Gord Lewis
Gord Lewis Gord Lewis at the Alexander Graham Bell Hotel, Brantford 1978 photograph by Ron Thompson Gord Lewis 1958 ~ 2022 Rest In Peace I first met Gordie ‘Legs’ Lewis and Teenage Head at what was one of their very first gigs ever outside of their hometown of Hamilton, which was at ‘The Bell’ hotel …
Fraser Loveman
1946 (Greenock, Scotland) ~ 2018 (Niagara Falls, Canada) Rest In Peace My dear friend, the former lead singer of The British Modbeats and, The Village S.T.O.P. has passed away. Fraser Loveman was truly one of a kind and, God, whoever she is, discarded the mold when he was created. What he did as an extremely flamboyant …
New book on MILES DAVIS
John Mars was extensively interviewed and, quoted by Bob Gluck in his most recent book, The Miles Davis Lost Quintet And Other Revolutionary Ensembles. Since it was published, Bob has become a full Professor Of Music at the State University Of New York at Albany. Congrats to Bob !! Miles Davis’ early “electric” bands and, …
Haiku : George Puleo
To see John’s appreciation of the extraordinary guitarist GEORGE PULEO and his band, HAIKU on the FUN PAGE, please click here
Kenny Marco
On Sunday, September 18th, 2016, the great Canadian guitarist Kenny Marco, returned to his home town and, appeared at the Brantford International Jazz Festival. Ken was once a member of Motherlode, Grant Smith And The Power and, he has also played lead guitar on albums by Etta James and, Jackie deShannon. “When I Die” by …
WOODSTOCK ART GALLERY
John Mars has an oil painting entering the Permanent Collection of the Woodstock Art Gallery. You will have a chance to see the work soon, as it will be exhibited from October 14, 2016 until January 9, 2017. This will coincide with a major exhibit of photographer Greg Staats work, which has been curated by …
The Skye
Video from the Terry Sumsion Benefit Show is now available for viewing! “The Skye” written by John Mars and Paul Chapman The rest of the performances from the show are also on YouTube, and can be viewed below : [unitegallery video] The videos were filmed by Dan Copeland and, Jim Unsworth and, are courtesy of CDVideo.ca.
Willie “Big Eyes” Smith 1936 – 2011
John’s friend Willie “Big Eyes” Smith died on September 16. He was 75. Born in Helena, Arkansas, Willie moved to Chicago as a youngster and, his mother influenced him by introducing him to the music of Muddy Waters. Initially, Willie was immersed in the harmonica and, his first great acheivement was playing the harp on …
WOODSTOCK ART GALLERY
There will be 2 chances to meet with John during the run of the show : opening day of the show ~ Saturday, February 26th from 2-5pm closing day of the show ~ Saturday, April 2nd from 2-5pm Woodstock Art Gallery447 Hunter StreetWoodstock, Ontario519 – 539 – 6761 Regular gallery hours are:Tuesdays 11am – 5pmWednesdays …
Arlene Laskey at the Brantford Arts Block May 15 – June 6
Arlene Laskey “The Map Is Not The Territory” An installation about the lived experiences of women. Includes 21 portraits and, wall mounted boxes of personal objects. Brantford Arts Block 80 Dalhousie Street, Brantford 519 – 753 – 9400 the opening is 7 – 9pm on Saturday, May 15 and, the show continues until June 6, …
Arlene Laskey at the Brantford Arts Block May 15 – June 6 Read More »
John Mars Paintings at Homer Watson Gallery September 5th – November 1st
ONE PERSON EXHIBIT OF PAINTINGS BY JOHN MARS September 5th – November 1st 2009 Opening reception to meet the artist Sunday, September 13, 2009 2pm – 4pm Homer Watson Gallery – Kitchener – Waterloo, Ontario – www.homerwatson.on.ca The exhibit runs : September 5th – November 1st, 2009 Gallery hours are 12 noon – 4:30pm, Tuesday …
John Mars Paintings at Homer Watson Gallery September 5th – November 1st Read More »
Terry Sumsion Benefit Show : April 27
John Mars will be doing his first show in more than 15 months and, will be performing a number of brand new songs as well as a few of his old songs that you may remember. John is pleased to be a part of what will be a totally amazing fundraiser that will benefit a real Canadian Country/Western singing icon. John’s pal, Terry Sumsion has always been one of the …
New John Mars Album
Just go to the music page for info on the new “Detroit Or Buffalo” album by John Mars. To be released May 24th, 2007.
