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HEY
Bo Diddley
Guitar legend Bo Diddley (right) returns to Toronto for the first time in over a decade with his touring band, The Debbie Hastings Band and will be joined by an old pal, Paul James, as well as Bluz.fm's Danny Marks on Tuesday May 22 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre
BO DIDDLEY HOSTPITALIZED – MAY 22 SHOW CANCELLED The Bo Diddley concert featured on the cover or our May MapleBlues issue has been cancelled. From the promoter:
"I am really disapponted to have to bring you this news but the May 22 concert has to be cancelled. I just got a call from Bo's agent. Bo's diabetes is in a bad state - he lost a couple of toes a few years back. He was admitted to hospital yesterday due to complications from diabetes. All May shows have been cancelled by order of his doctors."
The warm weather is finally here, so get ready for a fun-filled summer of the blues. Blues festivals are starting to spring up everywhere, and there are no shortages of places to go or bands to see. This comprehensive guide to blues festivals is all you need to get out there and have a great blues-filled summer. If you know of any other Blues festivals within driving distance of Toronto please send the info to editor@torontobluessociety.com. Compiled and collected by Andrea Cranfield.
First off the mark is the Twisted Pines Music and Arts Festival May 18-21 in Penetanguishene/Midland, located in beautiful cottage country. Many world class artists are coming together to play including Fred Eaglesmith, Digging Roots, Ken Whiteley, Madagascar Slim, Downchild Blues Band, Ndidi Onukwulu, Dawn Tyler Watson, Treasa Levasseur, Al Lerman, Gary Kendall, Lance Anderson, Ken Whiteley and more.
There's a kids' stage featuring a ventriloquist, clowns, mimes, crafts, jugglers, sing-a-longs, slippery and slimy creatures, drama and musical acts. There is a restaurant and club tour on Friday, an art show at Penetanguishene's Quest Gallery and both a studio and self-guided tour of downtown Midland's famous murals. There are spoken word awards, a mini film festival, many local community and arts groups, and three stages will be pumping out music from noon until 1am.
The Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival (now in its 5th year) is growing in leaps and bounds largely due to great support from the community and smart programming from A.D. Larry Kurtz (who doubles as harmonica man in the 2007 Indie Award-winning blues band Trouble & Strife). It takes place June 1-3 with music in over 25 venues, most new for this year, and a brand new Workshop Tent. Mill Street will be closed to traffic and feature a free pancake breakfast, motorcycle show & shine and a stage with live blues on Saturday night supported by the Orangeville BIA. Also new this year is a Double Decker Bus touring the clubs on Friday & Saturday night with live blues on the bus!
Blues headliners this year include The African Guitar Summit with Adam Solomon, Donné Roberts and Mighty Popo, Jack de Keyzer, Fathead, Dawn Tyler Blues Project, Kevin Mark, Trouble & Strife, Bill King & The Real Divas with Shakura S'Aida. Some other familiar blues names include the Johnny Max Band, Alan Gerber, Danny Marks, Son Roberts Band, Smokewagon Blues Band, Sab & The Family Band, Chuck Jackson, Paul Deslauriers Band, Paul James Band, Jerome Godboo Band, Chris Whiteley & Diana Braithwaite, James Anthony, Lance Anderson, David Rotundo Band, Mo' Kauffey, Kevin Carley, Shawn Kellerman Band, Brian Blain, The Soulsetters, Erin McCallum & Roadtrip and more. www.orangevillebluesandjazz.ca
The Distillery Blues Festival takes place from June 15-17 in the historic Distillery District in Toronto. Performers include Darrell Nulisch's Texas Blues, Sugar Ray Norcia's Jump Blues, the Soul / Blues of Johnny Rawls, the Gospel Soul & Blues of Danny Brooks and an All-Star Jam led by Gary Kendall.
The Distillery District covers 13 acres in downtown Toronto and features more than 40 buildings including shops, restaurants, galleries and more. The festival is free and includes three stages of music as well as a spirits and food gardens. www.distilleryblues.com
The TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival (June 22-July 1 at Nathan Phillips Square and various other venues around town) always brings some big blues headliners to town and this year is no exception. Blues diva Mavis Staples appears on July 1 with the wonderful Rebirth Brass Band opening; The Derek Trucks Band plays on June 30 with opener Jackie Greene, a great new performer on the blues scene.
Clubs and stages around town will feature David "Fathead" Newman, The Hogtown Syncopaters, and many local favourites including Mike McKenna, Tony Springer, Chuck Jackson, Donné Roberts with Julian Fauth and James Thomson, The Michael O'Grady Blues Band, Laura Hubert, Rita di Ghent and The Nationals. Many blues-friendly jazzers are coming to town as well, such as B-3 powerhouse Tony Monaco, guitar slinger Mike Stern, Medeski, Martin & Wood with John Scofield and even Don Byron playing the music of Junior Walker.
