Johnny Max & His So-Called Friends is a Remarkable Album

Mini-Review: Toronto's Johnny Max surrounds himself with oodles of talented artists from the Hamilton & Niagara areas for his latest remarkable album. Johnny Max & His So-Called Friends, is packed with a Blues sounds:  boogie-woogie, jazz, soul, funk, country-flavours, and more. This is all blended in to Johnny's trademark down to earth stylings and lyrics.

Available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Amazon Music

Main Band

• Johnny Max - Lead Vocals, Producer
• Jim Casson - Drums & Percussion, Producer
• Mitch Lewis - Guitars
• Dylan Wickens - Guitars
• Steve Goldberger - Bass
• Bill Evans - Keyboards

Guests

• Neil Chapman - Guitar 
• Jay Burr - Tuba
• Quisha Wint - Vocals
• Suzie Vinnick - Vocals
• Wayne Deadder - Guitars & Vocals
• Russ Boswell - Bass
• Dave Dunlop - Trumpet
• Sabine Casson - Vocals 
• Nan McAneney  - Spoken Voice

Links: Johnny Max, More Johnny Max Stories, Album above courtesy of Bandcamp

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Strong Debut from Hamilton's Garnetta Cromwell

As a former Olympic weight-lifter, Hamilton musician Garnetta Cromwell knows all about strength. Actually, strength can be the main theme of her incredible debut solo album, Time to Shine. There are songs about strong women, tunes about having a strong will and more. Even the slower songs have a strong vibe to them. Powerful Funk, Soul and Blues beats flex their way into each and every number throughout this brawny album.

Her band, DaGroovmasters:

• GARNETTA CROMWELL (Lead vocals, Congas, Percussions)
• ROBIN HOUSTON (Drums)
• MARK HOWE (Bass)
• TOSHIHIRO OTANI (Electric Guitar)
• SABIAN CROSSWELL (Piano, Wurlitizer Electric Piano, Hammond Organ, Nord Keyboard)
• JUAN ARCE (Tenor Sax, Alto Sax, Horn arrangements)

Guests: 

• KEN WHITELEY (Electric Guitar, Hammond Organ, Harmony vocals, producer)
• QUISHA WINT (Harmony vocals)
• SELENA EVANGELINE (Harmony vocals)
• REBECCA HENNESSY (Trumpet, Additional horn arrangements)
• COLLEEN ALLEN (Alto Sax)
• CARRIE CHESNUTT (Tenor Sax)
• ELENA KAPELERIS (Baritone Sax)

Available: live shows, Bandcamp, Spotify, YouTube

Stream the album below

Links: Garnetta and DaGroovmasters, More Garnetta and DaGroovmasters Stories, Album above courtesy of GARNETTA CROMWELL - Topic, More Releases

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Hamilton's Andre Bisson Reaches New Heights on Latest Album

Hamilton's Andre Bisson shows growth with each new release and the tradition's alive and well with his latest fabulous album, Latchford. The incredible songwriting continues from the previous offerings. On top of that, Andre also now manages to add a bit more of a singer/songwriter, almost folky vibe. There's even a bit of country thrown in the mix. Without sacrificing his trademark funk and soul, the Bluesman has once again expanded his sound to new heights.

Band members:

• Jesse O’Brien (Piano, Organ)
• Mike Rowell (Bass)
• Keagan Early (Drums)
• Pat Carey (Sax)
• Shawn Moody (Trumpet)
• Loretta Hale (Trumpet, Cello)
• Rob Somerville (Trombone)
• Paul Barna (Violin/Viola)
• Quisha Wint (Vocals)
• Selena Evangeline (Vocals)

Guests: Dan Rodrigues (Piano on Enough)

Available: Live shows, Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube

Stream album below

Links: Andre Bisson, More Andre Bisson Stories, Album above courtesy of Andre Bisson - Topic, More Releases

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