James Anthony
Click for Background Music
Blues and R & B Artists James has shared the stage with:
A natural musician at age 10, played Ontario Place at 15 and turned pro at 17.
James' experience in the music industry is reminiscent of legendary players
of the past.
As a Frontman and member of LuLu's house band "Kats"
James worked with over 150 Rock & Roll Legends including,
Sam & Dave
Gary US Bonds
Frankie Ford
Paul Revere and the Raiders (Mark Lyndsy)
The New Mamas and the Papas with (Denny Doherty)
ShaNaNa,
Gerry and the Pacemakers
Ohio Players,
Gary Lewis and the Playboys
Jr Walker
Rare Earth
Johnny Preston
Ben E King
Chubby Checker
Bobby Cortolla
Peter Noone (Herman's Hermits)
The Drifters
The Coasters
The Platters
Brian Hyland
James has also performed for 2 of Canada's Prime Ministers:
the Honorable Pierre Trudeau, and John Turner.
James has shared the stage with R&B Stars
Big Mama Thornton
Johnnie Johnson (Chuck Berry)
Eddie Kirkland
Big Moose Walker
Harrison Kennedy
BB Kings Allstars
Willie Big Eyes Smith
Rick James
Kris St. Louis
Sweet Blindness
Lazy Lester
Eugene Smith
Danny B
Dutch Mason
Elvin Bishop
Kelly Jay from Crowbar
Larry Lee (Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys)
Chuck Jackson
Tony Flaim and Hock Walsh from the ‘Downchild Blues Band’
Jay Douglas
George Olliver
Grant Smith
The Mighty Pope
Sweet Claudette
DC Woods
Grant Smith
Gene Taylor (The Fabulous Thunderbirds)
Mel Brown,
Roy Young (from the early 1962
Beatles,70s David Bowie)
Kenny Neal
Ricky Day from the Inkspots
Jordan and Prakash John
and Members of Room Full of Blues
James has also been the opening act for a who's who of R&B legends over the years...
Bobby Bland
Koko Taylor
Levon Helm
The Cate Brothers
BB King
Canned Heat
Eric Burdon
Ten Years After
James Cotton
Jimmie Vaughn
Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones)
Dr. John
Dave Mason
Sonny Rhodes
Pat Travers
and John Mayall
Plus Canadians
The Partland Brothers
Blue Rodeo
Randy Bachman
Valdy and Colin James
Country Artists Performed with or Opened for:
CFGM's Opry North Houseband
Ricky Scaggs
Alabama
Shotgun
Lynn Anderson
The Allen Sisters
Steve Pettico
Gordie Tapp
Tommy Hunter
Ronnie Prophet
Ron Coleman (Everly Brothers-Albert Lee)
Sundown
The Budweiser Band
Charlie Walker
Dan Seals
Sawyer Brown
Darlene Austin
Noel Cash
Mac Davis
Curly Walker
Gary Buck
Graham Townsend
JD Crowe
The Good Brothers
Live Radio and Television concerts over his career have found him with Juno winners, Denny Doherty,
Patricia Daulquist(John Williams) & Murray McLaughlin.
James has also played Casino's in Sarnia,Niagara Falls,Ottawa and Seneca NY.
From 1972 till now, James has played on countless records as a session man including jingles, films,
documentaries such as Friday the 13th Biker Bash, Common Grounds and lately writing the jingle for
"Fantasy Island "in New York. .
The "Blue Note Jeans" Bad to the Bone Commercial and the Tre Stelle Cheese shown world wide.
James has paid his dues, working years of house band gigs including the CFGM Radio band, the
Budweiser Band, the Chicken Deli in Toronto.
Old Chicago's in London, the Corral in Oshawa, the Cafe Cajun in Markham, Hootch's in Cambridge
and Mattsons in Burlington. In 1999 James was the musical director for the Gordon McLean TV Show.
