Ottawa Blues This Week - 18 August 2008

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AREA HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK
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Little Miss Higgins
and
Lindsay Ferguson
Black Sheep Inn, Wakefield QC
Thursday, August 21 @ 8:30 pm; tickets $10

Little Miss Higgins was born in southern Alberta and raised in Independence, Kansas. As a young girl she began her love of music by carving her name into the mini-grand piano that her father brought home from a local saloon. Growing up playing piano, she now uses guitar and voice as her main instruments, as well as her theatre background to bring a “refreshing sound and story to the stage”. As a songwriter, she has been influenced by a range of artists from Memphis Minnie and Big Bill Broonzy to Joni Mitchell. Higgins has the ability to paint pictures with words and engage audiences with unabashed passion and presence.
www.littlemisshiggins.com
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FESTIVALS THIS WEEK
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August 21-24, 2008
Limestone Blues Festival
Kingston ON
www.kingstonblues.com

August 22-24, 2008
Edmonton Labatt Blues Festival
Edmonton AB
www.bluesinternationalltd.com
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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS EVERY WEEK
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Blues Jam - Live with Barry Buse
and The Mississippi Blues Society
Elmdale House Tavern, 1084 Wellington Street
Every Tuesday, 8:30 pm to 12:30 am (no cover)
www.elmdaletavern.com
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Irene’s Blues Jam
Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street
Thursdays, 9 – 12:30 pm

The Stellar Cast Blues Jam is a bonafide grass roots event that has grown out of the very floorboards of Irene’s Pub and has become a real crowd pleaser for musicians and music lovers alike. The Stellar Cast features Mike Ktenas (bass) and Corky Kealey (drums) as the foundation, and is filled out by a host of great local players who rotate according to availability. Each week the cast is topped up with a guest host who steers the song selections in whatever way they're inspired and the jamming begins. It's a great concept and the proof is in the popularity the night has garnered over the years.

Guest hosts coming up:
August 21 – Rob Alexander (keyboards/vocals)
August 28 – John Yamensky (guitar/vocals)

http://bacton.smugmug.com/share/cFoCZfrollzaE
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Open Jam
Rainbow, 76 Murray Street
Saturdays, 4-7 pm

Every other Saturday, Mark Weatherbee and Erth Juce Blues Band host the jam. Mark would like to invite fellow blues players to come out and play with his band. It’s free! For more info, please contact Mark at mark_and_esther@yahoo.ca
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‘Southside Sundays’ with Steve Marriner
Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street
Sunday nights, 9 pm, ‘til midnight

Check out Irene’s on Sunday July 20 and Sundays throughout August for Ottawa’s hot new blues trio, Monkey Junk (Steve Marriner, Tony D & Matt Sobb)!
www.stevemarriner.com
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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS ONCE A MONTH
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Ball and Chain and the Wreckers
Elmdale House Tavern, 1084 Wellington Street
1st Saturday of the month @ 8:30 pm – midnight; $5 at the door
Jody & Michael are taking August off
Honky Tonk Saturday Night will be back in September!

Ball and Chain and the Wreckers will play at the Elmdale House Tavern on the first Saturday of every month from now on. That's right … a house gig!! The event will have a name and a dedicated poster and stuff eventually but the main thing is to be there. The plan is to do it as a 4-piece core band and to have a featured guest player every month.
www.myspace.com/jodybenjamin
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Sunday Blues
Maria Hawkins – 1st Sunday of the month, 5-8 pm
Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo – 3rd Sunday of the month, 5-8 pm
Zydeco Loco – 4th Sunday of the month, 5-8 pm
Atomic Rooster, 303 Bank Street (at MacLaren)

Maria Hawkins – 1st Sunday of the month @ 4 pm
Maria Hawkins Trio (with 2 guitarists). 3 musicians, 3 hours 4 – 7 pm – the first Sunday of every Month – Blues, Soul, R&B, Funk and Maria’s original material. The volume is just right and the atmosphere is very intimate with plenty of great food on order – Atomic Rooster is the place. www.mariahawkins.ca

Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo – 3rd Sunday of the month, 5-8 pm
Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo was formed in Ottawa, Canada, July 1991, to explore the pulsating rhythms and eerie melodies of New Orleans and of the bayous of rural Louisiana. They have transformed these Mardi Gras anthems into their own, while keeping true to the genre. Over the years, Mumbo has sprinkled their New Orleans Gumbo with ideas and tunes from the lands of Caribbean Seas, Cuba, Venezuela, Jamaica, and from many other far flung sources as diverse as Desi Arnaz, John Mayall, Ronnie Lane, Clifton Chenier, Osibisa, Captain Beefheart, Ginger Baker, Nat Cole, Dr. Feelgood, Ry Cooder, Dutch Mason, Jan Garbarek, and Manfred Mann, just to name a few. During their often segued sets, elements of Blues, Boogie, Jazz, Reggae, Calypso, Mambo and Conga, have led Mumbo to develop into a World-Beat tour de force.
www.mumbojumbo.ca

Zydeco Loco – 4th Sunday of the month, 5-8 pm
Zydeco Loco was formed in 1996 by members of two Ottawa bands, the Suicide Kings and Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo to bring their love of zydeco music to the dance floors of Ottawa.
www.zydecoloco.ca
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LOYAL BLUES FELLOWSHIP NEWS
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The Loyal Blues Fellowship is calling all blues musicians to participate in its upcoming blues challenge to select its nominee for the solo/duo & youth category to the International Blues Challenge held in Memphis in February 2009.

The finalists will perform at a public performance in Belleville in where a select panel of judges will input in selecting of the finalist who will go to Memphis. The Fellowship will assist in fund-raising to help participants attend the competition in Memphis. To qualify for the International competition, musicians must have the approval of an affiliated blues organization like the Loyal Blues Fellowship Inc.

The IBC represents an international search by The Blues Foundation and its Affiliated Organizations (mostly blues societies) for the Blues Band and Solo/Duo Blues Act ready to perform on a national stage, but just need that extra break.

Anyone interested in auditioning for the competition should register go to www.loyalblues.ca and complete the application.
Registration ends Sept. 2008, only six spots open.

Ron Foxall, President
Loyal Blues Fellowship Inc.
ron@loyalblues.ca
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WEEKLY BLUES IN KINGSTON
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Thursday Blues
Brandees, 178A Ontario Street, Kingston ON
Every Thursday
Georgette is back at Brandees with a new rep and great band. If you are in Kingston, stop in. Georgette sounds better than ever and her band rocks!
www.georgettefry.ca
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KBS Monthly Jam
RCHA Club (Next to Stoney’s Restaurant - Look for the big blue door)
Third Saturday of each month, 9 pm – midnight; $3 at the door

Always one of the best nights of entertainment Kingston has to offer – come early as seating is limited.
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Live music – Jazzy combo
Confederation Hotel, Kingston ON
Thursdays & Fridays, 5:30-8:30 pm
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For more info on any of the above, please contact Kingston Blues Society
www.kingstonbluessociety.ca
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SPECIAL EVENTS COMING SOON
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David Gogo
Tucson’s, 2440 Bank Street
Thursday, August 28 @ 9:15 pm; tickets $20

Two time Maple Blues ‘Guitarist of The Year’ and 2007 Juno nominee, David Gogo makes a one-night-only appearance with his electrifying band at Tucson’s. David has shared the stage with the likes of B.B. King, Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, George Thorogood and ZZ Top in the past few years. Don’t miss the chance to catch one of Canada’s premier guitarists in action!
www.davidgogo.com
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BobCat House Concerts presents
Kit Soden and Eric John
BobCat Manor, 214 Northwestern Avenue
Saturday, August 30; mingling @ 7 pm; music starts @ 8 pm;
suggested donation $10