Of special interest to Toronto Blues Society members will be the finals of the TBS Talent Search finals on Thursday, June 28 at 3pm and performances at the Greektown Stage (Danforth & Logan) by Women's Blues Revue star Margaret Stowe and Colorblind Brian and the New Blainettes fronted by MapleBlues editor Brian Blain. In addition, there will be a special pre-festival kick-off concert at the Phoenix on June 20 with one of the hottest acts on the blues scene today, James Hunter. More info at www.torontojazz.com
It's a bit of a trek, but any serious blues fan has to attend The
Chicago Blues Festival at least once. Maple Blues
CD-reviewer John Valenteyn says "I've only missed three of these and this is #24! I'm looking forward to Grammy-winner
Irma Thomas, Koko Taylor, Willie Clayton and Bobby Rush, the so-far announced highlights. There's a Festival kick off
at Buddy Guy's Legends club the night before. Remember, the Festival is free" ...And it is the biggest blues festival in
North America. The festival takes place from June 7-10 in Chicago's Lakefront Grant Park. There are six stages and the
music plays from 11am until 9:30pm daily. Performers include Bobby Slim James with Joanne Graham, Phil Guy and
the Chicago Machine, 7/11 Route 66 Road House, John Primer, Jimmy Duck Holmes, Willis Prudhomme and
Zydeco Express, Bob Hall, Barrelhouse Chuck, and introducing Muddy Waters Junior, Koko Taylor and the Blues Machine,
Willie Clayton, Vernon and Joe Harrington, Terry "T" Williams/Wesley Jefferson, Carl Weathersby,
Mighty Joe Young
Jr. featuring Chontella Renee, Big Jay McNeely with Jesse Scinto, Irma Thomas and the Professionals, Magic Slim and the
Tear Drops, Cephas and Wiggins, Bobby Rush, David Honeyboy Edwards, Lil' Howlin' Wolf, Katherine Davis
Blues Ensemble, Maurice John Vaughn Blues Band and Bobby Rush to name a few.
What better way to kick off the festival season than a performance from Canada's national blues band, Downchild? They can be found on the main stage at the Twisted Pines Music and Arts Festival, The Thunder Bay Blues Festival and back at the end of the summer at the Southside Shuffle (see Festival Round-Up for details)
HERE COME THE FESTIVALS!
May 18-21, 2007
Twisted Pines Music and Arts Festival, Penetanguishene-Midland
North Simcoe Sports & Recreation Centre, 527 Len Self Boulevard, Midland, Ont.
twistedpinesmusic@gmail.com
Weekend Pass $65, Day Pass $35, Weekend Youth Pass $30, Day Youth Pass $23. Advance Tickets Available @ 705-526-4770. TBS members save $20 on week-end pass when you purchase online at www.twistedpines.com (use the discount code "0407tbs") Downchild Blues Band, Madagascar Slim & Ndidi Onukwulu, Ken Whiteley's Gospel Review, "Colorblind" Brian & The New Blainettes, Anderson Sloski, Wayne Buttery and The Groove Project, Fathead, Ndidi Onukwulu, Porkbelly Futures, Digging Roots, Hey Stella!, Treasa Lavasseur, and much, much more
May 19-21
Barrie Waterfront Festival, Barrie Ontario
Philosopher Kings, Groove Corporation, The Cobra Kings
www.barriewaterfront.ca
May 19 1pm Groove Corporation
May 20 (2pm) Son Roberts Band
May 20 (4-6pm) The Johnny Max Band
May 19-20
Blues Brews & Barbeque Festival
Blue Mountain Resort, Collingwood Ontario
Trouble & Strife play at 3:00 PM Sunday