The turn of the century found James with a new audience playing outside Canada in the Azores, Buffalo
and Upstate New York, New Orleans and in Hungary at Blues festivals. James played on the same club
tour as Robben Ford and Al Demeola in Budapest.
Now in 2013 he owns Sound Investments Recording Studio in Burlington and is enjoying the success of
his recent CD ‘Best of James Anthony’, ‘Jazz at Seven‘, ‘Some People Get it’, ‘Live in the Barrel’, ‘On
The Edge’ and ‘Room For Me’ and a follow up to ‘All Spruced Up’, ‘The Blue Side of’, ’Soul Shoes ‘,
‘Play Something You Know’ and ‘Nite School’.
A new weekly TV show on Cogeco 'James Anthony Presents LIVE’ Thursday nights at 07:30 on
Cogeco TV 23.
Playing, Singing, Song Writing with heart and honesty is what he does best and he will leave his
audience with a feeling of complete musical satisfaction that is sure to propel James Anthony into the
hearts of listeners and fans of the guitar everywhere.
In his Own Words
I was around 8 when my dad brought home an old Harmony F hole guitar he won in a poker game..I
stared at it for a few weeks and then picked it up and started to form my first chords out of an Italian
chord book.It wasn't long before I was playing "Young Love" by Sonny James and a few tunes on the
radio. I was never interested in sports or school so I took to music like a fish in water. It was like I found
my calling. I was like a sponge every day soaking up the radio tunes and playing along with TV shows. I
saw Roy Clark pickin and grinnin on the Beverly Hillbillys and that did it for me. By the time I was 13 the
Beatles and Hendrix ruled the air waves and I was in bands playing weekends at school dances, halls
and legions..I never got into it to be a rock star or anything like that. I just love to play and still do. I found
out about blues at a young age and had to get it right. That was my University. I've been on the road
since I was 17 full time.
Soul,Blues and Roots Guitarist,Singer,Songster
To quote a few
Hey you....That song (What About Us) is amazing I swear to God !!!!
...Please give me a copy so I can learn it to sing in my shows....Lord Child...(as Grandma would say)
You are the man!!! See you soon....Take Care Donna Robbins (NY)
Several months back Lou Moore emailed me that he would be straying west from his long-standing gig in
Aurora, and playing at a restaurant/bar in Burlington on a Saturday afternoon. There he would be joining
another guitarist friend, James Anthony and his house band, and invited us to attend. Did we go?
Absolutely, and every time they get together since, we have a reason to be there, front row.
Never have two guitar virtuosos been better suited to one another, because James Anthony is also a
blow-the-doors off master when playing and singing. With a back-ground resume longer than an Olympic
swimming pool covering all the bases, from fronting the house band at Lulus in Kitchener to a lifetime of
playing everything from Rock & Roll, to Country & Western, from Mo-Town, to his absolute forte, The
Blues.
They make it look easy. After setting up, and the usual brief sound check, they play by calling out a song
choice and picking a key, Anything but E flat, James laughs. Then they simply turn their incredible talents
loose.
Lou Moore and James Anthony paired up are flat-out Musical Magic.
As lady audience member, one seeing and hearing the Sermon, for the first time said to the band after a
Merle Haggard classic, geez, ‘I don’t even care about country music, but I sure like your country music.’
James Anthonys’ Saturday Sermon holds court every week in Burlington, ON.
He has weekly guest performers.
East or west, I guarantee that wherever you’re coming from, you can’t possibly be entertained any
better.
Ross Brewitt
Dear James
We first met you a few years ago and always enjoyed your music and the move over to the Black Swan
was super.
We were there Thursdays and Saturdays…We will miss that.
Ross and Jean Husband. (Lawyer and friend).
