Do you have a professional blues band? Want it listed on our Member Bands page? We will add your band to this list if at least one regular member lives in Greater Victoria and one of you is a current VBS member. Email the editor and include a link to your band’s web site or Facebook page, a jpg photo, a brief description of the band and a mp3 if you want people to hear you.
AUNTIE KATE & THE UNCLES OF FUNK
Auntie Kate hits the stage like a barely controlled force of nature, rocking and kicking out a powerful blues routine honed in the clubs of Western Canada. Auntie Kate and the Uncles of Funk stir up a mess of blues, seasoned with good old R&B and delivered on a plateful of soul and funk. Web: www.auntiekate.ca
BILL JOHNSON BLUES BAND
An excellent west coast blues band, Juno and Maple Blues nominated guitarist/vocalist Bill Johnson is equally good solo on National steel. His band includes: John R Hunter (drums) and George Fenn (bass). Call: (250) 652-5470 or www.billjohnsonblues.com
Listen to Bill Johnson
BLUE CITY DRIVE
Great arrangements of classic blues, roots and rock n’ roll. Available for clubs, private functions and anywhere people want to dance and let loose!! Blue City Drive consists of four seasoned and passionate musicians who love performing…..they always bring their best to every room and stage they play and there is only one goal in mind….everyone has a great time partying to great music!! Glenn Taylor – (guit, voc.), Barry Eaglestone – (guit, voc.), Don Restall – (drums, voc.), Ryan Wilson – (bass, voc.) CONTACT: Phone: 250-727-6225 or 250-382-9815 Web: www.facebook.com/bluecitydrive/
BRANDY MOORE & THE NIGHTCAPS
Fueled by an abiding passion for classic rhythm & blues, Brandy Moore & the Nightcaps is a Victoria-based band of seasoned musicians performing high-energy R&B, soul, blues, funk and Motown by artists such as Etta James, Sam & Dave, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Bonnie Raitt and Marvin Gaye, as well as originals by the band’s outstanding lead vocalist Brandy Moore. Sharing front vocal duties with Moore are powerhouse lead guitarist Victor Wells and dynamite keyboardist Charlie Fox, with a driving rhythm section featuring George Koenig on bass/vocals and Jon Miller on drums. Guest horns as budgets allow. For booking inquiries, please visit http://www.brandymoore.ca or 250-361-8565
CURL
CURL, from Victoria, BC, consists of Helen Davies (vocals, guitar), Susan Johnson (bass), Dee Cooper (keyboards) along with regular featured guitarist Jazz Fouladianpour and drummer Andy Okell. CURL’s 2017 CD, Under the Table Wine features collaborations with Juno nominee Bill Johnson as well as saxophonist Gene Hardy. CURL has been featured at Victoria’s Blues Bash, the Nanaimo Summer Blues Festival and on Victoria television station, CHEK TV. Tel: (250) 595-5647 or Web: ww.curlgirls.ca
Listen to CURL:
CHARLIE FOX and the DISCIPLES OF COOL
Re-imagining the Blues for the 21st century, with the some old favourites, new twists and fresh sounds. The band is: Charlie Fox on keyboards and vocals, Art Tyler on drums and vocals, Bruce Davies on bass, Don Peterson on guitar and vocals and Sari Alesh on violin. Together they are ready to bring a hot heaping helping of home cooked blues with dash of rock, a pinch of jazz and a whole lotta fun to the dance floors of Vancouver Island. Call Charlie at 250 885-2157 or https://www.facebook.com/charliefoxandthedisciplesofcool/
DEB RHYMER BAND
Deb has been featured at the Victoria Jazz Society’s annual Blues Bash, and, in 2011 at the Mt. Ranier Blues Bash. The Deb Rhymer Band hosts the Sunday Blues Service, a weekly blues jam at the V-Lounge on Douglas. Their CD is aired on CBC’s Saturday Night Blues. Tel: (250) 592-5764 Web: www.debrhymerband.com
Listen to Deb Rhymer:
DOCTOR BONES BLUES PROJECT
Playing Blues Fusion: Blues music infused with gospel, rock and a bit of funk. Dr.Bones plays bars, fairs, festivals, markets, charity events, prisons and social service agency events for Victoria’s marginalized and working poor. John Bones (harp, vox) Alan Bisson (guitar, vox), Tony Reynolds (bass, vox), Tony Rodrigues (keyboard, vox), Jack Funk (drums), Gail Bones (vocals). CALL 250- 652-4002 OR www.reverbnation.com/drbonesbluesproject
