JOAN, JOE, BILL and BRIAN

Brian has been playing guitar almost since he could walk. He plays Acoustic Fingerstyle Country Blues, Delta Blues, Ragtime and Contemporary Folk.  Before that he played Rock & Roll, Electric Blues guitar.  The Last few years he has been playing Old Tyme & Bluegrass guitar of famous flatpickers.   He also plays Mandolin and Harmonica. He continues to volunteer his time playing at various functions, jamming sessions and private parties. His prized possession is a Franklin Jumbo Rosewood guitar.

Bill took up guitar and banjo in the 1960s, inspired by the Kingston Trio, the Dillards, Flatt and Scruggs, Pete Seeger, among others. He joined the Monday night sessions at the Blue Angel (now moved to the Wheel Club) in 1971, and toured and recorded with the White River bluegrass band, as bass and fiddle player, through the 1970s until the early 1980s. In recent years he has been teaching music , and has played all kinds, from bluegrass to Broadway, in every conceivable situation, from Baffin Island to Bishop Street in Montreal! He is still part of the Monday night group at the Wheel Club.

Joan began her musical life as a classical pianist/accompanist/teacher/choir director and, after teaching herself guitar, became part of the Montreal folk scene in the late 60’s/early 70’s.  Her son bought her a bass when he needed a bassist for his band in 2001 and she quickly discovered her true musical passion. She now plays bass in the Toronto-based band “Related” with her siblings and around Montreal in country, folk, rock and original bands when needed.

Joe Byrde a proud Newfoundlander living in Chateauguay, started playing the accordion when barely out of dippers.   The instrument was too heavy for him to stand up with and too awkward to sit on a chair with so he sat on the floor and made music.  As a teenager he played for family and friends until he moved to Montreal in 1965.  It wouldn’t be until 1995 that he dusted it off and began playing once more.  Since this he has played in most coffee house in the Montreal surroundings as well in health care centers, Legions and private parties.  He is in a local Celtic group called “4 Strings and a Squeeze Box.”  But for this occasion he has teamed up with three other remarkable musicians. I call this a “Raw Jam” for I have only seen this group play together once.  Get ready to stomp your feet and clap your hands.