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January 2019
Joey Landreth Trio & Altameda
Joey Landreth Trio & Altameda • The Arden Theatre • 5 St. Anne Street • 780-459-1542 • ardentheatre.com • January 18 • 7:30pm • $29 • Roots/Pop/Rock
Find out more »Dan Hill
Dan Hill $40 Advance / $45 Door Friday, January 18, 2019 | 8:30PM How does one describe the creative force driving Dan Hill? Nominated for a Grammy for Best Male Vocal, winner of a Grammy (as co-producer of “Seduces Me” on Celine Dion’s thirty million-selling “Falling Into You” album), winner of five Juno Awards and the Harold Moon Award (Canadian Lifetime Songwriting Achievement Award), Dan has recorded and released multiple gold and platinum albums. His classic hits, such as “Sometimes When We Touch” (closing in on 5 million spins in America alone, and covered by hundreds of artists around the world), “Can’t We Try” (#1 Billboard AC Record of the Year), and “Never Thought (That I could Love)”, another #1 AC record, all remain staples of AC radio stations around the world. Dan has also enjoyed consistent success as a ‘behind the scenes’ songwriter, with his compositions recorded by artists spanning so many musical genres that it’s, well, incredible. To name just a few, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, 98 Degrees, The Backstreet Boys, Rod Stewart, Donny Osmond, Jennifer Rush and Michael Bolton, R&B singers Tina Turner, George Benson, and Jeffrey Osborne and country singers Tammy Wynette, Sammy Kershaw, Mark Wills, Reba, Alan Jackson, and Lorrie Morgan.
Find out more »Garnet Rogers
In a darkened bedroom, lit only by the amber glow from an old floor model radio, two young brothers aged 6 and 12 lay in their beds, listening to the country music broadcasts from the Grand Ol’ Opry, and practiced their harmonies. Two years later, the youngest one was playing the definitive 8-year-old’s version of “Desolation Row” on his ukulele. He soon abandoned that instrument to teach himself the flute, violin and guitar. Within ten years, and barely out of high school, Garnet Rogers was on the road as a full-time working musician with his older brother Stan. Together they formed what has come to be accepted as one of the most influential acts in North American folk music. Since then, Garnet Rogers has established himself as ‘One of the major talents of our time”. Hailed by the Boston Globe as a “charismatic performer and singer”, Garnet is a man with a powerful physical presence – close to six and a half feet tall – with a voice to match. With his “smooth, dark baritone” (Washington Post) his incredible range, and thoughtful, dramatic phrasing, Garnet is widely considered by fans and critics alike to be one of the finest singers anywhere. His music, like the man himself, is literate, passionate, highly sensitive, and deeply purposeful. Cinematic in detail, his songs “give expression to the unspoken vocabulary of the heart” (Kitchener Waterloo Record). An optimist at heart, Garnet sings extraordinary songs about people who are not obvious heroes and of the small victories of the everyday. As memorable as his songs, his over-the-top humour and lightning-quick wit moves his audience from tears to laughter and back again. Resolutely independent, Garnet Rogers has turned down offers from major labels to do his music his own way.
