The Quebec to Memphis competition finals were held last night with 5 finalists competing to represent the Montreal Blues Society in Memphis for the International Blues Challenge. The judges had a hard task to score the competing bands Riot & The Blues Devils, Dwane Dixon Band, Fuel Junkie, Justin Saladino Band and Cliff Stevens. Each act delivered a solid 25 minutes at the jam packed Bistro à Jojo and the winner selected to represent the MBS in 2019’s competition is the Justin Saladino Band.

The MBS would like to thank all nine acts who came out to compete, the judges, Danny from Bistro à Jojo and the blues fans who came to support the competition. It is clear we will have very good candidates for years to come with the talent pool in Quebec. Also, the MBS would like to give a big shout out to The Blues Foundation for hosting the International competition.

The International Blues Challenge takes places on Beale Street in Memphis, January 22 – 26, 2019. You can get more info at www.blues.org.

Justin Saladino Band - No Worry

This year promises to be a tough challenge whether you are a judge or one of the registrants participating in the 2018 Montreal Blues Society’s Quebec to Memphis contest. The acts that are participating this year are a diverse representation of what great blues musical talent La Belle Province has to offer. On October 9th, nine great bands get twenty minutes each to strut their stuff, vying to represent Quebec at the International Blues Challenge held in Memphis in January 2019. Of the nine acts, five will will move on to the next round on October 16th, and from that grouping one act will be heading off to Tennesse come January!

Below are links to the artists’ websites and to some videos of the bands that are participating in the event. However, to get the real vibe on what these folks are all about, head on out to the Bistro a Jojo (1627 St Denis St, Montreal, QC H2X 3K3) on October 9th and October 16th 2018 at 17:00 and catch them live in the act. These bands feed off your enthusiasm and support so come on out and show them some love!

 

Dwane Dixon - My Time is Running Low 

Durham County Poets - Ready or not 

Fuel Junkie - Rain

Jordan Officer - Dream of You and Me 

Gab Padilla - Cigarette 

Riot and the Blues Devils - Finding the Blues

Justin Saladino Band - No Worry

Cliff Stevens - Grass Won't Grow

Sweating Bullets - If Trouble Was Money