Bon Débarras unites the worlds of music, dance and poetry through a collaboration between Montreal artists Dominic Desrochers, Jean-François Dumas and Véronique Plasse. Over the years, Bon Débarras has developed an entirely original repertoire steeped in poetry and rhythmic sounds, with unambiguous Quebec flavors. On guitar, banjo, violin and harmonica, the group carries an identity, a style and an energy-filled zest for life, quite unique and beautifully served by the versatility of the musicians as well as their daring jigging and vivid body percussion. Bon Débarras’ energy ventures boldly on the multi-faceted road that transcends boundaries and ages.
Le Winston Band is a one-of-a-kind Montreal based ensemble that blends its French-Canadian roots with Zydeco and Cajun music. Since 2012, due to a sound that is derived from both the rich musical traditions of Louisiana and their own identity as Montrealers, the group has been sharing their joie de vivre with audiences across North America and Europe. After many pilgrimages to Louisiana, the group’s album Zig zag Zydeco Zoo was nominated for best world music album at both the ADISQ and GAMIQ galas in 2019. In 2022, their EP Enwèye à Lafayette won best world music album at the GAMIQ gala. That same year, the five musicians teamed up with producer Erik West-Millette and recorded Winston Express, a new record filled with original material that was released during the 2023 Mardi Gras festivities. United by their shared passion for Zydeco music, the five musicians intermingle sassy compositions and their own take on well known traditional songs from Quebec and Louisiana. The powerful sound of the diatonic accordion supported by a typical “modern zydeco” lineup, electrifies audiences and ensures a warm and festive atmosphere that is guaranteed to get you off your feet and dancing.
Bread and Bones is a harmony driven acoustics trio that plays original music with a strong traditional-roots foundation. Richard Ruane’s playing drives the songs whether he is playing guitar, ukulele or an octave mandolin. Mitch Barron joins in on fretless, fretted and upright basses and Beth Duquette completes the trio with her rich alto voice. Formed in 2003, the band toured and recorded for 10 years. They reunited in 2017 and have continued to play ever since, touring throughout New England and beyond. The trio has appeared at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, on Folkstage (WMFT, Chicago), Bound for Glory (WVBR, Ithaca, NY), Caffè Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY and many other venues. Bread and Bones has recorded two albums: “I Know Stories” in 2008, and ”Could Have been a Dream in 2011 and Richard has a solo record titled “Things That Strangers Say”.
Eureka Shoes is a new songwriting power group of Jean Rohe, Charlie Burnham and Skye Steele. Plan on hearing delicious three-part harmonies, other-worldly twin fiddling and lyrics “that will break your heart and put it back together again better.” Longtime friends and collaborators, each of whom have achieved notoriety in their respective worlds of jazz, folk, and pop music, these talented musicians now join forces, along with bassist Rashaan Carter, to bring you an entirely new sound.
Samirah Evans sultry, sometimes silken, and always smoking hot vocals and vibrant stage presence made her the toast of pre-Katrina New Orleans. She was featured fifteen consecutive years at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and was a fixture at the most prestigious Crescent City venues. Since then, Evans has toured throughout the world, sharing stages with James Brown, B.B. King, Dr. John, Aaron and Charles Neville and many others. Following Hurricane Katrina, Samirah relocated to Vermont and she has since been performing throughout the northeast with her band, Samirah Evans and Her Handsome Devils.