Find out more »Rogue Folk Club | Loudon Wainwright III
Born in Chapel Hill, N.C. in 1946, Loudon Wainwright III came to fame when “Dead Skunk” became a Top 20 hit in 1972. He had studied acting at Carnegie-Mellon University, but dropped out to partake in the “Summer of Love” in San Francisco, and wrote his first song in 1968 (“Edgar,” about a lobsterman in Rhode Island). He was soon signed to Atlantic Records by Nesuhi Ertegun, and was lured by Clive Davis to Columbia Records, which released “Dead Skunk.” His songs have since been recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Cash, Earl Scruggs, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, his son Rufus Wainwright, and Mose Allison, among others. Wainwright has recorded 27 albums including his 2010 Grammy Award-winning ‘High, Wide & Handsome.’ In Fall 2018 Loudon released ‘Years In The Making’ (StorySound Records), a 42-song treasury of rare and unreleased Loudoniana. This 2-disc, 60-page hardbound audio-biography of his 40-year career includes orphaned album cuts, lovingly lo-fi home recordings, radio appearances, demos, live performances and beyond. It features appearances by Kate McGarrigle, Suzzy Roche, Bill Frisell, Van Dyke Parks, Chaim Tannenbaum, David Mansfield, and the Wainwright children Rufus, Martha, Lucy and Lexie. In 2017, Wainwright published his memoir, ‘Liner Notes’ (Blue Rider Press), which led to appearances on Fresh Air with Terry Gross and WTF with Marc Maron. The NY Times said the book “makes your heart wobble on its axis.” Additionally, Wainwright has co-written with songwriter/producer Joe Henry on the music for Judd Apatow’s hit movie Knocked Up, written music for the British theatrical adaptation of the Carl Hiaasen novel Lucky You, and composed topical songs for NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered and ABC’s Nightline. An accomplished actor, he has appeared in films directed by Martin Scorsese, Hal Ashby, Christopher Guest, Tim Burton, Cameron Crowe and Judd Apatow. Wainwright has also starred on TV in M.A.S.H. and Undeclared, and on Broadway in Pump Boys and Dinettes. More recently, he appeared in the film Pleased To Meet You (with fellow music legends John Doe, Aimee Mann and Joe Henry). Wainwright also created a one-man theatrical show, Surviving Twin, which combines his songs and the writings of his late father. Initially developed as part of University of North Carolina's Playmakers series, it focuses on fatherhood—both being a father and having one—and also explores the issues of birth, self-identity, loss, mortality, fashion, and of course, pet ownership. Surviving Twin has been performed in limited theater engagements and a filmed version of the show will debut on Netflix soon – produced by Judd Apatow and directed by Christopher Guest.
Find out more »Eliana Cuevas + Jeremy Ledbetter Trio
Thursday, January 24, 2019 | 8:30PM Eliana Cuevas + Jeremy Ledbetter Trio Advance: $20.00 | Doors: $25.00 Through years of touring around the world, across Canada, and collaborating with Juno Award-winning performers, Eliana Cuevas has grown into an accomplished singer-songwriter and bandleader with unlimited colours in her compositional and lyrical palette. Among her honours are the National Jazz Award for Latin Jazz Artist of the Year (2009), a nomination for Best World Music Solo Artist at the Canadian Folk Music Awards (2008), a Toronto Independent Music Award for Best World Music Artist (2007), a nomination for Best Latin Song (‘Llegó from ESPEJO) at the Independent Music Awards (2014) and, most recently, an Independent Music Award for Best Latin Album for ESPEJO (2014) and another Toronto Independent Music Award for Best World Music Artist (2014). The award-winning singer/songwriter has been based in Toronto for over a decade, but she drew inspiration from her homeland for this, her fifth record, recently released on ALMA Records. Eliana explains that, “Venezuelan music is very rich and I wanted to showcase some of wealth my country has to offer. I was keen to feature traditional Afro-Venezuelan rhythms and mix those in with what I do here in Canada.” Jeremy Ledbetter Trio An engaging and fiery performer whose music knows no boundaries, Canadian pianist Jeremy Ledbetter has made a career from travelling the far-flung corners of the globe in search of the most fascinating and unique musical ideas out there, then seamlessly integrating them into his work as a pianist, composer, and producer. Jeremy is the driving force behind Caribbean Latin Jazz powerhouse CaneFire, and the longtime musical director and producer for calypso superstar David Rudder. Jeremy’s newest project, the Jeremy Ledbetter Trio, released their debut album “Got a Light?” in 2018. The Trio features Ledbetter’s unique sound at the piano alongside fellow Canadian jazz heavyweights Rich Brown (rinsethealgorithm) and Larnell Lewis (Snarky Puppy). Simply put, Eliana’s show with the Jeremy Ledbetter Trio at Hugh’s Room Live in January is more than worthy of your attention. Tickets available right now. * Advertised pricing excludes taxes and fees.
