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Six new blues voices!
Toronto Blues Society announces Talent Search finalists.
WHAT: Blues Talent Search Competition
WHO: Carrey Worrod, Douglas Watson R&B Revue, Smoke Wagon Blues Band, Son
Roberts Band, Tracy K, and Up The Line
WHERE: TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival, Nathan Phillips Square, Primus Stage
WHEN: Thursday June 28, 3-6PM
The Toronto Blues Society is pleased to announce the six finalists in the
2007 Talent Search. Each will perform a set for a panel of distinguished
industry judges on Thursday June 28th at the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival.
The winning act will win a performance at the South Side Shuffle in
September. In addition, the winners receive a professional development
package including a live CBC Radio recording courtesy of Saturday Night
Blues, studio time at Euphonic Sound, and a photo shoot with Rick Zolkower.
Previous winners of the Toronto Blues Society Talent Search include The
Rockin' Highliners, Jake & the Blue Midnights, David Rotundo & the Blue
Canadians, Wickens-Knight, and The Undesirables.
The TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival runs June 22nd-July 1st.
The finalists are:
Carey Worrod and Memphis Mudd
21 year old Barrie resident Carey Worrod has been playing blues since the
age of 10. His original songs are heavily influenced from the deep south and
his acoustic side of performing. However, Carey loves to perform with his
band Memphis Mudd in a very high energy Rockin Blues show which they perform
on a regular basis in the Barrie area. Carey as a guitar player is
influenced by slide masters like Elmore James to the electric blues of Buddy
Guy. Carey is hoping his performance will move his band into the Toronto
Blues scene.
Douglas Watson's R&B Revue
Raised in Chicago Illinois, Douglas Watson was born to sing R&B, Soul,
Gospel, Funk, Motown and Blues. Douglas has been noted for his "full-throated vocal style...that is matched by few". His full range and style have brought him much acclaim from some of the most respected R&B vocalists in the industry and he is considered to be is one of the finest R&B vocalists and frontmen on the Canadian Scene.
Smoke Wagon Blues Band
In the tradition of great Canadian Blues Icons such as McKenna Mendelson
Main Line, King Biscuit Boy, and The Downchild Blues Band; Burlington's
Smoke Wagon Blues Band are living proof that the Blues are alive and well in
Ontario Canada. Three Blues indie albums under their belts and regular
gigging across the province of Ontario and even as far as Newfoundland and
the Yukon have seasoned and originated this band's sound. Due to their raw,
honest, never over produced dirty whiskey stained sound the band has earned
international radio play and a fantastic local fan base.
Son Roberts Band
The Son Roberts Band is a Toronto-based five-piece group that presents a
fresh new energy and a current sense of storytelling in our blues-infused
grooves. Something distinct and original is emerging in the Canadian "roots"
music scene. Many artists are capturing the currency of this setting. It's
not Chicago or New Orleans or the Delta. They are proud to add their voice
to the growing legion of eclectic, original and distinctly Canadian players.
Tracy K
Tracy K, singer and songwriter since childhood, started playing harmonica in
1982. After years of playing, her sound and passionate style developed to
capture the ears of thousands of blues enthusiasts, both live and on her
recordings. She can be experienced in two formats: with her electric "Right
Hand Band" commended for their outstanding lively presentation of rockin'
blues originals and covers, or in the blues duo “Mojomama & Snakeman", a
cabaret style concert featuring the acclaimed vocals and harmonica of Tracy
K, and the slide, dobro, and fingerstyle of Jamie "Snakeman" Steinhoff.
Up the Line
This dynamic acoustic duo of Robert Davis and Reeves Miller skillfully play
the many shades of blues. With their versatility and a sound much bigger
than you would expect from a two-man format, these veteran musicians cover a
spectrum from country to Chicago blues, and big band to jazzy blues.
Multi-instrumentalists and vocalists, they both play the guitar but usually
Reeves forms the rhythm section on bass and kick snare drum simultaneously!
Robert is a fine harmonica player who switches to rack style harmonica when
he plays guitar.
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For more information, photos, interviews, please contact:
Stefan Read, Toronto Blues Society
(416) 538-3885, info@torontobluessociety.com
Anna Tom, Publicist, TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival
publicity@tojazz.com