(Fredericton) When the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary this September, Maritime artists will be front and center. Highlighting the Festival’s commitment to showcasing local and regional performers, the Festival announced today many of its regional acts and revealed that hometown favourite Matt Andersen, Maritime legend Matt Minglewood and Juno-winning rocker Matt Mays will headline.
The Festival also announced a host of other Maritime acts will join the 25th edition, including Old Man Luedecke, Grand Theft Bus, Keith Hallett, BackYard Devils, Earthbound Trio, Tomato/Tomato, Motherhood, Kill Chicago, Sam Moon, The Mellotones, Downtown Blues Band, Dub Antenna and Brent Mason.
“Twenty-five years ago, this event was founded to promote the best of Maritime music” says Music Director Brent Staeben. “We’re proud that these 3 incredible Matt’s represent the absolute best of us – the history and the future of our music- and we know our fans will love having all 3 as part of Harvest.”
As New Brunswick’s top blues musical export, Matt Andersen has been making a splash on the world stage since winning the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, becoming the first Canadian to ever hold the title. His larger than life showmanship has earned a fervent and steadfast audience across the map with a non-stop touring schedule. No matter his success, Matt hasn’t forgotten his roots, so of course he’ll be back for another incredible show!
With one foot steeped in the musical roots of blues and country and the other knee-deep in rock, Matt Minglewood Band’s stunning fifty year career has bred numerous accolades including three Gold albums and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Maple Blues Society. In an ever changing musical climate, Matt’s artistic character has been defined by remaining true to himself.
Halifax-bred artist Matt Mays has made a career out of zigging just when you expect him to zag. After departing seminal alt-country group The Guthries, he released his rootsy self-titled debut before unleashing brilliant rock album Matt Mays & El Torpedo, the eerie, Juno nominated When the Angels Make Contact soundtrack and a masterful Brit pop/rock hybrid in Terminal Romance. Coyote, Mays’ fifth and best album to date garnered the shape shifting songsmith his first Juno win for Rock Album.
Maritime talent is well represented in a variety of genres with today’s announcement, adding the soul-warming folk singer Old Man Luedecke, indie rockers Grand Theft Bus, legendary Cape Breton vocalist Sam Moon, home-grown blues wonder Keith Hallett, bluegrass/rockabilly band The BackYard Devils, 2014 Galaxie Rising Star winners Earthbound Trio, ECMA nominees Tomato/Tomato, 3-piece art rock n’ rollers Motherhood, Fredericton-based rock group Kill Chicago, 9-piece rhythm & blues showband the Mellotones, Fredericton’s favorite party band Downtown Blues Band, Dub Antenna’s tribute to iconic Bob Marley album Legend, and Saint John-based singer-songwriter Brent Mason
These artists join the already announced artists including Colin James, Galactic, JJ Grey & Mofro, The Record Company, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Amy Helm & The Handsome Strangers, and Greensky Bluegrass. The complete 2015 schedule will be revealed at the Official Festival Launch on Tuesday, May 5th, 11am at Dolan’s Pub.
Tickets and passes to the 2015 Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival will go on sale Saturday, May 9th at 9 am, available online at www.ticketpro.ca, through Ticketpro call centre at 1-888-311-9090, or at Harvest Central, 81 Regent Street.
