Biography
Genre: Blues, R&B
Blues, R&B and rock from one of Canada's premiere Juno award winning guitarists, singer and song writer.
| Jack
de Keyzer Biography |
|
Genre: Blues, R&B Blues, R&B and rock from one of Canada's premiere Juno award winning guitarists, singer and song writer. |
Artist Information
Instrumentation
quartet
Jack de Keyzer-guitar, vocals
David McMorrow- organ, piano
Alan Duffy-bass
Rick Donaldson-drums
quintet to octet
Richard Thornton- tenor saxophone
Chris Murphy-tenor saxophone
David Dunlop-trumpet
Martin Aucoin-piano
Jack
de Keyzer is a 2 X Juno
(
In 2010 and 2003 de Keyzer was awarded Canada's highest musical honour the Juno award for Blues Album of the Year, for "The Corktown Sessions" (2010) and "6 String Lover" (2003). In addition to the Juno, de Keyzer has won 7 Maple Blues Awards and in 2007 won the International Songwriting Competition's first place prize for the song "That's the Only Time". Jack's most recent accolades came from two very Canadian institutions. First, Prime Minister Steven Harper's son Ben received a guitar lesson from Jack at the request of Canada's first lady Laureen Harper (a fan) at the Prime Minister's residence in January of 2009 . Jack was also awarded Great Canadian Blues Artist of the year from a poll of CBC radio listeners in 2009.
Jack is currently touring and in the midst of writing songs for an all new original CD slated for a late 2010 release. He performs across Canada and internationally (US, Mexico, France, Portugal, Greece) over 160 shows per year. Juno Award winning artist Jack de Keyzer is a masterful, electric blues guitarist, soulful singer and song writer of the first order. His new live CD "The Corktown Sessions" is out now on the blue star imprint.
For more information and music clips www.jackdekeyzer.com
For interview scheduling please contact bluestarrecords@rogers.com
Electronic
Press Kit
"If Jack de Keyzer was from Chicago, New York or LA, he'd be famous" Bob
Dylan
"The finest blues guitarist in Canada" Jeff Healey
AWARDS
Juno
Win: 6
The Corktown Sessions/ Blues
Album of the Year 2010
Win: 6 String Lover/ Blues
Album of the Year 2003
Nomination: Blues Thing/Blues Album of the Year 2007
Nomination: Down in the Groove/Blues Album of the Year 2001
Maple Blues Award
Guitarist of the Year 2007
Guitarist of the Year 2005
Guitarist of the Year 2004
Entertainer of the Year 2004
Electric Act of the Year 2004
Down in the Groove/ Blues Album of the Year 2000
Blues With A Feeling Award (Lifetime Achievement) 2001
International Songwriting Competition
Honourable Mention "The Way That I Love You"
2010
1st place Win " That's The Only
Time" 2007
Great Canadian Blues
Award
Winner CBC listeners vote 2009
Jazz Report
Award:
Down in the Groove/Blues Album of the Year 2000
Real Blues Magazine Award
Live Act of the Year 2001
Guitarist of the Year 1999 -2004 (tie with Mel Brown)
Durham Region Music Award
Silver Blues/ Blues Recording of the Year 2005
Website
http://www.jackdekeyzer.com
A selected Discography
2009 The Corktown Sessions
2007
Blues Thing
2006 Silver Blues DVD
2005 Silver Blues
2003 6 String Lover
1999
Down in the Groove
1994 Wild at Heart
1991 Hard Working Man
"The finest blues guitarist in Canada" Jeff Healey
"If Jack de Keyzer was from Chicago, New York or LA, he'd be famous" Bob
Dylan
With others:
King Biscuit Boy: Richard Newell AKA King Biscuit Boy, Mouth of Steel
Bop Cats: Bop Cats ,Wild Jungle Rock
Rock Angels: Rock Angels
Rita Chiarelli: Just Getting Started
Art Bergman: Sexual Roulette
Chris Houston: The Field Recordings,Evil Twang
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith: Nothin' But The Blues Y'All, Blues
From The Heart
Juke Joint Rockers/ Bluesin' It
Big Daddy G: Topless
John Mars: Whasup? (Producer)
David Rotundo: Blues Ignited
Blues Approved: Shane Scott/Pete Schmidt
Mark Bird Stafford: HarpSpace
Sam Myers: Coming from the Old School
Kevin Mark: Rolling the Dice (Producer)
Chris Murphy: I’m a Happy Guy
Jimmy Bowskill:
Old Soul
Bob Walsh:
A Canadian Blues Rendez-Vous
Harmonica
Shah: Listen at me Good 2006 (co-producer and guitarist)
Tracy K and the
Right Hand Band 2006
Cheryl
Lescom: High Heeled Blues 2006
The Shaftmen:
Mining the Blues 2006
Review Quotes
| De Keyzer has long
been known for his accomplished songwriting, deft arrangements and distinctive
string-bending but his evolution revolves around what is fast becoming his secret weapon:
his voice. Elements of funk, R&B and traditional jazz permeate his blues credentials
with a degree of confidence that borders on swagger... Eric Thom/Exclaim |
| Jack De Keyzer - "Blues Thing" - Considering De Keyzer's multiple awards and achievements, it would be weird to think, this may be his strongest album. For me, the songs are the key. The ace guitar legend has also added a depth of jazz chops that are simply sparkling. If that was not enough his vocals are much stronger than on any of his past efforts. John Emms/ Daily Press |
| Canada’s Jack
de Keyzer is a rare breed who can play it all: blues, funk, swing, and more. You’ll
hear all of those styles on this CD. Here, his music has matured and his guitar tone has
become one of the finest in Canada. Jack de Keyzer is a well rounded musician, who strives
for perfection and attains it on this excellent CD. Tim Holek/ Blues Bytes Top 10 of 2007 |
| " It would take an entire separate page to list out the awards conferred upon Jack De Keyzer. He’s deserved every single one of them, but his latest release Blues Thing is absolutely out of sight. Jack’s at the very top of his game on this one..." Gary Tate jazzreview.com |
| BLUES THING/ Jack de
Keyzer/ Bluestar Records/ 9-out-of-10 So you like guitar blues, but with a big band feel, then you are in for a treat when you spin Blues Thing by Jack de Keyzer. De Keyzer is the guitar slinger here, and a dang fine one, in addition to providing the vocals, and he shines there too. CALVIN DANIELS-Yorkton This Week Oct. 31, 2007 - Yorkton, SK. |
| "All's right in the world as long as Jack de Keyzer keeps on making records and bringing them home to Hamilton to play. His latest, Blues Thing, is simply superb." Graham Rockingham/ Hamilton Spectator |
| "Blues Thing
...an entertaining album that includes straight-ahead rockin' blues, and influences from
Stax Records southern soul feel. De Keyzer remains one of the most experienced and
expressive blues players in the country." Roger Levesque/ Edmonton Journal |
5 Bottles of ‘Blue’ for another exceptional CD (Blues Thing) from Canada’s most talented and honest Blues Rocker. May you have the opportunity to experience him ‘Live’ and get your head and heart re-focused. This is what Music should be all about. A. Grigg/ Real Blues Magazine |
| "Despite lightyear advances in
technology, killer live albums seem harder to come by these days. BB’s Live at the
Regal set the stage and it would be a challenge to name nine others. The great ones hit a
nerve and present an artist in his prime, comfortable in his surroundings and firing
– with his band – on all pistons. Such is the case with Silver Blues..." Blues Revue/ Eric Thom |
|
"His guitar suggests the more sophisticated teachings of
Grant Green and Kenny Burrell while his vocals, too, have evolved bearing out his love of
Marvin Gaye with tracks such as "That’s The Way". One of the album’s
best tracks – the Bop Cats "Dressed To Kill" – gets all gussied up
itself, underlining de Keyser’s gifts as composer and arranger. Yet the shining star
here is Jack’s guitar – his signature tone and in-the-pocket leads never fail
the faithful." |
| "Fans who like
Jazz, Funk, and Blues, magically mixed together, will love this thoroughly enjoyable Live
Album Silver Blues" Blues Underground |
| "...de Keyzer’s music has
matured, and his guitar tone has become one of the finest in Canada." Blues Beat Magazine/Western NY Tim Holek |
| "In addition to blues,
you’ll hear smooth jazz, adult oriented rock and soul. De Keyzer is well traveled,
and his stylistic band operates like a well oiled machine.Musicians and a grown-up crowd
will thoroughly enjoy." South West Blues |
| The Strong
Such As Jack de Keyzer Always
Survive (headline) Full Story Blues Art Studio Magazine |
| "While 6 String Lover is a powerhouse record fuelled by de Keyzer's impeccable virtuosity, it only hints at his smoking live show" Scene Magazine Sept 30, 2004 - Richard Moule |
| "One of Canada's premier
blues guitarists" haltonsearch.com |
| "A coveted super-hero in Canada. 6 String Lover blends blues with elements of jazz, soul, r&b and early rock'n'roll." Eric Thom Blues Revue |
| "Killer tunes...one of the
last true-blue rock'n rollers" Andy Grigg Real Blues |
| "Blues bands would kill to
sound as good as this crew" Peter North Edmonton Journal |
