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[artists]      

[the cal batchelor band]
Victoria, BC native Cal Batchelor earned his legendary musical reputation during his years in London, England in the ‘70’s and early ‘80’s, where, as a founding member of the band QUIVER, he wrote and co-wrote a lot of their song material, gigged throughout Europe extensively and recorded two albums with the band for the WEA label.

QUIVER tours and concerts were opened by bands the likes of Slade, Nazareth, America and Thin Lizzy, to name a few. Themselves, QUIVER opened shows for artists like Jeff Beck, Deep Purple, Frank Zappa and Rory Gallagher and supported major tours for The Who, Pink Floyd as well as Marc Bolan.

During these years Cal also did a lot of London gigs and smaller tours with and for Kevin Ayres – founding member of Soft Machine, Long John Baldry and Ronnie Lane – founding member of The Small Faces, recorded two albums with Kevin Ayres, got recording credits along with Eric Clapton, Henry McCulloch and Pete Townsend on two of Ronnie Lane’s albums and participated in recording sessions with Al Stewart, Cochise, Ian Matthew’s Southern Comfort and many more.

In the mid-80’s Cal Batchelor was drawn back to his home country, Canada and moved to Vancouver, BC where he took a creative break and eventually found his very own The Cal Batchelor Band.


The band performed mainly on North American festival and club stages and recorded with "Now Playing" and "Roadworthy" two highly praised, hard driving and powerful Blues Rock albums. While "Now Playing" [currently sold out] was nominated for Blues Album of the Year / Pacific Music Industry Awards in 1998 and received airplay in Canada and Australia, "Roadworthy" is currently enjoying airplay in Canada, Belgium, Holland as well as the UK.

The year 2004 marked Cal’s return to Europe, where he performed an incredible show at the 16th National Blues Festival in Burnley, UK on Easter weekend. Their next tour in the fall of 2004 lead the Cal Batchelor Band very successfully through Holland and Germany.

For more details on the Cal Batchelor Band please visit www.calbatchelor.com and contact Concept Entertainment Ltd. for further booking information.

[lee aaron]

Lee Aaron is an award winning singer, songwriter and performer. Over the course of her career, she has been nominated for eight Juno Awards, won the CMPA Songwriters Award, a Much Music Video Award, three Toronto Music Awards, and an Ampex Golden Reel Award. In addition, she has graced the covers of an assortment of international magazines - TV Guide, Melody Maker and Sounds - to name three - and topped dozens of music-polls.

Lee started out as a youngster singing jazz and Broadway standards in local Toronto choir and community theatre. Ironically, the painfully shy girl who hung around in the music room after school to study and practice would go on to become a world-renowned rock diva.

Discovered singing in a musical production of Babes in Arms at the age of sixteen, Lee was asked to join a local rock band on keys and back-up vocals. Graduating a year later - with honors and two scholarships but no industry smarts - Lee met the man who would become her first manager. Fresh out of school and totally green, things moved quickly ... within a year he had replaced her entire band and proceeded to groom the naïve Aaron into a sultry pin-up girl. By nineteen she had written and recorded her first album as well as created quite an industry buzz. Two years later, feeling increasingly uncomfortable with the image created for her, she walked out on her management deal.

Lee Aaron continued to write and record and soon afterward signed with Attic/A&M records, embarking on a new phase of her career that saw numerous album releases, radio hits, multi-platinum sales, world tours and many accolades over the next decade.


By the mid-nineties, frustrated at the residual perception that defined her as a one-dimensional "rock chick", Aaron decided to take a year long hiatus from the music business. She resurfaced in 1997 on the West Coast, performing cool jazz and blues material in intimate club settings. The metamorphosis surprised fans and industry insiders alike with its unpretentious charm - and in 2000 Lee released her tenth disc, Slick Chick to glowing reviews. Videos for "Why Don't You Do Right" and "I'd Love To" charted in the Top 10 on The Bravo Countdown. Slick Chick was subsequently released in Europe and South America followed by a nine country tour.

In 2002, on yet another musical adventure, Lee took on a role with Vancouver's Modern Baroque Opera in a VEC production which took home an Alcan Performing Arts Award.

Last year, Lee began writing and production on Beautiful Things. What initially started as another jazz effort, evolved into some of her most creative and personal work to date. "For the first time, I had no deadlines except my own so it was refreshing to finally write a record without censoring myself or trying to contrive radio hits - to just let it flow naturally," Lee says.

Industry insiders agree the new material is her most impressive work ever. Performed by some of the West Coast's finest musicians - including Michael Kaeshammer and True North Records newcomer Joel Kroeker - Beautiful Things seamlessly blends jazz, roots and pop into a brilliant and unique collection of originals and select covers.

Transcending an image that never did her talent justice, Lee Aaron has truly grown into an artist of grace and style....

