Showing posts with label Alan Duffy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alan Duffy. Show all posts

Friday, November 6, 2020

Happy World Sax Day! Videos by Richard Thornton



Links: Johnny Cox, More Muddy Waters Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Johnny Cox


Links: Jerome Tucker, Video above courtesy of randallstaffordcook


Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack de Keyzer Stories, Spencer Mackenzie, More Spencer Mackenzie Stories, More Elmore James Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Steven Frank



Links: Richard Thornton, More Richard Thornton Stories, Video above courtesy of Vesna Trkulja-Stevens, More Sax Day Videos
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Monday, November 2, 2020

GOOD LUCK! 2021 Maple Blues Award Nominees

Local artists are once again well-represented among the nominees for the 2021 Maple Blues Awards. The virtual ceremony will be held on February 1, 2021 and hopefully, our talented musicians will win a few.

Hamilton's Jack de Keyzer is for a whopping five awards. Two of his bandmates (Richard Thornton and Alan Duffy) were nominated for one a piece. 

Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack de Keyzer Stories, Video above courtesy of Jack de Keyzer

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Also from the Hammer are Smoke Wagon Blues Band (2 nods) as well as their horn player Gordon Achiele (1). 

Links: Smoke Wagon Blues Band, More Smoke Wagon Blues Band Stories, Video above courtesy of Corey Lueck

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Hamilton Blues legend Harrison Kennedy (2) and Jesse O'Brien (1) round out the list from Steeltown.

Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories, Video above courtesy of Harrison Kennedy - Topic

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The Legendary Downchild Blues Band (with members from the Niagara region and Brantford) is in the running for Entertainer of the Year. Band member Chuck Jackson and Gary Kendall are also up for one apiece.

Links: Downchild, More Downchild Stories, Video above courtesy of Anthony Bernstein

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Kitchener's Matt Weidinger was also nominated for New Artist of the Year.

Links: Matt Weidinger, More Matt Weidinger Stories, Video above courtesy of Matt Weidinger - Topic

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Crystal Shawanda's Church House Blues album from Waterdown's True North Records was also given the nod for Recording of the Year

Links: Crystal Shawanda, More Crystal Shawanda Stories, Video above courtesy of Crystal Shawanda

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Below is a complete list of nominees. Local artists are bolded.

Entertainer

Electric Act

  • Jack de Keyzer
  • Dawn Tyler Watson and Ben Racine Band
  • JW-Jones
  • Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar
  • Sue Foley

Acoustic Act

Male Vocalist

New Artist

Recording/Producer

Female Vocalist

  • Crystal Shawanda
  • Angel Forrest
  • Dawn Tyler Watson
  • Dione Taylor
  • Samantha Martin

Guitarist

Piano/Keyboard

  • Jesse O'Brien
  • David Vest
  • Duane Blackburn
  • Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne
  • Michael Kaeshammer

Horn Player

Bassist

B.B. King International Artist

  • Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
  • Ghost Town Blues Band
  • Larkin Poe
  • Rick Estrin and The Nightcats
  • Victor Wainwright

Songwriter

  • Crystal Shawanda/Dewayne Strobel
  • Colin Linden
  • Dione Taylor
  • Kevin Harvey (Durham County Poets)
  • Paul Reddick

Blues With A Feeling Award (Lifetime Achievement Award)

  • Alec Fraser
  • Brent Parkin
  • Danny Brooks
  • Joe Murphy
  • Ken Whiteley
  • Michael Fonfara
  • Tom Lavin

Harmonica Player

  • Guy Bélanger
  • Harpdog Brown
  • Paul Reddick
  • Roly Platt
  • Steve Marriner

Drummer

  • Cory Blackburn
  • Dani Nash (Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar)
  • Gary Craig (Colin Linden, Steve Dawson)
  • Lindsay Beaver
  • Matt Sobb (Monkeyjunk)

Blast from the Past: Last Years's Winners
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Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Fort Erie Bluesman Spencer Mackenzie Unleashes Staggering New Album


Fort Erie's Spencer Mackenzie has outdone himself with Cold November, his latest exceptional album. He's grown in leaps and bounds since his impressive debut CD. This amazing collection boasts mainly originals and proves this young Bluesman definitely has something to say.

