Enjoy the Toronto Blues Society's 

Exclusive Album Premiere

Al Lerman

New Album

"Country-Fried Blues"

on Tuesday April 2

Album officially releases on Friday April 5, 2024

Al Lerman is a veteran bluesman with highly personal musical style. Possessing a great knowledge of the blues tradition on both harmonica and guitar, he brings that sensibility to songs that he’s written about his own contemporary life and times. For two days, he and an amiable group of A-list musicians hunkered down in an 1830s farmhouse, which had recently been converted into a studio known as the Ganaraska Recording Company. They hung out, laughed, played, and carried on into the wee hours. That joyful mood made its way onto this recording. The songs were recorded live-off-the-floor, with minimal overdubs added in one final session.

Acoustic instruments prevail here - a nod to the early rural blues styles, while a rock-steady rhythm section keeps things moving with modern vitality. Multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Bowskill shines throughout, colouring the mix with mandolin, fiddle, and guitar. Al’s guitar is sometimes plugged into a tremolo effected amp, conjuring up swampy, aural imagery. It may surprise listeners to learn his fluid harp work was played on a rack while simultaneously playing guitar. Over the years, Lerman’s masterful prowess on the harp has earned him several prestigious Maple Blues Award nominations for Harmonica Player of the Year.

Produced by Alec Fraser, Country-Fried Blues features nine greasy-good original songs peppered with a handful of covers bearing Lerman’s unmistakable stamp.

PERSONNEL:

Al Lerman: lead vocals, acoustic. electric and resonator guitars, rack harmonica

Alec Fraser: upright bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals

Jimmy Bowskill: mandolin, acoustic & electric guitars, fiddle, backing vocals;

Chuck Keeping: drums, percussion

Steve O'Connor: piano, organ & accordion

Toronto Blues Society is giving away

 a Pair of Tickets to

Shawn Kellerman & Steve Marriner

Double Bill

The Horseshoe Tavern

370 Queen St W, Toronto, ON

Friday April 5th, 2024

Show Starts: 8:00PM

Come out and hear Shawn's brand new 14 song cd LIVE along with Steve playing songs from his latest release

To Enter: Send an email to info@torontobluessociety.com

with "Shawn Kellerman Tix" as the subject line

Deadline: Entries must be submitted by 

Monday April 1

Winners will be notified on Tuesday April 2

Dave Curry, guitarist and founder of The Mighty Duck Blues Band in St. Catharines, Ontario passed away suddenly on December 30, 2023. His wife Denise, friends, family and band mates are raising funds to create

The Dave Curry Memorial Music Fund in his memory. 

Public donations are being accepted with a GoFundMe campaign. A second option for contributing can be made by downloading the band`s

Duck Soup recording from Bandcamp. 

All proceeds from sales will be added to the fund. 

The DCMMF will establish a scholarship that will add financial support to southern Ontario music programs geared to advance the careers and eductation of young musicians. 

March Maple Blues Newsletter

March Maple Blues Newsletter

is Out Now!

Ndidi O

Doc MacLean - Doc’s Advice

27th Annual Maple Blues Awards Winners

Blues Summit 11 and MBA Pics

Album Reviews

Ndidi O and Danielle Nicole

Concert Listings, Loose Blues News, Where it's on, Top Blues & much more

Concerts of Note

Here are some great Blues concerts that are coming our way

Big Sugar 

Sanderson Centre | Brantford | March 20 - Buy Tickets

Big Sugar 

Rose Theatre | Brampton | March 21 - Buy Tickets

Kenny Wayne Shepherd 

Massey Hall | Toronto | March 23 - Buy Tickets

Big Sugar 

Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts | Oakville | March 26 - Buy Tickets

Buddy Guy: Damn Right Encore! 

