Papillon Puppies

Sugarbush Lodge

Jon Brooks

Biography
2007 Canadian Folk Music Award nominee - 'Best Songwriter - English.' 

Ontario Council of Folk Festivals 2007 "Songs From The Heart" Winner.

Green Man Review's "2006 Songwriter Of The Year".

Invited to perform for Ireland's President, Mary McAleese for the unveiling of Toronto's Irish Famine Memorial, June 2007.

Jon Brooks is unapologetically idealistic; in his words, "the mandate of all art is to improve the world, to lift and to unite humanity by way of inspiring empathy; ultimately, the folk singer is trying to politicize love - to make compassion our principle representative in government office." Upon his return from a 1997 pilgrimage to war ruined Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brooks traded guitar for pen, claiming his faith in popular music as a legitimate healer had been challenged.  8 years later Brooks declared the opposing view equally true: that "only the art of song carried within itself the means toward greater social justice and community survival." 

In 2006 he released his first CD, 'No Mean City,' a weighty and conceptual exposition of the modern urban soul's essential homelessness and moral fatigue. 

2007 afforded Brooks only superlative acclaim with the release of 'Ours And The Shepherds,' a CD of Canadian war stories inspired by James Loney, Senator Romeo Dallaire, Sgt. Tommy Prince, and John McRae among others. Penguin Eggs deemed the new CD "a thoroughly wonderful and truly important addition to the canon of Canadian folk music."  The title was taken from a Dorothy Day quote: 'whose fault is it?  Ours and the shepherds.'

He is also a published essayist with Guernica Editions - Barry Callaghan Essays On His Works (2007) with contributions by Margaret Atwood, William Kennedy, Joyce Carol Oates, and others. 

His third and upcoming release, 'Moth Nor Rust,' will complete a thematically linked trilogy of CDs:
- spiritual malaise and homelessness (No Mean City, 2006)
- war (Ours And The Shepherds, 2007)
- spiritual renewal, love and healing -  everything that cannot be touched by moth nor rust. (Moth Nor Rust, 2008).

Instrumentation
Brooks plays solo - the characters in these songs seem to prefer it that way. 

Brooks rotates between 2 Taylor 615 acoustic guitars, harmonicas, shakers, and a harmonium - He'll use the dusty upright piano in the corner, too, if it's tuned just a little south of perfect.

Hot Toddy Trio

Hot Toddy
Roots and Blues with a dash of Jazz
New Brunswick Talent,
Incredibly Good, Wonderfully Unique, Lots of Fun!!

Hot Toddy is one of the east coasts favorite acoustic acts. Comprised of Thom Swift, acoustic guitar, dobro, vocals; Joel Leblanc, lead guitar, harmonica, vocals and Tom Easley acoustic bass and vocals, this award winning Fredericton based trio is one of a kind!

They are known for their alternative acoustic roots and blues stylings and a live show that is full of improvisation and impromptu musical journeys that delight their audiences. Hot Toddy has developed what is fast becoming known as a New Brunswick roots and blues sound: organic, folky, funky and full of groove. They push the boundaries of the familiar and will captivate all who listen, creating a truly memorable experience. Their six albums have all been critically acclaimed and rank high on reviewers lists.

Hot Toddy are regulars on the Canadian Festival scene and have played the prestigious Newport Folk Festival in the US, the Blue Balls Festival in Switzerland and the Vienna Jazz Festival in Austria. They are often heard on independent radio in the US and Canada and have been highlighted on the CBC a number of times. When they tour Hot Toddy wins fans wherever they play.

Their musical prowess is second to none. On stage Hot Toddy can rip it up, throwing an audience into a frenzy or hold them in the palms of their hands with an original ballad. They have opened for such diverse performers as jazz great Bill Frisell and country icon Dolly Parton. Hot Toddy has also become a favorite collaborator with such notables as Flamenco great Juan Martin, Harmonica wizard Mike Stevens and Bluegrass legend Raymond McLain as well as New Brunswick comrades Isaac and Blewett.

As one reviewer said Hot Toddy is clearly "One of a kind!"

Isaac and Blewett

Isaac and Blewett

The reputation of Isaac and Blewett has grown steadily over the past number of years. Determined not to be restricted by labels, they've worked hard to establish a reputation for innovative music, eclectic performances, and honest songwriting. Originally known as an acoustic blues act, they have broadened their sound, spinning out into new and exciting musical territory.

From their rural perch on the Fundy shore near Alma, the duo has stretched their sonic palette. Eastern scales and melody, Tim's wah-wah fueled atmospheric cello, and the guitar/banjo mantra of Blewett all manifest themselves in their soulful and raw music.

Isaac and Blewett have come a long way since playing the blues in local clubs in 1997. They have since stepped into the world of theatres, festivals, and concert series.

They have earned the respect of their peers, and have a rare gift for entertaining and captivating audiences of all ages. Their show is an intimate and interactive journey, where music mixes itself with Jim's impromptu anecdotes.

Isaac & Blewett are reaching out of the maritimes, touring Ontario, Manitoba , and Saskatchewan. The folk festival circuit is especially appealing to them, as these kinds of events attract audiences of all ages and people who are looking for something a little different.

Tim & Jim have also become involved in the music business from a few different angles as well. They have established a popular concert series in their own backyard in the century-old Harvey Hall, near Riverside Albert. They perform there throughout the summer , bringing together their community and invited musical guests.

