Hi folks!

I am currently back home in Montreal, Quebec and luckily for me, the amazing Festival International de Jazz in Montreal is currently underway! I got to catch some great Friday night action last night and thought I would report back on some great new finds for original bands.

First up:

Pat Thomas & the Kwashibu Area Band

Amazing afro-beat/afro-funk/jazz band, this band had super on point high level musicians and created a intense blend of afro-beat sounds with American funk sounds with use of electric instruments, on bass, guitars, keyboards, and drum set, also mixed with several acoustic African drums, and a wicked brass section. Their ability to create a funky grooves is their clearly their forte, but they also shine with their sweet vocals on top, reminiscent of a mixture of American soul singers, and african-dialect lyrics. This band is from Ghana and definitely does not lack any points in the energy department. Each member is swaying and dancing any moment they are not busy playing intricate brass parts, or establishing heavy well defined bass lines, and groove.

I really recommend checking these guys out!

Here is their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PatThomasKwashibu/

Now, let me take you on a little walk to St. Catherine street, to the Rio Tinto stage where this Montreal native singer-songwriter/hip hop artist was hitting the stage:

Meryem Saci.

“I am a Montreal singer-songwriter and hip hop artist. My mother and I came to Canada from Algeria as refugees in the year 2000, escaping a decade of civil war.

Music saved my life and I strive to keep spreading this universal remedy to the world. In the messy chaos I was brought into, I always felt my voice was my secret superpower, the light that shines through a doomed reality and turns it into a fairytale.”

On the Rio Tinto stage, Meryem Saci graced us with powerful sultry vocals and combination of luscious songs and upbeat highly danceable tunes with afro/reggae influenced beats drenched in love and wanting. She takes us through the different stages of love, and desire, and heartache. You can watch her new video here below!

Be sure to also check her out on her website at https://www.meryemsaci.com. 

As you can see, the Montreal International Jazz Festival is a very eclectic festival these days showing all sorts of unique acts, some from the Montreal music scene, as well as musicians from literally all over the world!

Thanks for reading as well. Stay tuned and be sure to connect with me as well on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/songwriterlove/.

See you soon everyone! Please leave your comments below and say hello anytime 🙂