Solomon Burke (left), The King of Rock N' Soul makes his long-awaited Toronto appearance on Saturday, July 8 at Massey Hall
It's not exactly a festival, but once again a star-studded faculty of guitar masters gather at beautiful Appleby College in Oakville for the Guitar Workshop Plus.. There are two sessions in Oakville, July 16-21 and July 23-28. In addition to Duke Robillard, pictured at left, they are bringing in other great artists like Canadian guitar heroes Alex Lifeson (Rush) and Rik Emmett, blues greats Robben Ford, legendary bassist Billy Sheehan (David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Steve Vai) and the ever versatile John Jorgenson (Hellecasters, Elton John, Solo). For more information on the Guitar Workshop Plus program, contact: (905) 897-8397.
Welcome to the 2006 edition of the most comprehensive listing of blues festivals and blues friendly events around. Whether it is the New Orleans themed Partigras at the Distillery, a great jazz festival with a ton of blues content, or a down-home rocking blues bash like the Orillia jazz and blues festival, there is something for everyone.
This summer is going to be jam packed with awesome music and amazing atmosphere at the different festivals in and around the GTA. Some of the most popular and well attended festivals are just outside of the GTA, such as the Southside Shuffle in Mississauga, the growing Oshawa jazz and blues festival, it will be worthwhile for you and your family to take the trip.
There is also something for every budget as most of the festivals are free, or have free events alongside ticketed concerts. Tickets are generally well priced, with package deals and weekend passes available. In addition to the music we all hold so dear, there are a plethora of children's concerts, play areas for the kids, barbeques, artisans, and workshops! Rumor also has it that Mr. Lahey, Randy and J-Roc from the hit television series `Trailer Park Boys' will be on hand at Bluesfest International Windsor, and London.
Over the next few months, I will be telling you everything you need to know about the festival line up for the summer and early fall. If you have a festival and you want your listing here, please email me at smalltimesarah@rogers.com.
June 23-July 2 Toronto Jazz Festival, Toronto Ontario
Etta James, Paul James, Mel Brown & The Homewreckers, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Molly Johnson, Brian Blain, Maceo Parker, and two Harbourfront shows with The Neville Brothers and Roxanne Potvin, and The Maple Blues Revue featuring Chuck Jackson, Dawn Tyler Watson, and John Mays. (TBS members will receive $5 off
the ticket price at the door for these two Harbourfront shows). Danny Marks will be hosting an after-hours blues jam at the Pilot for the first three nights of the festival.
www.torontojazz.com.
Outdoor Concert series at City Hall, Welland Ontario
*Every Saturday beginning July 1 - Aug 26*
Swing Rosie, Diggin' Roots, Paul Reddick w/ Teddy Leonard, Dawn Tyler Watson w/ Paul Deslauriers, Ndidi Onukwulu w/ Madagascar Slim, Carlos Del Junco, All Star Tribute to Ray Charles and others.
www.niagarabluesandjazz.com.
July 7- 9 Mansion House Blues Festival, Sutton Ontario
Fathead, Harmonica Knights hosted by Mark bird Stafford with David Rotundo, Jack de Keyzer and The Georgina Jazz Trio.
July 7-9 Markham Ribfest & Music
Festival, Markham Ontario
JW-Jones Blues Band, Mark Bird Stafford, The Mississippi Hippies, Danny Marks, Jack de Keyzer, Chuck Jackson & The Allstars. Kim Mitchell,
www.markhamribfest.com .
July 7 - 9 Porquis Blues Festival, Porquis Junction Ontario
Carlos del Junco, Garrett Mason, The Detroit Women, Hurtin' Blues Band & Maureen Brown, Sab, Sunday Morning Coming Down Jam (Featuring Sab and Friends)
http://www.iroquoisfalls.com/interest_items/annual_events/porquis_blues/
.
July 7-9 Thunder Bay Blues Festival, Thunder Bay Ontario
Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials, Tinsley Ellis, Big Walter Smith & the Groove Merchants, Detroit Women, David Clayton-Thomas, Robin Trower, Pat Travers, and more.
www.tbayblues.ca.