Find out more »Loudon Wainwright III
Loudon Wainwright III • The Arden Theatre • 5 St. Anne Street • 780-459-1542 • ardentheatre.com • January 25 • 7:30pm • $40 • Roots
Find out more »Poor Angus
Poor Angus $25 Advance / $30 Door Friday, January 25, 2019 | 8:30pm Aligning ourselves with the spirit of Robbie Burns, it is with great enthusiasm that Hugh’s Room Live presents Poor Angus, the celtic powerhouse from Hamilton, Ontario. Poor Angus is a Hamilton, Ontario based Progressive Celtic group. Mixing the music of past and present in exciting and dynamic presentations of traditional and original Scottish, Irish and East Coast pieces, this thoroughly contemporary Canadian ensemble endeavors to evade definition in their approach. Formed in 2005, this collection of musicians performs their music in a manner which appeals to both traditional purists, and modern audiences equally. Having shared the stage with the likes of Blue Rodeo, Kathleen Edwards, Matt Mayes, The Proclaimers, Bruce Guthro, Jeremy Fisher, and Nathan Rogers, they are equally at home on the big stage and in intimate pub settings. Featuring the masterful highland and uilleann piping and tin whistles of Ross Griffiths and profound fiddling of virtuoso Andrew Bryan, this talented group has recently been joined by talented singer-songwriter Joel Guenther. The vocals, bodhran, guitar and mandolin playing of Brian LeBlanc and bass player DJ Moons completes the group. Poor Angus is noted specifically for impressive vocal harmony and this Celtic quintet always gets feet stomping and leaves audiences of all ages roaring for more. Having released their first album in 2007, which won the Hamilton Music Award for Folk/Traditional Album of the Year, this self-titled work has received airplay internationally. The second album, “Prime Cuts”, won the 2009 HMA for Folk/Traditional album of the Year as well. Poor Angus’ third album “Gathering” has been critically acclaimed, and the single “Something I Can’t See” resulted in Poor Angus finishing in the final 4 out of 3000 competing acts in the CBC Searchlight national competition for best band. “Gathering” is a reflection of the band’s musical evolution, featuring nods to the traditional in a more mainstream folk-indie style. The combination of Scots, Irish and East Coast music styles in the Poor Angus performance bends every ear to diverse interpretations of Celtic music and ensures that one and all leave the show with a smile on their face and a song in their heart.
Find out more »Rogue Folk Club | SVER
SVER play grand Norwegian folk music with relentless energy and seductive spark taking you on a fantastic musical journey guaranteed to excite you. Ranging from the very dreamy to a swinging, pounding and sweaty madness – you are invited to the party, greeted by a welcoming primal force that pulls you into the dance. In April 2015 the long anticipated sequel to Fruen was released. With the new album Fryd SVER aims for new heights with freshly composed fiddle hits, mixed with old tunes in new form. Norwegian-Swedish SVER has since 2008 put on countless performances at festivals and clubs all over Europe. For the last four years, SVER has collaborated with the Swedish dance-hall artist Snakka San, and created the new genre folkhall, playing in Scandinavia and have had multiple songs on the radio charts in Norway and Sweden. SVER consists of Olav Luksengård Mjelva (fiddle and hardangerfiddle), Anders Hall (fiddle and viola), Leif Ingvar Ranøien (diatonic accordion), Adam Johansson (guitar) and Jens Linell (Drums and percussion). Olav and Leif Ingvar have played together since 2002. Vidar Berge joined the group in 2007 on guitar and together they released the self titled album SVER. In the spring of 2008 Anders and Jens completed the band, and they released Fruen in 2010. Vidar quit the band later that year and Adam joined the group. SVER has collaborated with the Swedish dance-hall artist Snakka San since 2011. “SVER has an enviable reputation for being one of the best live bands on the circuit and this CD has captured plenty of their irresistible spirit.” – Fiona Talkington, Songlines “The music paints some wonderful pictures whilst defying you not to get up and dance.” – Dave Chamberlain, FATEA. “The album ‘Fryd’ from SVER mixes music from the depths of heritage with the freedoms of innovation. You’re unlikely to resist, so why try, just go with it.” – Tim Carroll, Folkwords
