PERFORMERS
EMCEE: JOHNNY MAX
At the helm of the Johnny Max Band, Johnny is a frontman who is not afraid to jump into the audience and get them going The Johnny Max Band is celebrating their 25th Anniversary with 7 albums, 2 Juno Award nominations, multiple Maple Blues award nominations and working on two new albums (studio and live). The JMB is a groovy New Orleans/Memphis style Blues horn band playing Blues & R&B, that makes you want to get up and dance! It is all about the music, not the solos. It is all about the groove and the move!
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: MARGARET STOWE
Guitarist Margaret Stowe has performed all over Canada and Europe and has recorded and performed with an array of Canadian/International artists. "Stowe's departure point is jazz, but her style ranges from folk to blues to world beats, propelled by her trademark high energy and eclectic tastes."--Prague Post. Margaret plays original music with her own trio and can be found playing festivals and shows including Tony Quarrington's "For King and Country" and Blues for the Red Door, and with Max Woolaver, Brenda Lewis and the Missa Gaia Jazz Ensemble.
the house band 2024
In addition to lead vocalist, Johnny Maxx, and guitarist, Margaret Stowe (see above), here's our fabulous house band:
Toronto’s Russ Boswell has recorded and performed with some of Canada’s top artists including David Wilcox, Corey Hart as well as Seals & Crofts and Ian Thomas.
Rebecca Hennessy is an award winning Canadian trumpeter and vocalist who has been working professionally since 2006 and joins us at Blues for the Red Door for the first time
Celebrating her third decade as a professional musician, Michelle brings a wealth of playing experience as well as a unique perspective on life. "When Michelle Josef performed in an all-star tribute to the late Canadian folk singer Kate McGarrigle- in a band that backed up Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Emmylou Harris, Bruce Cockburn, and Broken Social Scene among others one of the performers, Robert Charlebois, said to her: “You’re not one drummer, you’re five drummers – a folk drummer, a rock drummer, a jazz drummer, etc.” Considering the caliber of musicians she was working with, she took that as high praise." Angela Smith for Tom Tom Magazine
Roberta is an exhilarating jazz and blues singer, songwriter and piano player. Her style is rootsy and blues with a bit of attitude and a lot of charisma. Roberta is currently part of Bertie & The Gents, Red Hot Ramble and the Roberta Hunt Trio.
James Stager leads a busy career as a trombonist, pianist, and educator in Toronto and is frequently heard in concert halls, festivals, and nightclubs in a wide variety of musical settings including symphony orchestras (Toronto Philharmonia), musical theatre (Shaw Festival, Soulpepper Theatre), world music (Moda Eterna, Caché), and jazz groups (Big Rude Jake, Red Hot Ramble). Jamie's performing career has taken him to festivals and concert venues throughout North America and Europe.
the headliners 2024
JAY BLUES
Jay is the founding member of The Jay Blues Trio - a 3-piece Psychedelic Blues & Funk band from Toronto. The band formed in 2023 from a collection of Blues, Rnb, Jazz and Funk lovers who met busking in the streets of Toronto and the local Blues scene. Their unique brand of entertainment fuses Chicago blues, Funk, and Slow Sultry Blues.
Brooke is the composer and guitar player of the Juno-nominated, Maple Blues winning Toronto based soul blues band “Blackburn”. Performing for thirty plus years as a Canadian musician, Brooke has accumulated a vast repertoire of original compositions. His solo album, Songs, consists of music that incorporated various styles and compositional methods acquired throughout his unwavering career.
Garnetta is a classic soulful, funky, fusion blues singer that has won many awards. Her musical career began as a young girl in Montreal, where she found inspiration in gospel, blues, country, reggae and soul music. Garnetta has won many awards herself as well as performed with Grammy award winning artists.
Chuck Jackson is Downchild’s lead singer and harmonica player; the sort of openhearted, friendly guy who builds an instant rapport with audiences. He came to Downchild 30 years ago after a long career with a number of top Canadian bands. Chuck has been nominated for 7 Junos; won 2 Junos for Blues Album of the Year; nominated 8 times as Male Vocalist of the Year at the Maple Blues Awards- winning the award twice in 1999 and again in 2007; 2002 he was presented with the Toronto Blues Society’s prestigious Blues With a Feeling Award; and the list goes on!
Kitchener’s own award winning Cheryl Lescom has been part of the Canadian music scene for over 45 years. Cheryl has performed with the likes of Jeff Healey and Downchild Blues Band.
Three time Juno Award winner Shakura is known for her engaging, vivacious, exciting singer that has the ability to touch your soul.
Juno Award winner, Tyler Yarema is an award-winning piano player, singer, and composer. He has played on over fifty albums ranging in genres from blues and jazz to reggae and pop. Tyler also holds an enormously successful twenty-two-year house gig at the world-famous Reservoir Lounge in downtown Toronto. In June, 2021 Tyler became the newest member of the Downchild Blues Band.
AND...THE DJ!
DJ Swankenstein’s been spinning his genre-hopping concoction of vinyl deliciousness for happy listeners (and dancers) at clubs, concert halls, theatres and festivals from coast to coast across North America for years. Jazz, Jump, Rock and Roll, Blues, Bossa, Mambo, Cha Cha, Crooners, Exotica, and plenty of Musical Weirdness! It’s all part of the recipe of the sonic goodness and fun times crammed into every one of Swank’s record crates.