Spencer has a compelling voice that belies his age and a masterful way with the guitar. He powers through many well-written, finely-crafted songs, adding soul and depth as he goes along. The album ends with two staggering covers (Robert Cray's You Move Me and Next Door Neighbor Blues by Gary Clark Jr.)

Joining Spencer is an incredible dream team of talented musicians: Miles Evans (keys), Al Duffy (bass), Sean O'Grady (drums), Brant Parker (guitars), Dave Dunlop (trumpet), Peter Hysen (trombone) and  Jay Davidson (sax, horn arrangements). Sharon Riley, Rochelle Harrison, and Camille Harrison add wonderful background vocals too.

You can pick up the CD at one of his unforgettable show or buy it through his online shop or using iTunes.







Blast from the Past: Spencer's Debut CD

 Links: Spencer Mackenzie, More Spencer Mackenzie Stories,Videos above courtesy of Spencer Mackenzie, More Releases
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Sunday, March 5, 2017

New Episode of Ensemble! features Dwayne LaForme and Joshua Arden Miller


New episodes of Ensemble! on Cable 14 Hamilton just keep on coming! Two incredible Bluesmen, Dwayne LaForme and Joshua Arden Miller (Pappy Johns Band) will be starring in the next show.

Hamilton residents with cable can view the episode on Cable 14. Other Rogers or Cogeco customers (including cell plan subscribers) can see it online at Cable14now

This episode is no longer available.
Here are a few videos that showcase their talents.



 More Taj Mahal Covers/Stories



Links: Dwayne LaForme, More Dwayne LaForme Stories, Videos above courtesy of DSmith Productions

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Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Fort Erie's Spencer MacKenzie Unleashes Energetic Debut Album!


Fort Erie teenage Blues sensation Spencer Mackenzie has been astounding everyone with his wild, powerful guitar skills for quite a while.  Now he's bottled up that energy and unleashed it on his debut CD, Infected With the Blues.

Featuring 8 covers and 3 originals co-written by the young performer, the album displays Spencer's explosive, hard rockin, style.  His voice and guitar playing show more soul and character than some players three times his age.

The songs have a full sound thanks to some incredible backup: Brant Parker, David "The Groove Doctor" McMorrow, Alan Duffy, Sean O'Grady, Ryan Baker, Bill Holinaty, Mike Polci, Max Hillier, Sharon Riley, Rochelle Harrison, Camille Harrison and Dean Malton, who also produces.

So hurry to one of his unforgettable live shows to pick up the CD or order it through his online shop.  You can also download it using cdbaby.







Blast from the Past: Spencer Wins Kitchener Blues Youth Showcase

Links: Spencer MacKenzie, More Spencer Mackenzie Stories, Videos above courtesy of Spencer MacKenzie, More Releases
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Friday, October 30, 2015

GOOD LUCK! Local Musicians Up for Maple Blues Awards! VOTE FOR YOUR FAVES!


We'd like to congratulate the amazing local talent who earned 2016 Maple Blues Award nominations.  Our friends at the Toronto Blues Society organize this important event every year and our incredible area musicians are always well represented.

The legendary Hamilton Bluesman Harrison Kennedy leads the pack with a whopping 5 nods (plus Jesse O'Brien's two nominations for his wonderful work on Harrison's latest album).  Also from the hammer - Dave King was recognized for his drumming skills on the newest Steve Strongman CD.  Two members of Hamilton Blues veteran Jack de Keyzer's band (Horn player Richard Thornton and bassist Alan Duffy) are also in the running for an award each.

Click here for the Hamilton Spectator story.



Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories, Video above courtesy of StellaBlu477

Kitchener/Waterloo is well represented with Soulstack and its members earning a total of 3 nods.  Blues queen Cheryl Lescom is up for best Female Vocalist too.



