Mike Clark
Mike Clark walked on stage more than two decades ago to begin his tenure as a blues, roots and jazz saxophonist. While studying for a Bachelor's degree in music at the University of British Columbia his artistry evolved and matured in the nightclubs of Vancouver and the lower mainland districts. Upon receiving his degree, he accepted a high school teaching position and continued performing in clubs and concert settings throughout the province.
In 1989 Mike's career as a professional musician took centre stage when he moved to Calgary. Within weeks of his arrival he was hired to perform with the legendary Clarence "Big" Miller. Mike's huge tone, authentic approach and expressive solos was the calling card he used to introduce himself to the hierarchy of performers in the city and expeditiously established himself as the number one call saxophonist on the blues and roots scene.
Mike truly is one of Canada's premiere blues and roots artists and has been nominated for a Maple Blues Award in the category of "Horn Player of the Year" for three consecutive years. He has performed with Albert Collins, Son Seals, Amos Garrett, The Downchild Bluesband, and Dutch Mason to name a few. He's recorded with Johnny V (If My Daddy Could See Me Now), Donald Ray Johnson (Pure Pleasure), Tim Williams (Live at Kaos), Ray Montana (Hip October), Steve Pineo (Steve Pineo with Horns) and can be heard on many other sessions.
Tim Williams
Tim Williams - Fool You Always Knew November 6, 2007
Tim Williams is a blues-based singer / songwriter / multi - instrumentalist. He is a 40 year veteran of the 'Roots' music scene in North America, roots which stretch back to the coffee-house scene of his native California in the mid 60's.
Settling in Canada in 1970, Tim is a studio musician, producer, and a performer in constant demand. He has played Folk / Blues / Jazz festivals and concert halls and clubs from Halifax, to Vancouver Island, to the Yukon. Inspired by the Hillbilly and Western Swing music he heard as a child, Tim absorbed late Fifties Rhythm & Blues and Rock & Roll, Hawaiian and Mexican music, early Sixties Folk, and Bluegrass "like a sponge" before discovering a passion for traditional blues styles which was fueled by seeing many first generation blues musicians live during the "Blues Boom" of the mid and late Sixties.
Tom Phillips and the Men of Constant Sorrow
Tom Phillips and the Men of Constant Sorrow are eight members strong; Acoustic guitar/lead vocals, Accordion/vocals, Pedal Steel, Bass, Drums, Mandolin, Lead electric guitar, harmony vocals. At the core of the band is Tom Phillips. With the skill of an artisan and the soul of a true street poet, he creates songs which range from hard core honky tonk to heart wrenching ballads.
Steve Pineo and the Joe Defendants
The JOE DEFENDANTS are one of Calgary's top roots/rock bands featuring three songwriters in the band. All four members are talented multi-instrumentalists and you will sometimes find them disguising themselves as a party band playing dance music rooted in the 50's and 60's or, especially at Stampede time in Calgary, they put on their Western duds and play pure. old-fashioned country music with reverence and style.
The JOE DEFENDANTS feature three members of the acclaimed Calgary band The CO-DEPENDENTS whose bugeoning career faltered when founding member Billy Cowsill's health declined. Upon Billy's sad passing early in 2006 the remaining members decided to keep the band going but needed to change the name so the JOE DEFENDANTS were born with a tip of the hat to both the CO-DEPENDENTS and BEAUTIFUL JOE, a band three of the members had been in years ago.
Ralph Boyd Johnson
Ralph Boyd Johnson is a world-class singer-songwriter from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The title "songwriter" does not clearly define Ralph’s work. He’s a wordsmith, a poet, and an observer of life who writes songs and poems of every style and genre. His poetry and compelling delivery of the spoken word is what sets him apart from other songwriters.
Ralph has been compared to Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen and John Prine and is cut from the same cloth as icons hank Williams Sr., Tom Waits, Lou Reed and the like. His debut CD, “Dyin to Go” produced by Billy Cowsill and Tim Williams was nominated for a 2002 Prairie Music Award.