Eric John is a singer/songwriter born and raised right here in Ottawa, Ontario. His original music is often compared to Dave Matthews or Ben Harper. Although mainly accoustic-guitar based, his musical style stems from many different genres, including folk, rock, soul, blues and even reggae. No matter what style he is playing, his passion is what drives his performance and endears him to the audience.
www.myspace.com/ericjohnmusic

Kit Soden is a new arrival in Central Canada (he just moved to Montreal in the spring), but he's been a staple in the Vancouver scene since the late 1990s. He has appeared in shows and festivals across Canada, fronting numerous touring acts such as Kaejema, The Frog Maphia, and Kit & Tim. After over a decade of performing, Kit's prolific songwriting has led him to complete this first collection of solo recordings, “Highway 101”. This new album blends his unique style of acoustic rhythms with unmistakable vocals in what can best be described as travelers' tales from journeys of the mind, body and spirit. Each of Kit's songs share a part of his history with the
audience, but they also allow listeners to reconnect with their own memories of experiences that we all often share.
www.kitsmusic.com

Come listen to two great young performers and kick off the BobCat season with us in style. Don't forget, we appreciate collecting the donations in advance. You can drop a cheque in the mail, drop off cheques or cash, or use PayPal to send payment to BobCat at bob.ledrew@gmail.com
http://bobcathouseconcerts.com
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UPCOMING FESTIVALS
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August 30, 2008
Coal Flat Blues Festival
Port Burwell ON
www.coalflatsblues.com

September 5-7, 2008
Southside Shuffle
Port Credit ON
www.southsideshuffle.com

September 8-9, 2008
Blues In the Park
Firemen’s Park, Niagara Falls ON
www.bluesinthepark.com

September 9-14, 2008
Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival
Fredericton NB
www.harvestjazzandblues.com

September 15-21, 2008
Great Atlantic Blues & Beyond Festival
Halifax NS
www.atlanticbluesfest.com
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BLUES ON THE RIDEAU – 2008/09
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Blues on the Rideau at The Cove Inn, Wesport ON enters its 4th season starting October 17/18 and will run on the third weekend of every month (except December) through to June 2009. The Series features some of Canada’s best blues artists performing in the friendly, cozy atmosphere of The Cove combined with a delicious buffet dinner. Westport is a 45 minute drive from Kingston, 1¼ hours from Ottawa. All Shows support different local charities – all for only $55 per person (dinner, show, taxes and donation to charity included). Dinner starts at 7 pm, 1st set begins at 8:30 pm. Advance reservations required – call The Cove at (613) 273-3636 OR 1-888-COVE-INN to book now. Last season almost every Show sold out in advance so to meet demand this year all artists will play both Friday and Saturday nights – you have two chances to see your favourites!

Accommodation at The Cove and nearby B&Bs is available at very reasonable rates. If you live out of town this is a great way to enjoy BOTR – no driving home after a few drinks, you can relax and enjoy and as an added bonus – you get to meet and talk with the artists the next day at breakfast! It’s a perfect mini-getaway. Book well in advance though – rooms fill up fast. Call The Cove and they will make the arrangements for you.

October 17 & 18 – CURLEY BRIDGES w. CHRIS WHITELEY BAND
www.electrofi.com
www.chriswhiteley.com
Friday proceeds to Rideau Vista Elementary School
Saturday proceeds to St. Edward’s Elementary School

November 21 & 22 – GARY KENDALL BAND w. Special Guest CHUCK JACKSON
www.garykendall.com
www.chuckjackson.com
Friday proceeds to Blues in the Schools with Mark ‘Bird’ Stafford
Saturday proceeds to David McCarthy Scholarship

January 16 & 17 – ROXANNE POTVIN BLUES BAND
www.roxannepotvin.com
Friday proceeds to Westport Area Food Bank
Saturday proceeds to Lions Club Mobility Van

February 20 & 21 – FATHEAD
www.fathead.biz
Friday proceeds to Friends of Foley Mountain
Saturday proceeds to Rideau District Museum

