Performers - scroll down for full line-up and venue artists...
2009 Headliners
Fathead…
It's been a long but steady climb since FATHEAD's debut CD in 1995, and the band has been tearing it up on the North American festival circuit ever since - winning over new fans every time they play - making FATHEAD one of the country's top roots acts. Signed to the world renowned ELECTRO-FI RECORDS' imprint, their latest release "BUILDING FULL OF BLUES" garnered them a second coveted JUNO AWARD (Canada's "GRAMMY") in 2008 for "Blues Recording Of The Year".
That they have been described as a Blues Tour De Force comes as no surprise. Georgia-raised lead singer JOHN MAYS has had a storied career that began in the Southern gospel tradition, crossing over into Doo-Wop, R&B and Blues, not to mention a stint with the Godfather Of Soul JAMES BROWN. Hooking up with band leader AL LERMAN (harp and saxophone) in Toronto some years later, FATHEAD's core has remained constant since 1992, offering ace musicianship, soul stirring harmonies and incendiary live performances. The writing tandem of Lerman and bassist OMAR TUNNOCH have produced a large body of work that has enjoyed time on the US, European and Canadian music charts. Guitarist DARRAN POOLE and iconic drummer BUCKY BERGER round out FATHEAD's sound, infusing elements of funk, soul, and R&B into their strong blues backbone. |
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Rita Chiarelli ...
“Rita Chiarelli… a voice that can growl at her demons or soar with the angels, a gift for lyric, an ear for melody and the heart to combine them.” She is an accomplished singersongwriter, a gifted vocalist and a skilled musician. Add to that a warm persona and a fine sense
of humour and you have all the ingredients for an outstanding performer. Rita Chiarelli’s style defies definition. At first listen it’s her voice – that three octave range - that garners all the attention! But Rita’s songwriting is also outstanding; three of her four JUNO nominations have been for albums consisting largely of original material. An accomplished entertainer , Chiarelli has been performing since the age of fifteen. As Ronnie Hawkins (with whom she toured in the early days) noted… “once in a lifetime you hear a voice so blue it makes the angels weep.. that voice is Rita Chiarelli”. Beyond the blues arena, Chiarelli creates her own unique sound that is a blend of musical influences.
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Monkey Junk ...
MonkeyJunk is a band that draws heavily on the legends of the blues and translates that influence into a contemporary blend of swamp R&B, soul boogie and bedroom funk. This triple threat trio comprised of Steve Marriner, Tony D and Matt Sobb draws on over 56 years of combined experience playing blues live and in studio . . . and it shows. In the fall of 2008, MonkeyJunk was nominated for a Maple Blues Award for best new artist - a rare feat only having been in exsistence for 6 months and not having released a record yet . . . |
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Anderson / Sloski ...
Lance Anderson is a practitioner of the almost lost art of playing bass using both feet on the Hammond organ foot pedals. His feet literally dance through this solid collection of Soul and Blues standards. All eight limbs are employed by the duo, who sing as well.You will not believe your ears — that two people made all this music. Michael Sloski is Canada's pre-eminent roots drummer and has a groove that is totally unique. He has played with Bruce Cockburn, The Cameo Blues Band, Mary Margaret O'Hara and on countless pop, rock and blues recording sessions. Lance Anderson is a well known producer (Leahy, The Oscar Peterson Multimedia CD ROM and Make It Real Records). He was nominated as keyboard player of the year at the 2002 Maple Blues awards for his solo piano release Shorthanded.
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Tracy K ...
Tracy K possesses the charisma, talent, stage presence and versatility instinctive of great performers. Whether it's blues, swing, jazz, roots or folk, vintage or contemporary, lead or harmony vocals or harmonica for a wide variety of projects, Tracy K has earned her valued reputation as a respected musician. It's her amazing voice that first captivates - a hallmark ranging from raspy Janis Joplin to buttery Karen Carpenter, if you can imagine that! Fans have experienced Tracy K fronting her own projects, singing harmonies with other artists, and as a featured vocalist at special events over the years. She keeps busy on a wide variety of musical projects locally, and likes to tour as a four piece band or acoustic duo. Her music has taken her from Canada to the Caribbean as a stand-alone attraction and on playbills with other greats. Well known on the Canadian Blues scene, Tracy K’s talents have earned multiple awards and she is notably Canada's first female to be named 'Harmonica Player of the Year'.
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Suzie Vinnick ...
Suzie Vinnick is different. Like so many others, she doesn’t perform because she wants to. She performs because she’s driven to. And, as anyone who’s followed her career knows – she never merely attracts your attention. She captures it – and holds it prisoner.
Possessed of a distinctively alluring voice – once described as being "spun of gold " – she has the power and grace to project it through finely-crafted (and increasingly self-penned) songs that make you sit up and wish you knew her better. Her lust for constructive collaboration and her instrumental dexterity has rendered her irreplaceable to countless musicians, providing her with musical hearth and home in any configuration in which she chooses to play.
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Jack de Keyzer ...
Blues, jazz, funky r&b and swing are all part of the palette that colour Jack de Keyzer’s musical portraits. The much acclaimed guitarist, singer and song writer has worked with artists as varied as King Biscuit Boy, Etta James, Blue Rodeo, Robert Gordon, Otis Rush and the Bop Cats. His guitar playing has been featured on hundreds of recordings. As a song writer he has been covered by Prairie Oyster on their hit album Everyone Knows , and as a singer he once sang a duet with kd lang. (Alright... it was a Budweiser commercial...) As an entertainer he has worked his magic to an ecstatic audience of 25,000 at the Montreal Jazz Festival and an equally ecstatic audience of 250 at Hugh’s Room in Toronto, where his latest Silver Blues CD and DVD were recorded. He performs internationally over 150 shows per year, most recently at Blues Sur Seine in France. 8X Maple Blues and 2003 Juno Award winning artist Jack de Keyzer is a masterful, jazz infused electric blues guitarist, soulful singer and eclectic song writer of the first order. His new CD, 'Blues Thing' will be released this summer 2007.