[bobby parker]
Born in Louisiana, Bobby Parker grew up in Los Angeles, where his musical career started at a very young age. His studio work found him recording with blues legends such as Bo Diddley, Fats Domino, Paul " Hucklebuck " Williams, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, to name  a few. While on the road, Bobby toured and shared stages with artists the likes of Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, The Everly Brothers, Laverne Baker, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Little Richard and many more. Bobby Parker continued to write his own material and released his most celebrated recording " Watch Your Step " on the V-Tone label. This record was considered highly influential on the styles of many British artists, who adapted Bobby’s riffs into their own music. Amongst these artists at the time: Carlos Santana and Jimmy Page.



With " Shine Me Up " and " Bent Out Of Shape ", Bobby Parker has released two highly touted albums over the last decade and is currently working on his next recording, set for release later in 2005.
Today, all in all Bobby Parker’s career spans over 4 decades, during which his incredible guitar playing and amazing vocal work have earned him the reputation of a true Blues Legend and the admiration of fellow musicians, as well as music critics and his fans world wide. In a more recent interview Carlos Santana explains: " He’s one of the few remaining guitarists on this planet, who can pierce your heart and soothe your soul. He inspired me to play guitar."

[little freddie king]
" One of the last great country blues players, Little Freddie King…..lives the blues. He stays in a run-down apartment, in a deteriorating neighborhood, with a domineering wife. He rides a rickety bicycle several miles to and from a downtown garage, where he rebuilds alternators. He is tormented by ulcers and headaches, but playing his cheap pawn shop guitars always makes him FEEL better at the end of the day. "  - Jeff Hannusch, Offbeat Magazine.

Fread E. Martin was born in McComb, Mississippi, July 19, 1940 down the road from Bo Diddley’s place. His father was a blues guitar player that worked the weekend black southern circuit in the Delta and quite often brought Freddie along, when he was playing. Eventually Freddie taught himself how to play the guitar and developed his country style blues or as he calls it “Gut Bucket Blues”.

 
At the age of 14 he “hopped” a train from the sharecropper farm to New Orleans to stay with his sister. There he met such up-coming musicians as Buddy Guy and a close friend, Slim Harpo. Sounding like Freddie King, knowing all his songs and having performed with Freddie King, it was in the early 1960’s, that he was hung with the “Little Freddie King” appellation.

Generally the 60’s were busy years for Freddie: "I pretty much stayed lit up all the time back then". He became a charter member, an annual attraction at the New Orleans Jazz Festival and toured Europe with Bo Diddley and John Lee Hooker in 1976 in support of his first album. His 1970 recording titled “Harmonica Williams and Little Freddie King” is believed to be the first electric blues album in New Orleans.

[the blue voodoo]
The BLUE VOODOO stands for a unique blend of acoustic Roots and Blues Rock, born directly out of the Delta in BC, Canada. Strongly influenced by the swampy delta music of the old masters like Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson, the BLUE VOODOO provides rich harmonies and rhythms, guaranteed to captivate their audiences.

The year 2002 saw the release of their debut album “Ride“, a first indication of the great musicianship behind this West Coast band. The BLUE VOODOO took the album on the road and established themselves on the live music circuit. Performances include a number of festival appearances, opening shows for Otis Taylor and Marcia Ball, as well as a personal invitation by Canadian icon Joni Mitchell, to perform at her 60 Birthday party. She had experienced the band live and hired them on the spot.
Two songs of the album were featured in the Cinema Vault Movie “Sister Blue“.


Meanwhile the BLUE VOODOO were working on their second CD, which was released in 2004: “ Sparkle and Shine “ fascinates critics around the globe. Glaring reviews and radio airplay worldwide are testimonials for a promising musical future of the
BLUE VOODOO

[memphis gold]
Chester Chandler ( aka Memphis Gold ) was born in Memphis, Tennessee, as the thirteenth child of fourteen in his family. His father played the bass fiddle as well as the piano and introduced Chester to the guitar at the tender age of four. Quickly Chester was recognized as a very promising musician and by the young age of 8, he already was a regular at Beale Street in Memphis, where he played his guitar and danced for pocket change from the crowd. At the age of 12, he was mentored by the 1928 -35 Victor/Brunswick/Vocalion recording artist Reverend Robert “Tim” Wilkins.


Since then, Memphis Gold has come a long way, having shared stages with such artists as Bernard Allison, James Brown, R.L. Burnside, Shemeika Copeland, Robert Cray, John Hammond, Johnny Lang, Otis Rush, Hubert Sumlin and Jimmy Vaughn, to name just a few. Larry Benicewicz from the Music Monthly / Maryland Musician says about Memphis: "I’m happy to report, Memphis Gold didn’t tell me that he sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads of Highway 49 and 61 in order to play like the guitar wizard that he is. He is a genuine article……..and probably serves as one of the last links to the days when cotton was king on the Mississippi Delta."