John Mars producing Craig McNair
Sessions for Craig McNair’s debut album began in September at Hi-Fi Way in Cambridge. John Mars is producing the CD of original songs and, Irv Spencer is the recording engineer. this article was submitted by Zipporah Stephenson / September 2006
John Mars co-producing Lucas Stagg recordings
Sessions for a third, solo acoustic style CD by singer/songwriter Lucas Stagg have begun at The Bunker in Cambridge, with Mark Fortuna engineering the recordings. Lucas is being joined by Jesse Altman (acoustic guitar/Dobro/backing vocals), Marcy Dwyer (backing vocals) and, Craig McNair (backing vocals). this article was submitted by Zipporah Stephenson / August 2006
Sessions For A New Album
John is set to begin recording a new album this summer. The CD will an acoustically flavoured effort. It is to be co-produced by John Mars and, Lucas Stagg and, Lucas will play acoustic guitar and, sing harmony vocals along with Craig McNair. Michael Fonfara and Ray Harrison (Greaseball Boogie Band/Cameo Blues Band) will both …
John Mars painting featured on cover of reissued Barry Altschul album
“The CD era has certainly resulted in a plethora of interesting reissues of older material in all fields of music and, I am pleased to see that Sackville Records has chosen to re-release the Brahma album by one of my biggest heroes, the New York drummist Barry Altschul. I remember how thrilled and honoured I …
John Mars painting featured on cover of reissued Barry Altschul album Read More »
John Mars co-producing new Lucas Stagg album
Recording sessions for a new CD of solo, acoustic material by singer/songwriter Lucas Stagg began in mid-July at High-Fi Way in Cambridge, Ontario. With studio owner Irv Russell at the helm on the mixing desk as engineer, the album is being co-produced by the 25 year old artist and, John Mars. Sessions will continue through …
JOHN MARS at work producing / writing
John Mars has recently been producing pre-production demo recordings for Lucas Stagg and Jamie Robertson (both formerly with Room 101). Lucas and Jamie are currently in the process of forming a new group. It is expected that Bluestar Records will issue a CD by the new band, and, that Jack deKeyzer will produce the eventual …
NOEL REDDING December 25, 1945 – May 12, 2003
THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE – 1967 Noel Redding (Bass), Jimi Hendrix (Guitar), Mitch Mitchell (drums) Click here Hear John Mars do Eddie Cochran’s “Nervous Breakdown” Click here for an MP-3 audio clip Noel Redding tribute suggested by Nick Bastian / July 2003
Michael Fonfara Heard on Recent Lou Reed Reiussues
In recent months, many of Lou Reed’s older albums on RCA and Artista Records have been reissued on CD (many of the reissues include previously unavailable bonus cuts). Between 1974 and 1980, John Mars’ buddy and, colleague MICHAEL FONFARA served as keyboard man / band leader for the venerable Lou Reed. “Sally Can’t Dance” from …
Michael Fonfara Heard on Recent Lou Reed Reiussues Read More »
Rhinoceros album (circa 1968) has been made available on CD
At long last, the first Rhinoceros album (circa 1968) has been made available on CD (Collector’s Choice Records) and, it has just appeared in Toronto record stores. Rhinoceros included Michael Fonfara on keyboards – Michael can also be heard on John Mars’ latest CD. The CD booklet notes for the new re-issue includes a quote …
Rhinoceros album (circa 1968) has been made available on CD Read More »
In Memory of Doug Willson
August 19, 1935 – March 14, 2002 Doug Willson, a talented string bassist/ flugelhorn player died at home on March 14. Doug was a good friend of myself and Stuart Broomer and, sometimes was featured as a guest artist on our Toronto concerts in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s and, at that time (due …
A New Jack DeKeyzer Video to hit the airwaves
Jack deKeyzer’s new “Six String Lover ” album has now been released and, a promotional video of the John Mars/Jack deKeyzer penned song “Jump Right To It” has been pegged for release as a promotional video. Watch for it on the “BRAVO” television station. Jack was recently a huge hit at the Montreal Jazz Festival …
There’s a new JACK de KEYZER ALBUM in the making
John’s friend and colleague Jack deKeyzer has been working on a new CD release, in recent months. Y’all will want to note that some of the musicians heard on John’s “Whasup?” album were involved in Jack’s newie, which is to be titled “Six String Lover” (bluestar Records). Michael Fonfara plays the organ and the piano …
There’s a new JACK de KEYZER ALBUM in the making Read More »
John Mars with Room 101
In recent months, John has been performing a number of gigs with ROOM 101, an exciting, new Rock ‘n’ Roll combo. The band is led by singer/songwriter/rhythm guitarist LUCAS STAGG. The rest of the room is occupied by JAMIE ROBERTSON (lead guitar), CHRIS BLACKER (bass) and, TOM WILLIAMS (drums). Gigs with ROOM 101 have seen …
Ray Materick teams up with Michael Fonfara
Fans will want to note that Ray Materick’s great, new “Ashes And Dust” CD includes keyboards by MICHAEL FONFARA, who was featured on John Mars’ “Whasup?” album. The album was produced by former Rhinoceros producer Frazier Mohawk, Tim Drummond (ex-Bob Dylan/James Brown) plays the bass and, Mike Fitzpatrick is the drummist. The record includes the …
John Mars and Wayne Marshall Unplugged
John Mars fans were pleasantly surprised this past winter by a series of “unplugged” style guest spots that he made with his friend, singer/songwriter Wayne Marshall. With Wayne taking a back seat for a moment, John suddenly appeared and sang a plaintive “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” (written by Bob Dylan) mid-set, on several concerts where …
Willie “Big Eyes” Smith
Meanwhile, the new album by Willie “Big Eyes” Smith features a song written by JACK deKEYZER and JOHN MARS entitled “Big Wig Woman”. The CD, called “Blues From The Heart” features Jack deKeyzer on lead guitar, Michael Fonfara on piano and, Alec Fraser on bass. Fans will want to note that all of these great …
CD Reviews – John Mars: Whasup? (Blue Star)
The news is out…here’s what critics are saying about “Whasup!” 100% pure unadulterated rock’n’roll! John Mars and a dynamite all-star band (Michael Fonfara, Mark French, Alec Fraser), led and produced by CDN rockin’ legend Jack de Keyzer (guitar), pump plenty of soul and swagger into these lucky 13 cuts of rootsy rumble. Hopefully John will …