After conquering all of the United States, the protege of the legendary Bryan Lee, «Braille Blues Daddy » from New Orleans, who himself paid us a visit in 2014, is now starting a Canadian tour and is stopping here at Viree Blues Boreale!   After performing with Bryan Lee for 10 years, Brent Johnson will be presenting his solo project which  really lives up to his reputation.

    Brent Johnson, a South Texas born, always knew where the Blues would lead him.   His family having moved to New Orleans when he was a teen, it’s to believe that his fate was a career in music!   A guitar prodigy from age four, he drank with the greatest of the Blues, Jazz, Rock, Punk, Country and World Music.   By serendipity, New Orleans’ legendary ‘Braille Blues Daddy’ Bryan Lee heard Brent's playing and immediately recognized his virtuosity, drive and dedication to his Craft, to the Blues.

    At only 22, Brent Johnson joined The Bryan Lee Power Band, performed on many recordings, on the most prestigious stages and at the greatests Blues and Jazz Festivals all through the world.   This more than 10 year tour allowed him to perform with, among others, Buddy Guy, Lonnie Brooks, Eddie Shaw, Gatemouth Brown, Michael Burks, David Maxwell, Bruce Katz, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Howlin Wolf’s associate, Hubert Sumlin.   That was high grade training and Brent learned to play with new variables during which so many Blues Greats praised his ability; but he so much wishes to downgrade this praise!!!

    In between touring with Bryan Lee, Brent went out on the road with John Perkins (drums) and Bill Blok (bass) playing his original compositions, with himself on vocals.   They garnered a great response and decided to go into the recording studio, with the inclusion of Wayne Lohr (keyboards) Brent Johnson and The Call Up then released their debut album ‘Set The World On Fire’ in 2014, through the renowned Justin-Time Records from Montreal and with a carte blanche to bring in major guests like Sonny Landreth and Alvin Youngblood Hart.   A new Blues brute, honest and dirty was born.   A familiar Blues, yet his own, rooted in the Blues tradition, although  he does not pretend to be a purist;  as he explains;  I never want to pretend that I had the same experiences as the old Bluesmen did – so I’m not going to go around trying to sound like them.

    New Orleans Blues discovery, Brent Johnson with John Perkins on drums and Kilmo Doome on bass, are coming here in the Ottawa region.   Brent Johnson & the Call Up on the 23rd edition of Viree Blues Boreale, Wednesday March the 30th 2016, around 8h00 p.m., at the famous venue, Bar Le Petit Chicago, so easy to find at 50 Promenade du Portage in the Old Hull sector.   Tickets are right now on sale at: www.vireeblues.ca and will also be available at the door always for only 20$.   You can also take advantage of our profitable, practical and pleasant supper & show package and enjoy the delicious charcoal grilled dishes of Galo Piri Piri Restaurant (www.galopiripiri.com), only 2 doors from Le Petit Chicago, which will reserve your assigned places at the show by making reservations at (819)771-7474.   In the meantime, you can find further information on our guest at: www.reverbnation.com/brentjohnsonband .   You should also visit our own site which provides you with links to all of our guests sites and lots of other interesting information at: www.vireeblues.ca .   For inquiries, please do contact us at: info@vireeblues.ca .   Be sure to take part in the facebook event for this show at:  www.facebook.com/events/1673738012906130/ and be sure to join and like us on our facebook page at: www.facebook.com/vireeblues .