Kitchener Blues Festival 2016 Schedule

Juno award winning producer Lance Anderson has put together another all-star show for the Kitchener Blues Festival. In 2016 they will honour the musical contributions of Bob Dylan in a show at the OLG Clock Tower stage. Bob Dylan is an enigmatic and complicated performer. He has been called the ‘voice of his generation’ a title he steadfastly refuses, or the ‘conscience of America’, another label he quickly denies. He IS a gifted and prolific songwriter, with a body of work that spans more than five decades. What no one can deny, is that he has been a major influence in music and one of the most influential people of the 20th century. From protest songs, and his fight in the Civil Rights movement of the 60’s, to his collaboration with THE BAND, Christian and Jewish works, and his continual touring, Bob Dylan has never stood still. Bob Dylan has been covered by many Blues artists including: Eric Bib, Joe Cocker, Soloman Burke, Etta James, The Black Crowes, Eric Clapton, Taj Mahal, Johnny Winter, Jimmy Hendrix, Bonnie Bramlett, R.L. Burnside, Odetta, Leon Russell, Staple Singers and many more. His music has been recorded by everybody From Adele to Patti Smith: The Persuasions to Duke Ellington; Van Morrison to Rage Against the Machine. His musical legacy is enormous. THAT is undeniable. In our two hour show we will bring you some of his best and our artist’s personal favourite Bob Dylan songs performed by some of this country’s top Roots and Blues performers. Lance Anderson is a Juno award winning producer (Leahy) and ‘Maple Blues Keyboardist of the Year’ (2013). He has toured and recorded with Shakura S’Aida for the last 10 years. His label (Make It Real Records) has produced CD’s by 2B3 the Toronto Sessions, Garth Hudson (The BAND), Blackburn and the Cameo Blues Band. This year, Anderson was co-music producer with Kelly Peterson of ‘Oscar With Love’ a critically acclaimed 3CD set that commemorated Oscar Peterson’s 90th birthday in 2015. Lance is a well know musical director and producer with ‘The Last Waltz – a Musical Celebration of THE BAND – Live’ , ‘Genius+Soul=The Music of Ray Charles’, ‘Mad Dogs and Englishmen – The Music of Joe Cocker and Leon Russell’ and more shows in theatres across the nation. Anderson has also written music for Film, TV and recently ‘Four Women’ for Symphony Orchestra. The Weber Brothers – “If it is looked at as a passing of the torch or a keeping of the flame, then we are they guys to do it.” says Ryan Weber. I couldn’t think of a more dynamic pair of performers who also have the attitude needed for playing Dylan songs. The Weber Brothers are “The baddest band in the land.” They are also Dylan fans, and fans of great songs. The Webers have put out 10 albums in 15 years and are touring constantly. One of the hardest working artists in the country …. and it shows Paul James – Paul James is one of the most exciting and energetic Toronto-based Canadian musicians – past, present and future. Paul James has received many music awards during his long career in the music business. He is winner of a Juno Award, multiple Toronto Music Awards,‘The Maple Blues (Lifetime Achievement Award for Blues Music in Canada), the London Fire Hall Lifetime Achievement Award, and he has many more music awards to grace his mantle. Bob Dylan sat in with Paul’s band, and came to see Paul perform on numerous occasions. In 1990, Dylan invited Paul James to play an acoustic set to open his show at Canada’s Wonderland. Dylan further invited Paul to sit in with his band many times in Toronto, London, Oshawa and Buffalo. Paul brings a personal knowledge of his friend Bob, to the show and a lifetime of playing Dylan’s music. Matt Weidinger – Matt Weidinger has a voice like no other. The 23-year-old Kitchener, ON native is a passionate young songwriter, who is well known for his mature rock/soul vocals and impressive multi-instrumental talents. He performs like a veteran musician on the piano and organ, and is equally proficient on guitar, bass or mandolin. As a songwriter, Matt appreciates the art of Dylan and is an example of how Dylan’s music still reaches a young generation. Michelle Willis – is a singer, songwriter, and keyboard player who lives and works primarily out of Toronto, Canada. Born in England and raised in Toronto, She spent most of her upbringing singing in church choirs and lifting Carole King and Ray Charles records. Since graduating from the Humber College jazz program, she has shared the stage and studio with artists such as David Crosby, Snarky Puppy, Iggy & The Stooges, Royal Wood, Hawksley Workman, Parachute Club and Nikki Yanofsky to name a few. She is currently a member of Three Metre Day and has a solo CD out called See Us Through (Universal Music Classics). The band – Joining Lance in the band will be sensational session drummer Al Cross (Big Sugar) and bassist extraordinaire, Russ Boswell (David Wilcox). Mitch Lewis (Rockin’ Deltoids) will be on guitars.