Singer-songwriter Meredith Moon was first up on the schedule for the Saturday evening showcases in the ballroom. She performs with a standup bass player, an electric guitar and a drummer on the kit. Originally from Toronto, Meredith now lives near Peterborough, ON. She regularly tours across Canada and into the USA. There’s very much a country feel to her music.
Over top of Meredith’s soft acoustic guitar or piano, her voice rings out. Sadly, her lyrics are often obscured by the large sound of her band. I would like to hear Meredith on her own. But she also plays a wicked banjo. It’s worth the price of admission to hear that.
Raised in Almonte, ON, and now from Toronto, Claire Hunter was second up on the FMO ballroom showcases of Saturday night. She’s got jazzy vocals laid over a country music theme. She’s got electric bass and guitar (Robinson-Kirby) filling out her lovely acoustic guitar style. It’s gentle, but deep. I imagine she’s great at playing small, intimate venues with her insightful songs about relationships.
What a band! Spencer MacKenzie is knocking off the socks (and earmuffs) of everyone in central Mississauga. He’s got electric bass, drums and organ accompanying his own electric lead guitar. He’s had an armload of awards and a Juno nomination in the past few years, so he’s developing into Ontario’s next hot player of the blues. Spencer’s is a high energy performance, and he keeps nothing back. When he’s up there, the energy just pours off the stage.
We had a very cute tweener from The Vaudevillians, a duo from Port Elgin, ON. Washboards, spoons, bells, horns, a resonator guitar and kazoos are their stock in trade. Such a fun little performance while we waited for Adama Daou to take the stage.
For years, I have been fascinated by the music of Mali. And here at FMO tonight is Adamo Daou, master of the balafon made from string, gourds and wood, and backed up by electric guitar and bass. With drums providing the heartbeat of the music, Adamo went wild, playing from his heart. It was an abbreviated set, sadly. Adamo grew up in Mali, learning percussion from the master players in his community. He now lives in Montreal. I wished I had much more time to hear this amazing music.
What a fantastic show these ladies put on. Bel and Quinn are sisters from Montreal with Haitian heritage. They were very proud to be able to say they have careers as Black female musicians. One sister is a vocalist, the other a guitarist and vocalist. And their four band members (trumpet/flugelhorn, drums, electric bass and saxophone) were all women too. Their music was dance, jazz and everything in between. Sometimes they sang in English, sometimes in French, and I feel sure they have Creole in the mix as well. This was a very fun showcase that had the audience up on their feet dancing to those very infectious beats.
