Canadian Blues Societies  Canadian Blues Connection  Blues Festivals Canada

Artists

Matt Andersen

New Brunswick's Matt Andersen has a larger than life showmanship that has been earning him a fervent and steadfast audience wherever he graces the stage. Matt's sprawling blues, roots and rock musical hybrid with his sorrowing and soulful voice has sparked a phenomenal buzz on Canada’s East Coast and that grass roots word of mouth cannot be contained any longer!

Keith Bennett

The Keith Bennett band has performed regularly at the Yale Hotel in Vancouver for the past six years. The Yale Hotel, one of Canada's premier blues clubs, boasts live music seven nights a week and has hosted an astonishing array of world class musicians over the years.

The Blazers

Members of THE BLAZERS have a great deal of experience traveling the King’s Highway and playing live at festivals all over Ontario and clubs in the Greater Toronto Area. Members of the band have recorded and/or shared the stage with JUNO Award, Maple Blues Award, ECMA Award, and Indie Award winners/nominees.

Jimmy Bowskill

Jimmy Bowskill has proven himself to be one of Canada’s most prominent musicians and singers. The 18-year-old has astounded everyone from The Allman Brothers Band founder Dickey Betts to ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and Canadian icons Colin James and the late Jeff Healey.

 Steve Burnside

(Big)Steve Burnside Canada’s 1st Man of the Blues

Having toured the USA and Canada since the late 50s Steve still performs with the finesse and excitement that only a seasoned performer can. His recordings go from the 50s vinyl 78s to current CDs and MP3s and his guest list of performers is top shelf.

Harpdog Brown

Brown is an excellent singer and band leader who reminds me a lot of the late Hock Walsh and he has put together a program that you can often hear in clubs but seldom so well played ........ heavy on blues feeling. ~ John Valenteyn

Jason Buie

Vancouver based guitarist, singer and songwriter Jason Buie has been performing live since the age of sixteen. He has honed his skills over the last fourteen years playing throughout Canada, the U.S.A. and Japan. Along the way he has played and performed with such artists as blues legend Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, former Rolling Stone Mick Taylor, The Jeff Healey Band, The Powder Blues Band, Big Dave Mclean, Jimmy D. Lane, Wild T, Johnny Ferriera and Jerry Doucette. With the Release of his critically acclaimed CD “Urban Blues” his profile continues to grow. Jason's second CD" "Live at The Blue Gator" has just been released.

Trevor Caswell

Trevor's performances can range from intimate solo shows to appearances with a full band including violin and cello. With the addition of a National steel guitar and that ever present harmonica, seeing Trevor live is a definite treat. Currently basing himself out of Kamloops, B.C. he tours between that province and Ontario, and his songs can be heard on radio across Canada. His festival appearances have included the Komasket Music Festival, Artswells Festival, and the Long Day's Night Music Festival.

Gerald Charlie

"Gerald Charlie knocks me out. I really enjoy his music. He's got his own style and it's straight from the heart." CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE.

"Thanks for the new cd. (Gerald Charlie/Out There). I had a blast listening to this one. You guys are the real thing!! The rhythm section grooves like a freight train on a highball run and the guitar harmonica and singing are as good as it gets. The bottom line is, you've got a story to tell and you tell it straight up, no chaser. You can sure enough count me as your fan." TOM LAVIN Powder Blues

Mike Clark

Mike truly is one of Canada's premiere blues and roots artists and has been nominated for a Maple Blues Award in the category of "Horn Player of the Year" for three consecutive years. In 2008 Mike has named Sax Player of the Year by the Calgary Blues Music Blues Music Association's Hall of Fame.

 Kat Danser

Edmonton-based guitarist, songwriter and vocalist Kat Danser throws down funky, laidback rhythms and thought-provoking lyrics.  Her Swamp Blues style, steeped in early roots and blues traditions, distills a refreshing approach to roots, blues, and gospel music for the 21st Century. She reveals a new take on centuries-old premises, and is adept at taking jabs at modern-day cultural phenomena. As well as an excellent tunesmith, Danser is a multi-instrumentalist, playing the Weissenborn Hawaiian lap slide guitar, a vintage acoustic Gibson, National steel resophonic slide guitar, a tack head banjo and the Zydeco scrubboard.