[johnny ferreira]
King of the sax, international performer, avid hockey nut - this is Johnny Ferreira. Music had a calling for him at the tender age of 11 years, but it took until the age of 17, before Johnny picked up the saxophone. By 19 he was involved with his first bands and pursued a degree in music at the University of British Columbia. Since he "always felt more comfortable on stage than in the classroom", he withdrew from his musical education to become one of the original members of the Colin James Band in 1986. The following 11 years passed in a whirlwind of numerous awards and touring with some of rock history's most profound names, including the Rolling Stones, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Santana, ZZ Top, Keith Richards, Steve Winwood and Robert Plant.

Johnny left Colin James in 1998 to pursue his solo career and founded "Johnny Ferreira and Swing Machine". Constantly in demand, he kept on touring and releasing CDs and discovered new fans and excitement fronting his own band.


In 2001 Johnny teamed up and co-wrote with award winning singer-songwriter Anet Ducharme (Tom Cochrane, Amanda Marshall) and soon saw some of his songs weaving their way into Movies and TV. Johnny Ferreira's unmistakable sax sound is featured on (currently) 20 CDs, many of which have reached gold and platinum status and his career has been rewarded with numerous awards, including Best Canadian Saxophonist (1998 Real Blues Magazine), Best Canadian Swing/Jump Blues Band (1998 Real Blues Magazine), Horn Player of the Year (1997 Toronto Blues Society), Best Saxophonist of the Year (1997 West Coast Blues Review) and Best Live Group of the Year (1996 West Coast Blues Review).

Respect and professionalism are the top priorities for Johnny Ferreira, who continues to strive for perfection in his music, business relationships and personal development. He stays rooted to his saxophone, flirting with various sounds from swing to rock to pop. Infectious melodies and grooves infuse these sounds with emotion and passion that grab the listener from deep within............

[lil jimmy reed]
Leon Atkins ( aka Lil Jimmy Reed )
a self-taught musician based out of Enterprise, Alabama, still remembers how he was given his first guitar by his dad at the age of 16: "My dad  bought me the guitar on a Monday and by Sunday I could play it". Growing up in front of a night club he was exposed to the original Jimmy Reed’s music, which was regularly played on the jukebox. Young Leon did his best to play along with it and learned to play the Blues the Jimmy Reed style. He eventually was given his name during an experience he’ll never forget: Leon always wanted to see the real Jimmy Reed and when he finally had the chance, Mr. Reed himself was too drunk to perform - "They snuck him out the backdoor and came back to get me. The audience couldn’t tell the difference, nor did they care".


Since then, Lil Jimmy Reed has appeared on numerous club and festival stages and has opened up for artists such as Bobby“Blue” Bland, Lynn White and many more. In 1995 Lil Jimmy Reed was presented with the Alabama Blues Treasure Award.

[wild t and the spirit]
Over the years Guitarist Tony “Wild T” Springer has been performing with many of the greats, including David Bowie, The Doors, Bon Jovi, Jeff Healey, Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen and Johnny Winter. TV appearances include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman and the Arsenio Hall Show. Born in Trinidad, Tony moved to Toronto in his early teens and quickly gained reputation playing on the local club scene. After many successful local bands, he joined recording artists “Rough Trade” in 1987 and toured with this act throughout Canada and the US for the next few years.

In 1990 Wild T And The Spirit began to take form and 1991 saw the release of their first album “Love Crazy”. The record caused a lot of noise on the Canadian Blues-Rock scene and "Wild T" began touring Canada coast to coast. David Bowie, on tour with his band “The Tin Machine” happened to watch Tony’s video for the single “Midnight Blues” on Much Music (Canada’s MTV) and decided to meet with the flamboyant guitar player. He invites "Wild T" to play guitar on his following solo album “Black Tie” and took him on tour the same year.


After releasing his second album “Givin' Blood” in 1993, Wild T And The Spirit supported Bon Jovi on a 14 show Canadian tour. The single “Loveland” became a Top 10 hit on Much Music in Canada and the album received nominations for numerous music awards, including the Juno Award 1994. After intense touring, which included opening shows for “Deep Purple”, Yngwie Malsteen and Johnny Winter, Tony took a creative break and focused mainly on songwriting.

The year 2000 saw the release of “Strange Modern” and a re-formation of the band toward the current line-up.
In 2003 Wild T And The Spirit signed a deal with Bullseye Records and recorded their latest album “True Bliss”, which was released in Canada and the US in 2004 and has been embraced by many fans. It is slated for a European release in January 2005, which will have Wild T And The Spirittouring in all of Europe and the US.

