"Artword Artbar is a cosy little licensed listening room on Colbourne at James St. N., that always features interesting live music." Graham Rockingham, Hamilton Spectator 03/29/12
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Steel City Jazz Festival, 2018. Line-up announced:
Tuesday October 23, 8:00 pm. Allison Au Quartet, saxophonist Allison Au & band. https://www.allisonau.com/ Artword Artbar, $15/$10 for students
Wednesday October 24, 8:00 pm. Smordin Law Artist-in-Residence Series – Heather Bambrick Quartet. https://www.heatherbambrick.ca/
Artword Artbar, $15/$10 for students
Thursday October 25, 8:00 pm. Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley. Classic & vintage jazz & blues, w. piano, bass, drums. http://hotblues.ca/ Artword Artbar $15/$10 for students.
Friday October 26, 8:00 pm. Smordin Law Artist-in-Residence Series – Heather Bambrick. Broadsway (vocalists Heather Bambrick, Julie Michels, pianist Diane Leah. https://thebroadswayshow.com/ Artword Artbar. $15/$10 for students.
Saturday October 27, 8:00 pm. Brad Cheeseman Group. Artword Artbar, $15/$10 for students.
Saturday October 27, 8:00 pm. The Jazz Connection Big Band. The Music Hall. $20/$15 for students
Sunday October 28, 7:30 pm. Thompson Egbo-Egbo Trio. Artword Artbar. $15/$10 for students.
Saturday October 20, 2018, at 8:00 pm, $15. A return visit from the renowned Hill Brothers Bluegrass Band. The band: Randal Hill mandolin and vocals; Rocky Hill guitar and vocals; Tim McDonald banjo and vocals; Owen Mahoney bass and vocals.
Friday October 19, 2018 at 8 pm, $15. A return visit from the delightful singer-songwriter Collette Savard and her band The Savants: Rebecca Campbell, Martin Worthy, Tim Posgate, Megan Worthy, John Switzer. With her palette of acoustic folk instruments, Collette whittles out of her imagination beautiful song gems. She brings them to you wrapped in the exciting package of her band of seasoned masters. www.collettesavard.com/
Thursday October 18, 2018, at 8 pm, $tba. Jazz musicians Jonas Pearson Paavola (bass), Scott Taplay (guitar), Dave Hollingshead (piano) and Justin McHugh (drums) have a new project they would like to showcase at Artword Artbar. They are calling this the Collective of Bad Decisions. “Each composition has a different concept in it … Essentially we’re borrowing existing concepts from avant garde classical music and adding as much improvisation as possible and any other crazy ideas we can imagine.” Artword has known these musicians for a long time, so we are up for whatever adventures you fellas are up to.
Saturday October 13, 2017, 8 pm, $15. Alt-country songstress Rae Billing returns to Artword Artbar with her full band Crybaby: Rae Billing on vocals and acoustic guitar, Andrew Aldridge on guitar, Steve Koch on guitar, Greg Brisco on keys, James Henry on bass and Lucky Pete Lambert on drums. Rae will be showcasing songs from the new CD “Still”
“New album called ‘Still’ contains tales of aching hearts and lost landscapes and a spine-chilling version of Bobby Gentry’s classic “Ode to Billy Joe.” June 2018, Graham Rockingham, Hamilton Spectator
(Photo by Mike Cameron). http://www.raebilling.com/
Friday October 12, 2018, at 8 pm, $15. Back at Artword Artbar for another solo concert. Iconic Canadian songwriter James Gordon got his start in show business in the clubs, festivals and recording studios of Hamilton. He returns to his roots with songs about Canada’s roots in a solo concert at the Artword Artbar. A multi-instrumentalist, we’ll hear him on guitar, piano, banjo, harmonica and penny whistle at this intimate performance. His latest album Sunny Jim on Borealis Records made it to #2 on the national airplay charts in the roots/folk category, and he’ll be previewing some material from his NEXT album at this concert . Find out more at www.jamesgordon.ca
Thursday October 11, 2018, at 8 pm, $10. Jennifer Foster + Paul Linklater: singer-songwriter double bill.
