Ottawa Blues This Week

CONGRATULATIONS ...SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK... LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK...SPECIAL EVENTS COMING SOON...LOCALS THIS WEEK...AND MORE!

CONGRATULATIONS ...
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... to Rick Fines, who just returned from Alabama where he won a blues
competition. Sweet Gum Bottom Blues is a competition for acoustic blues artists.
What’s the twist? The prizes are awarded by a vote of the audience.
Blues artists from across the US and Canada auditioned to play. These artists
offered a full range of music, both old style and contemporary, finger style
and slide, for guitar and harp, with intricate melodies and driving rhythms.

Rick is currently recording his latest collection of original songs for the
upcoming CD “Solar Powered”. Indeed this is how it’s being done – alone in
his cabin north of Peterborough, it’s an off-the-grid production!

Rick has been granted some monies from the Ontario Arts Council to conduct
songwriting residencies at a number of Ontario schools this season.   Week-long
and 2-week-long workshops will take place in schools in Peterborough,
Bancroft, Owen Sound, and other communities.

Suzie Vinnick and Rick are working on a recording together and will perform
gigs in the coming months. Look for them in Ottawa on New Year’s Eve at the
National Arts Centre!
_www.rickfines.com_ (http://www.rickfines.com)
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SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK
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Michael Pickett
Tucson’s Roadhouse, 2440 Bank Street
Thursday, October 27 @ 7:30 pm

In the Spring of 2000, Michael revealed yet another layer of his seemingly
endless reservoir of musical talents. His deep love of roots/blues music
compelled him to pick up his Gibson guitar after a 30+ year hiatus. With focus
and diligence, this musical transition transformed him into a formidable
guitarist on the six-string, twelve-string, and National Steel Duolian.   With
exceptional award winning rack harmonica skills and remarkable vocals, he
delivers performances that are charged with electricity and filled with passion,
authenticity, substance, and a unique style.   Whether putting his own spin on
obscure tunes of legendary icons such as Robert Johnson, Sticks McGhee, Bukka
White, Mississippi John Hurt or respectfully re-interpreting the music of Tom
Waits, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, or showcasing his own extraordinary
eclectic material, Michael reveals a profound understanding of where this music
comes from and why it stands the test of time. He’s been known to share a
story or two about some of the legends who have visited his life over the past
three decades. It’s no small wonder that his audiences repeatedly respond
with standing ovations and demands for an encore.
_www.michaelpickett.com_ (http://www.michaelpickett.com)
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Johnny Rawls
Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street
Thursday, October 27

Johnny Rawls has blossomed into one of the top talents in soul blues today.
He apprenticed as a sideman with Lynn White, Little Johnny Taylor, Z. Z.
Hill and O. V. Wright, before forming the soulful duo of Rawls & Luckett, then
breaking out into his own solo career. His work has earned him ‘Living Blues’
Awards and he’s released recordings on the acclaimed JSP label. Johnny
Rawls most recent recording is on Top Cat; it’s called “No Boundries” and
promises to take his career to yet another level. One of the finest producers in
the business,he has also worked on recordings by Lonnie Shields, Willie
Edwards, Chris Beard, Deitra Farr and Percy Strother.
(Thanks to Gary Kendall, The Silver Dollar Room, Toronto, for this info.)
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David Rotundo
Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street
Friday, October 28

At the beginning of the month, David survived vehicle malfunctions while
touring northern Ontario and Quebec – ask him to tell you all about it when he
plays the Rainbow at the end of this month.
_www.davidrotundo.com_ (http://www.davidrotundo.com)
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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK
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Big Soul Project
NAC 4th Stage, 53 Elgin Street
Saturday, October 29 @ 8 pm; tickets $10

The CKCU Ottawa Folk Festival, the Canadian Union of Public Employees
(CUPE), and the National Arts Centre are pleased to present Big Soul Project. The
Ottawa gospel choir is becoming well-known for its fresh, upbeat brand of
gospel music and infectious on-stage energy that has audiences dancing in the
aisles.

Big Soul Project fuses the vocal energy of its 50-member group with the
charismatic direction of Michael MacDonald and the smooth R&B grooves of its
backup band. Established in 1997 as the Ottawa Community Gospel Choir, Big Soul
Project has grown from its original 12 members to its present size.   The
seven-piece R&B band is made up of a piano player, two guitarists, a drummer and
three horn players. The choir’s repertoire ranges from R&B and soul to pop
and traditional spirituals.

