The Gary Kendall Band
Everyone knows Gary Kendall as oft-elected Maple Blues’ Bassist of the Year, blues man about town and keeper of the bottom end for Downchild. But Gary’s alter ego is found in his much beloved Gary Kendall Band – a band in which each carefully selected player is equal and accountable. Formed in 2005, Gary reached out to some of Toronto’s best musicians to create a turn-on-a-dime squad of blues marauders to build a loyal following for their own brand of music and for doing exactly what they like to on any given night play the blues.
The chemistry found between Gary Kendall (bass/lead vocals/songwriter), Tyler Burgess (drums/harmonica/vocals), Darran Poole (guitar/vocals) and Wayne "Shakey" Dagenais (piano/organ/percussion/vocals) is beyond formidable. This spirited foursome plays together relentlessly and have so much fun at it, one’s never entirely sure what to expect – and that live spontaneity is exactly what the blues has been needing for a long time.
With a two CD catalogue (Dusty Pearl, Feels Real Strong) and new, downloadable single This Sacred Ground) to draw from, Kendall & Co. mix it up and dish it out with every performance, playing to blues-savvy crowds drawn to a groove they already know never quits. Think about it – with a talent pool from bands including Downchild, Fathead and Stompin’ Tom – the possibilities are endless, and all of them good.
The quality of the music on any given night with the Gary Kendall Band is a given. It’s not Downchild. It’s not The Kendall Wall Blues Band or any variation of Kendall’s Maple Blues Revue. It’s a fresh, impassioned outlet for four talented musicians clearly inspired by their collective love of the music business. This is a true band who conspire to write their own music, arrange, play and sing it they way they like it – and it’s a guaranteed “Real Good Night” in any live setting. Experience counts for something. The Gary Kendall Band counts for more than that.
Black Water Trio Blackwater Trio is Fred Hale, guitar and vocals, Ken Munshaw, piano and vocals, and Janet Hale, percussion and vocals. The group has been entertaining audiences in southern Ontario for over fifteen years. Their show includes talented performances of recognizable popular tunes. Three unique vocal styles provide great variety as well as ear catching harmony.
Blackwater Trio is easy to listen to or can stir up the dance floor; perfect for any function. We are proud to have Blackwater Trio as a Ribfest regular.
The Max Bent Band One of Canada’s most exciting and busiest modern blues bands over the last few years on the roots music scene in this country. The five piece Guelph, ON band is well known for their 3 to 4 hour energetic live shows taking their audiences on a musical journey from one end of the blues to the other. The music slides from the Mississippi delta blues of Robert Johnson uptown to the Chicago Blues of Muddy Waters and then back on down to the southern rock blues of The Allman Brothers Band. Throughout the show audiences witness the swamp magic of dueling slide metal bodied resonators, twin attack electric guitars and the piano/organ/harp work of three time CCMA nominee Lorne Ryder.
Over the years The Max Bent Band has worked with music legends such as Hubert Sumlin and Bob Margolin from the famous Howlin Wolf and Muddy Waters bands as well as Canadian rock legends such as The Stampeders. This year the band is featured in many festivals across Ontario and is an integral part of the electrifying Jimi Hendrix Tribute being put on by The Grand River Blues Society showcasing the psychedelic side of the blues. 2007 brought about the release of the bands “The Weight Of The World” CD as a long awaited follow up to its critically acclaimed “The Blues You Have” CD. Don’t miss what everyone is calling the future of Canadian blues music…….. The Max Bent Band live in concert this summer. Featuring material from the catalogues of:
Muddy Waters - Robert Johnson - The Allman Brothers - BB King - Eric Clapton - The Paul Butterfield Blues Band - Jimi Hendrix - Freddie King - Leadbelly - The Rolling Stones - Taj Mahal – Jimmy Reed – Ray Charles – Johnny Winter
www.maxbent.com The Backroads Band
Appearing at Ribfest for a repeat performance, The Backroads Band was formed in 2002 in Fergus Ontario. The Backroads Band is a "High Energy" blend of Classic Rock & Roll and Millenium Country. With 5 great musicians, who all sing lead and harmony, they are guaranteed to "lift you up and shake you" with their signature mix of great tunes both new, classic and original songs. With a repertoire from The Eagles to Springsteen and back again you don’t want to miss this band.