Dave McCann and the Ten Toed Frogs
Peterborough native Dave McCann and the superlative, Calgary Alt-Country outfit "The Ten Toed Frogs" roll the good road indeed. Dave Bauer, electric guitar, will pretty near play anything with strings on it and for sure as hell tear your heart out with his Telecaster. Pete Loughlin has years buried in the Canadian road experience as a rock showboat. He's a shocking multi-instrumentalist and picks up the Bass and Harmony Vocals with unequalled ease. Tim Williams is a transplanted Vancouverite that sparks up the Kit with all the fire of the traditional heartbeat. Charlie Hase is the latest addition to the mix. Charlie kicks into the Double Neck Steel and Lap Slide with unparalleled expertise and all the country charm of a moon-eyed banshee. "I truly am in awe every time I stand on stage with these guys. I mean they're these incredible musicians, and they have this generous, patient ability to let me fall into this unhinged daze. It's like I fall into the void. I guess it's kinda like being a black out drunk , people come up to you after the ordeal and say " that was great out there" and half the time I don't know what the heck their talking about.
Auntie Kate and the Uncles Funk
Auntie Kate hits the stage like a barely controlled force of nature, rocking and kicking out a powerful blues routine honed in the clubs of Western Canada. Originally from Saltspring Island, but calling Victoria, or anywhere she is performing, home, she is a charismatic singer with a style all her own. On stage, despite her small stature, she appears larger than life. Outfitted with dark glasses and an unabashed stage presence she takes command of her audiences with her powerful hard edged blues vocals.
The Perpetrators
The Perps Rocking the Joint on February 29th 2008
Once a not-so-well-kept secret in their hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - 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 houserockin' 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 onstage game of musical chairs. To quote a much used and abused cliche, The Perpetrators have to be seen to be believed.
Johnny V's Acoustic Ramblers
Johnny V's Acoustic Ramblers Rock the Joint November 15th, 2007
Johnny V forged his original fire-brand style of blues touring and performing internationally for more than three decades. The term "getting in your face" has never known a better illustration than when the "Vmeister" starts firing volleys of scorching guitar passages intertwined with his passionate vocals. Like the original blues greats, it has not been an easy course for Johnny to chart in order to reach larger and more understanding audiences. It's his distinctive phrasing and monster guitar tones that make the V-man stand out. He's not a one trick pony or a flavour of the day, and has remained true to the form. You may hear hints of the great players he has studied, but his style is all his own and he understands the idiom right down to the tones, licks, and equipment. If you have ever witnessed one of his live performances, the first thing you notice is he always has the right sound for the song being played. Wherever Johnny V plays return engagements are the order of the day.
If not acting as a headliner, it's not uncommon to find him sitting in, supporting, or providing back-up for renowned blues statesmen. He’s garnered the respect of the genres finest artists and feels fortunate to have shared the stage with such luminaries as B.B. King, Larry Garner, King Biscuit Boy, John Hammond, Billy Cobham, Magic Slim, Otis Rush, Dr. John, Amos Garrett, Delbert McClinton, Pinetop Perkins, Eddy Clearwater, Sonny Rhodes, Frankie Lee, Larry Davis, Billy Branch, Mighty Joe Young, Honeyboy Edwards, Downchild Blues Band, and Johnny Clyde Copeland to name a few. Johnny V is about the Blues. All his independent recordings have captured the attention of industry professionals globally, and been nominated for Juno awards on more than one occasion. Even the recordings he played on with Canada’s blues godfather Richard Newell (AKA King Biscuit Boy) “Urban Blues Re;Newell” and Amos Garrett’s “Third Man In” were both nominated for Juno awards. Fans of the blues know only to well that if Johnny V is in the house, the joint's going to rock. As world renowned bluesman John Hammond said "Johnny V is a hard working guy who really plays the Blues".
Jack Semple
Jack Semple is a Canadian blues musician from Regina, Saskatchewan.
Starting out his musical career playing with various Regina-based bands, Jack burst onto the Canadian national scene by winning the MuchMusic contest "Guitar Wars" in 1992, where he won the title and garnered many more fans across Canada.
The Du-rite Aces
Greg "Junior" Demchuk - take off guitar and vocals; Graham Guest - piano and vocals; Andy Graffiti - lead and rhythm drums, vocals; Rob Oxoby/Pete Turland - upright bass. Good friends you might also see on some of our shows include Steve Gerard and Mike Clark.
