Paul James is one of the most exciting and energetic Toronto-based Canadian musicians … past, present and future.   He is a Canadian cultural icon and veteran entertainer.  His talents as a guitarist, vocalist, band leader, stage acrobatic, and songwriter have allowed him to produce the music he loves for over three decades.

Paul James is a real musician’s, musician. He is constantly surrounded by the worlds stage with big time players such as Mink De Ville, Bo Diddley, Bob Dylan, John Hammond, Spencer Davis, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Jack Scott and Sunnyland Slim, to mention a few.

He is the recipient of two Toronto Music awards for Best Club Band and Best Blues Artist and in 1992 won the Juno Award for Best Roots and Traditional Music.  Paul James has multiple Maple Blues Award nominations and in January 2012 was presented the lifetime achievement – Blues With A Feeling Award.

Proceeds will support the Habitat for Humanity Durham Centre Towne set to commence in May 2012, building homes in Oshawa for 24 families.  We need your help to provide a hand up …. not a hand out.  Habitat for Humanity; building homes, building hope.

Open Standard Bar / Cocktail hors d’ouvres / Silent Auction / Charitable Registration Tax Receipts

The Maple Blues Revue is a first rate Canadian Blues Show featuring three dynamic vocalists with an outstanding eight piece band.  All members of the Revue are multiple Maple Blues Award winners and nominees.  They represent the cream of the crop in this country’s Blues elite, drawn from legendary acts like Downchild, Fathead, The Jack de Keyzer Band, The Whiteley Bros., The Johnny Max Band and Raoul & The Big Time.  MBR consists of  Dawn Tyler Watson (vocals), Chuck Jackson (vocals), John Mays (vocals), Gary Kendall (bass), Michael Fonfara (organ/piano), Teddy Leonard (guitar), Tom Bona (drums), Al Lerman (harmonica/tenor sax), Chris Whiteley (trumpet), Pat Carey (tenor sax), Chris Murphy (baritone sax).  http://www.maplebluesrevue.com/

The popular American Jazz & Blues DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE said of Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley “It’s a rare and good thing when 2 talented performers join forces”.  Audiences, critics and blues lovers all over North America and Europe seem to agree.  In 2010 Whiteley was awarded the prestigious BLUES WITH A FEELING AWARD, for lifetime achievement in the blues.  Collectively they have been awarded 9 Maple Blues Awards and 6 Juno nominations.  Together, Braithwaite & Whiteley present authentic, vintage blues while they continue to expand their horizons internationally and please audiences young and old.  Giving back to the community they have performed their original presentation for over 40,000 students across Canada.  http://www.braithwaiteandwhiteley.com/

Jack de Keyzer ‘s career has spanned over three decades.   He has released 7 CD’s as a leader and appeared as a session guitarist on hundreds of recordings.  In 2010 and 2003 de Keyzer was awarded Canada’s highest musical honour  the Juno award for  Blues Album of the Year,  for “The Corktown Sessions” (2010) and  “6 String Lover” (2003).  In addition to the Juno, de Keyzer has won   7 Maple Blues Awards and in 2007 won the International Songwriting Competition’s  first place  prize for the  song “That’s the Only Time”.  He was also awarded Great Canadian Blues Artist of the year from a poll of CBC radio listeners in 2009.   http://www.jackdekeyzer.com/

David Gogo is one of Canada’s hardest working blues-rock guitarists and multiple Blues Music Award Winner who adds heart, soul and grit to the international blues scene.

Gogo has garnered three Juno Nominations, the Saturday Night Blues’ Great Canadian Blues Award for a lifetime contribution to the blues in Canada, WCMA Musician of the Year, and has twice been named Maple Blues Guitarist of the Year.  Over the years, he has performed with blues and rock legends B.B. King, Bo Diddley, George Thorogood, ZZ Top, and numerous others – most recently touring with Johnny Winter on Canada’s west coast.

His eleventh release, Soul Bender, is adding even more acclaim to an already impressive list.  Soul Bender features outstanding new tracks; some Gogo originals and a few covers that run the gamut of sources and styles (Procol Harum, Elmore James, The Doors, Michael Jackson) but infused with a Gogo twist. The album was recorded by Rick Salt at Lois Lane Studios, where five of Gogo’s previous albums have been recorded.  Every effort was made to capture the feel of Gogo’s incredible live shows, and the result showcases Gogo’s best guitar and vocal performances ever! Soul Bender is a sizzling, hard-rocking blues album that is filled with heavy grooves, grit and emotion.

“David’s guitar playing sings and stings with every bit as much emotional authority as Jimi, Stevie and early Eric. I love it!”   Bill Henderson (Chilliwack)

 David Gogo on YouTube

JW-JONES has one of the most energetic and exciting live shows on the scene. It is no surprise that he has played throughout the world (CANADA, USA, EUROPE, AUSTRALIA, BRAZIL) and some of the biggest names in blues today, including The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Little Charlie & The Nightcats, Rod Piazza, Anson Funderburgh with Sam Myers, The Mannish Boys and the legendary Hubert Sumlin have invited him to join them on stage. 

In 2009, Guitar World Magazine featured a CD called ‘Guitar Masters Vol. 2’ that put JW-JONES alongside guitar stars B.B. King, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana and more.  During a special appearance with the band, Hollywood celebrity and fan, Dan Aykroyd said, “this is an amazing blues band, and I’ve played with the best!” Mr. Aykroyd wrote the liner notes for the 2008 release ‘Bluelisted’.

Their music has garnered radio-play worldwide, including heavy rotation on commercial radio stations, and features on shows such as the internationally syndicated House of Blues Radio Hour. 

The buzz this band has created over the last decade has earned them a national award – the Maple Blues Award for Electric Act of the Year, and rave reviews throughout the globe. JW-JONES endorses Gibson guitars, has been featured in Blues Revue Magazine and can be found in the books All Music Guide to Blues and Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings.

JW-JONES on YouTube

If you don’t think you want to dance, just listening to the band and watching the crowd is almost as fun. But, dancing or not, you probably won’t be standing still – the LOCO ZYDECO sound won’t let you and the scene will keep you smiling.

Extra rub-boards are always available for anyone adventurous enough to join the band on stage.  And yes ….. there will be beads.