5BN-QC to Mem PDB
22 October 2015
Press Release
Quebec to Memphis: the Paul DesLauriers Band comes out on top!
Montreal, October 22 The grand finale of the Quebec to Memphis challenge, hosted by the Montreal Blues Society, took place last night, October 20th, at the Bistro à JoJo in Montreal. Four finalists were in the hunt to represent the MBS and all of Quebec next January in Memphis, at the International Blues Challenge. Angel Forrest, Jordan Officer, and Riot and the Blues Devils all served up splendid performances. The judges had to make a tough call. The scoring was tight, and the winner of the competition was revealed on the stroke of 9 pm...
The Paul DesLauriers Band took the honours. Paul DesLauriers, Sam Harrisson, and Greg Morency make up the power trio based out of Montreal.
Two nights of competitions took place in the preceding weeks to determine who would make it through to the ultimate round. The Durham County Poets, Mama Groove, Aidan, Mike DeWay, Denis Viel, and Ria Reece all thrilled the gathered crowds. High calibre performances across the board. The level of talent on the Quebec scene is second to none. Also a shout out to Cécile Doo-Kingué for her class and integrity. Cécile was coasting to a berth in the finals when she realized that a scheduling conflict would prevent her from appearing in Memphis if she won. She gracefully withdrew from the competition so that a band that could travel to Memphis in January would have the opportunity. We invited Cécile back as a special guest to play a set last night and we're very happy she accepted. Definitely the revelation of this competition!
A contest of this size and scale doesn't just happen. We'd like to extend a big thank you to all the sponsors who donated goods that we could raffle off to help raise funds to defray the winning band's expenses to travel down to Memphis. Of note: St-Basile Dodge-Chrysler, Burning Stars, Steve Strongman, and Trois Rivieres en Blues. The St-Denis branch of the 3 Amigos restaurant also threw in several gift certificates and fed our judges on all the contest nights. Thanks guys!
Thank you to our volunteer judges. You shared your expertise and your spare time with us by taking on the unenviable task of determining a winner by watching and scoring 15 sets of music over three evenings. Thanks to Dan Behrman, Rick Keene, David Bush, John Detcheverry, Sean Kovacs, Randy Renaud, and Yves Trottier. Thanks also for plugging the event on your radio shows, blogs, and websites!
Another big thank you to Danny and Chloé at the Bistro à JoJo, not to mention Bruce Cameron, sound man extraordinaire. Without a partner like the Bistro, this event doesn't happen. Thanks again!
A thank you as well to Michel Dubois who was coaxed into helping out with the band presentations on the night of the finals. Much appreciated.
And the last word goes to all the Montreal Blues Society volunteers who helped in one way or another: Thank You!