Jennifer Foster is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter and musician who has released three solo albums and collaborated with some of the country’s finest acts. Her last cd earned a JUNO nomination for Canadian producer Michael Phillip Wojewoda. Jennifer’s sophisticated songwriting draws on pop, prog and folk influences, and she’ll be showcasing brand new material on acoustic guitar, accompanied by Doug Friesen on standup bass.. http://jenniferfoster.net/
Paul Linklater returns to Artword Artbar, this time with Paul, Doug and Matias, Paul Linklater guitar, Doug Friesen bass, Matias Recharche drums. Paul Doug and Matias is a trio featuring Canadian guitarist Paul Linklater (Pinecones, Bidiniband) and his longtime buddy/collaborator bassist Doug Friesen (John K Samson). Matias Recharche is the featured percussionist and he brings major dynamics — weird worlds! “Linklater thrives on thwarting the sonic convention of the strumming troubadour.” www.paullinklater.com
Wednesday October 10, 2018, 8 pm, $tba. Our friends Water Bear (songwriters Tom Dusome & Alex T.) are back. “We write songs about resistance, resilience, and home.”
https://waterbear.bandcamp.com
Saturday October 6, 2018, 8 pm,
$10/ $5 students. An evening with the Alex Tomowich Quartet: William Fachin on drums, Michael Morabito on saxophone(s), Victor Agrippa on EWI (electronic wind instrument), Alex Tomowich on piano. The quartet is an exhilarating group based out of the GTA whose music covers the spectrum of musical genre: from innovative originals to Joe Satriani to Bud Powell to AC/DC to Joey Calderazzo. The band consists of students of award-winning musicians such as Adrean Farrugia, Pat Collins, Kevin Dempsey, Kirk MacDonald, Robi Botos, and Kelly Jefferson.
Friday October 5, 2018, at 8:00 pm, $10. Singer-songwriter Will Gillespie returns with a solo show. You will recognize him as author/star of Swingin’ in St. Johns, and for his role in MacBush the Musical, both at Artword Artbar.
Born and raised in South Porcupine, Northern Ontario, now finding a home in Hamilton, Will Gillespie has developed an elegant and eccentric sound all his own. He is a dynamic performer with a diverse catalogue of original songs, combining elements of Folk, Rock & Roll and Cabaret. https://www.willgillespie.ca/
“From songwriter to crooner and cabaret man to power pop genius, Will Gillespie is always evolving his artistry.”
Event, Music, Music-cabaret, Music-country, Music-rock, Music-singer/songwriter
Thursday October 4, 2018 at 8 pm. $15 at door, OR $10 advance Book online
Guelph-based folk duo Tragedy Ann (Liv Cazzola vocals, accordion, ukulele, singing saw and Braden Phelan vocals, guitars) have a debut full-length album Matches, out in September. Artword Artbar is a stop on their Canadian tour (ON, QC, BC, NS, NB) in support of the new album.
Their special guest for the evening is our good friend and stunning jazz vocalist Sophia Perlman, with some new songs and old.
https://www.tragedyannmusic.com/home
Event, Music, Music-folk, Music-Jazz, Music-singer/songwriter
Saturday September 29, 2018, at 8 pm, $15. Book online
Where Have All The Folk Songs Gone (the Fall 2018 edition) returns to Artword Artbar. The 60s Folk Revival sing-along concert features Sue Peters (vocals), Michelle Rumball (vocals), Dwight Peters (vocals, 6 & 12 string guitars) and Tony Laviola (double bass). Imagine an evening in a 1960s coffeehouse in Yorkville or Greenwich Village. The lyrics have meaning, the voices are true and the music inspires the audience to join in. Where Have All The Folk Songs Gone recreates the songs of hope and social justice, messages that still resonate today, from songwriters including Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Ian & Sylvia, Peter Paul and Mary, and Phil Ochs. Song-sheets are provided. http://wherehaveallthefolksongsgone.blogspot.ca/
Friday September 28, 2018, at 8 pm, $10. A Latin American Peña hosted by Constanza Duran and Marcelo Puente. The September edition features minimalist electro-acoustic improvisational soundscapes with an Andean vibe performed by Edgardo Moreno (of Firefly Project), Nano Valverde, (of Sikuris Andean band), and Juan D. Toledo (of Santerías),
(The group originally scheduled to perform on this date, Las Brujas del Barrio, has unfortunately had to cancel.)
Thursday September 27, 2018, 8 pm, $10. Jazz pianist Chris Bruder, a regular at Artword Artbar, is showcasing his new compositions, with Brad Cheeseman on bass, Geoffrey Bruce on drums and Scott Neilson on sax.