[janice harrington]
Introducing Janice Harrington, the Gospel-, Blues- and Jazz Singer, producer and actress. Her career began in 1969, with tours to South East Asia, where she performed for the US military in various U.S.O camps during the Vietnam War. While being a featured performer at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas from 1975 through to 1977, she also played lead roles in the National tours of “Norman Is That You” and “Two Gentleman From Verona” and was featured in the American TV series “Days Of Our Lives”. Janice went on to work with such artists as Billy Daniels, Lloyd Bridges, Frank Sinatra Jr., Sammy Davis Jr. and Lionel Hampton, who advised her “Two Aries should not work together and she should get her own show”. By moving to Europe in 1980 she proceeded to do so and performed a number of truly memorable shows: Opening act for Joan Armatrading 1982 in Oslo, a concert for Bishop Desmond Tutu after he received the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo and opening act for B.B. King in 1989 in Copenhagen with the Kenn Lending Blues Band.


Her tours included performances with Luther Allison, Champion Jack Dupree and Nat Adderly, numerous radio Big Bands and Jazz Bands, as well as radio and TV appearances. Through the years Janice Harrington wrote and produced 2 albums and 9 CDs, has written several musicals and is featured on many other productions. Recent highlights of her career include an invitation in, by the special request of the American Ambassador to Poland, Mr. Hill, to sing for the “First Anniversary in Memory of the Victims of 9/11”, as well as a performance at the final event for Black History Month in the Country of Georgia at a request of theAmerican Ambassador, Mr. Miles.

Critically acclaimed in the  international press, Janice Harrington is said to have the ability to hold an audience spellbound.

[incognito]

Incognito came together in 1984 under the leadership of blues guitar prodigy Rob Montgomery and west coast harmonica legend Sherman Doucette. Together they recruited arguably the best blues rhythm section on the coast: Bob Woods from Matt Minglewood Band and Bob Popowich from 6 Cylinder. Incognito was an immediate hit with their hard driving boogie and rocking blues style. 14 years and countless road miles took their toll on Sherman and in ’98 he was replaced by harp player, guitarist and lead vocalist, Oliver Conway, from Oliver and the Elements. Oliver is a showman known for his soulful voice, funkyfized playing and his way with an audience. In 2003 veteran drummer Darrell Mayes has taken on the majority of work from “New Dad” Bob Woods. Darrell brings 10 years experience with the Colin James Band and a powerful style to Incognito. Together the band has been exploring some cool directions in writing and recording, and with their last 2001 release “Four” (Aero MusicCo.), featuring great new songs and a few tasty covers with singles “Getaway” and ‘Waterfall”, impressing old fans and winning new ones. In 2003 Incognito toured mainly Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest, including club festival and convention dates in Saskatchewan Alberta, BC and Washington State, a couple TV appearances on Edmonton's “Great Big Breakfast” as well as opening shows for Johnny Winter and Delbert McLinton


Incognito can also be experienced on numerous projects like the 1998 “Live Blues on Whyte” CD – a live compilation of the best bands from Edmonton’s premier blues bar as well as the 1999 “West Coast Blues Party”, where Incognito joined Powder Blues, Jim Byrnes, Kenny Wayne, Hurricane and the Twisters on this compilation of the best of Vancouver’s Blues – in aid of CKNW Orphans Fund. Incognito leads off with “That’s What Love will Do” the 2002 “Live at the Yale – Storman Norman’s 10 Anniversary”, CD, where the legendary DJ assembles a stellar cast in aid of street youth resources.

The coming year sees the band recording live and studio tracks for their new CD and continue to perform before audiences in music venues, clubs and at festivals dates in British Columbia and Washington State. Although nominally a four piece, many of the band’s recent dates have included their horn section, keyboard player and guest vocalist, for a really exciting live show. Incognito also continues to be the weekly host of the famed Yale Hotel Saturday Blues Jam.

[wolf mail]
Montreal, Canada born Wolf Mail started playing the guitar at the age of 10, listening to Elmore James and Ray Charles records. He did his first gig at the age of 14 and ran away from home at age 17, to tour with his band. WOLF moved to LA and in no-time made himself a name in the local music scene. During a jam session in the Troubadour Club in LA, he was invited by Randy Castillo to join Ozzy Osbourne’s band, but – although very tempted – turned down the offer in favour of his own project.

In 1987 Wolf Mail found himself on his first US tour. The year 1992 saw Wolf Mail's first major record release “Little Mr. Me“, followed by “D.I.G.“ in 1995. He embarked on his first European tour in 1998, supporting dates with Robben Ford. In 2000 Wolf Mail averages about 200 shows per year, touring the US, Canada, all of Europe, Australia, Tasmania and Japan. His third release “ Solid Ground “ became the best selling Blues CD at Tower Records stores in the US in Dec. 2003. Mark Knopfler meets with Wolf and gets his own copy of “Solid Ground“.


In 2003 – only his second time in Australia and Tasmania – Wolf Mail performs over 80 shows and headlines the “Narooma Blues Festival“ with an attendance of 16.000 people, as well as the “Gympie Munster Festival“ in front of a crowd of an estimated 40.000 music fans. He shares the stage with the likes of Kenny Neal, Johnny Johnson and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. In 2004 he recorded his fourth album “Came Too Far To Run“ with the legendary Steve Miller Band Rhythm Section, who hold five # 1 hits in the US in the Blues Rock genre. Wolf also signed a full endorsement deal with Samick guitars USA the same year and was the feature artist for the Greg Bennett's collection at the 2005 NAMM shows both in Nashville and LA.