A Little Voodoo
A Little Voodoo Rocking The Joint on November 10th, 2008
A Calgary staple in blues, A Little Voodoo has been bringing down the house since 1992, when they recorded their first live CD over three rockin' nights in Banff's Rose and Crown. Led by frontman and guitar genius, Ron Burke and partnered with Tom Knowles (Long John Baldry, Kathy MacDonald and others) on bass
Formed in the early 1990's the band held sway at the the now defunct Topo's Bar and Grille where they were the house band for almost six years. In 1994 the band was recognized with local awards from radio station CJ 92 with titles in the "Best Band of the Year","Best Male Vocalist", "Best Guitar Player" and "Best Drummer" awards.
Acoustic at the Round Mid Winter Blues Festival starring Ellen McIlwaine - Bill Johnson - Jack Semple
Three headline guitarists perform in an up-close and intimate acoustic setting, backed by Eh Team members.
Little Miss Higgins
Bewitching like moonlight on water- Little Miss Higgins captivates audiences with her original, gutsy, spirited country blues songs. Crystal clear vocals that go on forever and amazing guitar licks - she’s the real thing! Though she’s raring to go anywhere from solo to a full band of minstrels, Little Miss is mostly accompanied by partner/guitar player Foy Taylor. Together they are creating innovative guitar work rooted in a country blues style and an unforgettably “top hat” stage show.
Little Miss Higgins Online Home
Photos by a Anonymous Friend
Steve Marriner
An intensely energetic and powerful performer, Steve Marriner's incorporation of various styles of Blues with that of rock n' roll, has him night after night grabbing audiences from their seats and moving them to their feet.
Widely recognized as one of Canada's premier harp players, Steve has toured and performed at prestigious festivals, concert halls and clubs in Canada, the US, UK and Australia with acoustic bluesman Harry Manx. He's appeared on a number of other artists' recordings including Harry Manx, JW Jones Blues Band, The Junk Yard Dogs, and Big Daddy G.
Manitoba Hal
He tempers his finger picking style with a sharp sense of humour and gritty lyrics punctuated by the smooth slide of a veteran blues master. Like anyone whose name is a place, Manitoba Hal wears his love for his roots on his sleeve. But those roots aren't just in the prairie soil. Hal's got a songwriter's roots in eerie folk - murder ballads and killer floods - and a player's roots in the deep, dark, fixin' to die blues. This is a man who can sing the word "lonesome" like he means it, and no mistake.
Highlights of Hal’s career include; opening for Kelly Joe Phelps, Mose Scarlett, Fred Eaglesmith and Micheal Jerome Browne, sharing the stage with Dr. John, Colin James, Big Dave McLean, Phil Guy, Ken Hamm, Amos Garrett, Valdy, Tim Williams, Don Ross, Bill Bourne, Lester Quitzau, Washboard Hank, Suzie Vinnick, Danville Dan and Fruitland Jackson.
Tim Lee Band
Armed with his guitar, his voice and a respect for past traditions, Tim Lee is a Canadian Blues player looking to the future. "Assuredly somebody with something to say and a new way to say it." is how Blues Revue describes the Ontario-born, Edmonton based performer who Echo Magazine calls "a consummate bluesman with a chrome polished voice and howling guitar."
Hot on the heels of his tenure with ‘The Russell Jackson Band’ (former bassist with the B.B. King Orchestra) and Chicago’s premier R&B band ‘Sam Cockrell and the Groove’, Tim is at it again. As a solo acoustic show or with his band ‘The Revelators’, he continues to deliver at a world class level, night after night. Along with ‘The Revelators’, Tim has been collaborating with, among others, keyboardist/vocalist Graham Guest (Sue Foley Band) in a partnership which has resulted in a number of incendiary performances and a new live CD released in October, 2006. Along with Canadian and international dates, Tim continues to write and record songs for his next studio release
The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer
HAM is a finger-pickin’, foot-stompin’, harp-blowin’ roots blues duo out of Vancouver. Drawing influences from the old masters and innovators like John Hurt, Muddy Waters, and Robert Johnson, their music tells rich tales of midnight trains, black cat bones, highwaymen and a time when song was a simple expression of the soul. Shawn Hall (aka ‘the harpoonist’) grew up in Toronto, immersing himself in the local blues scene and eventually forming the band ‘Tied to the Tracks’. Matt Rogers (aka ‘the axe murderer’) grew up coping licks from his father’s collection of BB King records. Both have since become renowned producers working with Mark Berube, Ben Rogers, Dirty Bottom, Gordie Johnson, CR Avery and the VSO. Together, they have returned to their roots, and the roots of the music that surrounds us everyday.