Ross passed away just before Christmas 2013
I'm just passing on some info. Little Sonny mentioned several times how impressed he was with you
and your method of playing. He connected with you in your tastefulness of presentation. Right notes,
right time, sparse-ness when necessary. He says you're a Master at your craft. Little Sonny really
enjoyed you. We talked for more than an hour and you were the only musician mentioned. He says he
hopes to get a chance to play with you one of these days. Little Sonny is a man who says it likes he
means it. And doesn't often talk to or with a lot of folk.
Detroit Blues Society (Little Sonny Blues Hall Of Fame)
He's an ‘Italian Segovia’ Wish I met him 30 years ago
Ronnie Hawkins
The best! Do you folks have any idea what you have here?
Sam Moore (Sam and Dave)
Inside James there's a fair helping of what made Danny Gatton so great. I was delighted by every
note.An astounding player....
Paul McGrath (Toronto Star,CBC)
I like his jazzy licks,he can share my stage anytime!!
Johnnie Johnson (Piano legend with Chuck Berry,Stones and Clapton.)
James is world class
Denny Doherty (Mamas and Papas)
You were great, perfect, in fact!
Darlene Madott book signing event Columbus Event Centre Toronto
Best of luck at the award show!!! You really are one of the best on the planet and you really,really
deserve it. I look forward to hearing from you...P.S. Did I mention that I was the first to give you a trophy
from Buffalo!!!
Donna Robbins Recording Artist
Hello Abbey Road Pub:
I wanted to express my thanks for your great hospitality last Saturday night. As per our exchange below,
I brought out my gang of 12 for the evening and we had a wonderful time. Special thanks to our lovely
waitress who did a fantastic job (did not get her name - slim gal, dark hair, wearing a cap) and huge
thanks to the James Anthony band who were a big hit with all my musician buddies who came out that
night. James and his band mates are superb players with a fun repertoire and great sound - I especially
loved that Hammond organ tone. We had a lot of fun chatting with the band members between sets as
they are all very friendly outgoing guys. I will make sure to check out what is happening at the Abbey
Road pub next time I'm down from Ottawa. Hopefully James and the boys will be back.
Best regards,
Tom Rowe
As usual even with just a few solo's and one or two vocals...he blew the place away...
Donnie Meeker (Sweet Blindness)
Hey James,Listened to two of your cds on the way down to Texas; both really really good James and
the acoustic one I thought was phenomenal, both in picking and singing. James I believe you would
have been a star a long time ago in the USA.
Danny Brooks
Great Playing!
Dominic Troiano (Canadian Guitar Legend)
My fav player other than me
Neil Lewis
Best guitarist I ever saw! Whats he doing in a bar?
Windsor University Reporter
A drummers dream
Sonny Milne (Little Ceasar and the Councils and Ronnie Hawkins )
This guy smokes!
James Burton after seeing James at Lulus Roadhouse. (Elvis's Guitarist)
‘James, I feel blessed to share some stage time with you and your great musician brothers there in
Burlington & Kitchener, Ontario. The best part is cultivating a great, lasting friendship with you for the
last several years. I have such terrific memories of shows you've featured me on. You are an amazing
guitarist, songwriter, artist and friend. No wonder you work so much ... you make it 'feel good' to be in
that space with you. Wishing you huge success with your upcoming release 'LIVE FROM THE BARREL'
by Haltone Records. Keep it between the lines and I'll see you soon. Thanks for all you do ...!!! ......
‘Sweet Claudette’ from Detroit
I Love this Guys music and guitar playing! He is the best!
Chris Shultz - TSN TV Host
James heeft een geweldige nieuwe CD uit en hij heeft zijn shot gehad voor een poster om bekentenis
te brengen aan de CD. James zit daar op een houten stoel voor een oud raam vol met gaten, met zijn
handen voor zijn ogen, zijn gitaar op schoot en de CD heet "On the Edge".
