PERFORMERS
EMCEE: JOHNNY MAX
At the helm of the Johnny Max Band, Johnny is a frontman who is not afraid to jump into the audience and get them going The Johnny Max Band is celebrating their 25th Anniversary with 7 albums, 2 Juno Award nominations, multiple Maple Blues award nominations and working on two new albums (studio and live). The JMB is a groovy New Orleans/Memphis style Blues horn band playing Blues & R&B, that makes you want to get up and dance! It is all about the music, not the solos. It is all about the groove and the move!
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: MARGARET STOWE
Guitarist Margaret Stowe has performed all over Canada and Europe and has recorded and performed with an array of Canadian/International artists. "Stowe's departure point is jazz, but her style ranges from folk to blues to world beats, propelled by her trademark high energy and eclectic tastes."--Prague Post. Margaret plays original music with her own trio and can be found playing festivals and shows including Tony Quarrington's "For King and Country" and Blues for the Red Door, and with Max Woolaver, Brenda Lewis and the Missa Gaia Jazz Ensemble.
the house band
In addition to lead vocalist, Johnny Maxx, and guitarist, Margaret Stowe (see above), here's our fabulous house band:
Canadian bassist Lauren Falls has made a big impact on the Toronto and New York jazz scenes. She has performed at numerous jazz festivals and staple Toronto venues. An accomplished composer, she has released a debut album of original music called The Quiet Fight and is currently working on her second album A Little Louder Now to be released in 2021. Lauren holds a master’s degree in Jazz Performance from Manhattan School of Music as well as a bachelor’s degree in jazz performance from Humber College in Toronto.
Roberta is an exhilarating jazz and blues singer, songwriter and piano player. Her style is rootsy and blues with a bit of attitude and a lot of charisma. Roberta is currently part of Bertie & The Gents, Red Hot Ramble and the Roberta Hunt Trio.
Celebrating her third decade as a professional musician, Michelle brings a wealth of playing experience as well as a unique perspective on life. "When Michelle Josef performed in an all-star tribute to the late Canadian folk singer Kate McGarrigle- in a band that backed up Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Emmylou Harris, Bruce Cockburn, and Broken Social Scene among others one of the performers, Robert Charlebois, said to her: “You’re not one drummer, you’re five drummers – a folk drummer, a rock drummer, a jazz drummer, etc.” Considering the caliber of musicians she was working with, she took that as high praise." Angela Smith for Tom Tom Magazine
the headliners
After making a name for himself as a young guitar prodigy, he has evolved into a triple threat. His signature fluent and exciting guitar playing is as potent as ever, and Mike has emerged as a highly talented and original singer and songwriter.
With a career that spans 40+ years, Frank Cosentino has earned legions of fans with performances across Canada in clubs, concerts, and major festivals. Always an exciting live performer that has audiences dancing all night long, Cosentino tours extensively performing throughout the year. A real gentleman of the blues! Cosentino has made it his life mission to educate and keep the art of Blues guitar growing and moving forward Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@frankcosentinoband www.frankcosentionband.com
Acclaimed guitarist, singer, song writer, band leader and producer, Jack de Keyzer has been hitting the road , air and studio to bring his brand of guitar driven blues around the globe for 46 years. With 12 records, 1 DVD , 2 Junos and 7 Maple Blues Awards, de Keyzer delivers the goods wherever, whenever he performs.
Patrick’s magnetism, gifted talent and down to earth demeanor on and off stage undeniably makes him magic. He always thrills audiences with his guitar shredding, vocals, keyboards, falsetto vocals every show. Patrick plays for various groups including his family band.
A performer in Toronto since 1990, he spent eight years as right-hand-man to Big Rude Jake before forming his own protest band, The New Kings. These days, when not touring the globe w/ Lemon Bucket Orkestra, MLJ is a notorious busker and bartender, (NOW Mag Best Bartender, 2013). He leads the ArtSpin, playing trumpet while riding his bicycle, is creator of popular vinyl night, D-cide on the B-side. Fronts the 13-piece improv brassband Rambunctious, and holds a weekly jazz residency at Communist's Daughter since 2003.
Juno nominated and internationally recognized singer/songwriter/slide guitarist Sean Pinchin has been a steady presence on the festival circuit for nearly 2 decades and has opened for, amongst many others, Sawyer Brown. Sean entertains to audiences across North America and has multiple award nominations include Maple Blues for Best New Artist and Best Album of the Year.
Born in St. Thomas, ON, Sam “Little Magic Sam” Taylor is a born entertainer with a penchant for raw blues and soul music and lyrics that bely someone much older. With an enormous stage presence, it comes as no surprise that this multi-talented singer/songwriter has been performing internationally since the age of 7.
AND...THE DJ!
DJ Swankenstein’s been spinning his genre-hopping concoction of vinyl deliciousness for happy listeners (and dancers) at clubs, concert halls, theatres and festivals from coast to coast across North America for years. Jazz, Jump, Rock and Roll, Blues, Bossa, Mambo, Cha Cha, Crooners, Exotica, and plenty of Musical Weirdness! It’s all part of the recipe of the sonic goodness and fun times crammed into every one of Swank’s record crates.
