Twin Juno Nods Prove Respect Comes More Than Just Once For Blue Moon Marquee

This time, they’re jumping for joy: Cowichan Valley - Coast Salish Territory, BC, indie blues duo Blue Moon Marquee have scored two nominations in the 2024 JUNO Awards, in the categories of Blues Album of the Year and Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year. Both nominations are for the group’s 2022 album, Scream, Holler & Howl, a 13-song collection co-produced by the band, the legendary Duke Robillard (The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Roomful of Blues) and Erik Nielsen.
 
The nominations were announced February 6 at CBC in Toronto. The awards ceremony was held Sunday, March 24, at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.
 
At the same time, Blue Moon Marquee have been nominated in two categories in the 2024 Maple Blues Awards: Entertainer of the Year and Bass Player of the Year (recognizing standup bassist/vocalist Jasmine “Badlands Jass” Colette, who also keeps time for the act via the use of a custom foot drum kit). That follows the band’s sweep of 2023, in which they won Entertainer of the Year, Acoustic Act of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Record/Producer of the Year—the first time in the 26-year history of the Maple Blues Awards that a single artist has carried those specific categories. Guitarist/vocalist A.W. Cardinal, the other half of the duo, is also the first Indigenous artist to win those “big four” awards.
 
Founded in 2013, carving a path through blues, jazz, jump jive, folk, Country, swing and Indigenous soul with an authentic spirit, their sound does not idle easily in one certain category. It stomps and struts through the wilds, conjuring a blend where Howlin Wolf tangos with Django, Earnest Tubbs shoots firecrackers with Louis Prima and Memphis Minnie throws dice with Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.
 
Their gift is they bring all these elements together without anything sounding out of step. They collect the roots and smoothly braid them with lyrics that often touch on the underbelly of society, woven with elements of Indigenous storytelling and poetic cadence. 
 
In addition to mainstays Cardinal and Colette, the act is sometimes rounded out by Darcy Phillips (Jann Arden) on piano and Jerry Cook (Colin James) on tenor and baritone saxophone.  
 
The Group is currently working on three unique recording projects all while preparing for a spate of Summer and Fall concert dates throughout Canada.
 
Their road plans also include a trip to Nashville to appear at Americana Fest and a tour throughout the USA to support.
 
Blue Moon Marquee recently signed with Paquin Artists Agency, one of Canada’s most respected touring agencies. U.S. booking is through Caline Artists International. If you’ve been considering adding this hotly requested show band to your event schedule, the time to act is now. Because these “two small-town Alberta kids” aren’t just going places—they’ve clearly arrived.

Johnny Kantor

                                      

Johnny Kantor, one of Canada's original bad boys, is known to many who were involved in the rock scene of the 80s and 90s. Having recently spent time in South East Asia to focus on his songwriting, he's now back in the studio. With the release of three new original songs, and more on the way this summer, Johnny has created some excellent new rock songs.

Title track "Everybody's Good Lookin'" is a belter that celebrates one of life's cruel truths. "Circuit Board of Life" draws parallels between our real and computer universes. And the bluesier "Midnight Train" will have you in wistful thought before you even finish listening to the first Verse.

Thought provoking lyrics, a soulful voice and powerful chords - Johnny has lost none of his flare and originality. Recently released on all the main streaming platforms, his new tracks are racking up plays.

Eric Bibb

Stony Plain Records, under an exclusive worldwide license agreement from Repute Records, released on April 5th the new album from 2024’s “Best Traditional Blues Album” GRAMMY nominee and Blues/Roots music legend Eric Bibb, Live at The Scala Theatre. The upcoming disc follows 2023’s Ridin’, which has also received two Blues Music Award nominations from The Blues Foundation, whose winners was announced May 9th in Memphis.

Eric Bibb also recently taped a performance at the SiriusXM Radio studios In New York City that will premiere on BB King’s “Bluesville” channel in April around his live album release, and then air shortly thereafter on “The Village.”