Holland
Just wanted to thank you once again for such a lovely evening at my home concert this past Saturday
night. Greg was so surprised when you arrived and said that I couldn't have given him a better birthday
gift! You played so well and everyone enjoyed themselves so much. The Cd's you gave us for Greg's
birthday were excellent and we especially enjoyed your acoustic solo one..thank you. I look forward to
seeing you again
Linda
Hi James! Caught your show in Woodstock on Saturday night! SMOKIN'!! Really loved it.. you're the real
deal! Our Rock'n'Blues family band was on the bill on Friday but we stayed in town to catch the great
blues music on Sat. night! Our 2 guitar players (my hubbie and our daughter) were very inspired by your
playing..loved your singing too! Catch up with you again down the road! Have an awesome "jam" in
Chicago!!
Chantale
Festivals and Concerts
TV Shows
City TV
Rogers Cable ‘Midnight Hour 1997 Award’ for best Music Show.James hosted
James Anthony Presents ‘Live’ on Cogeco
Radio Quotes
I really enjoy playing your music, it makes me think like Steely Dan playing the blues, it is
subtler than usual and very well played and arranged indeed
Massimo Ferro
Radio Voce Spazio
San Michele
ITALY
1997 Cable TV Producers Award for "Best Music Show "The Midnight Hour"
1997 on Rogers for 5 years.
Puerto Escondido Blues Fest-Mexico 2011
Massey Hall Toronto
Toronto CNE
French Quarter New Orleans
Elmocambo House Band
Cayman Islands
BB Kings -Memphis,Orlando,Nashville
Legends in Chicago
Kingston Mines - Chicago
Hughes Room Toronto
Distillery Blues Fest Toronto
Royal Botannical Gardens Jazz Fest
AAA Golf Event-New Orleans
Toronto Beaches Jazz Fest
Grape and Wine Niagara
Hamilton-Festival of Friends
Markham Rib Fest
Kitchener Blues Fest - One of the Founders
London Blues Fest
Windsor Blues Fest
Grey Cup Halftime Toronto
Oakville Jazz Fest
Burlington Jazz Fest
Thunder Bay Blues Fest
Can-Am Bluesfest-Buffalo
Bluesfest Lewiston NY
Milton Escarpment Bluesfest
Harbourfront Toronto
Orangeville Blues Festival
Sound Of Music Burlington
New Orleans Club - Budapest
Alcatraz-Budapest - Hungary
Azores Augosto Mare Music Fest - Santa Maria
Canal Bank Shuffle - Thorold
Grape and Wine Niagara Falls
New Years Eve Niagara Falls live on TV
Niagara Bluesfest
Southside Shuffle -Port Credit
Lincoln Blues Fest
New Orleans - Bourbon St
Baton Rouge - Rayful Neals
University of Waterloo
Carleton University - Ottawa
U of Toronto
University Of Windsor
Carelton Slots
University of London
Haverdale College
Pt Edward Casino
Casino Niagara
Seneca Casino - NY
Laffette Tap Room - Buffalo
Blues Warehouse - Buffalo
Dinosaur Bar and Grill - NY
Royal Hamilton Yacht Club
Oakville Yacht Club
Burlington Yacht Club
Macassa Yacht Club
Hamilton ,St Catherines,Oakville Golf and Country Cubs
The Granite Club-Mississauga
Paris Annual Vintage Bike Rally
Burlington Rib Fest
CFTO Morning Show
TV Hungary
Kitchener AM
Some people Get it!
1955- Born at Toronto Western Hospital on a Monday August 8 12:01, and I
hear it was raining…..I guess thats a good start for a blues guy.
1964-66- Got My first Guitar a Harmony Archtop with really thick strings and
brutally high action.I think my dad won it at the Barber shop in a poker game.
Another great start for a blues guy. Learned country tunes and folkie stuff like
Ledbelly and Sonny and Brownie. Roy Clark was huge on my list. Saw some bands in Italy and that did it.
1967-1970- Played at grade 7 Dance and was hooked from then on. Played with high school soul bands
and then started playing legions and High Schools for Money…..Ontario Place too.
