Over the past two decades, Steve Maddock has been steadily establishing himself as one of Canada’s most versatile vocal talents. On The Blues Project, Maddock shows a new side belting out the blues on 10 blues-drenched tunes! He said: “This project began in 2018, when Cory Weeds pitched an idea to me for a Joe Williams tribute show at Frankie’s Jazz Club in Vancouver. “Williams is arguably one of the greatest jazz and blues singers we’ve ever had. In March 2019, we played two club dates, calling the show Nothin’ But The Blues: A Tribute To Joe Williams. “It was so well received, that we immediately began planning a follow-up gig. We decided to expand our theme, still travelling a blues path, but drawing material from other artists. “In September 2019, we played our second show at Frankie’s as the ‘Steve Maddock Sextet: The Blues Project’. “Cory suggested we make a record for his Cellar Music label, so we invited our friend Bill Coon, a wonderful musician and composer, to co-produce. “After several challenges and delays due to the global pandemic, we finally got the six of us into the studio in December, 2020.” The sextet is completed by Chris Gestrin (on piano), André Lachance (bass), Dave Robbins (drums), Brad Turner (trumpet) and Weeds (sax). Pierre Giroux, writing for All About Jazz said: “In the mid 1960s, there was a Greenwich Village pop group called The Blues Project which was primarily informed by folk, rhythm & blues and jazz. Why Maddock chose to name this album The Blues Project is not entirely clear. But what seems evident is that the music is more closely aligned to singers such as Joe Williams, Jimmy Witherspoon and Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson than any tangential connection to The Blues Project. Here, Maddock and the band delve into familiar themes and as a singer he is in full command of the material throughout.”

TRACKS

Everyday I Have The Blues / All

Turnaround (If You’re With Me, Today Will Last Forever)

My Funny Valentine

Please Send Me Someone To Love

Liars’ Club

Backdoor Blues

Let Me Out

God Bless The Child

Au Privave

Alright, Ok, You Win