Sherman "Tank" Doucette

Sherman left home at fifteen with a harmonica and a twenty dollar bill in his pocket bound for the west coast to Vancouver, British Columbia.  It was there that he discovered the Chicago blues style on an album featuring Muddy Waters, Junior Wells and James Cotton.  He soon began singing and playing in a series of local blues and rock bands.  By the age of seventeen, he had developed a style of playing greatly influenced by the late great Paul Butterfield.

 Sue Foley

Sue Foley is considered to be one of the finest blues/roots artists working today. At 16, she embarked on her professional career as a bandleader, lead guitar player and vocalist.

For the past 20 years she has made her mark as a notable Canadian songwriter, producer and prolific recording artist. She has recorded with, shared the stage with and opened up for B.B. King, Buddy Guy, George Thorogood, Tom Petty, Joe Cocker, Rufus Thomas, Bill Doggett, Pinetop Perkins, Joe Ely, Chuck Rainey and Lucinda Williams – to name a few.

 Jerome Godboo

Born and raised in Victoria, B.C., Jerome went to Halifax West High School, and was expelled from grade l2. He formed his first bands in Ottawa. Jerome has made Toronto his home for the past 20 years.

Anyone who has seen Jerome live has the image seared in their mind. There's the machismo and the mischievous grin, the low-slung leather belt of harmonicas, and there's a tenderness and vulnerability as well. Based purely on first impressions, it's easy to make comparisons to Jagger and Morrison, but Jerome imitates no one. If the respect of his peers is anything to go by, Jerome Godboo is a giant on the music scene in Canada. All in all, it's a potent mix, one that combines the still vibrant musical legacy of more than a century of the blues with a passion and urgency that constantly renews itself.

David Gogo

Although still relatively young in "blues years", David Gogo has accomplished much in his career. So far he has three Juno nominations, was named Musician of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards, was twice named Guitarist of the Year at the Maple Blues Awards, and has been bestowed with the CBC Saturday Night Blues, Great Canadian Blues Award for a lifetime contribution to the blues in Canada.

Rick "Poppa Dawg" Halisheff

Kelowna, British Columbia's Rick Halisheff - a.k.a. Poppa Dawg - turns in a solid set of traditional Blues penned by the excellent guitarist and singer.

'Nobody Here Feels Sorry For You' bounces between Hokum and Jump; 'Croc Talkin', a greasy, minor-key funk instrumental features some of the snarkiest wah tone ever waxed; and 'This Man' is a towering deep soul number. 'I Ain't Leavin' shuffles with Stevie Ray Vaughan power, '1, 2, Gone' swings like Ronnie Earl's best work and 'Cool Little Number' is reminiscent of Little Charlie and Rick Estrin's hipper stuff.

 Hinton Hart Band

Andy Hart and Steve Hinton originally hail from Halifax, Nova Scotia. As teenagers in the 1970s, their initiation to the blues came by way of underage entry to the local clubs and sitting in with whomever would lend encouragement to green behind the ears "bluesmen". They were well mentored by local blues legends Dutch Mason and Joe Murphy.

Relocation to the West Coast and the demands of young families made for sporadic musical collaboration until 1997 when the untimely passing of Dave MacLeod, long-time friend and supporter of live music, reaffirmed the need to make music and to live life. The Hinton Hart Band was formed the following year and has been laying down their own brand of original and traditional blues in clubs, at house parties and private functions in and around Vancouver ever since.

Tim Hearsey

A world class blues musician, Tim is also a Juno Award winning songwriter. He tours regularly, playing with a wide variety of performers. He currently lives in Vancouver, Canada, where he operates a small recording studio, working with many local and international artists.