Performed in front of a live audience at Stockholm’s Scala Theatre in 2023, the atmosphere captured in these recordings is electric. Live at The Scala Theatre contains a selection of songs cherry-picked from Bibb’s history, infused with the folk and blues tradition with contemporary sensibilities. The performance features an all-star lineup of musicians including Eric’s longtime collaborator, musical director and producer Glen Scott on bass, keys, drums and backing vocals; Olle Linder on drums and acoustic bass; Johan Lindström on pedal steel and electric guitar; Christer Lyssarides on electric guitar and mandola; Esbjörn Hazelius on fiddle and cittern; Greger Andersson on harp; Lamine Cissokho on kora and vocals; special guest vocalists Sarah Dawn Finer, Rennie Mirro and Ulrika Bibb, as well as string arrangements by Erik Arvinder and David Davidson, performed by Hanna Helgegren and Sarah Cross on violins, Christopher Öhman on viola and Josef Ahlin on cello.

“The Live at The Scala concert was, without a doubt, the most ambitious gig and recording project of my career,” says Eric Bibb. “Captained by my super-talented friend, musical director and producer, Glen Scott and graced by an amazing array of musicians, the resulting album is one that defines me as an artist. I couldn’t be more pleased and eager to share it with you all.
“In selecting the album’s songs we wanted to cover three categories: 1)Tried and true fan favorites that had not appeared multiple times on previous live recordings; 2) A few songs from the recently released studio albums, Dear America and Ridin’; 3) At least one song that I’d never before recorded.

“Every song on the album holds a special place in my heart. I’ll elaborate on three of them: ‘Rosewood,’ which tells the story of the horrendous massacre in 1923, that wiped out the African American community of Rosewood in Florida, is both an important history lesson, particularly relevant today in the current climate of disunity in America and the world and hopefully, a story that encourages us to face and learn from our past. ‘Whole World’s Got The Blues’ is, in the way that songs can sometimes be, prescient. It is both a lament about the current state of the world and a warning. ‘Things Is ‘Bout Comin’ My Way,’ adapted from ‘Sittin’ On Top Of The World’ and written by Walter Vinson, is a bluesy affirmation that resonates with my own journey. And one of my fondest memories of that night at The Scala Theatre was being surrounded by the spirited singing, on stage and in the audience, of ‘Mole In The Ground.’“

With a career now spanning five decades, three Grammy nominations, a multitude of Blues Foundation awards and countless more accolades, Eric Bibb has secured his legacy as a legendary figure in the blues and roots genre.

As Eric reflects on his musical journey, gratitude pervades. Evolution is evident in his voice and guitar playing, with his words grounded in truth and fostering a vision of unity in a world filled with divisive rhetoric. Eric Bibb is more than a blues troubadour – he is a storyteller and philosopher. His legacy is not just in the notes he plays or the stages he graces but in the questions he poses and the hope he instills.

Live at The Scala Theatre is a continuation of the vision that informs Bibb’s artistry as a modern-day Blues troubadour. Grounded in the folk and blues tradition with contemporary sensibilities, Bibb’s music continues to reflect his thoughts on current world events and his own lived experiences, whilst remaining entertaining, uplifting, inspirational and relevant.
Eric Bibb summarizes the new album by saying: “To all the wonderful players, singers and facilitators who contributed to this triumphant endeavor, I can only say, from the bottom of my heart:

Thank You! Merci Mille! Tusen Tack!”

Andreas Aleman

Andreas Aleman is actually a fairly experienced musician, who has released records and made a lot of concerts. But due to various reasons, he has stayed in the "background". Now is the time to take the next step and reach the big audience... He took the first step in March 2023, when he secretly auditioned for ”Sweden Got Talent” at National TV4. It resulted in both a standing ovation and a GOLDEN BUZZER from the jury member Johanna Nordström. This took him straight to the final where he also put in an outstanding performance. Although he did not win, he was praised by the jury who were truly moved by Andrea's soulful singing and incredible voice. Andreas Aleman was born and raised in Södertälje. Nowadays he lives in Gustavsberg outside Stockholm. When he was 3 years old, he started playing piano and writing simple songs. His parents' taste in music was contagious and after school he used to rush home to listen to their records. 