In December 2004, the choir opened for gospel legends, The Blind Boys of
Alabama, and issued their debut CD, “Big Soul Project”. “We are proud to be a
community choir; there are no auditions”, says musical director Mike
MacDonald. “The magic of Big Soul Project is people rediscovering their voice with
tremendous passion. We sing our hearts out.”

Tickets are $10, and are available in person at the NAC Box Office or
Ticketmaster.
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SPECIAL EVENTS COMING SOON
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David Clayton-Thomas
with Roxanne Potvin opening
Centrepointe Theatre, 101 Centrepointe Drive
Friday, November 4 @ 8:30 pm; tickets $40/50

The new David Clayton-Thomas show has incorporated the 11-piece ‘Bruce
Cassidy’s Hotfoot Orchestra’ and merged it with the Clayton-Thomas ‘book’
which
includes all of David’s hits with Blood, Sweat and Tears, as well as songs
from “Aurora” and his solo albums.

The new show will be rooted in the unique musical style that has become his
trademark. The addition of more horns and percussion instruments brings new
power and freshness to the classic Clayton-Thomas tunes like ‘Spinning Wheel’
and allows Cassidy to expand the instrumentation on ‘And When I Die’, ‘God
Bless The Child’ and ‘You Make Me So Very Happy’. The new show will also
prove invaluable in the development of new songs; David’s compositions with
Cassidy’s arrangements will be tried out on the concert stage and will form the
cornerstone of the next David Clayton-Thomas album.

Bruce Cassidy is a daring and gifted musician ... he toured the world with
BS&T in the 80s and has spent the last 20 years in Africa where he absorbed ‘
township’ rhythms and ‘world’ music influences into his eclectic musical
vocabulary. Cassidy has been instrumental in the development of the EVI ... an
electronic valve instrument that serves as a controller for digital samplers,
his virtuoso use of the instrument is nothing short of brilliant ... and he’s
a fine jazz soloist on conventional trumpet.

The legendary Clayton-Thomas voice, the timeless songs, the brilliant
arrangements, the incredible musicianship ... this is a show not to be missed.

With traditional blues guitar chops and jazz infused vocals, opening act
Roxanne Potvin has earned recognition from musicians and blues fans alike,
establishing herself as one of the most promising talents carrying on the blues
tradition.
_www.centrepointetheatre.com_ (http://www.centrepointetheatre.com)
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Ball & Chain
CD release
Bayou, 1077 Bank Street
Saturday, November 12 @ 9 pm; tickets $8 at the door

From Michael Ball & Jody Benjamin:
Ball and Chain have done it again! We have another live recording only this
time, it was recorded with an audience and a band! Bring your dancin’ shoes
for an evening of Old Time Country Dance Music. We can’t wait to hear what
you think of the new CD. See you there!
_www.ballandchain.ca_ (http://www.ballandchain.ca)
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Elyssa Mahoney
Trio with Pat Carey & Michael Fonfara
Louisiannie’s Seafood & Cajun Cookin’, 1518 Main Street, Stittsville
Friday, November 18 @ 8 pm

Elyssa Mahoney appears en trio, with Downchild Blues Band members Pat Carey
(sax) and Michael Fonfara (keyboards).
_www.elyssamahoney.ca_ (http://www.elyssamahoney.ca)
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Johnny Winter
Opening - David Gogo
Capital Music Hall, 200 Rideau Street
Saturday, December 10 @ 8 pm; tickets - $36.50 advance

Since his first appearance on the pages of Rolling Stone in 1968, Johnny
Winter has epitomized the fiery and flamboyant rock and roll guitar hero.   The
multi Grammy-nominated guitarist will be joined by Canada’s own guitar slinger
David Gogo, for a highly anticipated performance.