THE KINGMIXERS
…specialize in blues, but can cover a wide range of styles. The band plays regularly in Victoria and features Gary Preston (keys, harp, vocals) Dennis Shade (guitar), Rick Erickson (bass), and Anita Bonkowski (drums). Web: www.garypreston.ca
HARRIS GILMORE & THE MOJOS
With Harris Gilmore fronting and the amazing Al Sabourin on guitar, the Mojos kick out blues, originals and covers. They genre-bend, sometimes breaking into Latin beats or reagge in the middle of a blues tune. Harris has opened shows for Downchild Blues Band, Robben Ford, among others. Web: www.harrisgilmoreandthemojos.com
Lazy Mike & The Rockin’ Recliners
These guys play harp-driven rockin’ blues from ‘Chicago to the WestCoast’ … and all points in between – plus a whole mess of blues originals! Lazy Mike and the Rockin’ Recliners are will make you dance! Web: FACEBOOK or lazymikeandtherockinrecliners.com
Little Marty & The JukeJoint
“It’s natural blues, that’s all”. Featuring: Jordie Edmonds on guitars; Matt Pease on drums; Casey Ryder on doghouse bass. If you love 40’s & 50’s JukeJoint blues, they are worth your time! WEB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccJHAwcfiFc
McKiNLeY Wolf
Live vintage blues tribute to the masters – Freddie King, Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Reed, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Albert King…if you love the blues McKiNLeY WoLf will stir your heart and if you love to dance they will stir your feet! Lineup: Ian Walls (bass, vocals), Ed Bauer (drums, backup vocals), Dallas Harlen (guitar,backup vocals). Web: FACEBOOK
PRESTON & BONKOWSKI
Preston & Bonkowski are a swingin’ little duo featuring Gary Preston on piano, vocals and harmonica and the lovely and talented Anita Bonkowski on upright bass and percussion. The music is always bluesy, with a touch of jazz and Latin. A full sound and … great for smaller venues. Web: www.garypreston.ca
Renovation Blues Band
Renovation Blues Band is an ongoing project dedicated to presenting high-energy live blues music with conviction. An exciting live act, RBB brings together various upbeat blues styles to get you moving to the groove. Their music swings, funks, and shuffles its way into your soul and won’t let go. Don’t miss this great local band tear up the stage… come and let your soul be renovated! New CD release in 2017: “Swingin’ Hammers”. Email: info@renovationbluesband.com web: http://renovationbluesband.com/
SOUL SHAKERS
This five-piece rhythm and blues band features Joyce “The Voice” Allensen, Henning Kanstrup (bass), Sean McCool (guitar), Matt Vause (drums) and Alexander Ferguson(keys). This hard-driving band always has the crowd on their feet dancing. They feature powerhouse vocals and harmonies. Email: hkanstrup@shaw.ca or Web: www.soulshakers.ca
SYZYGY BLUE
Playing material ranging from Ray Charles to ZZ Top, Syzygy Blue is guaranteed to fill the dance floor! This band creates music suitable for any venue. Contact Steve Lalonde 250-686-2434, Mike Sharp 250-479-3036 or FACEBOOK
The Rhumba Kings
The Rhumba Kings from Victoria BC are a trio of Sharon “SP” Wadsworth on washboard, bass and vocals, Jack Lavin on bass, harp and vocals and Dave Harris on guitar, harp, fiddle, foot drums and vocals. Together they bring over 150 years of playing experience from groups such as Elmore’s Bar & Grill, Powder Blues and Slim & The Dusters. They play traditional blues and New Orleans R&B, with emphasis on harmony vocals. Regular Friday gig at Cup of Joe Cafe from 5-7PM. A fun, experienced blues band.
The ENDINGS
A locally formed blues band focused on post-war Chicago electric blues and rock & roll. Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Little Walter, Taj Mahal and Otis Rush are who these guys listen to; it’s a rocking blues experience guaranteed to make you wanna get out of your seat. Facebook or davidbosma@googlemail.com