This exposed him to Soul, Funk, Blues & Gospel music and it influenced both his musical taste and future musical style. As a 12-year-old, he got to play with a rock band that consisted of his 4-year-old brother and his friends. Andreas played in various bands during his adolescence and attended a 3-year high school program and at the age of 16, he began working as a musician but also as a bandmaster in various bands and for a lot of gospel choirs. Andreas was, among other things, a pianist in the start-up (and a few years later) of the Tensta Gospel Choir in 1996 together with a choir director. This was started as a project with the aim of working for integration between young people from different cultures. There is no doubt that Andreas has one of Sweden's most beautiful soul voices. He has a capacity to get an entire audience totally wild, for in the next moment, calmly touch them for real. He stands for musical quality at all levels. 

The sound is a fantastic mix of soul, funk, R&B, West Coast and gospel. The voice, the songs and the feeling in the music have caused many to compare Andreas with some of the greatest. He has released 4 albums and various singles with self-written music. Andreas has also written musics for artists as Laura Pausini, Gary Valenciano and others and on the single "Celebrate The Season" he sings a duet with the American soul star and five-time Grammy winner, Michael McDonald. He has performed in Sweden, Europe and the USA at various clubs and festivals.

Susan Santos

                     

Susan Santos is a passionate, self-taught guitarist from Spain. A left-handed guitarist, she writes her own songs that reflect her unique blend of rhythm and textures which celebrates her abilities as a creative force, and as a truly unique artist in her own right. ​ The gifted Spanish guitarist and singer songwriter has spent years performing in famous and established venues, and numerous festivals throughout Europe, Mexico, and America. ​ She has shared the stage with ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and won “Best Musician Performance” at the 2018 European Blues Awards. She also “Best Female Album” at then 2019 LA Critics’ Awards. Santos has recorded five albums including “Take Me Home” (2010), "Shuffle Woman” (2012), “Electric Love” (2014), “Skin & Bones” (2016), “No U Turn” (2018), and “The L.A. Sessions” EP (2020) & 5 April 2024, "Sonora", Sixth studio album. ​ 

Susan’s outstanding voice and appealing guitar style, along with her strong stage presence has proven to be a refreshing experience in the contemporary rock blues scene. ​ “She is a guitarist with a special magnetism. She is an absolute professional, serious, and solvent.” – Billy Gibbons, Z.Z .Top ​ "Spanish Guitar Tornado , stinging, sineous guitar lines, powerhouse riffs, sumptuous slide, great songs and a killer power trio"- Get Ready to Rock, UK ​ “Susan Santos is a guitar hero. She has chops to spare. Santos is also an accomplished songwriter who crafts sturdy, hook laden numbers. She can get down and weep out a deep 12 bar Blues like nobody’s business. (Blues Blast Magazine, EEUU ). ​ 

“Sonora” is the album of the desert, and the desert people. The songs tell stories ranging from survival, thirst, outlaws, escape, and freedom against a backdrop of scorpions, lizards, and roadrunners. Before listening, it is highly recommended to embark on your road journey with a full tank, and don’t pick up any hitchhikers.

Three-Time GRAMMY nominee and Blues Legend Eric Bibb Readies New Live at The Scala Theatre Album for April 5 Release on Stony Plain Records*

Stony Plain Records, under an exclusive worldwide license agreement from Repute Records,  will release on April 5^th the new album from 2024’s “Best Traditional Blues Album” GRAMMY nominee and Blues/Roots music legend Eric Bibb, Live at The Scala Theatre. The upcoming disc follows 2023’s Ridin’, which has also received two Blues Music Award nominations from The Blues Foundation, whose winners were announced May 9^th in Memphis.

Eric Bibb also recently taped a performance at the SiriusXM Radio studios In New York City that will premiere on BB King’s “Bluesville” channel in April around his live album release, and then air shortly thereafter on “The Village.”

