press kit - Jack de Keyzer

PRESS KIT
Bio
On the heels of the award winning album , “Down in the Groove”, guitarist, singer,
song writer and producer, Jack de Keyzer is back with the Juno Award winning
(Blues Album of the Year 2003) “6 String Lover.” The album showcases de
Keyzer’s unique ability to mix music from different genres and eras into expressions that are both modern and timeless.
6 String Lover’s fourteen original compositions take the listener on a musical
journey. From the contemporary blues of Deal Me In, to the 1930’s Delta blues of 6
String Lover, de Keyzer’s blues traverse time and place with a virtuostic and
musical ease. En route, de Keyzer visits the sounds of Chicago, Memphis, Texas,
and the Mississippi Delta all the while showcasing his soulful voice and sizzling
guitar. ”I love all styles of music,” says de Keyzer “just as long as there’s blues
running through it.” He adds, “I tried to write songs that were structurally classic
and open so that the musicians would have lots of room to move inside them, but
also that had strong enough hooks, lyrics and arrangements that they would stand
out as original blues songs. I also wanted to write in some of my favourite blues
styles too. I love West Side blues, Memphis soul, jazz...jump blues.”
Co-produced by de Keyzer and Maple award winning producer Alec Fraser, 6 String Lover features de Keyzer’s
steady touring band with guests, a rocking band of long time friends. We had a great time recording ‘6 String Lover’
as well as ‘Down in the Groove’”, says de Keyzer. Both were recorded ”live off the floor” with a very minimal amount
of overdubbing, adding to the urgency, intimacy and authenticity associated with those kinds of records.
Born in London, England, de Keyzer has lived in Canada since 1965. A professional musician since the age of 18,
de Keyzer has worked with King Biscuit Boy, Ronnie Hawkins , Robert Gordon, the Bop Cats , Blue Rodeo and
many of his musical heros, Bo Diddley , John Hammond Jr., Etta James and Otis Rush. De Keyzer has led his own
band since 1985, starting at legendary Toronto club the Cameo Lounge where he performed for 5 years. Bob Dylan
stopped in one evening and declared that if, ”Jack de Keyzer was from LA, New York or Chicago, he’d be famous.”
De Keyzer has released 4 CD’s “Hard Working Man” (Warner Music Canada 1991) “Wild at Heart” (1994) “Down in
the Groove (blue star 1999), nominated for the 2000 Juno and won Maple Blues and Jazz Report’s Blues Album of
the Year and his latest, “6 String Lover”, 2004 Juno Award winner, “Blues Album of the Year.”
An exciting entertainer, soulful singer and electrifying guitarist, Jack de Keyzer continues to delight a vast spectrum
of music lovers wherever he performs. He performs 200+ engagements yearly and tours throughout Canada, the
USA, Mexico and Europe. He has performed at many major blues festivals & corporate events including the BB
King Blues Festival and the Montreal International Festival of Jazz. 6 String Lover is the latest milestone in the
lifelong musical journey of a contemporary blues journeyman.
AWARDS
Juno: 6 String Lover/ Blues Album of the Year 2003
Maple Blues Awards: Entertainer of the Year 2004
Guitarist 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
Jazz Report Award: Down in the Groove/Blues Album of the Year 2000
Juno Nomination: Down in the Groove/Blues Album of the Year 2000
Real Blues Award: Live Act of the Year 2001
Guitarist of the Year 1999 & 2002 (tie with Mel Brown)
10 Hawkstone Crescent, Whitby, ON Canada L1N 6R5 905.433.3778
www.jackdekeyzer.com
Record-
6 STRING LOVER (2002) 2003 JUNO WINNER"Blues Album of the Year"
"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
"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)
"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
"Hot Stuff.." Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal
DOWN IN THE GROOVE (2000) 2000 Juno Nomination / Maple Blues
Record of the Year/ Jazz Report Blues Record of the Year
"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
"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
WILD AT HEART (1994)
"A joyous celebration...gorgeous blues that smoke. Superb!"
John Emms Timmins Daily Press
"Beautifully written and crafted. Equally gifted as Colin James or Jeff
Healey" Network Magazine
"Blues grit and soul with a rocker's urgent pacings and a country singer's
heartfelt insistence on plain speaking. Potential superstar!" Gary 17
T.O. Nite
HARD WORKING MAN (1991)
"De Keyzer has whipped up a storm of rocking songs that should appeal to
everyone from blues purists to folks who like their rock'n roll with a Rolling
Stones approach. Universal...a gem!"
Peter North
Edmonton Sun
"Find Jack de Keyzer's records and play them to death because they represent the essential spirit of rock'n roll."
Colin Bryce Mohair Sweets / Winnipeg
www.jackdekeyzer.com
"Possibly the greatest guitarist Canada has spawned in the
genres of Blues and Rock 'n' Roll"
Andy Grigg Real Blues Magazine
"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 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)
"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)
"Blues bands would kill to sound as good as this crew"
Peter North (Edmonton Journal)
"Multi-talented Jack de Keyzer, a gifted songwriter, a mean
guitarist and a smooth, sultry singer."
Ruth Schweitzer (Maple Blues Magazine)
"One of the current blues greats...easily in the upper ranks."
Colin Bryce (Blues Quarterly)
"A guitar-slinger of rare talent"
Toronto Blues Society
Kerry Doole MapleBlues/
"Smoking...wicked...de Keyzer's track record of being one of
Canada's best guitarists is NOT hype!"
John Emms (Timmins Daily Press)
"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)
Live Reviews
"Full of rhythm, alive, swinging and joyful. Blues that gets you
up dancing. Universal, ageless, a Master!"
G Loiselle (La Frontiere Rouyn Noranda)
www.jackdekeyzer.com
8X10bw
18X12 poster
8X10 colour
press clip