2 BIG Shows on May 13: Downchild @ Massey Hall, Marc Jordan @ Paradise Theatre

Posted by BK on May 5, 2023 in Arts, Concert, Events, Music, new release, premiere, Showcase | Leave a comment

With their 50th Anniversary Tour now finally in the books, The Legendary Downchild Blues Band are excited to begin their next adventure – and what better way to start than a special hometown performance in Toronto’s iconic Massey Hall on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 8:00pm.

Also on that night, legendary singer-songwriter Marc Jordan will be having a concert at the Paradise Theatre on Saturday, May 13 at 8:00pmfor his new record, Waiting For The Sun To Rise.

Downchild is of course the inspiration for Hollywood stars Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi’s hit film The Blues Brothers. In fact, two Downchild songs “I Got Everything I Need (Almost)” and “Shotgun Blues” are found on The Blues Brothers smash album Briefcase Full of Blues.

Leader and co-founder, Donnie Walsh, often called the ‘Father of Canadian Blues’ and a constant throughout the band’s 53 year history, was just inducted into the North Bay Musician & Entertainers Hall of Recognition in September. He is also a member of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, alongside some of the greatest songwriters of our time, like Leonard Cohen, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell.

To celebrate their 50th, Downchild released their critically acclaimed 50th Anniversary Live At The Toronto Jazz Festival album, featuring special guests Dan Aykroyd, Paul Shaffer, David Wilcox, Kenny Neal, Gene Taylor and Erja Lyytinen. They also hit the road with The Longest 50th Anniversary Tour Ever! with 73 shows over the past 2 1/2 years, from PEI, all the way to Vancouver Island and a whole lot of stops along the way, much to the delight of their endearing fans!

A songwriter’s songwriter, Marc Jordan is best known for writing (along with John Capek) “Rhythm of My Heart,” the 1991 smash for Rod Stewart. Marc’s songs have been recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker, Diana Ross, Cher, Chicago, Bette Midler, Natalie Cole, Kenny Loggins, Kim Carnes and the Manhattan Transfer, to name a few.

Waiting for the Sun to Rise sees Jordan turning his gaze outward, writing from a place of weathered wisdom. “Rio Grande,” is the album’s centerpiece, is a hymn to what’s left of the world. Squandered potential and abiding hope live side by side, and a soaring solo by Grammy-winning trumpeter Randy Brecker tops off producer Lou Pomanti’s arrangement. The stunning “Coltrane Plays the Blues” continues Jordan’s penchant for mid-century jazz references. Like his thematic cousin Paul Buchanan of the Blue Nile (whose “The Downtown Lights” is covered here), Jordan sets his stories in an after-hours netherworld populated by lonely lovers and disappointed dreamers. 

Jordan is a Juno Award and Genie Award winner, and in 2019 was Juno-nominated for his last album Both Sides. He is married to singer-songwriter Amy Sky, and in 2022, the duo recorded an album of duets entitled He Sang She Sang.

We would like to thank Eric Alper for the press release and artist profile.