Wolf Mail's CDs are sold in over 20 countries and enjoy radio airplay in more than 1000 stations worldwide. His live DVD “Restless“ will feature concert and backstage footage from LA, Tokyo, Paris and Sydney and is set for release in June 2006.

[sam cockrell]
 
Inspired by the ‘Jackson 5 ‘, Sam began  writing, recording and performing original material with his band “ The Brothers of the Ghetto “ at the tender age of nine.
They got discovered in the early ‘70s by noted producer Willie Mitchell, changed their name in “Majik”, and took them down to his Memphis recording studio to cut three R&B singles, which moved on to become regional hits in the Chicago and Tennessee markets. Later, Cockrell went on to write and record
“ Gotta Get Up “ with Kool & The Gang’s Kevin Bell, which became a national scoring on Billboard’s Top 100 chart. Over the years Sam has also made himself a name as a sideman and has shared the stage with the likes of B.B. King, James Brown, Chaka Khan, Rick James and A.C. Reed, to name a few. Cockrell says he “ learned a lot about being an entertainer “ from working with these legends.


These days, he holds a unique position as the bandleader, vocalist and bass player for his quartet “ The Groove “. The band lives up to it’s name by performing a variety of highly danceable music, lead by Cockrell’s expert showmanship, specialized in audience participation and a nice sense of humor. As a solo artist, Sam Cockrell firmly believes in musical diversity, as evidenced on both his CD releases, “ I’m In The Business “ and “ Colorblind “ and throughout his lengthy career he has done his part to break down musical barriers. When it comes to the Blues, Cockrell can be counted among the ranks of contemporary artists like Robert Cray, Michael Hill’s Blues Mob or the Kinsey Report, who keep on pushing the boundaries of the Blues.

[joe mavety]
Joe remembers his first paid gig, at the age of 15 ,at some high school in Toronto:" We were awful, really bloody awful ...and they loved us! I knew then what I was going to do for the rest of my life".
At 17, Joe was taking lessons from Jazz guitar legend Lenny Breau and after a stint at the Miles Davis School of Music and a few years on the Toronto bar circuit, he packed up his guitar and moved on to one of the musical hotspots of the world: London, England. Soon he was working with the likes of Bryan Ferry and Joe Cocker and eventually met the woman who would guarantee his place in musical history:


Marianne Faithfull hired Joe Mavety as her lead guitarist and co-writer. Joe co-wrote many of the songs on Marianne's ground breaking comeback album "Broken English" and spent 6 years of touring and recording with her, silently holding the reins, when direction was needed. 1983 saw the end of Joe's work with Marianne. Back in Toronto he forged new relationships and resurrected old ones. After extensive tour work with the likes of Stanley Clarke, Chris Spedding and Dr. Hook, him and long time collaborator Michael Fonfara of Lou Reed and Downchild fame, formed "The Connection", whose first single and video "Crusaders" was featured on the popular TV series "Degrassi Junior High".
Various other musical groupings led to the formation of the Joe Mavety Band in 1988 and Joe was heralded as one of Toronto's finest musicians, carving a name and reputation for himself through his astute playing and dedication.


1994 saw the release of Joe Mavety's first CD "Sunburst", a collection of his songwriting gems. With his second album "In Orbit", he pays homage to one of his favorite Toronto clubs, The Orbit Room, concentrating on instrumental sounds and gentle grooves. After his move to Vancouver in 1996, he quickly established himself in the local music scene and released "Live at the Fairview" in 2001. Recently Joe reinvented himself again, recording "Blue Cordova", a collaboration with the late keyboard and Hammond icon Robbie King, who was part of Joe's Vancouver club band until his death in 2003. This album embraces everything these great players experienced in music over the last 20 years and predicts the strong direction, Joe Mavety will be taking next.

[james rogers blues band]
Vancouver based guitarist, singer, songwriter James Rogers has toured extensively throughout Canada and the United States opening and playing shows with artists such as the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Long John Baldry, Kenny Neal, Elvin Bishop, Indigenous, Holmes Brothers, Sue Foley, Long John Hunter, Canned Heat, Powder Blues, Jerry Doucette and Jim Byrnes.
 


James' music has been played on various radio stations throughout Canada and the United States, as well as on TV with the series "Highlander" and "24 Hours of Le Mans" telecast for Speedvision. With seventeen years of experience to his credit and only 29 James Rogers is an unstoppable talent.

[wes 'the bluesman' mackey]
Southern Bluesman Wes Mackey was sent into the world by his father some 40 years ago to play the Blues. His first stop being Charleston, Southern Carolina, he’s made it as far East as Malaysia, as far North as Iceland and as far West as British Columbia, Canada.