May 26
Brampton Rotary Rib'n'Roll
Gage Park, Brampton
May 26 (2pm) The Johnny Max Band
June 1-3
Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival, Orangeville Ontario
African Guitar Summit with Adam Solomon, Donné Roberts and Mighty Popo, Jack de Keyzer, Fathead, Dawn
Tyler Blues Project, Kevin Mark, Trouble & Strife, Bill King & The Real Divas with Shakura S'Aida and much more
www.orangevillebluesandjazz.ca
June 1 Paul James Band
June 2 Trouble & Strife
June 2nd The Smoke Wagon Blues Band
June 2 Large Tent Paul James guitar workshop
June 3 (5:30) FATHEAD
Trouble & Strife and The Johnny Max Band plays the Opening Night Gala May 31 at the Best Western
June 2
Concession Street Festival, Hamilton
June 2, 6:30 Groove Corporation
June 2, 8:00 Jack de Keyzer
June 7-18
Barrie Jazz and Blues Festival, Barrie Ontario
www.barriejazzbluesfest.com
June 15-17
Distillery Blues Festival, Distillery District, Toronto
Treasa Levasseur, David Rotundo, Shakura S'Aida, Lil' Dave Thompson, Johnny Rawls, Sugar Ray & The
Bluetones, Danny Brooks & The Memphis Brothers, The Darrell Nulisch Blues Band, Hot Tamales, Erin McCallum & Roadtrip,
John Findlay, Howard Ross & The Full Count Blues Band, Johnny Max Band, Julian Fauth, Shawn Kellerman, The
Gary Kendall Band
www.distilleryblues.com
June 17 (12:30-1:30pm) Danny Brooks & The Memphis Bros
June 22-July 2
Toronto Jazz Festival, Toronto Ontario
Mavis Staples, Rebirth Brass Band, The Derek Trucks Band, Jackie Greene, James Hunter, much more
www.torontojazz.com
July 5-15
Cisco Systems Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa Ontario
George Clinton & The P-Funk All Stars, Moe, Steve Miller Band, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, The
White Stripes, Sharon Jones & The Daptones, Xavier Rudd, Femi Kuti, Buddy Guy and much much more
www.ottawa-bluesfest.ca
July 6 - 8
Porquis Blues Festival, Iroquois Falls Ontario
Ontario's longest consistent running blues fest (now in its 10th year) features Jen Plummer. Soul Doubt, Bob Wills
and The Groove, Little Lisa Gibson, Jack de Keyzer. Garrett Mason, Fathead , Sab and The Family Band, The Shaftmen,
Hurtin Blues Band, Bob Wills and The Groove. Sunday morning "coming down" Jam hosted By Sab
himself.
www.iroquoisfalls.com/interest_items/annual_events/porquis_blues
July 6-8
Northern Lights Festival Boreal, Sudbury Ontario
www.nlfbsudbury.com
July 7-9
Mansion House Blues Festival, Sutton Ontario
July 12-15
Bluesfest International Windsor, Windsor Ontario
www.thebluesfest.ca
July 13-15
Bluesfest International London, London Ontario
www.thebluesfest.ca
July 13-15
Markham Ribfest & Music Festival, Markham Ontario
Gord Bamford, Kim Mitchell, Jack de Keyzer, JW-Jones Blues Band, Mark Bird Stafford, The Tone Dogs, Steelback 2-4, The
Mississippi Hippies, Danny Marks, Chuck Jackson & The All Stars, Donna Lynn Kay
www.markhamribfest.com
July 15
The Savannah Festival of Rhythm, Brampton Ontario
July 16-18
Heritage River Music Festival, Burk's Falls Ontario
www.mmage.com/almaguinmusicfestival/performers.htm
July 20-22
Partigras, Toronto Ontario
Elmer Ferrer Band, Groove Corporation, RJ's Rhythm Rockers, Dr. Draw, Mississippi Hippies, Deanna Bogart, Rick Fines & Suzie
Vinnick, Tom Wilson, Mojo Grande, Toronto All-Star big Band.