March 20 & 21 – RICK FINES & SUZIE VINNICK w. BAND
www.rickfines.com
www.suzievinnick.com
www.rickandsuzie.com
Friday proceeds to Juvenile Diabetes Association of Ontario
Saturday proceeds to Gilda’s Club for Cancer Families

April 17 & 18 – PAUL REDDICK & THE SIDEMEN
www.paulreddick.ca
Friday proceeds to Rideau Waterway Land Trust
Saturday proceeds to Westport in Bloom

May 15 & 16 – DANNY BROOKS & THE MEMPHIS BROTHERS
www.dannybrooksmusic.com
Friday proceeds to Compassion Canada Sponsor a Child
Saturday proceeds to Habitat for Humanity

June 19 & 20 – STEPHEN BARRY BAND with
Special Guest MICHAEL JEROME BROWNE
www.stephenbarry.bros.ca
www.michaeljeromebrowne.com
Friday proceeds to Lucy Drysdale Memorial Scholarship
Saturday proceeds to Westport Library

Visit www.bluesontherideau.ca for more information
Artists may change - check the web site or call The Cove for updates

See you at The Cove!
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WEEKLY EVENTS ON THE RADIO
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On CKCU-FM 93.1
The Mighty 93.1
www.ckcufm.com
Community Radio serving the Ottawa Carleton Region

Sundays: 9-11 pm
Black and Blues
with John Tackaberry
The show features a heavy dose of electric blues and rhythm and blues, with the occasional selection of sixties soul. The first hour is dedicated to artist profiles and reviews of recordings on particular labels. In the second hour there is a blues calendar, a run down of events in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, and interviews with “new and reissued blues and rhythm and blues tracks on wax” alternating with “live blues and R&B for a Sunday night” in the last half hour of the show. On the last Sunday of every month, the show goes “down in the delta” for a selection of acoustic blues tracks in the final half hour of the program.

Wednesdays: 3:30-4:30 pm
Iron Maidens
with Diane Wells (D.D. Rocker)
Where female musicians of steely determination dare to challenge their male peers in the wide, wonderful world of music. From roots to heavy metal, she’ll cover it all. To the women of the world, let your voices and instruments be heard!


Wednesdays: 9-11 pm
In A Mellow Tone
with Ron Sweetman
Jazz from every era & every style – from 1917 to 2008. Each program features an artist, group, instrument, event, city or record label.

Check out Ron’s website www.inamellowtone.com for info on upcoming shows and playlists (current show is posted several days in advance and past shows are archived). Ron is always happy to hear from listeners at ronsweetman@kalixo.com.

This week, August 20 – Guelph Jazz Festival: A preview of the artists appearing at the Guelph Jazz Festival between September 3 and September 7. Will include Kevin Breit, Jane Bunnett, Satoko Fujii, Barry Guy, Joane Hetu, Francois Houle, the ICP Orchestra, Rene Lussier, O.P.P., Tortoise, and John Zorn.
Next week, August 27 – Pianorama: The distinctive piano styles of Steve Cohn, Jay D’Amico, Duke Ellington, Don Ewell, David Leonhardt, Denman Maroney, Adreas Meili, Wally Rose and Willie “The Lion” Smith.


Monthly, every 4th Saturday, starting June 21 at 9-9:30 am:
Honky Tonk Saturday Morning
with Ball and Chain
This 12-part series features Michael Ball and Jody Benjamin performing live on radio. Each month will have a different theme like classic country, bluegrass, old time, drinking, cheating and yodelling.


On CBC Radio One 91.5 FM
Saturdays: 10 pm – midnight
Saturday Night Blues
www.cbc.ca/snb
Host Holger Petersen has been a broadcaster, record producer, album collector, and serious blues fan for over 30 years. His collection of blues records numbers in the thousands. On Saturday Night Blues each week you’ll hear a mix of classic blues from the ‘Petersen Vaults’, concerts, interviews, artist features, new releases, plus anything that boogies, jumps, or swings, plus your requests from the Bluesline.