Performed in front of a live audience at Stockholm’s Scala Theatre in 2023, the atmosphere captured in these recordings is electric. Live at The Scala Theatre contains a selection of songs cherry-picked from Bibb’s history, infused with the folk and blues tradition with contemporary sensibilities. The performance features an all-star lineup of musicians including Eric's longtime collaborator, musical director and producer Glen Scott on bass, keys, drums and backing vocals; Olle Linder on drums and acoustic bass; Johan Lindström on pedal steel and electric guitar; Christer Lyssarides on electric guitar and mandola; Esbjörn Hazelius on fiddle and cittern; Greger Andersson on harp; Lamine Cissokho on kora and vocals; special guest vocalists Sarah Dawn Finer, Rennie Mirro and Ulrika Bibb, as well as string arrangements by Erik Arvinder and David Davidson, performed by Hanna Helgegren and Sarah Cross on violins, Christopher Öhman on viola and Josef Ahlin on cello.

“The Live at The Scala concert was, without a doubt, the most ambitious gig and recording project of my career,” says Eric Bibb. “Captained by my super-talented friend, musical director and producer, Glen Scott and graced by an amazing array of musicians, the resulting album is one that defines me as an artist. I couldn’t be more pleased and eager to share it with you all.

“In selecting the album’s songs we wanted to cover three categories: 1)Tried and true fan favorites that had not appeared multiple times on previous live recordings; 2) A few songs from the recently released studio albums, Dear America and Ridin’; 3) At least one song that I’d never before recorded.

“Every song on the album holds a special place in my heart. I’ll elaborate on three of them: ‘Rosewood,’ which tells the story of the horrendous massacre in 1923, that wiped out the African American community of Rosewood in Florida, is both an important history lesson, particularly relevant today in the current climate of disunity in America and the world and hopefully, a story that encourages us to face and learn from our past.  ‘Whole World’s Got The Blues’ is, in the way that songs can sometimes be, prescient. It is both a lament about the current state of the world and a warning. ‘Things Is ‘Bout Comin’ My Way,’ adapted from ‘Sittin’ On Top Of The World’ and written by Walter Vinson, is a bluesy affirmation that resonates with my own journey.  And one of my fondest memories of that night at The Scala Theatre was being surrounded by the spirited singing, on stage and in the audience, of ‘Mole In The Ground.’“ 

With a career now spanning five decades, three Grammy nominations, a multitude of Blues Foundation awards and countless more accolades, Eric Bibb has secured his legacy as a legendary figure in the blues and roots genre.

As Eric reflects on his musical journey, gratitude pervades. Evolution is evident in his voice and guitar playing, with his words grounded in truth and fostering a vision of unity in a world filled with divisive rhetoric. Eric Bibb is more than a blues troubadour – he is a storyteller and philosopher. His legacy is not just in the notes he plays or the stages he graces but in the questions he poses and the hope he instills.

Live at The Scala Theatre is a continuation of the vision that informs Bibb’s artistry as a modern-day Blues troubadour. Grounded in the folk and blues tradition with contemporary sensibilities, Bibb’s music continues to reflect his thoughts on current world events and his own lived experiences, whilst remaining entertaining, uplifting, inspirational and relevant.

Eric Bibb summarizes the new album by saying: “To all the wonderful players, singers and facilitators who contributed to this triumphant endeavor, I can only say, from the bottom of my heart: 

Thank You! Merci Mille! Tusen Tack!”

Johnny Kantor

Johnny Kantor, one of Canada's original bad boys, is known to many who were involved in the rock scene of the 80s and 90s. Having recently spent time in South East Asia to focus on his songwriting, he's now back in the studio. With the release of three new original songs, and more on the way this summer, Johnny has created some excellent new rock songs.

Title track "Everybody's Good Lookin'" is a belter that celebrates one of life's cruel truths. "Circuit Board of Life" draws parallels between our real and computer universes. And the bluesier "Midnight Train" will have you in wistful thought before you even finish listening to the first Verse.

Thought provoking lyrics, a soulful voice and powerful chords - Johnny has lost none of his flare and originality. Recently released on all the main streaming platforms, his new tracks are racking up plays.

SUE FOLEY ANNOUNCES NEW ONE GUITAR WOMAN ALBUM AND RELEASES FIRST SINGLE – ELIZABETH COTTEN’S “OH BABE IT AIN’T NO LIE”

Sue Foley’s new acoustic solo album, ONE GUITAR WOMAN is a moving tribute to the female pioneers of guitar, the women whose music and lives delivered the inspiration and paved the way for those that followed. Sue honors artists spanning a whole spectrum of styles. She writes in her liner notes, “They were massively talented, and they all possessed courage and vision which transformed both their cultures and the story of the guitar.”
 
