst ~75 CDs at the International Blues Challenge – Memphis, TN
•#6 finish in Blues Underground Network’s ‘Top 10 Canadian Blues Rock Albums of 2013’
•#13 finish in Germany’s Wasser-Prawda Music Magazine’s ‘Top 20 Blues Rock Albums’
•#15 finish in Blind Lemon Blues ‘Top 20 Canadian Blues Albums of 2013’
•Nomination as ‘International Release of the Year for 2013’ by Blues411 in the USA
•JB & ME finish as 1st Runner Up in Thunder Bay’s Regional International Blues Challenge
•Stellar articles and reviews of “Comin’ Home” from Canada, USA and Europe
•Several tour and festival appearances in Ontario, Alberta & the Northwest Territories

Not resting on their laurels, 2014 is shaping up to be an equally impressive year… the band has recently been selected to open the 13th Annual Thunder Bay Blues Festival in July 2014 which draws thousands of spectators from Canada, the USA, and visitors from around the world.

Boraski’s biggest songwriting achievement is perhaps described in a review from London, UK that states:  “…it’s a testament to the rest of the songwriting on this album that Sensitive Kind written by a recognized genius (JJ Cale) doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb among the originals.”   His original music is described as "introspective, creative, lyrically pleasing & well-structured”… “great music with a laid back, fresh and progressive style”... “music that’s influenced by a stylish, strong, yet unpredictable collision of blues-infused roots & rock.”

“Comin’ Home” (co-produced by Boraski and multi Juno / Maple Blues Award winner Jack de Keyzer) was released on April 17, 2013 on de Keyzer’s independent Blue Star Records label, and it charted for 18 consecutive weeks in the Canadian Top 10 Blues / Blues Rock Chart issued by the Blues Underground Network (BUN), charting as high as #5.  During the week of June 30th, 2013 it was also featured as BUN’s “Album of the Week”.  Boraski’s music is currently being played on more than 200 mainstream (including the CBC) and internet radio stations by DJs in Canada, the USA, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Croatia, England, Germany, New Zealand, the Philippines, Scotland, Spain… the list is growing weekly!!

Boraski’s debut CD – “NVR2L8” (Never Too Late) – released in the fall of 2009 in Yellowknife, NWT - was featured at Canada's Northern House at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver!!

JB & ME have performed at theatres, concert halls, music festivals in the NWT and Ontario, large corporate, community and charity events, and also at various clubs… Boraski has even performed in Mexico!!  The band has paid its dues, opening shows for several Juno & Maple Blues winning artists, and they are now getting their own due recognition and opportunities!!

Thunder Bay Band Members:

James Boraski – Vocals & Acoustic / Electric Rhythm Guitar
Connie Boraski – Backing / Harmony Vocals & Percussion
Ed Drotar – Electric Lead Guitar
Gary Hare – Keyboards, Harmonica & Backing / Harmony Vocals
Chris Saunders – Saxophone
Mark Toskovich – Bass
Joe Riccio – Drums

Toronto & Edmonton Recording Musicians:

James Boraski – Vocals & Acoustic / Electric Rhythm Guitar
Connie Boraski – Backing / Harmony Vocals & Percussion
Jack de Keyzer – Electric Lead Guitar
David McMorrow – Hammond B3 & Wurlitzer Organs; Fender Rhodes & Grand Piano
Vic Dupuis – Saxophone
Al Duffy – Bass
Gary Craig – Drums
Jessica Heine – Backing / Harmony Vocals
Marshall Lawrence – Electric & Resonator Guitar      

Radio Airplay:

Original Songs - Comin' Home; Fashion Girls; Powerful Love; Without Reason; Lies & Deceit; Just for Me; C’mon & Party; Unsung Heroes; Beaufort Delta Blues; You Set Me Free
Cover Songs - If I Had Your Love (Jack de Keyzer), Who (Bernard Roth), Sensitive Kind (JJ Cale); Things Have Changed (Bob Dylan), Six Strings Down (Jimmie Vaughan et al), Lay Me Down Sweet Jesus (Justin Rutledge)

Press & CD Reviews – James Boraski & MomentaryEvolution

Blues Underground Network – Canada  by John Vermilyea – May 2013
• “… Comin’ Home is a really fine rockin’ Blues number with kick-ass guitar work…”
• “… some really great vocal work from James Boraski, whom has a very familiar sound – somewhat close to a toned down Colin James…”
• “… I found the album to be quite entertaining and certainly pointed me in the direction of looking forward to some more of his music, hopefully in the near future…”
• “… Comin’ Home has no problem getting my recommendation for those that like their blues rock, flavoured throughout, with a little extra spices here and there…”