One of the most influential guitarist of our time, Johnny Winter carries on
the Texas tradition of a long line of guitarist from T-Bone Walker to Freddy
King. He brought a raw, contemporary edge to the blues with his powerful
guitar playing and raspy vocals on hits like ‘Rock and Roll Hoochie Coo’, ‘Still
Alive and Well’ and his sizzling interpretation of Bob Dylan’s ‘Highway 61
Revisited’. His mainstream success lead Johnny to reunite with blues great,
Muddy Waters and he helped revive Muddy’s career with a string of Grammy
Award winning albums including the comeback album “Hard Again”, “I’m
Ready” and
“Muddy ‘Mississippi’ Waters Live” in 1979. Winter went on to influence
many young guitarist including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and
Nanaimo, BC native, David Gogo, who had the pleasure of performing with and
meeting his hero, Winter, for the first time at a sold out show they did
together last year in Toronto and is excited about reuniting with Winter.
_www.johnnywinter.net_ (http://www.johnnywinter.net)
_www.davidgogo.com_ (http://www.davidgogo.com)
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WEEKLY EVENTS ON THE RADIO
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On CKCU-FM 93.1
The “Mighty 93.1”
_www.ckcufm.com_ (http://www.ckcufm.com)
Community Radio serving the Ottawa Carleton Region
CKCU’s 30th Anniversary Funding Drive: That time of year has come around
once again. From October 21 to November 6, CKCU will be calling on you to help
keep its airwaves flowing for another year. Start saving that coffee money
and be ready to ‘dial & donate’ and help them reach the goal of $100 093.10.
Or, you can donate online now using the secure online pledge form at
_www.ckcufm.com/donate.html_ (http://www.ckcufm.com/donate.html)

Sundays: 9-11 pm
Black and Blues
with John Tackaberry
The show features a heavy dose of electric blues and rhythm and blues, with
the occasional selection of sixties soul. The first hour is dedicated to
artist profiles and reviews of recordings on particular labels. In the second
hour there is a blues calendar, a run down of events in Toronto, Montreal and
Ottawa, and interviews with “new and reissued blues and rhythm and blues
tracks on wax” alternating with “live blues and R&B for a Sunday night” in the
last half hour of the show. On the last Sunday of every month, the show goes “
down in the delta” for a selection of acoustic blues tracks in the final
half hour of the program.

Wednesdays: 9-11 pm
In A Mellow Tone
with Ron Sweetman
Jazz from every era & every style - from 1917 To 2003. Each program
features an artist, group, instrument, event, city or record label.
This week, October 26 - New York in the 'Twenties: Recordings made in the
Big Apple in the twenties by Bennett’s Swamplanders, Blue Ribbon Syncopators,
Cotton Club Orchestra, Get Happy Band, Gulf Coast Seven, Charlie Johnson,
Thomas Morris, Musical Stevedores, Savoy Bearcats, Cecil & Lloyd Scott and Joe
Steele.
Next week, November 2 - Listen Before You Buy: The cream of the crop of
recent jazz and blues issues – by Noah Bammerman, James Carter, Tony D, Steve
Heckman, h. Meurkens, Moutin Reunion, Dave Peck, Bernard Primeau, Mike Rud,
Vince Sereni, Turning Point, Uptown Quintet, Mort Weiss and Denny Zeitlin.

On CHUO 89.1 FM
Sundays: 9-11 am
The Sunday Juke Joint celebrates the legendary performers of the blues and
features current artists that keep this tradition-rich music interesting and
vital.   Hosted by Ted.S, tune in for your dose of the best in Blues.

On CHEZ106 FM
Sundays: 6-7 pm
House of Blues Hour
The House of Blues Radio hour, hosted by Dan Aykroyd aka Elwood Blues,
features an hour of rockin’ blues from a wide variety of performers ranging from
traditional to contemporary. The show is the most widely syndicated radio
program dedicated to the blues in North America, and has been running on
stations across the continent for over ten years.

LOCALS THIS WEEK
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Tuesday, October 25
Brian Downey’s Big Band @ the Bayou
Wednesday, October 26
Wicked Guitar Brothers host the Open Stage @ the Bayou
Friday, October 28
The Crowd @ Tucson’s Roadhouse
The FunKtion Hallowe’en Show @ the Bayou
Saturday, October 29
Barrelhouse @ Tucson’s Roadhouse
Blue Skies Festival Fundraiser @ the Bayou
Sunday, October 30
Jarhead’s Jug o Jam @ the Rainbow, 3-7 pm

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