Brandon Isaak

This young red haired guitar player has monster tone and technique. He moved from his hometown of Whitehorse, Yukon to Vancouver, BC in 1999, where he joined the Twisters. He has shared the stage with many great blues artists, including Taj Mahal, Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials, Robben Ford, Canned Heat, Jeff Healy, Big Dave McLean, Rusty Zinn, Colin Linden just to name a few.

Bill Johnson

Bill Johnson began playing the guitar when he was 9 years old. Records by Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton, were his early influences, but Bill remembers: “ Chuck Berry was the one that did it for me. Chuck made me want to play guitar”. Bill became a working musician early and spent most of his teens making music.

 Donald Ray Johnson

Now living in Calgary, Alberta, Don has become a well liked and respected member of the Canadian blues community. Named "Best Canadian Male Blues Vocalist" in 1997 by Real Blues Magazine, Don was also nominated "Best Blues Drummer" in 1997 and Best Male Blues Vocalist in 1998 by the Toronto Blues Society. He was recently nominated "Best Blues Artist" by the Alberta Recording Industry Association (A.R.I.A.)

 JW Jones

"One of this country's top blues guitar stars" writes the Globe and Mail about 29-year old, JW-Jones.

JW-Jones has one of the most energetic and exciting live shows on the scene. It is no surprise that he has played throughout the world (CANADA, USA, EUROPE, AUSTRALIA, BRAZIL) and some of the biggest names in blues today, including The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Little Charlie & The Nightcats, Rod Piazza, Anson Funderburgh with Sam Myers, The Mannish Boys and the legendary Hubert Sumlin have invited him to join them on stage.

  The Kat Kings

  Jack de Keyzer

Jack de Keyzer is a 2 X Juno (Canada's Grammy) and 7X Maple Blues award winning artist, blues guitarist, singer, song writer and producer and one of the finest blues guitarists on the scene  today.   The British born, Canadian resident’s career has spanned over three decades. De Keyzer has released 7 CD's  and 1 DVD as a leader and appeared as a session guitarist on hundreds of recordings. As a session guitarist he has appeared  with many artists including Etta James, Otis Rush, John Hammond Jr.,  Ronnie Hawkins, Duke Robillard, Robert Gordon, Willy Big Eyes Smith, Bo Diddley & Blue Rodeo. Jack de Keyzer’s songs have also appeared in video; rock & blues radio charts; other artists CD's (Prairie Oyster's Platinum CD Everyone Knows); TV soundtracks and in Motion Pictures.

Steve Kozak

I was born in Vancouver B.C. Canada in 1956 and I have been a part of Vancouver's Blues scene for over twenty years.

I began playing guitar and singing at age sixteen and took to the Blues like a duck to water. My passion for the Blues flourished after meeting, and hanging out for a few nights, with the legendary Muddy Waters here in Vancouver back in May of 1977. Muddy encouraged me and set me straight on a few things. After that, I was ‘on a mission’ -- my musical future was sealed.

Paul Kype

A masterful guitarist, Paul has been playing since the age of ten. Drawing upon the influences of guitar legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Paul has honed his skill to near-perfection. He honours the songs of the greats by playing them with amazing precision and at the same time, investing them with his own intense feeling. After his solos, it is not uncommon to see people cheering jubilantly while shaking their heads in disbelief and awe.

Marshall Lawrence

In addition to his electric blues gigs with the MLB, Marshall also performs acoustic dobro blues as a solo artist or as a duo with a little harmonica on the side. His acoustic slide playing is steeped in roots music and has a true and genuine blues feel. His throaty vocals remind you of sitting in a smoky Gin Joint in the '30s and '40s listening to the blues masters, and his pounding rhythms and fierce attack on the guitar transform each song into raw emotion.

