City Roots PRESENTS !

PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED:
City Roots Year Round Spring 2007
Each City Roots show is a unique experience, consisting of three artists,
providing contrasts in style, mood and emotion; challenging,
engaging and entertaining the audience.
May 17 - Marianne Girard,
Matthew Humphreys,
Treasa Lavasseur

April 26 - Andy Sheppard,
Emily Weedon (Delta),
Bill Colgate (with Cam MacInnes)

Andy Sheppard. The world in six strings. "A tremendous guitarist' - Matt Galloway - CBC Radio, Toronto. Andy Sheppard coaxes the sounds of Africa, Brazil, Cuba, and the hills of Appalachia from his steel string guitar. In October 2006 , Andy received the 2006 Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award for his song 'Until Next Time'.

Emily Weedon/ Delta. "a Canadian Country Masterpiece" Jennifer Billls, 24Hours Dolly Parton meets a mini version of The Band. Dixie Chicks jam with The Drive By Truckers.

Bill Colgate (with Cam McInnes). Bill Colgate is a bar band singer turned successful actor turned critically lauded and award winning singer/songwriter from Toronto Canada. In 2002 Bill won 2nd Grand Prize Overall in the USA Songwriting Competition.

Marianne Girard. Marianne will melt your heart and move your feet Dubbed a Canadian nightingale Influenced by roots, world and pop music, turned south into the heart of Americana. Compared to Emmy Lou Harris, she remains an original Spectacular voice and irrestible rootsy grooves.

Matthew Humphreys. Smooth sound - great voice - captivating presence. The energy abounds from this singer/songwriter from Toronto, a fusion of folk sensibilities with a rock and roll edge.

Treasa Levasseur . With a soulful voice that could stop traffic and a live stage presence that is undeniable, Treasa's music fuses blues, old-school soul, funk and folk in an unforgettable melange.

David McLachlan – who began songwriting at the ripe old age of seven began formal piano lessons in Grade 111. He began hanging out at Fiddler’s Green while still in high school and credits this time as his biggest influence in setting out on the path of a singer /songwriter. http://www.davidmclachlan.com

Sultans of String – Chris McKhool and Kevin Laliberte – explore world rhythms and have been tagged ‘original Gypsy-jazz-flamenco’. Famed producer Bob Ezrin says, “…fantastic. They can play my Bar Mitzvah!” McKhool’s five-string electric violin takes the music on a wild and improvised musical journey. Laliberte, on nylon string guitar completes the musical adventure – Sultans of String are unlike anything you’ve ever heard!
MySpace site: http://www.myspace.com/sultansofstring

Jess Graham marries a crystal-clear voice with her unique take on the world around her. She spent the summer of 2006 traveling and performing around the country. She is currently in pre-production for her next album.
http://www.myspace.com/jessgrahamsings

Jon Brooks creates literate narratives that whisper, growl, lament, and praise all that is hurting and hoping in our broken soulled present. His latest soon to be released CD “Ours And The Shepherds” is a collection of Canadian war stories from WWI through to the current mission in Afghanistan. www.jonbrook.ca

Bobby Cameron is powerful guitarist, great singer and solid songwriter. Bobby’s playing is anchored in the Celtic soulfulness of his Cape Breton, NS, upbringing and takes full flight into the heartlands of Roots, Folk, and Blues-Rock. Bobby has toured with the late Long John Baldry, jammed with members of the Rolling Stones, received rave reviews across the country, and released several CDs. www.bobbycameron.com

Blair Packham is snarky, but annoyingly catchy. Intelligent, but with big dumb hooks that won't let go. Lyrics by a guy who loves the craft of songwriting but who never forgets that craft isn't the point, emotion is. And he's damn funny onstage, too. www.blairpackham.com

Noah Zacharin is a veteran accompanist, solo performer, and guitar whiz, gathers influences from the blues, folk, jazz, country, bluegrass and r&b realms. His latest CD, Waiting on Your Love, is a departure from earlier released with its full-scale production, and has received rave reviews. www.noahsong.com

Kirsten Jones. With an arsenal of powerful, personal songs and a voice described as "smooth-as-buckwheat-honey", it's no surprise Kirsten was weaned on Maria McKee, Patty Griffin, and Natalie Merchant. The result is a alt-country-folky mishmash with a pop sensibility. Will be accompanied by guitar whiz back-up singer Kevin Zarnett. www.kirstenjones.com