Links: Soulstack, More Soulstack Stories, Video above courtesy of Soulstack



Links: Cheryl Lescom, More Cheryl Lescom Stories, Video above courtesy of Toronto Live Music Scene

Online voting starts Wednesday, November 4 at 11:59pm Newfoundland Daylight Time (10:29pm EST).  Deadline is December 4, 2015. Register at www.mapleblues.ca.

The hardware will be handed out on Monday, January 18, 2015 at  the Koerner Hall in Toronto.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Here's a complete list of nominees:

Entertainer of the Year
Acoustic Act of the Year
Male Vocalist of the Year
Female Vocalist of the Year
Piano or Keyboard Player of the Year
Horn Player of the Year
Drummer of the Year
Bassist of the Year
Songwriter of the Year
Recording/Producer of the Year
Electric Act of the Year
New Artist or Group of the Year
Blues With A Feeling (Lifetime Achievement)
Previous (News Roundup: Help Mo' Kauffey, Blind Mule, Shawn Brush, James-Alphonse) - - - Next (Halloween Videos)
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Sunday, April 26, 2015

The First Annual Hammer Blues Awards Celebrates Hamilton, the Blues Capital of Canada!


The First Annual Hammer Blues Awards (organized by the Hamilton Blues Society) were held at Jett Hall on April 25, 2015.  The awards portion of the show ended with a wonderful surprise: Hamilton City Hall's official recognition of Hamilton as the Blues Capital of Canada!  We all knew this in our hearts but now its all nice and legal!

The night was a celebration of the local talent that we are blessed to have in this area.  Winners had nothing but praise for this incredible city.  In her acceptance speech,  Canada's Queen of the Blues Rita Chiarelli proclaimed, "We don't just play the Blues, we identify with the Blues." "Hamilton is Bluestown," she added enthusiastically.

The Jack de Keyzer Band were the big winners of the night with the man himself winning for Electric Act of the Year and the band got 3 awards (bass, keyboard, sax).



Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack De Keyzer Stories,  Video above courtesy of Mako Funasaka

Also, three music legends were added to the Hamilton Blues Society Wall of Fame that night as well. Veteran Sonny Del-Rio was inducted along with King Biscuit Boy and Jackie Washington.



 Links: Sonny Del Rio, More Sonny Del Rio Stories, Video above courtesy of James Goodrick

CONGRATS EVERYONE!

Here is a complete list of winners:



Links: Joel Johnson, More Joel Johnson Stories, The Mighty Duck Blues Band, More MDBB Stories,  Video above courtesy of TheLoinTavern
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Monday, January 5, 2015

Jack de Keyzer Revisits Award-Winning Hamilton Show With Voodoo Boogie


Jack de Keyzer earned a Juno with the amazing live CD, The Corktown Sessions in 2010.  With 2014's Voodoo Boogie, the Steeltown Bluesman has revisited that legendary show.  Boasting great unreleased gems from that stellar performance, this album showcases quite a a powerful night.

With fabulous covers (All Along the Watchtower, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, You Shook Me) and some of Jack's best songs (If You Were My Woman, Pleasure is My Business, Cinderella), this is a welcome companion piece to his earlier live disc.  It contains all the energy and groove of the first CD.

Jack's backed up by an amazing team that includes Dave "Groove Dr." McMorrow, Danny Lockwood and Al Duffy.  Guests Chris Murphy and David Colter lend a hand for one track.

You can pick up a copy of the CD at any of Jack de Keyzer's electric live shows.



Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers



Video above courtesy of Randall Stafford Cook



Links: Video above courtesy of Jack de Keyzer, More Bob Dylan Covers/Stories

 Blast From the Past: Our Review of the Corktown Sessions

Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack De Keyzer Stories, More Releases
Previous  (News Roundup w Duane Rutter, Bob Bryden, Joe Cocker, Bear Band, Tom Wilson, more) - - - Next (New Frankie and Jimmy Album)
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Sunday, November 2, 2014

GOOD LUCK! Local Musicians Up for the 2015 Maple Blues Awards


Once again, the Maple Blues Awards have nominated a lot of local artists for their prestigious awards ceremony.