Saturday September 22, 2018, at 8 pm, $20 door. Advance tickets $15 Book online
Mr. Jay hosts another fabulous Acoustic Moments show, featuring world-class reggae music by The Riddim Riders Unplugged. Core members Franklin Joseph and Mike Rajczak are joined by vocalist Lauren Mikayla and lead guitar Keon Crosswell.
Friday, September 21, 2018 at 8 pm, $15. Book online
Noted jazz vocalist Maureen Kennedy is coming to Artword Artbar! Her fans have been asking for her! Here is Maureen’s description of her plan for us:
“For my first gig at Artbar I would like to introduce a Hamilton audience to my love of repertoire. Through the years I have stockpiled an extensive collection of tunes, many of them rare gems. It would be fun to showcase songs done by some of the wonderful composers and singers who’ve inspired me. The setting will be intimate. I have been working consistently with two fine Toronto musicians, guitarist Ben Bishop and bassist Jon Meyer.” www.maureenkennedy.com/site/
Thursday September 20, 2018 at 8 pm. Jazz with the Nick Maclean Quartet: Nick Maclean piano, Brownman Ali trumpet, Jesse Dietschi bass, Tyler Goertzen drums.
$15 at door, OR $10 advance Book online
The award-winning Nick Maclean Quartet makes Artword Artbar the second stop of their September tour. Led by 26-year-old fast-rising piano star Nick Maclean, this contemplative and often thrilling quartet explores modern jazz in the vein of 60’s Blue Note era Herbie Hancock. The quartet features Brownman Ali, internationally acclaimed jazz trumpet iconoclast: “Canada’s preeminent jazz trumpet player” (NYC Village Voice).
Nick Maclean – piano (www.NicholasMaclean.com) Brownman Ali – trumpet (www.Brownman.com)
Jesse Dietschi – bass (www.JesseDietschi.com) Tyler Goertzen – drums
Supercrawl Weekend, Saturday September 15, 2018, 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, $10 / pwyc. Melodic Pixel Media presents a Supercrawl Saturday double-header at Artword Artbar:
* Mother Tareka: Sax blasting, direct acting, flute tooting, pedal pumping MC Mother Tareka is an adopted Hamilton son. 
One part activist, one part musician, all parts amazing. Tarek will be backed by Aleef Mehdi (guitar), Jonas Paavola (bass) and Matthew Pullicino (drums). http://www.mothertareka.com
https://www.facebook.com/TAREKFUNK85
* The Human Race: Melodic, honest, quirky and weird. The Human Race is the music of Adam F Carter. This set will be performed partially solo, and partially with Pamela Gardner contributing her fantastic vocal harmonies. http://www.thehumanrace.ca
https://www.facebook.com/thehumanracesings
Supercrawl Weekend, Friday September 14, 2018, 7 to 10 pm. Bill Lutes and the Art Crawlers. Tip Jar for the band. An old-fashioned art-crawl, just like the good ol’ days, with Bill Lutes and The Art Crawlers: Bill Lutes guitar, vocals; Lilia Lutes very cool vocals; Kenny Clark guitar, vocals; Hank Paton guitar, vocals; Robert Louis guitar, vocals; Bob Rudy bass, vocals; Phil Dales drums, playing all your favourite tunes.
Supercrawl Weekend, Thursday September 13, 2018, 8 pm, tip jar. LTtheMonk & Friends. Rapper LTthe Monk returns with his band: Liam Tyndall vocals, Santiago Rozo piano, Cam Watson bass, Lucas Hibbs drums + guest opening band.
Event, James North events, Music, Music-rock, Music-Soul/R&B
Wednesday September 12, 2018, at 8 pm, $10. Launching our Fall 2018 season:
Richard Garvey, a regular visitor from Kitchener, hosts an evening of singer-songwriters. Guests are Jack Garton, from Galiano, BC, and Sarah Beatty, a long-time friend from Hamilton.
Sarah Beatty (Hamilton, ON) www.sarahbeatty.ca
Richard Garvey (Kitchener, ON) www.richardgarvey.ca
Jack Garton and the Demon Squadron (Galiano Island, BC) www.jackgarton.com
Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St, off James St North, one block south of Barton. Click to enlarge.
ArtwordBlog
Wed May 17, 2017. We just received notification of this honour! Artword Artbar selected as one of the 35 best jazz venues in Canada.