Wes Mackey learned to play the guitar from the seasoned old Blues players of the deep South and he glad to have been part of that great bygone era. He remembers: “ They taught me not only about the music, but about things I’m going to come across if I’m going to be a professional musician, stories about their life on the road. Those things have guided me and they’ve kept me going “.


From working dusty old honky-tonks he moved on to playing in bands that backed up greats like Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and Jimmy Reed. His career now spanning over 4 decades Wes Mackey is busier than ever.
“ At 63 my career is just taking off “ he says, with his second CD “ Mr. Blues “ just being released in the fall of 2005. His aptly titled debut album
“ Second Chance “ reached near the top in many Canadian charts including CUIT of the Toronto Blues Society and was chosen by Real Blues Magazine as it’s # 7 best release for 2003.

[tim lee]
Born and raised in Southern Ontario, Canada, Tim Lee began playing guitar at the age of 23. Equally comfortable in bands, as well as a solo performer his sure-handed playing style - unabashedly rooted in the blues - and his powerful voice have taken him to club and festival stages throughout the country.

 Early in his career, Tim had been fortunate to spend countless nights listening to and playing with Mel Brown And The Homewreckers an experience, which would influence his playing tremendously and can be heard every now and then in his various interpretations of the Blues.
Slipping easily from R&B and Funk into more traditional bottleneck Blues and original material. Tim also continues to add older favorites to his sets, displaying his versatility as a player.


The year 2002 saw the release of Tim Lee's critically acclaimed debut CD and shortly thereafter he decided to "go back to school", by accepting the offer to join the Russel Jackson Band. Under the wings of the ex-B.B. King Orchestra bass player, Tim honed his skills as a guitarist and vocalist, while touring Canada and the U.S. During that period Tim connected with Sam Cockrell for the first time and after a few jam sessions he was being asked in 2004 to handle all the guitar duties for the Canadian dates of Sam Cockrell And The Groove.

Currently Tim is looking at a 200-plus shows a year schedule, dividing his time between touring with The Russel Jackson Band, Sam Cockrell And The Groove, as well as his own project The Revelators. He also continues to work on his second album, due to be released in 2006.
Over the years Tim Lee has shared stages with greats the likes of Kim Wilson, Duke Robillard and Otis Clay, just to name a few.

[the bill johnson blues band]
Bill Johnson started playing the guitar when he was 9 years old. Records by Elvis, The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix were his early influences, but Bill remembers: “ Chuck Berry was the one that did it for me. Chuck made me want to play guitar ”. Then he began to study the likes of B.B. King, Elmore James and T-Bone Walker: “ These guys knocked me out, because they played with so much feeling “.
During the 70’s and 80’s Bill played with various projects, achieving respectable successes while exploring different musical genres. The mid-1980’s saw him leaving the stage to pursue a steady full-time career job.

During the 90’s Bill Johnson returned back to music and eventually played in the Sidewalk Blues Band with Doug Cox, before forming his very own The Bill Johnson Blues Band in 1994. Major engagements included the opening for Delbert McClinton at this year’s Victoria Jazz Festival and a tour into Scandinavia with the Lebeau Petersen Band.


It didn’t take him long to become a regular on the local scene, when in 1996 Bill moved to Calgary. During this time he played with a veteran of the Lowell Fulsom and Philip Walker bands, Grammy-award winning Donald Ray Johnson and was featured prominently on his album. Bill gained yet more wisdom during his stints as sideman with the likes of Son Seals, Dutch Mason and Cash McCall, legendary guitarist to Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf.

After sharing the stage with Johnson at 1997’s Guitar Mania, acclaimed Canadian bluesman Tim Williams raved “He’s a fine singer and his guitar playing is a rare mix of passion and musical clarity “.
Bill Johnson has spent a lifetime immersing himself in the Blues. He’s a master of the form and live is a blast of majestic Blues power

[jw jones]
“ One of the country’s top Blues guitar stars “ writes the ‘Globe and Mail’, one of Canada’s leading gazettes, about the 25-year old JW Jones, who has performed throughout the world ( Canada, USA, Europe, Australia, Brazil ) and has been invited to share the stage with some of the biggest names in Blues today: The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Junior Watson, Little Charlie & The Nightcats, Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets, the legendary Hubert Sumlin, and many more.

In 2004 JW Jones’ released his third album “ My Kind Of Evil “, which was produced by multi-Grammy nominee Kim Wilson ( The Fabulous Thunderbirds ) and features the silky-smooth vocals of Colin James on two smokin’ tracks.
The album has garnered radio-airplay worldwide, including heavy rotation on some commercial radio stations, as well as features on shows such as the internationally syndicated ‘House of Blues Radio Hour’.  


