The Music
Denis Parker
Denis Parker has been writing, teaching, playing and singing the blues for over fifty years. He grew up in London, England, part of the British blues boom of the 1960’s.
Before immigrating to Newfoundland from London, England in 1971, Denis recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios for EMI/ Harvest in the late sixties. The resulting two albums by Panama Limited Jug Band were released world-wide and have recently been re-mastered and re-released on Cherry Red Records.
After fifty years, a lifetime of gigs, and a slew of recordings ranging from rock to acoustic blues, Denis still has the fire and is playing and singing better than ever.
Denis has toured throughout the province of NL, and at festivals across Canada and the US.
From 1996-2014, Denis served as Executive Director for the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland & Labrador. Tasked with writing programs, finding investment and developing and promoting the talent of Newfoundland & Labrador, Denis was presented with the prestigious ECMA Industry Builder Award in 1999.
Beauwater
Like the infamous North Atlantic fog from which the group was born, Beauwater exists in the grey. Not quite one thing, but no more the other, their brand of Blues laden Rock walks the boundaries between both genres, tip-toeing between themes and stylings from each and bringing the best of both worlds to life. Drawing inspiration from Blues Rock pioneers of the past and present, Beauwater delivers hard-driving riffs and vocals, clever lyricism and soulful grooves in a manner that’s all their own.
Formed in 2008 in St. John’s, NL, the group’s history is proof of their versatility and ability to appeal to both Blues and Rock fans alike, having performed with acts such as Our Lady Peace, Third Eye Blind, Big Sugar, The Trews, Matt Mays and Hey Rosetta! Their 2016 album ‘Lovers, Fools and Kings’ propelled the group into the regional spotlight, earning the 2017 ECMA for Blues Recording of the Year.
Their latest album, ‘Who Works For Who?’, released in November of 2020, has earned them the 2020 MusicNL Award for Jazz/Blues Artist of the Year and has seen their reach extended worldwide with reviews, airplay and interviews published across Europe, Asia, Australia and all over North America, as well as an 8+ week residence on the Roots Music Report charts, reaching #17 in the North American Rock album chart, #11 on the North American Roots Rock Chart, #7 amongst Canadian albums, and five different singles charting on the North American Top 50 Roots Rock chart.
The group, made up of Jonathon Reid (Guitar/Vocals), Greg Newhook (Bass) and Michael Maddox (Drums), continues to pick up momentum for 2021, preparing for the inevitable return of live music to head out across Canada and beyond to follow up their successful “It Only Took Us A Decade” Tour, which saw them span Eastern Canada with Festival performances in four different provinces. No strangers to the festival stage, the group has been repeat performers at the Wreckhouse Jazz/Blues Festival, Iceberg Alley Performance Tent, George Street Festival, as well as five-time MusicNL Week Showcasing artists and two-time ECMA Week Showcasing artists.
Lori Cooper
Lori Cooper was singing at age two and playing piano at age six. Her parents often held socials that always included everyone singing and playing and Lori was usually the little star. Lori went on as a classically trained pianist to complete a B.Mus and B.Mus. Ed. from Memorial University’s School of Music.
Through the encouragement of friends and blues masters Roger Howse and Wade Pinhorn, Lori put teaching on hold and chose a life of rock & roll. As keyboardist for The Thomas Trio & Red Albino, Lori toured extensively and even competed in a World Talent Competition located in Tokyo representing Canada in front of 13,000 people. In 1991 Lori traded in her life on the road and resumed her other passion teaching. To this day Lori has managed to successfully fill the roles of teacher, school manager, mother and working musician.
Along the way Lori has played keys for folk music icon’s The Plankerdown Band, continues to play synth and percussion for musical productions, adjudicates music festivals and has evolved into a prominent member of music education in Newfoundland.
In ’96 Lori was encouraged to sing at a Sunday night blues jam by Coop De Ville’s, Wade Pinhorn and Darrell Cooper. Darrell heard a “soulful voice” and asked Lori to special guest with his band. He handpicked a song list and Lori got a taste of the blues which quickly led to a thirst!