Hamilton boy Steve Strongman is up for a trio of awards (Entertainer, Electric Act, Guitar Player) as is Steeltown Blues Legend Harrison Kennedy. (Acoustic Act, Male Vocalist, Songwriter).  Former Hammertown Bluesman Jack de Keyzer will be in the running for Electric Act too.



Links:  Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories, Video above courtesy of David Stephen

Other area nominees include Niagara's Suzie Vinnick (Female Vocalist), Brantford's Chuck Jackson (Male Vocalist + his band, Downchild is up for Electric Act and Recording), Kitchener's Jon Knight of Soulstack (Male Vocalist) and  Oshweken's Joel Johnson (New Artist).



Links: Suzie Vinnick, More Suzie Vinnick Stories, Video above courtesy of Quimiqua



Links: SoulStack, More Soulstack Stories, Video above courtesy of Soulstack

On Monday, January 20, 2014 in Toronto, prizes will go to the top Canadian Blues talent.  You can vote for your favourite starting on November 5, 2014.  Deadline is December 5, 2014.  Click here to vote!

Entertainer
Electric Act
Acoustic Act
Male Vocalist
Female Vocalist
New Artist or Group
Recording/Producer
Guitar Player
Harmonica Player
Horn Player
Blues with a Feeling Award (Lifetime Achievement Award)
International Artist
Previous (Hamilton Spectator Readers' Choice Award Winners) - - - Next (News Roundup w Philip Bast, Dinner Belles, Darcy Feaver, Aaron Goldstein, Ian Thomas)
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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

New Brant Parker Blues Band CD: River of Broken Dreams

River of Broken Dreams, the latest CD from St. Catharines's own Brant Parker Blues Band is an amazing example of straight ahead, old fashion boogie blues.

Brant's voice has character whether he's funking it up with songs like Designated Down Time or crooning with slow jams such as Same Old Blues. His talented band backs him up with gusto on all the numbers. 

The group's joined by a number of incredible guest stars, including Hamilton's Jack de Keyzer, who produces and adds his his amazing guitar work to three  songs. Al Duffy plays bass on two tracks as well.

This wonderful disc is available at the band's live shows and can be downloaded through their bandcamp site.

Below is a video from one of the songs from the CD, courtesy of BluesGuy1



You can also stream the album below



Links: Brant Parker Blues Band, More Brant Parker Stories, More CD Releases

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Tuesday, January 8, 2013

New Jack de Keyzer CD: Electric Love

Local bluesmaster Jack de Keyzer has always known how to the rock the blues.  With his latest release, Electric Love, the man's proven he can really amp it up and unleash the power.

 The CD's high-energy, loud blues is like a call to arms: Jack means business.  There's no doubt he can riff with the best of them and his voice can rattle the walls if needed.
That's doesn't mean he's sacrificed nuance for power.  Amazing, soulful, funky and slinky grooves pepper the album.  He even finishes off the disc with a dynamic acoustic version of the title track.

 Jack is ably aided an abetted by David McMorrow (Rough Trade) on keyboards, Alan Duffy on bass and Rick Donaldson on drums.  

The CD is available at his live shows, through Indiepool, and as a download through iTunes and eMusic.

 Below is a live perfomance of the title track, courtesy of RandallStaffordCook.

Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack De Keyzer Stories
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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

New Jack De Keyzer Live CD: The Corktown Sessions

Local Blues superstar, Jack De Keyzer has released an impressive recorded-in-Hamilton live CD. "The Corktown Sessions" was recorded at the popular live venue on May 1, 2009.

Jack performs a number of his greatest tunes (Blues Thing, Engine Trouble, King of the Blues) and some choice covers (Signed Sealed Delivered, Hold On I'm Coming, Rock This House, and More)

Both Jack's stunning guitar work and incredible voice are in full display here. Funk, soul, boogie and good old fashioned Rockin' Blues are.

All throughout the performance, his first-class band matched De Keyzer's energy and skill - Alan Duffy (bass), Hamilton's Danny Lockwood (drums), David McMorrow aka Groove Doctor (keys)

This amazing CD is available at his shows and through Indiepool.com.

Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack De Keyzer Stories
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