Wasser-Prawda Musik Kulturmagazin – Germany  by Nathan Norgel – June 2013
• “… this group was the pleasant surprise from the Canadian blues music scene this year.”
• “… from song to song, we clearly hear a band that has come together, and one that just fits together.  Whether the songs are from the Chicago era, or the Texas blues-rock a la Stevie Ray Vaughan – the music is laid back and relaxing…”
• “… the songs tell stories about the ups and downs of relationships, about lies, intimacy, and about unsung heroes… songs that no one writes about…”
• “… this album deserves a warm recommendation not only for fans of Canadian Blues, but also for everyone who digs good storytelling in the Blues…”

Blues is the Truth – UK Jazz Radio – London, UK  by Ian McHugh – June 2013
• “… the first thing that sprang into my mind when spinning the album was ‘Who gave JJ Cale a Fuzz Face?’… that comparison sticks as the dominant feature of the album… its defining signature is a collection of understated numbers with a lazy shuffle beat…”
• “… JJ is a big influence as the cover of his tune Sensitive Kind shows, but it’s a testament to the rest of the songwriting that a song by a recognized genius (Cale) doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb among the originals…”
• “… the fuzz guitar… is just another facet of a diverse palette of sounds the band employs… there’s some very fine guitar playing throughout… James himself turns in a rather fine performance on rhythm guitar (an often overlooked art)… there are some sweet saxes, funky Hammond and that rarest of things these days, a palatable bass solo… the drummer too is worthy of attention…”
• “… overlaid on top of this is James’ light and undemonstrative voice… preferring the subtle and relatively straight delivery method that lets the songs speak for themselves…”
• “… in a world where the majority of Blues is focused on big loud guitars and extended solos, it’s a brave artist who releases a record as subtle as this…”

Grand River Blues Society - Canada by Willy Alexander, CKWR FM – September 2013
• “… a perfect blend of laid-back vocals and thoughtful songwriting… and superb musicianship… simply put, what works.”
• “… a mid to up tempo album… in that regard the recording is a dancer’s delight.”
• “… the backing musicians are tight and seamless… Boraski is not an ‘in-your-face’ vocalist… there’s an earthy quality to both his songs and vocal style which makes this recording work.”

Fresh Roots: New Blues – Charlottesville, VA by Steve Hamilton – October 2013
• “… a fresh collection of well-played blues tunes that further expand the genre, and celebrate it at the same time.”
• “… “Unsung Heroes” is a tasteful, satisfying instrumental that sounds as clean as the Canadian countryside in the Fall… the keyboards on this song was a standout…”
• “… aside from the excellent songwriting and rhythm guitar work by Boraski, the talent of the entire band stands out strong... and the back up vocalists (an unexpected treat on a blues CD) really flesh out the sound.”

Discography

Comin' Home - April 2013  /  NVR2L8 (Never Too Late) - September 2009

Radio Play
Original Songs - Comin' Home; Fashion Girls; Powerful Love; Without Reason; Lies & Deceit; Just for Me; C’mon & Party; Unsung Heroes; Beaufort Delta Blues; You Set Me Free.

Cover Songs - If I Had Your Love (Jack de Keyzer), Who (Bernard Roth), Sensitive Kind (JJ Cale); Things Have Changed (Bob Dylan), Six Strings Down (Jimmie Vaughan et al), Lay Me Down Sweet Jesus (Justin Rutledge)

"Comin' Home"

2013 Highlights

Multi Juno & Maple Blues Winner - Jack de Keyzer co-produces “Comin’ Home” on Blue Star Records
 
Charts #5 / 18 consecutive weeks in Top 10 Canadian Blues Rock Chart – Blues Underground
 
Featured in Wasser-Prawda Music & Culture Magazine and Compilation CD – Germany
 
Featured Performers at “Summer in the Parks Festival” – Thunder Bay, ON
 
“Bringin’ Home the Blues” Tour – 30 Shows in 33 Days – Alberta & Northwest Territories
 
“1st
 Runner Up” in Thunder Bay Blues Society’s (TBBS) IBC Competition – Thunder Bay, ON
 
Feature interview by “Music on the Couch” – Olive Branch, Mississippi
 
Featured by Walleye Magazine in “Sounds of the City: Part III” – Thunder Bay, ON
 
“Comin’ Home” wins TBBS ‘Best Self-Produced CD’ – competes in 2013 IBC – Memphis, TN

“Comin’ Home” finishes #6 in “Top 10 Canadian Blues Rock Albums of 2013” – Blues Underground
 
 “Comin’ Home” finishes #13 in “Top 20 Blues Rock Albums of 2013” – Wasser-Prawda – Germany
 
“Comin’ Home” finishes #15 in “Top 20 Canadian Blues Albums of 2013” – Blind Lemon Blues
 
 “Comin’ Home” nominated for Jimi Award – “International Release of the Year” by Blues411 – USA

Newest Album

 Blues Underground Network CD Review Here

Listen To Samples/Buy Here...

Websites & Contact:

James Boraski
Singer / Songwriter & Guitarist
James Boraski & MomentaryEvolution
Thunder Bay, ON
Band Booking:  (807) 355-3996 - Cell & Text
Email: 
Website:  http://jamesboraski.wix.com/jbandme

Back To Homepage