Massey Hall | Toronto | April 19 - Buy Tickets

Julian Taylor w/ Tania Joy 

Aurora Cultural Centre | Aurora | April 27 - Buy Tickets

Stephen Fearing Presented by Music by the Bay Live 

Avalon Lounge Port Whitby Marina | Whitby | May 3 - Buy Tickets

Gary Clark Jr 

History | Toronto | May 27 - Buy Tickets

Tedeschi Trucks Band Deuces Wild 2024 with Margo Price

Budweiser Stage | Toronto | August 15 - Buy Tickets

PJ Harvey 

History | Toronto | September 26 - Buy Tickets

Jay Blues Trio at Poetry Jazz Cafe

Thursday, March 21 9:00 pm, 1078 Queen st W., Toronto     

We post all the latest show announcements as soon as we get them at http://torontobluessociety.com/events/        

Wednesday, March 20

• Freakin at The Beacon w/ Virgil Scott & guest Marshall Dane at The Beacon – Wasaga, 7:00 pm, 146 45th St N, Wasaga Beach, (705) 429-4433  
• Conor Gains (solo) at Moonshine Cafe, 8:00 pm, 137 Kerr St, Oakville  
• Big Sugar at Sanderson Centre, 8:00 pm, 88 Dalhousie St, Brantford  
• The Capys: Alec Fraser, James McKie, Chris Bartos at Inter Steer Tavern, 8:00 pm, 357 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, 416-588-8054  
• Action Sound Band at Grossman’s Tavern, 8:30 pm, 377 Spadina Ave., Toronto, (416) 977-7000  
• Richard Taylor Blues Band at Poetry Jazz Cafe, 9:00 pm, 1078 Queen st W., Toronto  

Thursday, March 21

• Rick Robichaud Band at Harbour St. Fish Bar, 6:30 pm, 10 Keith Ave., Collingwood, 705-293-3474  
• Big Sugar at Rose Theatre, 8:00 pm, , Brampton  
• Jay Blues Trio at Poetry Jazz Cafe, 9:00 pm, 1078 Queen st W., Toronto  

Friday, March 22

• Fraser/Daley at Castro’s Lounge, 5:30 pm, 2116 Queen St E, Toronto, (416) 699-8272  
• Big Sugar at River Run Centre, 8:00 pm, 35 Woolwich St, Guelph, 519-763-3000  
• Zeke Pippin at Sauce on Danforth, 8:30 pm, 1376 Danforth Ave., Toronto  

Saturday, March 23

• Long & McQuade guitar clinic w/ Steve Stongman at Long & McQuade Tillsonburg, 1:00 pm, 20 Brock St E, Tillsonburg  
• James Anthony Band w/ guest Djino Lefrancois at Uptown Social, 1:30 pm, 1900 Walkers Line, Burlington, 905-331-4700  
• The Mighty Duck Blues Band with Dan McKinnon at Jo Blos Rock and Wok, 2:30 pm, 2 Pelham Rd (@ St. Paul St. W.), St. Catharines, 905-685-8280 
• Blues at the Regency w/ Sam Taylor and Maia Van Raes at Regency 76 – The Original Sports Bar, 2:30 pm, 8068 Mountain Rd, Niagara Falls, 905-354-2340  
• Broke Fuse at CC’s Bar & Grill, 6:00 pm, 1564 Danforth Ave, Toronto  
• ​Mike McKenna’s Slidewinder Blues Band at Sir Monty’s Brewing Company, 7:00 pm, 1540 Durham Regional Hwy 2, Courtice, 905-438-8652  
• Kenny Wayne Shepherd at Massey Hall, 8:00 pm, 178 Victoria Street, Toronto, 416-872-4255  
• Jack de Keyzer at Registry Theatre, 8:00 pm, 122 Frederick St, Kitchener  
• Alfie Smith at Moonshine Cafe, 8:00 pm, 137 Kerr St, Oakville  
• Rick Taylor (solo) at Bijou Restaurant, 8:00 pm, 74 Wellington St, Stratford  
• Fraser Melvin & Robert Davis at Shakey’s Bar, 9:00 pm, 2255 Bloor Street West, Toronto, 4167675608  
• Danny B. at Reservoir Lounge, 9:30 pm, 52 Wellington St. E, Toronto, 416-955-0887  

