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George Street Blues Project
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Chicago Blues, R&B
What started as a "project" more than 10 years ago has turned into a staple of the New Brunswick blues scene. Having played in major festivals throughout Atlantic Canada and Quebec, George Street Blues Project has earned a well-deserved reputation for keeping the blues alive with enthusiastic renditions of traditional Chicago blues and old standards, as well as original material. This year the project is bigger and better than ever before with a band new line up. Fronted by powerhouse R&B singer Sheldon Gordon, The Project has new energy that is sure to please old and new fans alike. Add to that the stalwart rhythm section of Mike Flemming and Jeff Barnes, duelling guitars of Terry Morrison and Paul MacNabb, plus veteran harp ace Dave Bedford, and The Project is ready for the International Blues Challenge!
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J-C Arsenault & Dan Robichaud
Bathurst, New Brunswick
Blues
J-C Arsenault was inspired to form his own Chicago-style blues band 15 years ago, after experimenting with impromptu blues gigs with Halifax bluesman Joe Murphy. Soon after he invited Fredericton-based blues harp player, Dan Robichaud to a gig and an immediate chemistry between the two was established. J-C and Dan have been playing together ever since, along with a handful of Maritime blues musicians, playing, promoting and passionately living the blues. Now the two playin a refined duo format that celebrates the pre-war blues contribution to the North American music heritage.
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Double Dutch Hutch
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Blues
Double Dutch Hutch brings together two generations of blues players and a few of their friends to entertain with blues magic. Festival founder Rick Hutchins joins forces with his son Sean, a very talented young artist on the Fredericton music scene. Sean is a fine guitar player and vocalist with experience beyond his years. His band, the Midnight Ramblers is rocking audiences on a regular basis and is one of Fredericton's rising star acts. Rick Hutchins, an original member of Fredericton's Downtown Blues Band, joins Sean on stage. Two generations, one love of the blues.
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Ross Neilsen
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Blues Rock
Hometown bluesman Ross Neilsen is one of the hardest working blues-rockers on the scene today and quickly establishing himself among the East Coast's best. He recently released his sixth album – Live at the Acoustic Grill – the follow up to his acclaimed 2010 album Redemption, which he recorded in Mississippi with three-time Grammy nominated producer Cody Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars after competing at the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
Proving hard work pays off, Ross was nominated for a 2010 Maple Blues Award for Best New Artist, two Rising Star nominations from CBC, back to back Blues Album of the Year nominations from the East Coast Music Association and won Best Blues Recording for Redemption at the 2010 MusicNB awards. Whether electrifying audiences with his power trio or telling tall tales in his intimate solo shows, Neilsen is "out there" delivering unforgettable live shows across the country. Combining clever lyrics with old school, guitar-hero-style guitar playing, Neilsen has secured himself as the real deal among both peers and fans alike.
