It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Moonshine Cafe owner and local musician, John Marlatt. He passed away in the early hours of July 24, 2023. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
As some of you know by now, we lost our fearless leader in the wee hours this morning. My beloved husband, John Marlatt, passed away during an emergency surgery to remove a large aneurism found in his stomach.
He suffered a variety of ailments over the past two months leaving him quite weak and extremely tired.
John was a larger than life character with an extremely quick wit that kept our Moonshine patrons constantly entertained.
I want to thank all of you for reaching out to me with your kind words and love. I am overwhelmed with pride with how respected and loved my Johnny was.
He will be missed dearly and daily by everyone who knew him. The Moonshine will never be the same without our Johnny Boy.
John Marlatt and his Moonshine Cafe was a musician's best friend. So many artists passed through those doors on Kerr Street in Oakville. John and his beautiful Jane, made the atmosphere as close to a home feel as anyone could. Between sets, there was a mixed playlist of mostly independent, Canadian performers. We (Sisters Euclid) are filled with gratitude to John, not only for the support over the years but he kindly released a live recording from the Moonshine Cafe for his Moonshine Record Label. What a good, solid person. The best friend we ever had. We love you John!!!!
This is a tough one :( I met John Marlatt way back in either 2005 or 06. The Moonshine Cafe was newish. And that man had a passion for singer/writers. I was on the road hard in those days. I had just left a band and was touring as a sideman for a number of singer/writers. And John was one of the first to step up with a booking. I liked him in the 1st minute of our meeting. Over the years his venue was always open to whatever I was doing. He was one of the 1st to book me solo when I headed out on my own. And, he was instrumental in helping me with booking even bigger gigs (he knew festival people) but the one thing that will stick with me forever, is one time at a show he gave me a cool old Garnet amp. Like super cool. He claims "it was always in his way" but I knew the deal. He wanted me to have it. He was a fan of slide guitar and that amp had mojo.
If the planet had 100 John Marlatts, the music biz would be not only alive and well, it would be a dreamland.
RIP John. You'll be sorely missed by musicians far and wide.
John Marlatt 🕊️🤍. I don’t even have the words for how much you’ll be missed. You did so much for me over the years. You gave me a little stage to find my legs on, in the safest place. I was so looking forward to seeing you at Christmas and playing our holiday show. I hope you know how many lives you touched, and that you’ll never be forgotten. Rest easy sweet friend.
The Moonshine Cafein Oakville is one of the many local venues that is bringing back live music. These shows are live streamed from inside the cafe to the patio.
Here are the next few incredible shows. Each show listed below is $10 and starts at 9 pm.
Guaro De Contrebandocaptures a stunning night of Blues music by Oakville's Mike Branton Band at their hometown bar, the Moonshine Cafe. That crowd was treated to a remarkable show and now you can share in the fun!
The power trio of Mike along with Wayne DeAdder (bass), Shawn Abedin (drums) are at their best. The guys serve up hot, funky, sometimes jazzy versions of Blues classics like Rollin' and Tumblin, Spoonful , Mellow Down Easy, and many more.
ThisMoonshine Records records release can be purchase at Mike's explosive live shows and at the Moonshine Cafeas well. It's available as a download through cdbaby too.
Burlington's Leslie Hudson has mastered the art of the powerful, piano-driven song. Into the Mirror, the lady's latest album, prooves she's no dainty little lounge singer who can tickle the ivories a bit.
In Leslie's hands, the keys are filled with kinetic energy or sweet, smooth soul. These amazing skills also transfer to her voice. Whether belting it out or serenading, her vocals can wring the emotion from every fabulous song.
This album is hard to pigeonhole as you'll hear jazz, folk, pop, even a little rap - all done elegantly and with passion. Her outstanding lyrics will also make you take notice.
Whether you'd like a CD or download, you can get it through her Bandcamppage
Run Away with the Night, the awesome new album from the Conor Gains Band offers more than just the usual Blues. The talented Cambridge guitar slinger has expanded his repertoire and the music shines bright because of it.
Each and every song has its own vibe. Many are more singer/songwriter oriented while there are a number of straight out Blues rockers as well. You'll also get bits of pop, rock, Cajun, soul, boogie woogie and more.
With a rock-solid band consisting of Aaron Hernandez, Mack Jordan, and Mikey Vukovich, the music is in good hands, Amazing guests such as Jerome Godboo, 24th Street Wailers, Matt Weidinger also up the ante.
You can purchase a CD at his energetic live shows or download the album via Bandcamp, iTunes, or cdbaby(also has CDs).
Some albums escape our radar, so occasionally we'll be catching up with some mini-reviews!
In 2012, The Conor Gains Band released the dazzling Junction Sessions, a more Blues-rock oriented affair. Brimming with some righteous soul and nasty funk, This is a good time record that will get you off your seat and dancing.
Newly minted Steeltown band, Mississippi Bends have unleashed their fury with an amazing self-titled EP. This is rockin' Americana made by some of the best musicians around.
The group features incredible singer/songwriter, Mary Simon(vocals, acoustic guitar), in-demand electric guitarist Andrew Aldridge with talented veterans Carrie Ashworth (bass) and Robin Pirson (drums), Each one has an amazing musical resume on their own but together they've forged a high-energy, kickin' Country sound with soul.
Also adding a little twist to the album is Hamilton legend Tom Wilson, who co-wrote the fabulous Go Boy Go with Simon.
You can purchase a physical CD at the band's stunning performances or at Dr. Disc in Hamilton. It can also be download it via their Bandcamp page.
A while back, patrons of the Moonshine Cafe in Oakville were treated to quite a few explosive shows from the fabulous instrumental progressive jazz band, Sisters Euclid. The band's now packaged their best performances from those dates in their new wonderful new album, Moonshine Run.
Sisters Euclid is a supergroup of some of the finest musicians from Southwestern Ontario, The talented quartet includes Elora's Kevin Breit (guitar, mandolin), Welland's Mark Lalama (keyboards, accordion), Toronto's Ian DeSouza (bass) and Hamilton's Gary Taylor (drums)
What these four guys have created is truly spectacular. Shifting to experimental jazz to blues to funk and more, the band keep the groove going and throw in some brilliant musical surprises.
If you've looking for a physical CD, you can pick it up at their live shows or buy one at the Moonshine Cafe. It can also be downloaded through cdbabyand iTunes.
John Marlatt and Jane MacKay, the duo behind the popular Moonshine Cafe in Oakville received recognition for their amazing contribution to the local roots music scene. This was at Toronto's Winterfolk Festival on February 16, 2014.
Their venue provides a fabulous music experience for both listeners and artists. We here at HBL join Winterfolk in thanking them for their incredible work. CONGRATULATIONS!
Here are a few online reactions:
Duane Rutter: "John Marlatt and Jane MacKay are two of my favourite humans and Moonshine Cafe is one of my most favourite places to be! Congrats to them and the wonderful clientelle that makes that place so special to us songwriters and live music fans!!"
Mike Gravitis: "Big thanks and congrats to Winterfolk and A Better World and also John Marlatt and Jane MacKay for all of their continued support and for really giving us musicians a place that we can grow with confidence and a place to be able to share what we're doing with the world!"
Misc fans:
"A very special thank you to our friends John Marlatt and Jane MacKay of the Moonshine Cafe in Oakville who were honored at the festival for their contributions to and tireless support of musicians both new and established. What they do every day is critical to those of us who love to listen and play. I hope they know how much they are appreciated."
"A place where a person can drop in on their own and enjoy a peaceful happy atmosphere and excellent music. Thank you for making Kerr Street your home for The Moonshine Cafe."
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