www.torontopartigras.com
July 20-22
Home County Folk Festival, London Ontario
A blues-friendly (free) folk festival with Blackie and The Rodeo Kings, Andrea Koziol, Treasa Levasseur, Mitch Lewis, Manitoba Hal,
Jowi Taylor and the Six String Nation Guitar and blues legend Jackie Washington
www.homecounty.ca
July 20-22
Burlington Jazz and Blues Festival, Burlington Ontario
www.burlingtonjazzbluesfestival.com
July 20-29
Beaches International Jazz Festival, Toronto Ontario
Always a great blues band on the main stage and great local blues bands on the street. This year, it's Carl Weathersby, Sugar Ray &
The BlueTones, Darrell Nulisch, David Rotundo, Groove Corporation, Johnny Rawls, Lil' Dave Thompson, Danny Brooks & The
Memphis Brothers, Shakura S'Aida, Treasa Levasseur, Shawn Kellerman, Julian Fauth, John Findlay, Erin McCallum & Roadtrip, Johnny Max,
Gary Kendall Band, Hot Tamales, Full Count Blues Band and many more
www.beachesjazz.com
July 28
The Second Annual West Coast Blues
Festival, Goderich Ontario
Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang, the Paul James Band, Da Blooze Brothers Show, Suzie Vinnick, Tim Woodcock and the All Stars,
Robbie Antoine and Bret Tingley, Alex Tintelli Band
August 6-11
Oshawa Jazz and Blues Festival, Oshawa Ontario
www.oshawajazzandbluesfestival.com
August 10-12
Kitchener Blues Festival, Kitchener Ontario
www.kitchenerbluesfestival.com
August 10-12
Festival of Beer, Toronto Ontario
www.beerfestival.ca
August 16-19
Prince Edward County Jazz Festival, Picton Ontario
www.pec.on.ca/jazzfest/07/index.php
Niagara Jazz Festival
August 18 & 19 2007
Henley Island, Port Dalhousie, St. Catharines
Odyssey Blues Band, Ndidi Onukwulu
www.niagarajazzfest.com
August 19
Reds Whites And Blues Festival, Sparta Ontario
Jack de Keyzer Band, Curly Bridges, Maria Auregema Band, Da Blooze Brothers Show
www.quaiduvin.com
August 24-27
Limestone City Blues Festival, Kingston Ontario
Check website for lineup
www.kingstonblues.com
August 24-26
Wasaga Beach Bluesfest, Wasaga Beach Ontario
Adrien Breda, Jack de Keyzer, Toronto All-Star Big Band, Diana Braithwaite, Dr. Draw, Curley Bridges, Groove Corporation, Project
Phoenix, Truths and Rights, Rob Christian, Zeshead, Sambacana, David Rotundo, Blackboard Blues Band
www.wasagabeachfest.com
September 1
Coal Flats Blues Festival, Port Burwell Ontario
www.coalflatsblues.com
September 1-2
Burlington Ribfest, Burlington
Groove Corporation and more
September 8-10
Blues in the Park, Niagara Falls Ontario
www.bluesinthepark.com
September 7-9
Southside Shuffle, Mississauga Ontario
Buddy Guy, Downchild Blues Band, Detroit Women, Lighthouse, Powder Blues Band
www.southsideshuffle.com
October 19-21
Canal Bank Shuffle, Thorold Ontario
www.canalbankshuffle.com
November 4
Blues on the East Side Festival, Kitchener Ontario
www.bluesontheeastside.com
November-June 2007
Blues on the Rideau Concert Series, Perth Ontario
www.bluesontherideau.ca
Far away but worth the trip...
June 7-10
Chicago Blues Festival, Grant Park, Chicago
www.chicagobluesfestival.org
June 28-July 8
Festival International de Jazz de
Montreal, Montreal Quebec
www.montrealjazzfest.com
June 30-August 25
Outdoor Concert Series at City Hall, Welland
www.niagarabluesandjazz.com
July 6-8
Thunder Bay Blues Festival, Marina Park downtown Thunder Bay
Friday: Janiva Magness, Colin Linden, Chris Duarte, Downchild Blues Band
Saturday: Slap Johnson and the Trowelers, Carruthers Brothers, Roxanne Potvin, Michael Kaeshammer, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Debbie Davies Band, Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, Colin James
Sunday: Doctor Buck and the Blues Bangers, Bourbon Haze, Big Walter Smith and the Groove Merchants, Smokin Joe Kubec/B'nois King, Kyle Riabko, Sue Foley, David Gogo, Jeff Healey Blues Band www.tbayblues.ca
July 6-15
Festival International du Blues de
Tremblant, Mont-Tremblant, Quebec
www.tremblant.ca/blues
July 21-22
New York State Blues Fest, Syracuse New York
Sean Carney, Blues Guitar Women, Alexis P. Suter, Tommy Castro, Walter Trout, Mighty Lester, James Hunter, Buddy Guy
www.nysbluesfest.com
August 1-5
Maximum Blues International, Carleton-Saint-Omer, Quebec
www.maximumblues.net
August 9-12
FestiBlues International, Montreal Quebec
www.festiblues.com
August 9-12
Great Woods Music Festival, Great Woods Park, Beausejour Manitoba, Canada
www.greatwoodspark.com
August 9-12
Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Suzie Vinnick and Rick Fines, Old Man Luedecke, Willie Dunn, Faith Nolan
www.folkharbour.com
August 11
The Cowpie Blues Festival, Caledonia Michigan, US
C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisana Band, Motorcity Josh, The Detroit Women with
The Motorcity Express, The Joanna Connor Band, Blue Lunch, The Jimmie Stagger Band, Those
Delta Rhythm Kings
www.cowpiebluesfestival.com
August 24 -26
Donnacona Blues Festival, Donnacona, Quebec
www.myspace.com/donnaconaaurythmedublues
September 11-16
Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, Fredericton New Brunswick
www.harvestjazzandblues.com
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