Gordie Tentrees. Going back and forth across this country from the Yukon, Gordie has performed some 200 shows a year either solo or with his band. He writes his own songs, plays a guitar, uses a slide, blows a harmonica, and is sometimes touched with a voice like a bird on a warm spring morning belting out the last day on earth. Tonight is the Toronto release of his latest CD! www.gordietentrees.com

City Roots Fall 2006 Series
Sept 21 - Peter Verity, Layah Jane, Doc MacLean
Oct 19 - Lynn Harrison, Michael Laderoute, Suzie Vinnick
Nov 23 - Sam Larkin, Michelle Rasky, Mr. Rick & The Biscuits

September 21, 2006

Doc MacLean is a veteran performer whose career spans 30 years. He has just released a brand new album of haunting and dark delta blues, produced by Colin Linden. Performing on bottleneck guitar, Doc MacLean’s music is original and contemporary, yet remains true to the tradition of the great Delta musicians. This evening kicks off a 40 city cross Canada tour for Doc. www.docmaclean.com

Layah Jane is currently recording her sophomore album. Her first recording, Grievance and Gratitude gained her critical and public acclaim. She writes all her own material and has won several prestigious songwriting awards. Next fall Layah makes a trip down to Sweetwater Texas to headline a concert. www.layahjane.com

Peter Verity won the Best Folk Artist award at last year’s inaugural Toronto Independent Music Awards (TIMA). In 2003 he was a runner-up in the North American John Lennon Songwriting Contest in the folk category. Peter’s fine voice and excellent songs captivate his audience. www.peterverity.ca

October 19, 2006

Lynn Harrison is a prolific writer of songs with “a timeless quality” (Jim Marino, CFMU) Lynn Harrison moves listeners, whether she’s singing in a concert hall, a living room, or a busy public space such as the Toronto subway. Like her well-loved previous recordings, “Lynoleum” (2001) and “Learning Curve” (2003), both of which enjoyed widespread airplay on CBC and public radio, “Broadview” is a collection of simple songs about the big picture. www.lynoleum.com

Michael Laderoute's music is honest, often dark descriptions of vast landscapes populated with interesting and sometimes troubled characters who have a humorous approach to biblical insights. His work is often compared to the likes of Joe Ely, Ray Wylie Hubbard and John Prine. Michael started his musical journey at an age 3 by pulling a radio cabinet over on top of himself while grooving to Mac Beattie and the Ottawa Valley Melodiers. www.mtladeroute.com

Suzie Vinnick is an award-winning singer, songwriter and musician. She recently won 1st place in the Blues Category of the International Songwriting Contest (ISC) for her co-write entitled "The Honey I Want", was awarded the 2003 Canadian Maple Blues Female Vocalist of the Year, and was nominated again as the 2004 Canadian Maple Blues Female Vocalist of the Year. Member of “Betty and the Bobs”, “The Marigolds”, Suzie is a versatile, engaging performer. www.suzievinnick.com

November 23 , 2006

Sam Larkin is a reclusive Toronto singer-songwriter who recently released his stunning new record, “Night Melts Chains” after a 12-year gap. His previous release “Ransom” is an underground classic. Sam’s songs are filled with sharp observations on the pitfalls of love, expressed in striking and down-to-earth imagery. One sharp observer compared Sam’s music to what would result if Leonard Cohen went on a road trip with Hank Williams. www.samlarkin.com

Michelle Rasky is an accomplished vocalist, songwriter and guitar player with an adept finger-picking style and a highly syncopated strumming technique. She is among the growing number of innovative Toronto artists boldly exercising their musical freedom and sowing the seeds of an emancipated local indie scene. Michelle has shared the stage with many great artists, including opening for music legends Odetta and Ian Tyson and critically acclaimed singer-songwriters, Cheryl Wheeler, Eliza Gilkyson and Jesse Winchester. www.michellerasky.com

Mr Rick presents a tasty Gumbo of Folk, Country, Swing, Early Jazz, Bluegrass, Blues & Gospel performed with "greasy" rhythm. Raised on a diet of old 78's, LP's, and the "Roots" music scene of the Mid West during the 1960's, Mr Rick developed his style first hand from the likes of Rev. Gary Davis, Merle Travis, Jim Kweskin jug band, Doc Watson and Dave Van Ronk among others. Usually performing with the other 2 member of his group, The Biscuits, Mr. Rick makes a solo performance. www.mr-rick.com