On CHEZ106 FM
Sundays: 6-7 pm
House of Blues Hour
The House of Blues Radio hour, hosted by Dan Aykroyd aka Elwood Blues, features an hour of rockin’ blues from a wide variety of performers ranging from traditional to contemporary. The show is the most widely syndicated radio program dedicated to the blues in North America, and has been running on stations across the continent for over ten years.
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WEEKLY EVENTS ON THE SMALL SCREEN
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ALWAYS check local listings to confirm.

On BRAVO – www.bravo.ca
Tuesday, August 19 @ 7 am – Talkin’ Blues
Henry Butler (2003): Series exploring the world of contemporary blues music. This episode features a profile of New Orleans piano virtuoso Henry Butler.

Tuesday, August 19 @ 8:30 am – Rez Bluez
Series showcasing Native blues musicians and comedians.

Friday, August 22 @ 7 pm – Rhythm, Roots & Soul
Diamond Days/Eric Bibb (2008): This series profiles R&B, soul, gospel and roots musicians through their words and music. Mako Funasaka documents a moment in time of these wonderful musicians from many different musical genres. This episode features musician Eric Bibb.

Tuesday, August 26 @ 7 am – Talkin’ Blues
Collage (2003): Series exploring the world of contemporary blues music. This episode features Curtis Salgado reminiscing about his first performance, Chicago's Hopefest benefit, a very special photo shoot and music from Mem Shannon.

Tuesday, August 26 @ 8:30 am – Rez Bluez
Series showcasing Native blues musicians and comedians.

Tuesday, August 26 @ 8 pm – Long John Baldry: In the Shadow of the Blues (2006)
The life and legacy of guitarist and singer Long John Baldry is examined in this one-hour documentary. Baldry played a key role in the growth of the British rhythm and blues movement, and led bands in the mid-1960s that featured Rod Stewart and Elton John, both of whom are interviewed in the documentary. In the `80s, Baldry emigrated to Canada, living first in Toronto and then in Vancouver, where he died in 2005.

Friday, August 29 @ 7 pm – Rhythm, Roots & Soul
The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster (2007): This series profiles R&B, soul, gospel and roots musicians through their words and music. Mako Funasaka documents a moment in time of these wonderful musicians from many different musical genres. This episode features performer Ruthie Foster.
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REGULAR EVENTS THIS MONTH
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Tuesdays: Open Jam at the Rainbow, 9 pm – 1 am
Tuesdays: Jam hosted by Barry Buse or Al Tambay @ Elmdale House, 8:30-11:30 pm
Wednesdays: Dr Dave Revue @ the Rainbow, 5-8 pm
Wednesdays: Brian Downey @ The Avant-Garde Bar, 8:30 pm
Wednesdays: Acoustic music with Jeff Rogers @ Tucson’s, 7:30-11 pm
Wednesdays: New Blues Jam @ the New Bayou, 9 pm
Thursdays: Acoustic blues with Al Tambay & friends @ Tucson’s, 7:30-11 pm
Thursdays: Mike Ktenas hosts the Blues Jam @ Irene’s, 9 pm to closing
Saturday afternoons: Blues jam @ the Rainbow, 4-7 pm
Saturday evenings: Ball and Chain @ the Elmdale
Sunday afternoons: Blues jam @ the Rainbow, 3-7 pm
Sunday afternoons: Guy del Villano @ Royal Oak, Gloucester
Sunday evenings: Southside Sundays with Steve Marriner @ Irene’s, 9-midnight
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LOCALS THIS WEEK
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Friday, August 22
The Lee Bowie Band @ Tucson’s, 9:15 pm
Saturday, August 23
Moetown @ the Rainbow, 9:30 pm
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LOCALS LOOK AHEAD
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Friday, August 29
JW-Jones @ the Rainbow, 9:30 pm
The Runes @ Tucson’s, 9:15 pm
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