True to the album title, Sue performs all these songs with ONE GUITAR. While many of Sue’s fans are used to seeing her playing “Pinky,” her pink paisley Fender Telecaster through her Fender Bassman amp, for this album she chose a nylon-string acoustic guitar, a flamenco Blanca made by master luthier Salvadore Castillo, purchased by Sue on a 2022 excursion to Paracho, Mexico.
 
The first single, available now, is “Oh Babe It Ain’t No Lie”, a delicately nuanced track from Elizabeth Cotten. Sue captures the playful yet plaintive tone of the original, but doesn’t imitate the voice of Cotten, who didn’t record until she was quite elderly. Sue sings in her own voice, which is strong and vibrant. "‘Oh Babe It Ain't No Lie’ is one of my favorite songs to play on guitar,” says Sue. “I just love that Piedmont fingerpicking that was made famous by the incomparable, Elizabeth Cotten. Cotten had an original guitar style, as she played left-handed and upside down, so her songs are not easy to tackle. She also had such charm and character in her voice, and wit in her lyrics. Her songs can be challenging to learn but they're always so fun and satisfying when you figure them out. This one just makes me smile every time I play it.”
 
ONE GUITAR WOMAN also covers the hard-driving Memphis Minnie and icons like Maybelle Carter and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, as well as heroes like French classical guitarist Ida Presti, Tejano sensation Lydia Mendoza, and the often-underrated Charo. Less well-known but equally compelling are Southern blues women Geeshie Wiley and Elvie Thomas. All in all, the twelve tracks of this album pay deference to eight female guitarists.
 
Foley is a complete artist, and the album features her songwriting as well as her guitar playing and singing.  “Maybelle’s Guitar,” is Sue’s original composition that incorporates Maybelle Carter’s signature “Carter Scratch” guitar style while telling the story of the vast influence and power of the Carter Family’s music. Lydia Mendoza’s Tejano classic “Mal Hombre” is performed in Spanish, and Foley contributes her own English-language verse, which is far superior to the translation.
 
The album includes two instrumentals: “Romance in A Minor” by virtuoso violinist Niccolò Paganini is derived from guitarist Ida Presti’s interpretation. Sue’s version is heart-rending. Also featured is the explosive flamenco “La Malagueña”, popularized by Charo.
 
The full album will be released worldwide on March 29, 2024 on Stony Plain Records.
 
Sue will soon be debuting her ONE GUITAR WOMAN show, a solo show which will celebrate the lives, stories and music of the female pioneers of guitar. It will incorporate multimedia elements and present some great music as well as uplifting, provocative stories of brave, trailblazing women. This show will be presented in theaters on select dates through 2024.
 
Sue Foley has released thirteen albums and won many awards, including the Blues Music Award for Traditional Female Artist of the Year, which she has won three consecutive times; she is once again nominated in this category for 2024.

Andreas Aleman

 

Andreas Aleman is actually a fairly experienced musician, who has released records and made a lot of concerts. But due to various reasons, he has stayed in the "background". Now is the time to take the next step and reach the big audience... He took the first step in March 2023, when he secretly auditioned for ”Sweden Got Talent” at National TV4. It resulted in both a standing ovation and a GOLDEN BUZZER from the jury member Johanna Nordström. This took him straight to the final where he also put in an outstanding performance. Although he did not win, he was praised by the jury who were truly moved by Andrea's soulful singing and incredible voice.  Andreas Aleman was born and raised in Södertälje. 

 

Nowadays he lives in Gustavsberg outside Stockholm. When he was 3 years old, he started playing piano and writing simple songs. His parents' taste in music was contagious and after school he used to rush home to listen to their records. This exposed him to Soul, Funk, Blues & Gospel music and it influenced both his musical taste and future musical style. As a 12-year-old, he got to play with a rock band that consisted of his 4-year-old brother and his friends. Andreas played in various bands during his adolescence and attended a 3-year high school program and at the age of 16, he began working as a musician but also as a bandmaster in various bands and for a lot of gospel choirs. Andreas was, among other things, a pianist in the start-up (and a few years later) of the Tensta Gospel Choir in 1996 together with a choir director. 

