Juno Award-winning Singer-Songwriter Dawn Tyler Watson has earned her place among the International Blues elite. She adopted Montreal as her home after earning her BFA in Jazz Studies and Theatre from Concordia University.

Since then, her fiery stage presence and soul-stirring performances have garnered her national and world-wide recognition with multiple awards including Maple Blues Awards for Songwriter, Best Album, Female Vocalist of the Year, and a 2020 American Blues Music Nomination for Vocalist of the Year alongside greats like Curtis Salgado & Mavis Staples.

Her latest record “Mad Love,” was just awarded the 2020 JUNO award for Blues Album of the Year.

Musicians:
Dawn Tyler Watson: vocals
John Sadowy: piano
Clinton Ryder: bass
Al Bourgeois: drums

Youtube video: “It Don’t Mean A Thing”

Ella’s singing career began at the ripe age of 9, and got a taste of stardom after she made her first international television appearance at the age of 9 years old. Growing up Ella listened to The Great American Songbook including classic artists such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday. At the same time, she gravitated towards Pop listening to artists such as Ariana Grande, Sade, Jazmine Sullivan and Sabrina Claudio. This blend of velvet smooth Jazz and colorful infectious pop has culminated into Ella’s unique sound. Throughout her two year hiatus, Ella is back with her new single Linen. Her debut EP, Heart Eyes, which is set to release later this year.

Wiley Wakeman is a young drummer from Connecticut who is currently studying music at McGill University. He is heavily influenced by the music of Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Immanuel Wilkins, Roy Hargrove, Brian Blade, and Frank Ocean.

“I feel that music, especially when performed live, creates an atmosphere in which people of all cultures and backgrounds can come together to experience something beautiful, something that is truly beyond words.”

Musicians
Wiley Wakeman – drums
Felix Hartely – bass
Julian Shively – piano
Maude Fortier – alto sax

Youtube video: Linen – Ella Rossi

Youtube video: “Remembrance”

Tuesday evenings, Upstairs showcases McGill University’s Schulich School of Music Undergraduate, and Graduate, Jazz Performance students.

As part of their jazz combo course requirements, students prepare sets of music encompassing tunes and arrangements from the jazz tradition, as well as, original compositions and arrangements. These students, coming from all over North America, and Europe, are some of the finest up and coming jazz performance students that you will hear anywhere.

The Wednesday Concordia Jam is a relaxed environment designed for students and young players to get a feel for the stage and practice with working with new people. Come by and share a tune with us!

One of Canada’s most sought after musicians, Jim Doxas plays extensively both nationally and overseas. Distinguished for his improvisational approach to jazz, he makes the case that percussion can be as performative as a lyrical instrument.

Video: “Upstairs Jam Session hosted by Jim Doxas”

An obvious uniqueness that identifies and sets apart the band is that Blackburn Brothers is a band of brothers – literally. Duane (lead vocals, organ, piano), Brooke (guitar, vocals), Cory (drums, harmony vocals), Robert (guitar, harmony vocals), and Nathan (bass guitar) all share the Blackburn name. This name has become truly connected to Toronto’s music history. Long-time bandmates make up the horn sections with Neil Brathwaite (tenor saxophone) and Ted Peters (trombone).

Musically, the Blackburn name has been forever imprinted in our ears by Bobby Dean Blackburn, a veteran R&B artist who gained legendary status in the Toronto music scene, performing the city circuit for over 50 years.

Youtube video: “Sister Rosa”

Taurey Butler is a phenomenal jazz pianist of the highest calibre.

Hailing from East Orange, New Jersey, he has played in numerous cities across the world from Hong Kong to New York and now makes his home in Montréal. Taurey’s debut self-titled recording on the Justin Time label was released in November 2011 to resounding critical acclaim. He emerges as a fully-formed master of hard-driving swing with a deep feeling for the blues and ballads.

It’s easy to get lost in the fire and funk, the sweetness and swing, of Taurey Butler. But you can also follow the light that his music emanates.

Musicians:
Taurey Butler (piano)
Rémi-Jean LeBlanc (bass)
Wali Muhammad (drums)

Youtube video: “Taurey Butler Trio – The Preacher”

Kevin Burt and Big Medicine will be at Upstairs in Montreal on Friday April 19th presenting his new album, “Thank You Mr. Bill” featuring the music of Bill Withers. Kevin powerful voice and soul-inspired presentation is unique, which consistently gets him compared to Bill Withers and Aaron Neville, with the ability to build an audience rapport that has been compared to B.B. King.

He has international recognition after he crushed the Blues Foundation’s 34th International Blues Challenge (IBC) in 2018, taking home top honors in three categories: first place in the Solo/Duo category; the acoustic Guitar Award and the Lee Oskar Award for Best Harmonica Player. He is currently up for a Blues Music Award for Acoustic Artist of the Year. Kevin Burt resonates his soul with the music of Bill Withers.

Kevin will have his band, Big Medicine, with Minneapolis guitar master Ken Valdez, renowned bassist Scot Sutherland, and drummer Eric Douglas injecting funk and grit into tunes.

Youtube video: “Aint No Sunshine”

Alex is an up and coming working musician on the local scene. He can be found playing many styles of music across many genres all over town but always with an improvisatory focus. He has played alongside many Montreal and international luminaries such as Kevin Dean, Sam Kirmayer, Mike Bruzzese, Frank Lozano, Levi Dover, Yur Yesli, Jihye Im, Baron Tymas, Fraser Hollins, Greg Amirault, Mathieu Soucy and Alex LeBlanc among others.

Musicians:
Alex Johnson – Drums
Remi-Jean LeBlanc – electric bass,
Frank Lozano – Tenor Saxophone
Steve Raegele – Guitar