July 7-16 Cisco Systems Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa Ontario
Walter Trout; Sherman Robertson, Keb' Mo'; Bonnie Raitt; (and that's just the first Saturday on one of four stages) Etta James; Chris Smither; John Lee Hooker Jr.; Kentucky Headhunters (also on the Main Stage) Solomon Burke as well as Dickey Betts & Great Southern. New this year is the "Blues 'til Dusk Stage" stage featuring: Power Hour; Otis Taylor; Thornetta
Davis; The Texas Horns; Malted Milk; Wayne Baker Brooks; Mem Shannon; Slick; Eddie Turner; Chris Duarte Group; L'il Malcolm; Terrance Simien; Blues Berry Jam; Curly Bridges/Mel Brown; Julian Fauth; Finis Tasby; Roxanne Genest; Elvin Bishop; Ronnie Baker Brooks; Chicago Blues Reunion, among others.
www.ottawa-bluesfest.ca
July 13-16 Bluesfest International
Windsor, Windsor Ontario
Little Feat, Danny Brooks, The Yardbirds, Shawn Kellerman, Tinsley Ellis and others. www.thebluesfest.com
July 14-16 Bluesfest International
London, London Ontario
Little Feat, Danny Brooks, The Yardbirds, Shawn Kellerman, Tinsley Ellis and others. www.thebluesfest.com
July 15 The Savannah Festival of Rhythm, Chingacousy Park, Brampton, Ontario
Mississippi Hippies, John Finley & Checkmates, Loco Zydeco, ArtiCulos viente, George Oliver, Mae Cromwell.
July 21-23 PartiGras, Distillery District, Toronto Ontario
Fathead, David Rotundo, Dr. Draw, Finis Tasby, Shakura S'Aida, Neil Chapman, Angela Scappatura, Rusty Zinn, Treasa Levasseur, Amanda Martinez, Swing Rosie, Ray Charles Tribute (featuring Lance Anderson, John Mays, Shakura S'Aida , Bill King Al Lerman, Michael Sloski), Toronto All Star Big Band and more.
www.torontopartigras.com
July 21-23 Home County Folk Festival, London Ontario
Jackie Washington, Ken & Chris Whitley, Brian Blain, Swamperella, The Marigolds, Lori Cullen, Roxanne Potvin, Harry Manx will be closing the Saturday Night concert.
www.homecounty.ca
July 21-23 Burlington Jazz and Blues Festival, Burlington Ontario
July 21-30 Beaches International Jazz
Festival, Toronto Ontario
Darrell Nulisch, Lou Pride; Janiva Magness, Jake Langley, Real Divas, Paul James, Margaret Stowe, David Rotundo, Blue Room, Gary Kendall Band, Paul James Band, Mike McKenna, Trouble and Strife, Johnny Max, The Royal Crowns, and more.
www.beachesjazz.com
July 29 5th Annual Concert for Peace, Mel Lastman Square. a free family day of blues and roots artists, running continuously from Noon till 10:00 PM. Confirmed artists include Jack deKeyzer, Danny Marks, Michael White and Animal House and fingerpickin' fest organizer Brian Gladstone www.abetterworld.ca
August
August 11- 13 Lakeshore Mardi Gras, Mimico Ontario
Downchild Blues Band, Loco Zydeco, Elyssa Mahoney, Remembering New Orleans, The Johnny Max Band, Big Stuff featuring Chuck Jackson
August 7-13 Oshawa Jazz and Blues
Festival, Oshawa Ontario
Downchild Blues Band, Colin Linden, Carlos del Junco, Jack de Keyzer, David Rotundo, Aaron Griggs, Johnny Max, and The Bottle Devils, Jazz Divas Showcase (featuring Heather Bambrick and special guests Liberty Silver, June Garber, Melissa Stylianou, and Eliana Cuevos) and more TBA
www.oshawajazzandbluesfestival.com
August 10 -13 FestiBlues International, Montreal Quebec
Robert Charlebois, Bob Walsh, a big band tribute to BB King, Tony D, and others.
www.festiblues.com
August 11-13 Blues, Brews & BBQs, Kitchener, Ontario
Bobby Rush, Watermelon Slim & The Workers, Nathanial Mayer, Morgan Davis, Mel Brown, Julian Fauth, Cheryl Lescomb, and more.