The buzz created by this band over the years, earned JW Jones a national award for ‘Electric Act of the Year’ at Toronto’s Maple Blues Awards and rave reviews around the globe. With their heavy schedule the band ranks as one of the hardest touring Blues acts in the country.
2006 has seen the band’s fourth release with Germany based CrossCut Records, "Kissing in 29 Days", featuring the legendary David ‘Fathead’ Newman on Tenor Sax. Newman was the main sax player with Ray Charles for 12 years.

JW Jones and his Blues Band are ready to take on any challenge….and with their unique sound, they are going to set the world on fire one country at a time !

[boz roz]
During the past 35 years, Phil "Boz Roz" Rossner has been a performer, songwriter, promoter and music journalist. After playing guitar for numerous bands on Vancouver Island, he formed his own band, The Roz Boz Band, in 1995. The band has recorded two CDs -  "Shadow of the Thunderbird" and  "Look Into My Eyes" - which feature original music written by Phil Rossner.  A third CD, "Sonic Mnemonics", is a "best of" complication that also includes a new bonus track.
Phil is presently working on his fourth CD, as yet untitled, in which he will be collaborating with  musical friends and colleagues, including Blues guitarist extraordinaire JimmyThackery, Canadian Guitar hero Jack Semple, vocalist Bernie Shaw (Uriah Heep) and Blues harpist Shakey Reay Suter, among others.

Previous to The Boz Roz Band, Phil Rossner had formed Punch The Clock, which released three cassette tapes of original music - "Punch The Clock", "Facets" and  "PTC3". He has also filled the lead guitar slot for The Nancy Ruth Band, playing The Vancouver TV Breakfast Show and other promotional events.
Phil has played hundreds of shows on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, opening for such music luminaries as James Cotton and Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers. Future plans include Canadian and European tours in support of the new CD, starting Summer, 2006.

[harpdog brown]
Formally it's Harpdog, but his friends call him Dog. As he explains it - "Harp is my instrument, so don't call me Harp, call me Dog. I am the Dog of the harp not the Harp of the dog." Harpdog Brown started out with a house gig, playing guitar and singing in a non-interruptive duo in 1980 , opening up for comics at  “Jesters”, a comedy supper club in downtown Edmonton. The club presented many international acts from Phyllis Diller or Gary Muledeer to Harry Anderson and a young Andrew “Dice” Clay.
That New Year’s Eve his partner chickened out of an opening slot for the “Bad Habits Blues Band”, but the show had to go on.
And it did !

Over night Harpdog Brown became a solo act and within a year of single gigs around town he answered an ad in the newspaper: “Rock band looking for singer – must be able to travel”.
Harpdog spent a total of 4 weeks with that band, before giving his notice – he was ready to to go out and build his own Blues band !


Before long he took his first band “Yesterdays Paper” on the road and started his life-long journey, spreading the Blues where ever he goes. From Alaska to Frisco and the Canadian West Coast to the Capitol – he’s been there, singing and playing the hell out of his harp.
Over the year’s Harpdog recorded and released “ Beware of Dog “ and “ Home is where the Harp is “, two critically acclaimed albums, that still stand the test of time. His latest CD “ Once in a Howlin’ Moon / Live at The Vat “ has just been released.

From the Missoula Independent, Montana: “…..Harpdog and The Bloodhounds twang out a sound that punctuates the emotions, instead of overwhelming them or trying to make them seem heroic……That’s the essence of the Blues.”

[summer and the sinners]
It was a sweltering 104 in the shade, the day Summer was born north of the Bay area in California……and her name is a result of that particular heat wave.
She grew up in a family that made their careers in the film industry and music was always a big part of her life.

After Summer relocated to Victoria, BC, it wasn’t long before she became a regular at the blues jams, sitting in with the cornerstone bands of the local scene. Soon she was performing regularly with Dave Harris’ band and was featured as a guest artist on several of his CDs. Summer also played with Jim Giboshe ( Harp Dog Brown ) as well as Willie MacCalder   ( Powder Blues ) during that period – a time that provided great opportunities to hone her craft.



 The year 2004 saw the release of her debut album “Stranger’s Blues “, which enjoys radio airplay worldwide and has critics stunned across the board. Often compared with a Koko Taylor, Summer is an exciting new voice on the scene, bringing down the house every time she hits the stage……

[the twisters]
2003 Juno Nominees and Canadian Independent Music Award winners for "Best Blues Album of the Year" for their second release "Long Hard Road", The Twisters are one of the hardest hitting acts on the blues scene today.
Paying dues to the blues tradition, The Twisters swing hard with three inspiring vocalists, tightly woven harp & guitar lines, and a relentless driving rhythm section forging a groove that refuses to be denied. Each of the members has brought his musical talent and influences to the table, resulting in a potpourri of "Blues Cuisine" guaranteed to satisfy the most discerning blues palette. From deep in the Mississippi Delta to early Chicago shuffles, from infectious Texas grinders to West Coast jump and funky swamp-soaked Louisiana rhythms, The Twisters serve up the goods.