Sunday, March 24

• James Anthony Band w/ guest Ted Peters at Plank Restobar, 2:00 pm, 18 Augusta St, Hamilton  
• Jimmy’s Juke Joint w/ host Jim Casson, guests Cheryl Lescom & Chuckee Zehr at Peter Pipers Pubhouse, 2:00 pm, 111 Hwy 20 E, Fonthill  
• Brant Parker and The Bay City Blues Band, with guest Spencer Mackenzie at Leander Boat Club (formerly Bay City Music Hall), 2:00 pm, 50 Leander Dr, Hamilton  
• Southern Supper with The Vaudevillian (matinee) at Front Porch Southern Kitchen and Blues Joint, 2:00 pm, 4 Albert St., Langton, 226-397-1223  
• Blues For Soldiers w/ Wendy Carraro & Emily Barkley at Brant Artillery Gunner’s Club, 2:00 pm, 115 Henry Street, Brantford, (519) 753-8128  
• Rick Taylor Band at  Crystal Chandelier, 2:00 pm, 3878 Erie Rd., Crystal Beach, (905)894-9996  
• Blues Matinee at Stonewalls Restaurant, 2:00 pm, 339 York Blvd., Hamilton, 905-577-0808  
• Swingin’ Blackjacks at Smokeshow BBQ and Brew, 3:00 pm, 744 Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto, 416-901-7469  
• Chuck Jackson at Roc’n Docs, 4:00 pm, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Mississauga, (905) 891-1754  
• Frank Cosentino at Linsmore Tavern, 7:00 pm, 1298 Danforth Ave, Toronto, 416-466-5130  
• Rocky Verweel & Queen City Blues at Smokeshow BBQ and Brew, 7:00 pm, 744 Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto, 416-901-7469 

Monday, March 25

• Steve Marriner’s Local Electric at Sauce on Danforth, 8:00 pm, 1376 Danforth Ave., Toronto  
• Quality Building Supplies feat. Paul Reddick, Clayton Yates, Gary Craig, Wayne DeAdder at Cameron House, 9:00 pm, 408 Queen St W, Toronto  

Tuesday, March 26

• Julian Fauth at Sauce on Danforth, 6:30 pm, 1376 Danforth Ave., Toronto  
• Big Sugar at Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, 8:00 pm, 130 Navy St, Oakville, (905) 338-4161  
• The Tonewheels: Matt Weidinger, Chris Latta, Mike Rajna at Cameron House, 9:00 pm, 408 Queen St W, Toronto  

Wednesday, March 27

• Long & McQuade guitar clinic w/ Steve Stongman at Long & McQuade Brantford, 7:00 pm, 321 King George Rd, Brantford  
• Freakin at The Beacon w/ Virgil Scott & guest Ernie Grimes at The Beacon – Wasaga, 7:00 pm, 146 45th St N, Wasaga Beach, (705) 429-4433  
• Suzie Vinnick, Charlie A’Court and Lloyd Spiegel at Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, 8:00 pm, 130 Navy St, Oakville, (905) 338-4161  
• The Capys: Alec Fraser, James McKie, Chris Bartos at Inter Steer Tavern, 8:00 pm, 357 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, 416-588-8054  
• Action Sound Band at Grossman’s Tavern, 8:30 pm, 377 Spadina Ave., Toronto, (416) 977-7000  
• Richard Taylor Blues Band at Poetry Jazz Cafe, 9:00 pm, 1078 Queen st W., Toronto  