www.bluesbrewsandbbqs.ca
August 24-27 Limestone City Blues
Festival, Kingston Ontario
Coco Montoya, Bobby Rush, Suzie McNeil, Janiva Magness, Garrett Mason,
www.kingstonblues.com
August 25-27 Wasaga Beach Bluesfest, Wasaga Beach Ontario
Jack de Keyzer, Curley Bridges, Diana Braithwaite, David Rotundo, Groove
Corporation, Dr. Draw. www.wasagabeachfest.com
September
Sept 2 Coal Flats Blues Festival, Port Burwell Ontario www.coalflatsblues.com
Sept 8-9 Blues In The Park, Niagara Falls Ontario
Garrett Mason, Roxanne Potvin, Roomful of Blues.
www.bluesinthepark.com
Sept 8-10 Southside Shuffle, Mississauga Ontario
David Clayton-Thomas, Roomful of Blues, Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards, Downchild Blues Band, Wickens-Knight, Detroit Women with Motor City Express and the legendary street shuffle.
www.southsideshuffle.com
Sept 15-17 Happy Hog Weekend, Tottenham
Trouble & Strife, Johnny Max, James Anthony, Jake Thomas
www.happyhogroadhouse.com
Oct 19 - 21 Canal Bank Shuffle, Thorold Ontario
TBA www.canalbankshuffle.com
As if we were not going to be busy enough with all the fabulous festivals closer to home, here are more notable festivals to consider attending.
June 29 - July 9 Festival International De Jazz De Montréal. Just Announced: Garrett Mason with special guest Dutch Mason opening for B.B. King's 80th Birthday Event. Free outdoor lineup features James Hunter, Dawn Tyler Blues Project with Special Guest Zora Young, Guitar Explosion Featuring Paul Deslauriers, Trevor Finlay & Jean-sébastien Chouinard, John Campbelljohn, Bat Taylor, Mike Goudreau, David Rotundo, Ricky Paquette, Mississippi Heat, Alan Gerber, Pat The White, Downchild Blues Band and many more. www.montrealjazzfest.com/fijm2006/accueil_en.asp
July 7 - 16 Festival International Du Blues De Tremblant, Mont Tremblant Quebec
Featuring: Santana's Greg Rolie, Colin James, James Cotton, Sharrie Williams, Joe Louis Walker, Wayne Baker Brooks, Jeff Healey Blues Band, Monster Mike Welch, John Lee Hooker Jr., Chris Duarte, Curley Bridges, Fruteland Jackson, Vasti Jackson, Bob Walsh, Guitar Explosion Featuring Paul Deslauriers, Trevor Finlay & Jean-sébastien Chouinard with Special Guests, Rob Lutes, Kevin Mark, Mike Goudreau, Ricky Paquette, Bharath & the Catfish, Glamour Puss, Jason Ricci, Blues Approved with Pete Schmidt & Shane Scott, Downchild Blues Band and many more. www.tremblant.ca/blues/index.htm
July 6-8 Kalamazoo Blues Festival, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Tab Benoit, Kenny Neal, and others. www.kvba.org
July 7-8 Briggs Farm Blues Festival, Nescopeck, Pennsylvania
www.briggsfarm.com
July 14-22 Atlantic Jazz Festival
Halifax, Nova Scotia
www.jazzeast.com
July 15 Bucks County Blues Society R & B
Picnic, Morrisville, Pennsylvania
www.bucksbluessociety.com
July 21-23 New York State Blues Fest, Syracuse New York www.nysbluesfest.com
August 2 -10 Maximum Blues International, Carleton-Saint-Omer Quebec
Tony D Band, Eddie Shaw and the Wolfgang, Sue Foley, Riot & his Rhythm Devils, Erin McCallum & Roadtrip, Eddie Taylor Jr., Diana Braithwaite, Johnny Max Band, and others.
www.maximumblues.net
Sept 12-17 Harvest Jazz and Blues
Festival, Fredericton New Brunswick
Rick Fines, Suzie Vinnick, Morgan Davis, Grady, Delbert McClinton, Hot Toddy, Ann Rabson, North Mississippi All-stars, Roomful of Blues, Sista Monica, Harrison Kennedy, God Made me Funky, Gordie Johnson and Kelly Hoppe, JP Leblanc, Pocket Dwellers and much more.
www.harvestjazzandblues.com
- Sarah French