 Top it all off with strong original compositions and a live show renowned for rocking' the house and there's only one thing left...do yourself a favour and see what the storm's all about when The Twisters blow through your town.
They are proud to announce the release of their long awaited third CD, "Live at Harvest Fest", and you'll be seeing plenty of them when they head out on the road to support the album.

[the r&b kingpins]
The Kingpins are a band with a ton of experience, drive and enthusiasm, a band that shifts effortlessly from Blues to R&B, Soul and Swing. They feature some of the West Coast’s finest musicians and are guaranteed to rock the house, no matter whether they perform as a 5-piece group or together with their horn section as a 7-piece. Who are The Kingpins?

Big Hank Lionhart – Vocals: Starting out in the night clubs of Seattle, followed by years of touring with top 40 bands, Hank has been in the music business some 35 years. After his move to Vancouver Island in the late 70’s he formed the Uncle Wiggly’s Hot Shoes Blues Band and managed to get signed by RCA Records. The band completed a cross Canada tour on the strength of two albums, opening for such legends as Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, James Cotton and Joe Cocker, to name a few. In 1985 Hank formed the Toasters, a mainstay on the Vancouver Blues and R&B scene for almost 10 years. His distinctive voice, showmanship and riotous stage antics make him a real crowd pleaser.
Jack Lavin – Bass / Vocals:
Born in Chicago, Jack became a founding member of the WC Handy Award winning band Powder Blues and was nominated for a Juno award in 1981 for writing the hit single “Thirsty Years”. Jack’s recording credits include Powder Blues, Lowell Fulson, Amos Garrett, Mark DuFresne and Jim Byrnes and he has been performing with such greats as John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley, Jimmy Page, James Cotton, Elvin Bishop, Pinetop Perkins and Taj Mahal. Over the years Jack Lavin has been a huge influence on the R&B scene in Vancouver and his solid bass playing and great voice now provides the backbone of the Kingpins sound.


Steve Cross – Lead Guitar / Vocals: Steve toured Canada with a number of bands, including recording artists The Privilege based out of Edmonton, followed by years with The Al Foreman Band out of Vancouver. In 1985 he joined Hank with The Toasters, who shared stages with Long John Baldry, John Mayall, Randy Bachman and The Neville Brothers. Steve cut his teeth on the guitar influences of Eric Clapton and Peter Green and his vocals and searing guitar licks are an integral part of the Kingpins sound.
Steve Ranta – Keyboards / Vocals: Steve toured Canada from coast to coast with legendary Canadian recording artist Bobby Curtola in the 70’s. He became a founding member of The Toasters and his heavy-handed boogie-woogie style earned him the reputation as one of the best keyboard players in the Pacific Northwest.
Daryl Bennett – Drums:
Daryl has a history of performing with great bands, including the Powder Blues Band. He has been played and toured with: Ray Charles, David Foster, Celine Dion, Bryan Adams, Kenny Logins, Boz Skaggs, Kenny Rogers and Kenny G. Daryl also has a keen interest in Jazz and occasionally fronts his own Jazz Quintet. When not behind the kit, he composes music for film and TV.

[red hot blues sisters]
In the short time since the Red Hot Blues Sisters performed their first live show, they have taken the local Seattle Blues community by surprise, with the power and depth of their musicianship. Their innovative songwriting brings a fresh feel to the Blues and selective covers of traditional standards shine like polished stones through the lens of the bands strong musicology and style.

Recently featured live performances on main club and festival stages in the North Western US have continued to introduce the talents of the Red Hot Blues Sisters, resulting in extremely positive responses from ardent blues, rock and R&B fans. Fronted by the hot and soulful vocals of Suze Sims and the searing rock/blues styles of Teri Anne Wilson on guitar, this group is joined by some of the finest North West musicians on the circuit, including Lisa Ramaglia on bass, Scotty Harris on sax, Ronnie Bishop on drums and Beth Wulff on keyboards.


The Red Hot Blues Sisters have a guaranteed crowd pleasing live engagement that is quickly gaining a fast growing fan base and their well-crafted songs are rapidly being picked up for airplay. Producers Bonnie Hayes and Tom Pfaeffle recently joined forces with Peace Code Records on their latest EP “Hot Off The Press”, which includes “Ocean Beach” and “See You”, both composed by Suze and Teri. Bonnie Hayes is best known for her hit songs “Have A Heart” and “Love Letter”, which restored Bonnie Raitt to superstardom with the multi-platinum and Grammy- winning album “Nick Of Time”. Tom Pfaeffle is best known for his audio productions with the bands Heart and Queensrych.

 

Please contact Concept Entertainment Ltd. for booking information on the above artists.
phone: 604.552.2170 | fax: 604.552.2175 | email: mario@conceptentertainment.net

© 2004 by Concept Entertainment Ltd. All rights reserved.