Aside from performing, they have established a recording studio with beautiful warm acoustics and an incredible view of Shepody Bay . Known as "Two Rivers Outpost", it is becoming a popular place for other musicians to record .Isaac & Blewett 's latest CD "Redhead" was recorded there last winter, and has received critical attention for its originality and the creative energy it captured.

Isaac & Blewett feel their dedication to their art is beginning to pay off. They continue to win the respect and loyalty of a growing number of fans and their music is critically well received. They have managed to accomplish all this, while acknowledging the need for balance between their public life and the country life they love .

Tim Isaac hails from Manitoba, where he played in numerous orchestras and ensembles through his school years. He then studied music and theology at U of Manitoba before moving to Waterloo where he continued his studies in both music and fine art at U of W. He supported himself during these years by performing regularly at coffee houses, restaurants, and bars. After concentrating on pottery and sculpture for a number of years, he returned to his cello when Blewett & Cooper lured him on stage to perform with them. He has since found a new voice for his instrument, and is continually exploring its musical possibilities. He has also enjoyed returning to songwriting, and the fresh approach to music through his collaboration with Jim Blewett.

Born in Peterborough, Jim Blewett played music professionally after moving to Newfoundland and Labrador. From 1967 to 1974 he played in a number of groups centering on the rock genre. He then moved to New Brunswick where he "dropped over the edge" and focused on a back to the land lifestyle. He also continued to study his instrument with two different teachers, and it was at this time that his own approach to the guitar and creativity developed. He has since gained the respect of his colleagues in the music business with his solid and original guitar style.

Ryan LeBlanc

Ryan LeBlanc is a progressive solo instrumentalist from New Brunswick. Ryan interlaces guitar, djembe, harmonica, cajun and banjo to produce a wide variety of upbeat and passionate musical pieces.



Ryan is known for his innovative combinations of percussive and alternative musical styles that give his compositions an extremely earthy and organic quality. A one man band.



Whole rooms often stop to watch Ryans unique strumming, hammering and tapping techniques that he combines with spellbinding percussive slaps to the body of his guitar and adjacent djembe. His performance is truly memorable.



In Sydney, Cape Breton, at the East Coast Music Awards he showcased in the Roots Room and had three standing ovations in a 20 minute set! During Stanfest in 2005, he shared the stage with acoustic blues powerhouse, Matt Andersen and J.P. Cormier, Canadas premier multi-instrumentalist. Ryan has also showcased at Montreal Jazz and Blues Festival, Stan Rogers, North American Folk Alliance in Texas, Les Nuits Acadienne in Paris, France, Confederation Centre, PEI, Canadian Music Week, Playhouse Theatre in Fredicton with Allison Brown and Oliver Jones, and Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in Fredericton.



His first album is Down Deep. With up to three instruments being played simultaneously, this musical experience is truly captivating and perfectly compliments this aspiring artists talents. He is currently touring with his new CD, Against the Grain. Catch him if you can. You wont be disappointed.

Tony Cox

Born in Zimbabwe and now residing in Johannesburg South Africa, multiple award-winning acoustic guitarist Tony Cox has become a veritable icon of the instrument in his own country. And now the guitarist seems to be working his particular six-string magic further a-field. As of late, he has undertaken regular forays into Europe and Canada and has seen a loyal fan-base begin to develop in the UK; one family making a journey from North Yorkshire to Cornwall in order to see him playing live; another arriving at his show at the Troubadour in Earl's Court armed with every album Cox had ever recorded and requesting an autograph on all!

When he was just nine years old Tony Cox began, incredibly, learning and playing the Hawaiian guitar in what was then Rhodesia. This was brought about by one Archie Pereira arriving from Lisbon and for reasons unknown decided to settle in the backwater of Kwe-Kwe, a town 20 miles away from Cox's mining-town birthplace, Redcliff.

In his teens and after Archie disappeared back to Lisbon, Cox changed to a conventional guitar style and later studied the classical guitar for an intensive 2-year period. In 1969 the family left Rhodesia to settle in Cape Town South Africa and it is here the young guitarist really started to absorb and assimilate the multi-textured rhythms and facets of the rich, indigenous music of his upbringing and surroundings.

He began to compose his own music early and immediately charged it with the African imagery that is very much a part of this unique guitar player's world perspective. Using all the finger-style techniques he had absorbed over the years from such greats as Leo Kottke and Bert Jansch, Cox honed and developed a style all his own. With the rigorous precision of classical technique juxtaposing the loose, laid-backed delivery of a master at work, Cox's music tumbles out at you, hitting your tapping feet with its solid groove and taking your heart and mind on harmonic journeys they have not been on before. Tony Cox on-stage is as warm and engaging with his audience as he is off-stage. Telling stories and anecdotes, he draws a person in and you find yourself listening really closely to a tune you may never have heard before and then being punched in the solar-plexus at the power and delivery of that tune.

Besides being a powerful solo performer Cox has collaborated and recorded with many other musicians to produce two SAMA award-winning albums and a string of nominations. China (SA slang for friend) is just such an album. He recorded it in 2002 featuring many of the cream of SA musicians and is a great example of Cox's ability to work beyond the confines of solo guitar playing. The album won the best instrumental category at the 2003 SAMA awards.

In late September Cox will be performing at the Open Strings International Guitar Festival in Osnabrueck, Germany and will do a small tour directly before and after the fest. November will see this African guitarist in Canada where he is booked to perform a 23-theatre tour of that country.