 

This was started as a project with the aim of working for integration between young people from different cultures. There is no doubt that Andreas has one of Sweden's most beautiful soul voices. He has a capacity to get an entire audience totally wild, for in the next moment, calmly touch them for real. He stands for musical quality at all levels. The sound is a fantastic mix of soul, funk, R&B, West Coast and gospel. The voice, the songs and the feeling in the music have caused many to compare Andreas with some of the greatest. He has released 4 albums and various singles with self-written music. Andreas has also written musics for artists as Laura Pausini, Gary Valenciano and others and on the single "Celebrate The Season" he sings a duet with the American soul star and five-time Grammy winner, Michael McDonald. He has performed in Sweden, Europe and the USA at various clubs and festivals.  

 

Andreas released the single” Christmas Forever” December 1, 2023. and the new lovely single Mad Love February 14 on Valentine`s Day

JUNO Award Winner Angelique Francis Conveys Strength and Triumph on Powerful New Single “Train Coming” And Announces Tour Dates

As she combines authentic blues, soul and gospel influences with smooth, rock-infused electric guitars, JUNO Award winning artist Angelique Francis delivers a captivating performance on her new single “Train Coming”, pit now. The first single to be released ahead of her new album Watch Me Grow, set to release this summer, “Train Coming” Invites listeners to join along for an exhilarating ride.
 
Featuring Grammy Award nominated artist Eric Gales on electric guitar, the track opens with Francis’s smoky vocals and dynamic organ playing. She’s soon joined by bass and drums, and the song progresses to become more powerful throughout, expressing the confidence and edge that Francis displays consistently on the single. The smooth bass, organ and vocals of Francis combined with the sultry electric guitar of Gales is a beautiful combination that flawlessly electrifies listeners with its power and soul. Other incredibly skilled musicians on the track include Kira Francis and Kharincia Francis on vocals and Kiran Francis on drums.
 
As she expresses brilliance, longing and strong emotion on “Train Coming”, Francis embodies the talent and sound of musical greats before her. The passionate belt and craftsmanship of Aretha Franklin, Bessie Smith and Big Mama Thornton are expressed while Francis retains a unique and multi-layered artistry of her own. Within “Train Coming”, Francis seeks to inspire listeners to never give up in the face of adversity and believe in the strength that lies within. Ultimately, the single is a Blues anthem for rising above with slyness, confidence and style.
 
Won’t be bound by mentalities
Of common conventionalities
The earth, this land, the sky, the sea
They won’t stop me
 
Having shared the stage with legends such as Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr., Beth Hart, and Sugar Ray, to name a few, Angelique Francis is an extremely talented musician that is well experienced across various instruments, genres, and audiences. The Ottawa, Canada native began her music career at 7 years old, starting as a child prodigy. By 13 she was playing festivals across North America, opening for names like Beth Hart, Trooper, and Shameka Copeland, and developed a strong talent for playing upright bass, electric bass, piano, acoustic guitar, and electric guitar. A JUNO Award winning singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Francis combines in her music various genres including Americana, rock, Blues, jazz, gospel, and soul.
 
Winning the JUNO award for her 2023 album Long River, Francis has made a profound and everlasting impact within Canadian Blues, soul, jazz, and folk scenes. She has previously hosted Canada’s National Blues Music Awards (The Maple Blues Awards), won 2 Maple blues Awards, has been nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award, 2 Ontario Folk Music Awards, and has graced the stages of numerous Canadian Blues and folk festivals.
 
Spread my wings and I’m ready to fly
In this town Imma leave behind
The weight, the hate, the fear, the load
Onward I go
 
There’s a train coming
It’s rolling into town
Yes, I’ll be on it
No, you won’t see me around
 
 
Within “Train Coming”, Francis continues to emulate the strength and passion for music that has made her a household name with the Canadian Blues world. A song that is as smooth as it is stirring in your emotions, listeners are taken along a swaying and velvet journey as they’re taken on a Blues rock inspired ride. The Train is approaching the station, hop on board and get ready for the voyage that lies ahead.