2003 Tremblant International Blues Festival

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2003 Tremblant International Blues Festival

Written by Baron Bedesky

I've said it before and I'll say it again. This is a blues festival unlike any other.

Yeah, yeah, you've heard it before and you'll hear it again. Everyone is trying to say the right thing and promote all the events. Sure, Mt. Tremblant is different because it's in Quebec and it takes place at a ski resort. It's pretty in the mountains and a lot of people go there. You're sure you'll get there one day.

But after experiencing Tremblant a fourth time this summer, and having the privilege of seeing a large group of first-timers (many of them musicians, no less) stand awestruck at the surroundings and atmosphere, my feelings about this place have been reaffirmed. This is a blues festival unlike any other.

This was the 10th annual edition of the "Festival International du Blues de Tremblant" as it is officially referred to, located approximately 90 minutes north of Montreal.. The year 2003 had also been declared "the year of the blues". Put these two milestones together, and what is normally a four-day event expanded into a 10-say affair from July 11-20.

Now, as nice as it would have been to spend all 10 days there, life's daily demands dictated otherwise. So we made it for three days instead, arriving Friday July 18 and leaving on Monday the 21st. That meant we missed a few of the bigger names at this year's festival including Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Cha's, Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards, Bob Walsh, David Gogo, Omar and the Howlers, Lonnie Brooks, Buddy Guy and Glamour Puss.

No need to despair, though. There was still plenty to see and do over the final weekend. Tremblant has always been a festival we approach as a mission. The goal? To try and see as many of the acts as possible. Two years ago we caught 21 of 26. Last year, we saw 26 of 41. This year? There were 24 bands to see. We got 19 of them this time around. For us, Tremblant is synonymous with a music overdose!

What makes Tremblant special? The surroundings are spectacular. It's a world-class resort. The whole event is centered around the "tourist village" at the base of the ski hill. This "village" consists of restaurants, shops, bars, hotels, European-style architecture and about a billion dollars worth of interlocking bricks. The people come from all over Canada, the U.S. and even Europe. You've got the younger party crowd. You've got the older sophisticated blues crowd. And you have lots of families with their kids. All mix, mingle, and feel right at home.

Immersed in this setting are seven outdoor stages ranging in size from huge to quaint. A wide variety of performers appear on all of these stages throughout each day. In the mood for some poignant acoustic blues? You'll find it. Rootsy, folk blues? It's there. Traditional delta style? Got it covered. Straight-up Chicago blues? West coast swing? Rip roarin' blues rock? Yes, yes, and yup. It's all around and it's all free until 11 pm when everything moves into the bars and covers range from $5-$10.

Not surprisingly, there is emphasis on Quebec-based acts. That province is home to some of the best-kept blues secrets in the country. This will be a treat for out-of-towners because if you haven't seen the likes of Jim Zeller, Jimmy James, Carl Tremblay, Bob Walsh, Michel Ouellette, Dawn Tyler-Watson, Steve Hill or Jonas and the Blues Blooded, then you are missing out.

The Tremblant festival has a special working relationship with the state of Louisiana and as a result, a number of top acts from that area make the trip up. I already mentioned Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Cha's and Lonnie Brooks. You can add Andy J. Forest, Bryan Lee, and CJ Chenier to this year's list.

The star of this year's festival? Jimmy Bowskill, the 12-year-old blues prodigy, practically owned the resort by the end of the festival. He performed four shows and each made a huge impression with the crowds. Then, just for good measure, he sat in with Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne in one of the venues on the final night of the festival. Watching Jimmy trade solo licks with Wayne that night was truly something special. The kid is a natural. Not only does he have the chops, he has the instincts and stage presence that commands respect.

The Ronnie Baker Brooks show was a treat. He's a talented showman and the band behind him amounts to a powerhouse. Ditto for a group from Brazil, Fernando Noronha and Black Soul. They play blues with an edge and Noronha simply dominates with his stage presence and dominance with his instrument.

Jonas and the Blues Blooded is a band featuring the charismatic Jonas Tomalty on vocals and Corey Diabo on guitar. This is a pair of relatively young guys who love listening to Robin Trower records in their spare time. Their on-stage energy is riveting. Tomalty's style, in particular, is way over the top. The band is loud, full of energy, and damn, they're good.

Jo Hell and the Red Roosters was another Quebec-based band that struck a chord in more ways than one. Replete with a bright red suit and a full arsenal of frenzied guitar licks, Joe Hell is another talented young guitarist who assures one and all that the blues has a bright long-term future.

Then there was The Twisters, the Vancouver-based four-piece band that recently garnered seven Maple Blues nominations for 2003, were nominated for a Juno and won the Canadian Independent Music Award for best blues album (tied with Fathead). Purveyors of west-coast swing with strong Chicago influences, this is not only a polished group with a sense of style but also a fan-friendly, downright likable bunch. It also helps that they are top-notch musicians. Three of the four members recently earned Maple Blues nominations on their respective instruments.

There is a three-hour jam that places a big shiny bow on this musical package on the final night of the festival. I'd equate it to hopping in a race car and driving about 200 MPH for the same amount of time. The pace is frantic, the musicianship is competitive (in a friendly way) and you may not be able to last without a pit stop.

Provided you reserve in advance, when the shows are done, you simply walk a few hundred yards to one of several four or five-star hotels. That's the beauty of it. Once you arrive at Tremblant, you can park the car for the duration. There is no shortage of things to do. You can take a midday nap without spoiling anyone else's plans. If you can't go without physical activity, there are a few options... like hiking, mountain biking, swimming, sailing, golfing, hang gliding, canoeing. It's impossible to get bored.

Staying at Tremblant isn't exactly cheap, but it doesn't have to be expensive either. Many hotel rooms or condo rentals come with full kitchens or kitchenettes so you can save on restaurant bills. And as I mentioned, all the shows up until 11 pm are free and all the acts perform here in addition to the bars later at night. Tremblant is classy, not swanky. It's upscale, but not impersonal.

At the invitation of Jimmy Bowskill and Alec Fraser, we ended this perfect four-day trip flying down the mountain in a luge on wheels! Blues fests don't get better than this.

Feature by Baron Bedesky.
Photos Andie Maranda
All © Copyright 2003

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