The Mojo Stars

The Mojo Stars, a highly original blues/rock band with roots in R&B, funk and jazz. Since forming the band has played The Media Club's closing night as part of the International Jazz Festival, both in 2006 and 2007. In 2007 the band played the Consumer Choice Awards Ceremony. 2008 saw them headline the New Westminster Show & Shine as well as move into the world of Casinos, playing to near capacity crowds at the Starlight Casino. The band has just released its first highly anticipated CD

Gary Preston

Gary Preston plays a delicious mix of blues and boogie on harmonica, keyboards and vocals. He has performed from Vancouver to Toronto, Detroit to the Caribbean. His recordings with Anita Bonkowski have received airplay and strong reviews around the world, and 2008 featured a CD release tour of Belgium and The Netherlands. Gary's harp playing is top notch, and he has been a regular headliner at the Harmonica Blast at the Yale Hotel as well as being featured in major festivals such as The Winnipeg Folk Festival, the Calgary International Blues Festival, and the International Jazz Festival.

 Whiteboy Slim

The true greats of blues music generated enormous excitement and awe in their audiences. They did so with flamboyant showmanship; with aloof, tough delivery; with elegance and charisma; with passionate virtuosity; with all sorts of styles, but always with original talent and awesome presence.

Whiteboy Slim, (Maurice Richard Libby), carries the blues tradition. His raw, authoritative delivery is obviously born of his respect for the music. He bows to the sounds that have traditionally portrayed American troubles, laying them under today's influences to create genuinely modern music.

 The Twisters

The band consists of 4 members: David "Hurricane" Hoerl (vocals and harmonica), Brandon Isaak (vocals and guitar), Chip Hart (drums) Keith Picot (bass).

The Twisters were nominated for a Juno Award in 2003, and winner of 'Best Blues Album of the Year' at the Canadian Independent Music Awards. There album Come Out Swingin' was nominated for 'Blues Album Of The Year' by The Western Canadian Music Awards in 2009, and was nominated for five Maple Blues awards the same year. These included Best Recording of the year, Song Writer Of The Year, Electric Act Of The Year, Bass Player Of The Year and Harmonica Player Of The Year.

Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne

Kenneth Wayne Spruell was born in Spokane, Washington in 1944, and spent his early years in New Orleans with his Louisiana-born parents. At AGE 8, he moved with his family to San Francisco and then to Los Angeles. A child prodigy on piano, Kenny was encouraged by his preacher father to play gospel music. But UNBEKNOWNST to his father, the Reverend Matthew Spruell, he was also secretly introduced to the radically more exciting boogie-woogie style by his rebel uncle Charlie his father’s youngest brother.

David Wilcox

David Wilcox is a brilliant song writer, a great singer, and one of the hottest guitar players in the world. He first made his name as a wild, live performer and then as a first-rate recording artist whose work, from "Out Of The Woods" (1980) to his brand new release, "Boy In The Boat" (2007), stands the test of time.

Tim Williams

Tim Williams is a blues-based singer / songwriter / multi - instrumentalist. He is a 40 year veteran of the 'Roots' music scene in North America, roots which stretch back to the coffee-house scene of his native California in the mid 60's.

Settling in Canada in 1970, Tim is a studio musician, producer, and a performer in constant demand. He has played Folk / Blues / Jazz festivals and concert halls and clubs from Halifax, to Vancouver Island, to the Yukon.

Inspired by the Hillbilly and Western Swing music he heard as a child, Tim absorbed late Fifties Rhythm & Blues and Rock & Roll, Hawaiian and Mexican music, early Sixties Folk, and Bluegrass “like a sponge” before discovering a passion for traditional blues styles which was fueled by seeing many first generation blues musicians live during the “Blues Boom” of the mid and late Sixties."

 Layla Zoe

"She has created probably the biggest buzz vocally of any singer I've heard about in years in Toronto. All of the comments, compliments and credos going around the city about her are not unfounded. She is wonderful." -JEFF HEALEY

Layla Zoe has been called "the Reincarnate of Janis Joplin" and deemed Canada's "Darling of the blues." She is a young powerful vocalist who was born in British Columbia, Canada. Layla Zoe has been singing since the tender age of four years old, including performances with her father's band at the age of fourteen. She has performed all over the world and has been rated one of the best female blues singers of her kind in Canada. She is quickly gaining a fan base all over Europe and the United States. Layla has worked to release an album every year, and has five independent releases to date: You Will, Shades of Blue, Hoochie Coochie Woman, Live at Errington Hall and The Firegirl.