Lori leads her own band aptly named The Lori Cooper Band and they fill the dance floor at the Fat Cat Blues Bar in St. John’s, Newfoundland on a regular basis. Her zest for life, jubilant spirit and deep love for singing the blues comes through in every song and affects every member of her audience.
Lori’s biggest influences have been Etta James, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin and Carl Weathersby. Also look for her in Three Shades of Blue, a vocal trio that adapts classic songs of various styles and delivers them in a sweet sounding three part harmony accompanied by keyboards.
Darrell Cooper & Peter McGuire
Acoustic blues. Darrell Cooper has been performing contemporary blues in his home town of St.John’s since 1992. Shortly after emerging on the local scene, by age 21 Cooper’s skills as a guitarist and sense of musicality, established him as a sideman to accompany imported blues artist’s including “Prime Minister of the Blues” - Dutch Mason, Rick Jeffries, Doris Mason and Cheryl Lescom. He has been called upon to perform opening set’s for George Thorogood, Jeff Healey, Tom Cochrane and was hired as musical director for Dan Aykroyd, aka “Elwood Blues” of The Blues Brothers fame,for a St. John’s appearance. In 1998 he was a finalist in Toronto Blues Society’s National New Talent Search. In 2003 he was awarded Music NL, Blues Artist of the Year. Cooper was also called upon by Great Big Sea to fill the role of lead guitarist performing their hit song Sea of No Cares at the Juno Award’s, 2003. Now, with over thirty years of professional experience, Cooper is anticipating the release of his new album in 2022 and continues to work as a hired lead guitarist for singer/songwriters throughout Canada. Peter McGuire has over 30 years’ experience playing harmonica in various genres.
Based in St. John’s, the multi-instrumentalist has been performing in Newfoundland & Labrador as a consummate sideman providing guitar, bass and
harmonica for various reputable outfits. However, it’s been his prowess on the Blues Harp that has made waves garnering the attention and praise of St. John’s finest including local legend Roger Howse. Peter has also been called upon for studio sessions by producer Kalem Mahoney and recording artist Megan Marshall. Peter’s roots have been strongly steeped in bluegrass but has always had a strong interest and affinity for Blues. In 2014 he paired up with St. John’s native blues artist Darrell Cooper. Cooper had been known primarily for performing high energy, contemporary, electric blues. After a random encounter at an acoustic blues jam, the two discovered an instant, effortless dynamic and have been burning it up ever since! Whether it’s an original song by DC or their interpretation of the classics, Darrell Cooper & Peter McGuire have a style and sound that’s all their own to the delight of blues fans of all ages and taste.
Morgan Davis
Morgan Davis grew up in Detroit during the 1950's, absorbing the music of the times - early rock and roll and rhythm and blues, along with the beginnings of the Motown sound. In 1968, Davis moved to Toronto, Canada, where he began to seriously study the music he loved - early country blues. He took every opportunity to see many touring blues players during the late 60's and 70's - Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, James Cotton, Booker White. He began playing professionally in 1971, and through the kindness and generosity of artists like Sunnyland Slim and Johnny Shines, Davis learned from and played with these giants of the blues. After Howlin' Wolf passed away, Davis had the chance to back up Wolf's guitar player of 25 years, Hubert Sumlin. Over the years he has backed up and opened for Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Dr. John, Eric Bibb and John Hammond.
Davis is a solo artist, interpreting the blues with a respect for its' traditions as well as writing contemporary blues. He plays electric guitar, slide guitar, and 3 string cigar-box guitar. He tours constantly and plays over 200 dates a year across North America and Europe.
In 2004, Davis was awarded the JUNO - Canada's Grammy - for Blues Album of the Year. he fully expects to be on the road for the rest of his life, playing the music he loves.
Rick Lambe
Rick lambe has been an active member of the Newfoundland music community for over 30 years. He has won, and been nominated for several Music Nl awards including Album Jazz/Blues artist of the year, and male artist of the year. He is mostly working as a solo artist these days but still plays in two bands. He has released several albums with several different bands. He is currently working on his third solo release.