| Jack de Keyzer has a mystique
about him that is rare among even the best known musicians. “Jack de Keyzer is in
town” — the statement tingles with expectation, with the sense that something
good is about to happen. Bob Liddycoat Hamilton View Magazine |
| "'Engine Trouble' is a
masterpiece, invoking feelings of the late Muddy Waters at his best...sure to become a
classic." Stuart Blower Live on Stage  |
| "Stepping in for MIck Taylor,
the ex- Stones guitarist, didn't faze de Keyzer. Playing hot tunes from his latest album,
6 String Lover, he shone." James Reaney (London Free Press) |
| This CD has it all....a very nice
mix of blues, groove, funk and even a couple of delta blues type cuts. "Funk
This" great funk track, "Rock 'Til We Drop" neat rockabilly feel to it,
"Soul Lover" and "Engine Trouble" are powerful blues tracks. This
whole CD is awesome. Actually one of my favourite CD's. This album is highly
recommended. Luc Vanderdonckt WinnipegBlues.com |
| "There's a line-up of people
wanting to borrow it. (6 String Lover) It's that good. He's b-b-bad to the
bone. Get your own!" Gary Curtis Hamilton Spectator |
| "The songwriting and artistry
are this disc's greatest strengths. A stomping house party...mind-blowing guitar
solos." Tim Holek Blues on Stage |
| 6 String Lover runs the gamut from up tempo Rock ‘n’ Roll to slow old Blues, James Brown inspired R&B to Robert Johnson style Roots/Blues from the very beginnings of recorded Blues music... the whole CD is a winner from start to finish. This is also true anytime we’re lucky enough to be witnessing live, the genius that is Jack de Keyzer and his very special band. J. Curtis New York Blues & Jazz Society |
| "Jack de Keyzer's guitar playing and singing both have a commanding presence and he pulled out all the stops on this CD. I hope one of the 'major' labels pick up this CD." A+ Christopher Michaels (London Scene) |
| "6 String
Lover...exudes spirit, class, stlye and the ever-present de Keyzer wit. This could be the
album to finally garner the recognition long overdue." Gary 17 T.O. Nite |
| "De Keyzer displays the mastery of straight-ahead blues, funk and soul that has earned him a reputation as one of the best musicians in this country." Cam Hayden, Vue Weekly (Edmonton) |
| "A genuinely
great and talented musician...his finest work to date...bound to be another award
winner." Stella Ducker (Oshawa Life) |
| "I’m gonna keep on sayin’ it until he’s a superstar worldwide; if you love the smooth, smouldering guitar, soulful singing and the rockin’ blues then you MUST check out de Keyzer now." Colin Bryce Mohair Sweets |
| Multi-talented Jack de Keyzer, a gifted songwriter, a mean guitarist and a smooth, sultry singer. Ruth Schweitzer Maple Blues |
| "Hot Stuff.." Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal |
"Possibly
the greatest guitarist Canada has spawned in the genres of Blues and Rock 'n'
Roll" Andy Grigg REAL BLUES 1999 |
"Down
in the Groove should take de Keyzer's career to the next level. The songwriting is
excellent...great guitar solos. Some of the tunes have the potential to become
blues classics...a mature artist who has found his voice. I'm betting this album
will garner a Juno nomination." Christopher Michaels London
Scene Magazine 1999 |
"De Keyzer is at the top of his form...wicked, awesome, true blues. A brilliant channel of positive musical energy. This album will be constantly spinning on my CD player for a long time." Luca D'Addario Tandem News Toronto 1999 |
"A guitar-slinger of rare talent" Kerry Doole MapleBlues/Toronto Blues Society |
"Smoking ...wicked...de Keyzer's track record of being one of Canada's best guitarists is NOT hype!" John Emms Timmins Daily Press |
"Canada's definitive roots rocker" Peter North Edmonton Sun |
"The guy's a killer!" John Mackie Vancouver Sun |
"One of the premiere guitarists in Canada" Nick Krewen Hamilton Spectator |
"If you think the hippest, hottest bands are coming out of Los Angeles, you are mistaken! More power to Jack de Keyzer, come show the Americans what we've been missing!" Kathy Pellizzi Los Angeles Film & Music |
"Full of rhythm, alive, swinging and joyful. Blues that gets you up dancing. Universal, ageless, a Master!" G Loiselle La Frontiere Rouyn Noranda |
"Jack de Keyzer plays guitar like a man with his pants on FIRE!" Liam Lacey The Globe & Mail |