Thursday, March 28

• Shawn Kellerman CD Release at Room 47, 8:00 pm, 47 King St N, Waterloo  
• Nowruz Celebration w/ Rana Farhan, and Raha Javanfar opening at Lula Lounge, 8:00 pm, 1585 Dundas St. W, Toronto  
• Joshua Miller & The Pappy Johns Band at Stonewalls Restaurant, 8:00 pm, 339 York Blvd., Hamilton, 905-577-0808  
• Grand Thursday: Steve Marriner, Jesse O’Brien, Chris Caddell, Darcy Yates, Gary Craig at Polish Hall Brantford, 8:00 pm, 154 Pearl St., Brantford, 519-753-0414  
• Shewolves of London at The Hall, 8:30 pm, 15 Church St., Stratford  
• Jay Blues Trio at Poetry Jazz Cafe, 9:00 pm, 1078 Queen st W., Toronto  

Friday, March 29

• Zeke Pippin at Sauce on Danforth, 8:30 pm, 1376 Danforth Ave., Toronto  
• Jesse Whiteley Trio at Noonan’s Irish Pub, 9:00 pm, 141 Danforth Ave, Toronto ON, 416 778 1804  

Saturday, March 30

• James Anthony Band w/ Michael Theodore at Uptown Social, 1:30 pm, 1900 Walkers Line, Burlington, 905-331-4700  
• The Mighty Duck Blues Band with Sugar Brown at Jo Blos Rock and Wok, 2:30 pm, 2 Pelham Rd (@ St. Paul St. W.), St. Catharines, 905-685-8280  
• Southern Supper w/ Lowdown Dirty Mojo (full band) at Front Porch Southern Kitchen and Blues Joint, 5:00 pm, 4 Albert St., Langton, 226-397-1223  
• Garnetta Cromwell & DaGroovmasters at Frankie’s, 6:00 pm, 170 Brantwood Park Rd, Brantford  
• Jackson Delta – Blues, Rags & Stories at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, 8:00 pm, 140 Charlotte St, Peterborough  
• Brant Parker Band at , 8:00 pm, ,  
• Bywater Call at Busholme Inn, 8:00 pm, 156 Main St, Erin, 519-315-0315  
• Little Magic Sam at Noonan’s Irish Pub, 9:00 pm, 141 Danforth Ave, Toronto ON, 416 778 1804  
• The Johnny Max Band at  Timothy’s Pub, 9:00 pm, 344 Browns Line, Etobicoke, 416-201-9515  
• Danny B. at Reservoir Lounge, 9:30 pm, 52 Wellington St. E, Toronto, 416-955-0887  

Sunday, March 31

• Rick Taylor Band at  Crystal Chandelier, 2:00 pm, 3878 Erie Rd., Crystal Beach, (905)894-9996  
• James Anthony Band w/ guest Djino Lefrancois at Plank Restobar, 2:00 pm, 18 Augusta St, Hamilton  
• Chuck Jackson at Roc’n Docs, 4:00 pm, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Mississauga, (905) 891-1754  
• Mike McKenna’s Slidewinder Blues Band at Black Swan Tavern, 4:00 pm, 154 Danforth, Toronto  
• Mike Sedgewick’s Blues Revue at Linsmore Tavern, 7:00 pm, 1298 Danforth Ave, Toronto, 416-466-5130  

Be sure to visit http://torontobluessociety.com/events/

for the latest Live Blues listings

With a Toronto Blues Society membership, not only do you help support TBS and all the events we produce, you also receive these great benefits:

• 1st Class home delivery of our monthly Maple Blues Newsletter
• 20% discount on  Maple Blues Awards tickets & exclusive early bird ticket access
• 20% discount on Women’s Blues Revue tickets & exclusive early bird ticket access
• 10% off every purchase from the Dead Dog Records, Toronto (1209 Bloor St. West &  1696 Queen St. West)
• TBS voting rights
• Discount tickets to all TBS events (including TBS Workshops)
• Discounts on TBS merchandise purchases at TBS events
• Exclusive access to industry discounts, ticket giveaways, and more!