Find out more »Rik Emmett & Dave Dunlop
Rik Emmett $40 Advance / $45 Door Saturday, January 26, 2019 | 8:30PM BOTH PERFORMANCES SOLD OUT After five decades in the biz, the adjectives ‘prolific’ and ‘eclectic’ recur often in Rik Emmett profiles. Following over a dozen platinum albums from his Triumph years, he’s produced 19 more as a non-platinum indie, ranging from rock to blues to jazz to folk to classical – with a full-blown rock record released worldwide in 2016, RES 9, for the MASCOT / PROVOGUE label. International notoriety earned him entry into three Canadian Halls of Fame, and a star on the Walk of Fame in his old hometown. He’s also picked up a few ‘Best Guitarist’ awards from different organizations, in various style categories, along the way. Author of a GUITAR PLAYER magazine column for over a dozen years, the resulting compilation instruction book, “For The Love of Guitar”, landed at #4 in Shawn Persinger’s review of “The 50 Greatest Guitar Books”. As a music educator, Mr. E. is currently on hiatus from his long-standing inclusion on the heavily-respected Humber College faculty, where he’s taught Songwriting, Music Business and Directed Studies. He’s also the Artistic Director Emeritus of the Songstudio Songwriting Workshop, which he launched with his pal Blair Packham 14 summers ago.
Find out more »Ken Whiteley’s Gospel Brunch: Bluegrass to Blues
Sunday, January 27, 2019 Ken Whiteley’s Gospel Brunch: Bluegrass to Blues $25 Advance / $30 Door * A theme for this show could also be “interconnections”. I thought it would be fun to have interlocking bands. Rob McLaren is in both the Barrel Boys and The Beulah Band. The Bluegrass gospel cannon has some of the best folk singing that North America has produced and the Barrel Boys do it proud. With the Beulah Band, I explore some of the bluegrass roots in Appalachian, old time and Afro-American song. Going back to my roots is a friendship of over 45 years with Colin Linden, a blues and roots music legend, who performed at the very first Ken Whiteley Gospel Sunday, almost 18 years ago.” ~ Ken Whiteley Below is a look into the performers coming to play this Sunday. Colin Linden is a genuine renaissance man of roots music. He’s a member of the highly successful trio, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, a singer and songwriter, an in-demand and prolific record producer, musical director on the hit TV show Nashville and sideman to the stars as guitarist for the likes of Bob Dylan, Bruce Cockburn, Emmylou Harris, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Rich In Love is the most recent of his sizeable solo recording catalogue. The Barrel Boys are a 5-piece powerhouse of rich vocal harmonies, killer picking, and a fun-loving, down-to-earth stage presence. Informed by the deep traditions of bluegrass, country, old-time and Americana, fiddler Nathan Smith, banjoist Rob McLaren, guitarist Ben Wright, dobro player Kyle Kirkpatrick and bassist Tim O’Reilly have crafted their own unmistakeable sound into an exuberant and deeply soulful musical experience. Check out their recordings, Cold Spring, Gospel Hour, Early On, and their EP, Carols from The Barrel. Ken Whiteley & The Beulah Band are creating exciting new music that is deeply rooted in traditional North American folk forms. You’ll hear echoes of blues, gospel, swing, string and jug band sounds. They are all outstanding and versatile instrumentalists and great harmony singers. And if anyone can match the youthful energy of his bandmates fiddler Rosalyn Dennett, banjoist Rob McLaren and bassist Gord Mowat, it is Ken Whiteley. Guaranteed fun for all ages. Check out their self-titled recording, Ken Whiteley & The Beulah Band. * Advertised pricing excludes taxes and fees.
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