Thursday, February 23 - Saturday, February 25, 2012
- February 23: JP Soars and the Red Hots
- February 24: Kirby Sewell Band
- February 25: Nigel Mack Blues Attack - Large Band
Get out of your house! Make the winter blues go away! StirCrazy Blues festival concerts are a great way to get out of the house, hear some great music and have a little fun.
This year's festival will be at the Lyric Theatre.
Early Bird Festival Pass $45 for all three nights until February 1.
After February 1, Festival Passes are $60 each.
To reserve corporate tables, credit card orders or more information, call Shann at (306) 778-2686.
JP Soars and the Red Hots - Thursday, February 23 at the Lyric Theatre
Doors open: 8:00 pm; Music starts at 9:00 pm.
Advance tickets: $25.00, or $45 for Early Bird Festival Pass till Feb 1, available
at:
- Pharmasave ticket centre
- Or call Shann at 778-2686, email
JP Soars is one of those rare young guitar slingers that can play anything, anywhere, at any time. He studied the music of blues greats and jazz players like Wes Montgomery and Django Reinhardt, and jump-blues bandleader Louis Jordan and they are “one of the best live shows ever!”
History was made on February 7, 2009 at the Orpheum Theater in Memphis, Tennessee, as J.P. SOARS & THE RED HOTS took the Blues world by storm by winning the coveted 25th annual ..International Blues Challenge (IBC)...
With the mission to find the best unsigned blues band, the annual IBC competition is held worldwide on a regional level by The Blues Foundation's 150 affiliated organizations around the world. A record number of 164 bands and solo/duo acts from blues societies around the world took the stages of Memphis’ legendary Beale Street on Thursday and Friday of the 2009 International Blues Challenge to compete for over $20,000 in cash and prizes. Acts from all over the world performed before notable blues industry judges in hopes of making the finals on Saturday, drawing an audience of many thousands to Beale Street in downtown Memphis.
When the dust cleared, J.P. Soars & the Red Hots (J.P SOARS on guitars & vocals, CHRIS PEET on drums, and GARY RIMMINGTON on bass), sponsored by and representing the ..South Florida Blues Society.., took first place and the title, becoming THE BEST UNSIGNED BLUES ACT IN THE WORLD!
J.P. Soars also individually won the Albert King Award, which establishes him as the best guitar player in the competition this year. It includes a plaque, a beautiful White Gibson Custom Les Paul guitar and a Category 5 Amp.
Kirby Sewell Band - Friday, February 24 at the Lyric Theatre
Doors open: 8:00 pm; Music starts at 9:00 pm.
Advance tickets: $25.00, or $45 for Early Bird Festival Pass till Feb 1, available
at:
- Pharmasave ticket centre
- Or call Shann at 778-2686, email
The Kirby Sewell Band is a high energy, soul slinging R & B band, reaching out with modern interpretations. Known for their passionate live performances, the monster six-piece extravaganza perform what they call Alternative Blues, with melodic heart pulling stories from the depths of an old soul, while breathing new musical life into a genre. Their arrangements are amped up, invigorating, thought provoking, playing against the grain. Avenue magazine says they grab the "soul of the past and pull it into the present, dragging elements of Motown, Mussel Shoals and post-war Chicago along for the emotional ride."
The band is fronted by award winning vocalist Kirby Sewell, who has been heralded as "one of the finest Male Blues vocalists in Canada" by Real Blues Magazine. He appeared on the front of the Regional edition of the Internationally syndicated newspaper, METRO, and also has been featured twice on Holger Peterson’s Regional & National Blues radio programs. Kirby, known to break a sweat on stage, truly connects with the spirit of the Blues. Nuances of his own life are shared in unforgettable performances, leaving audiences with no doubt that the Blues has spent time with him.
This energy was captured in 2010, on their aptly titled sophomore CD “The Blues Found Me.” Sewell pays homage with heartfelt interpretations of Blues classics, escorting you on a musical journey that is both moving and inspiring. Blues, Rock, Gospel, Country, and Soul are weaved into a musical collage bringing together an original sound, roaming through realms dark and brooding, uplifting and playful. “The Blues Found Me” was released to media and fan acclaim, with favorable press and Independent airplay all over the world. It was also added in full rotation on Canada’s Only Commercial All Blues Station DAWG FM and on the CBC Galaxy Network’s “Blues Street” channel.
Known for their driving, emotional performances, the Kirby Sewell Band has been asked to perform year after year at some of the finest festivals such as Lilac Festival, Marda Gras, and Taste of Calgary. Self-promoted shows have been sold out at prestigious venues, including Cantos/National Music Centre of Canada, and Edmonton’s Festival Place.
The Kirby Sewell Band is on the rise and set to release a full-length album of original material in 2011, starting with their first single “Bought Myself A Hammer”. Sewell remains committed to that mystical connection between the music and people, with plans to tour extensively, wherever the Blues takes them.
Nigel Mack Blues Attack - Large Band - Saturday, February 25 at the Lyric Theatre
Doors open: 8:00 pm; Music starts at 9:00 pm.
Advance tickets: $25.00, or $45 for Early Bird Festival Pass till Feb 1, available
at:
- Pharmasave ticket centre
- Or call Shann at 778-2686, email
Often described as 'Canada's Blues Ambassador to Chicago', Nigel Mack is a 'blues triple threat' (vocals, harp & guitar). His brand new, all-original CD 'Devil's Secrets' was recently named the winner of the 'Best Self-Produced CD' contest by the 'Windy City Blues Society'. It will be representing Chicago at the 2012 'International Blues Competition' in Memphis.
Nigel Mack has made Chicago, IL his home since 2003. He has toured North America relentlessly (logging over half a million miles) and headlined many of North America's top blues venues and festivals. It was this road-work that gave rise to the title of his 2001 release 'Road Rage'.
A prolific songwriter, Nigel's music has been heard around the globe on several internationally syndicated television programs, including 'Party Of Five', The Street' and 'Dawsons Creek'.
In addition to his full-blown band show Nigel often performs in a solo acoustic format. With his '64 Martin acoustic and a 1929 National steel guitar, Nigel plays music from such luminaries as Son House, Willy Dixon and Tampa Red in addition to his original tunes.
As a performer Nigel Mack pays a great deal of respect to the blues greats that have influenced him, while embracing the the modern funk-blues commonly heard on the Chicago blues scene of today. "My band is based upon the great James Cotton band of the 70's & 80s", he explains. "Cotton and the fellas would go from a 'stone cold' Muddy Waters song to an 'uptown funk' tune in the blink of an eye. It would blow your mind! I love the old blues, and have dedicated my life to playing it right. My band mixes it up, and like a painter, use the all the other shades of blues that are on the palate".
‘Nigel Mack & the Blues Attack’ have toured all over North America, Europe and headlined top blues venues throughout. They are a favorite act at festivals everywhere. Those who have seen this dynamic act will tell that ‘Nigel Mack & the Blues Attack’ are sure to keep you coming back for more!
SitrCrazy Blues Festival is sponsored by:
