Acrpost: A Project of the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres

Event Description

The Legendary Downchild Blues Band

“One of the greatest blues bands in the world. Period"- Toronto Star

A blues force for forty-four years, The Legendary Downchild Blues Band’s roots run deep with their saxophone-driven jump blues led by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Donnie Mr. Downchild Walsh. This Juno Award winning Canadian powerhouse has earned Downchild a reputation as the premier blues band in Canada and is revered by fans across the globe.

This is musicianship of the highest order. With sharp arrangements, slick pacing and a steely fix on giving audiences what they want, Downchild is a juggernaut with a long-standing legacy in classic blues. Singer Chuck Jackson, tenor sax player Pat Carey, drummer Mike Fitzpatrick, bassist Gary Kendall, and pianist/organist Michael Fonfara- have been Walsh’s compadres for the past decade and a half and they continue to rock houses, tearing up stages in every corner of the world with their rollicking signature sound.

The Downchild Blues Band, the inspiration behind the creation of Dan Aykroyd’s and the late John Belushi’s Blues Brothers, have recorded 17 albums in their long and storied career, and are a member of the Canadian Blues Hall of Fame. Walsh and his band-mates have won countless music industry awards including the Juno for Best Roots and Traditional album in 1991. They also received a Juno Nomination in 2005 for “Blues Album of the Year,” for their album “Come on In”. In 2007, Downchild was named “Entertainer of the Year”, at the Annual Maple Blues Awards.

“There would be no Blues Brothers if it weren’t for Downchild.” – Dan Aykroyd

Special Guest - David Gogo

Award Winning Blues Guitarist Adds Heart, Soul & Grit to the International Blues Scene

David Gogo's groove-fueled blend of blues and rock is the basis for a singular and storied music career. His songs have been featured in film and television and are regularly played on blues radio programs the world over. He has earned numerous Canadian blues accolades, including five JUNO nominations, a Western Canadian Music Award, a CBC Saturday Night Blues Award, and multiple Maple Blues Awards. He has thirty years of performing and hundreds of thousands of tour miles under his belt. He's played on stage with Johnny Winter, B.B. King, Otis Rush, Albert Collins and Bo Diddley. He has opened for George Thorogood, ZZ Top, The Tragically Hip, Buddy Guy, Charles Bradley, Robert Cray, and Jimmy Vaughan among many others. Gogo can swap road stories for as long as you can listen!