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John Finley...
“Let Me Serenade You”, John Finley sings and writes. His extraordinary soulful style has been an inspiration to many.
At 17, he was working his first professional engagements, performing the music of his favorite blues and R&B artists while discovering the music of jazz & gospel greats such as Monk, Davis, Coltrane, Mahalia, the Mighty Clouds of Joy and the Staples Singers.
By 20, John had become a potent soul singer, pouring out his searing personal pains and joys with the gospel fervor of his musical mentors. This caught the eye of Elektra Records hit producer, Paul Rothchild. Paul wanted John for an idea that would become the hit recording group, Rhinoceros. This provided John with the wider North American audience. Working with other great young artists helped encourage his innate songwriting talent while affording him the opportunity to meet and work with many accomplished gospel, soul, rock and blues acts.
In the 70’s, John settled in Los Angeles; he currently splits his time there with his native Toronto. He penned songs for Three Dog Night, Ben Vereen, Ivan Neville and Melissa Manchester and many others and has performed as a studio vocalist on projects with Andre Fischer (Rufus, Natalie Cole), Michael MacDonald, Donna Summers, Joe Sample (the Crusaders) and Alexander Hamilton & the Voices of Inspiration. John has also spent many years performing in the Southern California gospel music scene with greats such as the Rev. James Cleveland, Andre Crouch, Daniabelle and Walter & Edwin Hawkins as well as the L.A. Mass Choir and numerous others.
During the 90’s, John’s interest returned to another of his earliest roots: Jazz. With associate Danny Ironstone, John embarked on a life fulfilling project: SOULBOP. This concept began at as they went over some of their common jazz favorites, and quickly developed into reinventing such classics as “Blue Skies” and “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” in addition to original pieces and included world renowned personnel such as Philip Upchurch.
Meanwhile, by 2002, John was returning with increased frequency to his native Toronto for the resurrection of his earliest roots, recording and performing with the newly reformed legendary Canadian Checkmates. Since then he’s performed in major venues such as Massey Hall, on Canada’s premier jazz station, jazzfm91 and at Four Square Church with the Northern Gospel All-Stars. John also mentors and gives music symposiums. |
Terry Blersh ...
Toronto, Canada native Terry Blersh began singing and playing guitar at a young age. It wasn’t long before he became aware of the music and artists that had influenced his heroes. Of note was blues/funk band Wooden Teeth with blues great Michael Pickett and guitarist extraordinaire, John Tilden.
In 1982, Terry stepped out on his own with The Terry Blersh Band, playing a mix of original material and rhythm & blues standards. Terry enjoyed success on the Toronto club scene, and as the 90’s rolled around, found his guitar skills very much in demand as he began to record and perform with a long list of artists. He continued to work with his own band, back up others, and composed and produced music for theatre and television.
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Friday, June 12, 2009
Artists @ The Opera House
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7:00 pm |
Rita Chiarelli @ the Opera House |
Friday, June 12, 2009
Artists on the Outdoor MAIN Stage Friday |
9:00 pm
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Women in Blues Featuring Maple Blues 'Female Singer of the Year' Suzie Vinnick with Treasa Lavasseur & Donna Grantis
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| 10:30pm |
Tracy K |
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Artists on the Outdoor MAIN Stage Saturday |
7:00 pm |
Jack de Keyzer - Juno Award Winner
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8:30 pm |
Anderson & Sloski - Special Guest legendary singer John Finley (Rhinoceros, Jon & Lee & the Checkmates)
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9:00 pm
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Fathead - 2008 Juno Award Winners
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Sunday, June 14, 2009
Artists on the Outdoor MAIN Stage Sunday |
6:00 pm |
Blues Jam with the Steve Henry Band
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8:30 pm |
Monkey Junk - Featuring - Steve Marriner & Tony D. Memphis International Blues Challenge Finalists 2009
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Bookings |
| Friday |
Saturday |
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Johnny Flamingo (solo)
6:30-9:30 |
Steven Henry
6:30 - 9:30 |
| Royal Canadian Legion #34 |
Ronnie Douglas Band
9:00 - 12:00 |
Fig Leaf Band
2:00 - 4:00 |
| Apple Annie's Cafe |
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2XL (Pat Harber and friends)
2:00 - 5:00 |
| Brewery Bay Food Company |
Kyle McDonald Band
3:30 - 7:00 |
Sean Pinchin
3:00 - 7:00 |
| Maria's Restaurant |
Sensations
9:00 - 12:00 |
Sensations
9:00 - 12:00 |
| McCabes Eatery and Lounge |
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M.T. & The Toasters
9:00 - 1:00 |
| Tux II |
The Steve Hanmore Band
7:00 - 10:30 |
Chris Smart & The Real Deal
3:00 - 6:00 and 7:00 - 10:30
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| ZATS |
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Jazztex
8:30 - 11:30 |
| Filou Bistro |
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Wayne Buttery
1:00 - 5:00 |
| Sixteen Front |
Sheila Hart
7:30 - 11:00 |
Ronnie Douglas
8:00 - 12:00 |
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