Blues

Philip Sayce’s playing style combines elements of soul, funk, and rock along a solid blues backbone.

“I’ve always believed that music chooses you – you don’t choose music. Being an artist certainly isn’t the easiest thing in the world in terms of making a living. We do it because we love it, and we’re so passionate about it that there’s really no choice.”

Jesse Greene conclusively gives lie to the notion that there’s no blues at Bluesfest.

UK bluesman Ian Siegal came out blazing.

Silver Creek celebrate 10 years as a band.

You could say Ottawa blues guitarist-singer-songwriter Lucas Haneman was born to play. Haneman’s fascination with the guitar began as soon as he was old enough to sit on his daddy’s knee and reach the strings. At age 6, he was given a toy guitar with plastic strings, and moved up to a classical guitar a few […]

Local artists, The Jesse Greene Band, shook up a packed house at Irene’s Pub on Friday night, with their highly charged brand of rockin’ powerhouse blues. Now changed from a 5-piece down to a 4-piece, Jesse Greene tells me about the new band configuration: “At first, I had gotten used to playing with another guitarist, […]

Looking through the Bluesfest lineup you wouldn’t be alone if you’re finding it tricky to get yourself a good dose of the Blues. I’ve done some digging though and what I’ve seen is there’s definitely some fine blues to go out and hear at this year’s festival. Here’s a little cheat sheet with 5 shows […]

Longtime Ottawa musician Victor Nesrallah has spent his life forging a well-rounded career through his never-ending thirst for knowledge in nearly all aspects of music. He shared with me how his 35-year musical journey has been shaped by learning, experience, and answered calls of opportunity. “Earlier in the 70’s, I used to back up my brother, […]

There is something about performing on the Rainbow stage. As a fledgling singer over 20 years ago, I remember the acute sense of nervousness I felt walking onto it, standing as green as could be, high above the crowd, looking out past the packed dance floor below me, the bar area beyond, the balcony area […]

This Saturday night the Byward Market will be alive with music and you’re all invited to join the street party. The strolling music and dance-fuelled celebration, presented as part of the Ottawa Chamberfest will be lead by the Lemon Bucket Orkestra, a 16-strong, Toronto-based “Balkan-klezmer-gypsy-party-punk-superband.” Marc Marczyk (violinist and vocalist wih LBO) admits that this […]