Swelling in primordial pulses and wholloping whoops, the tacit tones of Vancouver Island’s Shane Philip’s didgeridoo hold the power to still listeners into silence or encourage audiences to rise up in a tribal swell of intoxicating spirit — with sometimes but a heartbeat in between. Meanwhile his hands will be skilfully juggling between shaking up rhythms with his aslatua, driving the dance floor with his djembe and sliding out grooves on his Weissenborn-style guitar while his foot taps in earthshaking electronic kicks wherever they might fit. He is a one-man show weaving sounds that inspire audiences anywhere he goes.
Continue reading ‘Shane Philip in profile: Bursting with high energy’
Share
After a highly successful 17 date tour throughout Germany, Denmark, Holland and Switzerland in support of Wishbone Ash in January/February 2008, David has returned to Europe and is currently midway through a string of headline shows that kicked off in March. Not one to rest on his laurels, David has been tearing it up night in and night out, introducing European audiences to his fiery brand of blues/rock that Dutch journalist Barbara van Geffen from Blues Rock Pagina called “absolutely fantastic…one of the best shows we’ve heard this year! Continue reading ‘David Gogo in profile: Absolutely fantastic’
Share
Hot Toddy is a hot act from the east coast. Comprised of Thom Swift, acoustic guitar, dobro, vocals; Joel Leblanc, lead guitar, harmonica, vocals and Tom Easley acoustic bass and vocals, this award winning Fredericton based trio is truly one of a kind. Continue reading ‘Hot Toddy’
Share
With her sparkling sophomore release, I Love Being Here With You, songstress Dione Taylor has emerged as a fully-formed and exciting young artist. While unmistakably a jazz album, I Love Being Here With You reflects Dione Taylor’s love and background in gospel, rhythm & blues and soul. Her rich and smoky voice has a truly soulful quality, one attractively complemented by her keenly trained musical ear. Continue reading ‘Dione Taylor’
Share
Serena Ryder is just 24. But her voice, a deep, bluesy, soulful instrument that has drawn comparisons to Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin, makes her sound much older. She also appears wise beyond her years, blessed with an intelligence and confidence that came across in her songs on Unlikely Emergency, her critically acclaimed independent album. She’s definitely an old soul. Ryder’s extraordinary major-label debut, If Your Memory Serves You Well, involves no time-traveling or reincarnation. But it does feature the native of Millbrook, Ontario covering vintage Canadian songs-some of them written more than 70 years before she was born-with remarkable authority. From Shelton Brooks’ “Some of These Days,” recorded by the likes of Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday,” to Percy Faiths’ “My Heart Cries for You,” previously recorded by Ray Charles and Ben E. King, Ryder sings with enough passion and conviction to make them her own. She delivers a stunning rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Sisters of Mercy” and a scorching version of “This Wheel’s on Fire,” which Bob Dylan co-wrote with The Band’s Rick Danko. Continue reading ‘Serena Ryder’
Share
2007 Juno and Gemini Award nominated singer-songwriter Kellylee Evans is a unique voice in the urban-jazz world, and many of today’s top musicians have taken notice. With a smooth style that slides through jazz, soul, R & B, blues and world music rhythms, Kellylee’s calming sound speaks volumes; Rich, soothing, robust and energizing, and with a songwriting talent being compared to Elvis Costello, Aimee Mann and Ron Sexsmith, this eclectic artist ignites inspiration. Continue reading ‘Kellylee Evans in profile: Fight or Flight?’
Share
Once a not-so-well-kept secret in their hometown of Winnipeg, M
anitoba - where they acted as house band for visiting blues legends Hubert Sumlin, Louisiana Red, Paul “Wine” Jones and others - The Perpetrators kicked things up a notch in 2006. A European tour capped off a Juno nomination and a win at the Western Canadian Music Awards. 2007 saw the band continue to expand and grow with the release their third album, Tow Truck - an uncompromising expression of their varied musical influences that never loses sight of their blues roots - followed by the recording of a soon-to-be-released live album and a very successful second European tour which including the recording of live radio specials in Germany and Belgium.
“Blues for people who hate blues,” they distill rock ‘n’ roll, punk and country into their heady house-rockin’ punch. Give them a stage, any stage and they’ll put on the best show they can for whoever’s there. Each one is a seasoned pro on their instrument of choice but, never afraid to take chances, the boys are fond of switching it up in an on-stage game of musical chairs. To quote a much used and abused cliche, The Perpetrators have to be seen to be believed.
Buy their albums!
Now… go see them!
28 Mar 2008 21:00 The Bristol Place London, ON
29 Mar 2008 20:00 The Horseshoe Tavern Support for Luke Doucet’s CD Release Toronto, ON
30 Mar 2008 20:00 The Boathouse Kitchener, ON
4 Apr 2008 22:00 The Bristol Place London, ON
8 Apr 2008 22:00 Pepper Jack Cafe Hamilton, ON
10 Apr 2008 20:00 The Dakota Tavern Toronto, ON
11 Apr 2008 21:00 Loplops Sault Ste. Marie, ON
12 Apr 2008 21:00 The Apollo Thunder Bay, ON
18 Apr 2008 02:00 Ryerson Elementary School Winnipeg, MB
19 Apr 2008 22:00 Brunkild Bar & Grill Brunkild, MB
9 May 2008 20:00 Ozzy’s Winnipeg, MB
10 May 2008 20:00 Ozzy’s Winnipeg, MB
18 May 2008 20:00 Private Party Vancouver, BC
18 May 2008 20:00 Private Party Vancouver, BC
24 May 2008 22:00 Lydia’s Pub Saskatoon, SK
8 Aug 2008 20:00 Trout Forest Music Festival Earfalls, ON
9 Aug 2008 20:00 Trout Forest Music Festival Earfalls, ON
10 Aug 2008 20:00 Trout Forest Music Festival Earfalls, ON
Bambi Blue
Share
Imagine a cold winter night in Toronto, walking past a small jazz club, when you catch through the folds of your scarf the warm deep grooves of a jazz trio playing to an intimate crowd. Welcome to the scene a fresh new sound from singer/songwriter Elizabeth Shepherd.
There are times when something new comes along at once familiar and yet completely original. The album Start to Mo
ve from the Elizabeth Shepherd Trio is just that. But what’s more she has added her own unique blend of jazz-funk, soul, blues, and samba to the fundamentals of Jazz – improvising a deep driving bass from Scott Kemp, the swinging beat of the drum from Colin Kingsmore, and Elizabeth’s playful piano and captivating voice to tie it all together.
Playing in some of Toronto’s most popular spots, the Rex Hotel, the Supermarket, and the Distillery District, and has grace the stages from around the world including London UK’s Jazz Cafe twice within one year!. She has also appeared on numerous ‘Live in Ses
sion’ including Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide show on BBC Radio 1 UK, and Matt Galloway’s Here And Now show on CBC Radio One Toronto. As far as being a “jazz performer”, Elizabeth does not count herself as one to be defined by a particular genre; her music comes straight from the soul, and is more than just what she does, but what she loves.
The album, Start to Move is Elizabeth’s debut with Do Right Music.
Bambi Blue
Share
