Looks like the Toronto Blues Society and the Canal Bank Shuffle Festival know there's stupendous talent in the Hammer. They have chosen our own Alfie Smith and Harrison Kennedy to represent their organizations at this year's International Blues Challenge (Jan. 20-23, 2010) in Memphis. Congratulations and good luck.More Alfie Smith stories, More Harrison Kennedy stories
Here's a list of the Canadian talent that'll be gracing the stage.
Band
Canada South Blues Society - The BluesersGrand River Blues Society - Daddy Long Legs
The Bluesers are fronted by two talented young musicians with vast Festival Experience, Cale Hawkins on Hammond Organ and Vocals along with Chris Cotton on Guitar and Vocals. Winners of The CBC Galaxie Rising Star Competition at the Mt Tremblant Festival Du Blues in 2009. The Bluesers have just completed there all original CD - "The Bluesers 2". The Band consists of Three Members of the Cotton Family along with Cale Hawkins See them perform songs from there latest release while in Memphis at the IBC.Ottawa Blues Society - The Jesse Greene Band
Daddy Long Legs play gritty electrified blues full of thick raw tones, smart-mouthed lyrics and razor sharp arrangements. For Daddy Long Legs, playing the blues has nothing to do with nostalgia, or trying to recreate their blues record collections. Rather, it’s about mashing together all the brawn of riff-based garage rock, the soul of 60’s era rhythm and blues, and the jump and shuffle of the west coast and Chicago sounds to create new blues music that is about the here-and-now. With their original material and modern sound, Daddy Long Legs appeal to an eclectic bunch of blues purist, rock-a-billies, swing dancers, and alt-rockers alike. Toronto Blues Society - Scott McCord and the Bonafide Truth
26 year old Blues Sensation Jesse Greene, lead guitarist and songwriter, fronts her band with deadly guitar chops, a soulful voice, and songs from the heart. Her music is an eclectic mix of blues, rock, and soul that can bring down the house. Her band is recording their debut album and their loyal fans just can’t wait. The Jesse Greene Band is Jesse on guitar/vocals, Marc Seguin on harmonica, Luke Donovan on guitar, Dan Grewal on bass, and Jason Cote on drums. The band is proud to be representing Canada’s Capital at this year’s International Blues Challenge and plans to take no prisoners.
Toronto’s Scott McCord and the Bonafide Truth explode off the stage with their infectious, four-on-the-floor, Stax-flavoured soul, warm hip pocket grooves and rock and roll. In less than one year, Scott McCord and the Bonafide Truth have landed first place at the Toronto Blues Society’s New Talent Search, been featured on CBC Radio 2’s Canada Live, opened for Edgar Winter at the Playing With Fire Festival in Omaha, Nebraska, released their debut album, Blues For Sunshine and brand new EP Love and Sorrow/Mystery Song. Swing-cool, passionate and sitting atop a time bomb of R&B thunder. From soul-belter to crooning, passion-fired singer-songwriter, McCord is the real deal.----------
Solo/Duo
Canal Bank Shuffle - Harrison Kennedy
Grand River Blues Society - Julian Fauth
Member of 1968 Detroit POP GROUP “The Chairmen of the Board.”Performed At THE APPOLO,SOUL TRAIN,DICK CLARK ,ENGLANDS TOP O POPS. As a Solo act opened for: James Cotton,The Neville Brothers,Cool and The Gang,Bobby Blue Bland,Keb Mo AWARDS: --Canadian JUNO: Nominations for albums “SWEET TASTE”.. -“VOICE & STORY”. -"HIGH COUNTRY BLUES".. MAPLE BLUES Award Nominations .2006 , 2008 and...2009.. - - reviews in BOSTONS DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE and The UK's MOJO MAGAZINE . -Released in November 2009, on Electro -Fi Records "ONE DOG BARKIN".. www.harrisonkennedy.ca Harrison 'Sweet taste' KennedyToronto Blues Society - Alfie Smith
Julian Fauth’s blues hark back to the pre-war era of barrelhouse and boogie-woogie piano, yet his highly original music speaks directly to today’s audiences. For many people, what makes Julian Fauth stand out is the imaginative, passionate narrative of his lyrics. But it’s the music that truly sets the hook. Julian is a master of blues, roots, and gospel. His piano is energetic, his composition inventive, and his vocals extraordinarily convincing, both husky and poignant all at once. A student and friend of the late great Mel Brown, who gave him his start, Julian Fauth records for the Electro-Fi label. His latest release, “Ramblin’ Son” won the Juno Award (Canada’s Grammies) for Blues Album of the Year.
Alfie Smith is a true modern day Blues Man, Blending hard edged Rock and Roll, Gospel, Folk and Jazz with Pure Primal Blues to create his own unique sound. He is adept at many instruments including 7-string slide guitar, banjo, guitar, 12 sting and lap steel. Alfie’s musicianship has earned him endorsements with Godin Guitar, Composite Acoustics, Eastwood Guitars and Stonebridge. Brass & Steel is Alfie’s fifth CD and features 21 tracks. This is Alfie’s first release with Busted Flat Records.----------
Youth Showcase
Canada South Blues Society - The Hawkins Cotton Trio
Grand River Blues Society - Alex Tintinalli
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Previous (Perfomer of the Week: Mat Toronto) - - - Next (New Jacob Moon CD)
The Band is fronted by Two Talented Young Musicians with vast Festival Experience. Cale Hawkins on Hammond Organ and Vocals with Chris Cotton on Guitar and Vocals and Mike Cotton on Drums. Winners of The CBC Galaxie Rising Star Competition at The Mt Tremblant Festival Du Blues in 2009. These young musicians have just completed there all original CD - "The Bluesers 2". See them perform songs from there latest release while in Memphis at The IBC .