1971- Joined (Jay Douglas) the Cougars and played Reggae before anybody even heard of it. Lots of
sessions West indian and Reggae recordings. I believe I’m the first white guy to do this in this
country..Ask Jay?
1974- The last version of Edward Bear, James Ackroyd, Many soul bands and one nighters. Blue grass
too 7 Nights a week!
1976- Jammed with Rick James at the Colonial Tavern on Younge Street. More local Soul bands and
then a few Blues bands all over the Toronto Area. Air Port Strip. Juno winner Patricia Daulquist at Ontario
Place and Night Clubs.
1977-1980- Grizzly Bear Blues band begat Footloose that begat Mondo Combo. One album on RCA and
Massey Hall gig. Played full-time. First band to play live on Q107 all over the GTA on a Saturday night.
Mostly clubs and venues.Lots of travelling.
1980-90- Went country and played with most of the Canadian stars. Played guitar on CFGMs Opry North
Radio Show. Backed hundreds of Country Stars. Did some TV work. More Road. Every town in Canada
maybe? Moved to Cambridge and joined Lulus Kats band in Kitchener 1990. Backed up over 200 music
legends. Put out my first Cds Nite School and Play Something you Know! and Cable TV show The
Midnight Hour for 5 years. Won Best Music Show in 96 on Rogers Cable.
1997-2000- Lulus was over so I recorded with Denny Doherty and many more. Won Fender-Coca Cola
Guitar Warz in Toronto. More Cds to follow " Soul Shoes”, Played in Azores, Santa Maria.
2000-2005- "Room For Me" and Acoustic CD "All Spruced Up. Festivals and Europe. Hungary for 2
weeks.
2006-2010- Played in Dublin Ireland with CD release there..More Local House gigs. TV show on Cogeco
"James Anthony Live"
2010-2016- Casinos, Summer Festivals, Clubs.
Inducted into American International Blues Hall of Fame 2013 in Detroit
James Anthony - Bio
James Anthony Pecchia
So, this past Saturday our music-lover group, the wife, neighbor Lou Lobb, and long-time, former
smooth-talking afternoon CHUM-FM host Gord James, gathered at the Black Swan in Burlington, for a
late 1:30 lunch of tasty steak sandwiches. Then, from 2:00 to 6:00 watched the Saturday Sermon,
listening as James, with his special guest Moore took us through tunes we all knew, but with
arrangements, riffs, interpretations, and guitar chases we have never heard before. The kind of sets
prompting anyone musically inclined to say, why the hell didn’t I think of that!
Some days ago I was giving a look at the playlists of my radio show of American roots
music here and found that some of them also featured your latest album, the very good
James:
If I'm ever in the area, you may be 100% sure that I'll get in touch! Not every guitarist knows how to work
in a duo setting with a harp player, much less a harp player playing drums! Most of my playing over the
years has been in duo settings. I've been lucky enough to play with some great players in such contexts.
You're right at the top. You made MY stuff sound better than it is. All that internal motion to your chord
work is part of it. Yes, we'll cross paths again.
Best,
Adam Gussow,
Modern Blues Harmonica,
Oxford, MS
Saturday Matinee - 01:30 - 05:00 With special guest each week
Thursday Nights - 07:00 - 10:00 Acoustic Night
Uptown Social Burlington Ontario
2021- Present -
©
Copyright 2024 James Anthony - All rights reserved
©
Copyright 2024 James Anthony - All rights reserved
Bio
Blues and R & B Artists
James has shared the stage with:
A natural musician at age 10, played Ontario Place at 15 and
turned pro at 17. James' experience in the music industry is
reminiscent of legendary players of the past.
As a Frontman and member of LuLu's house band "Kats"
James worked with over 150 Rock & Roll Legends including,
Sam & Dave
Gary US Bonds
Frankie Ford
Paul Revere and the Raiders (Mark Lyndsy)
The New Mamas and the Papas with(Denny Doherty)
ShaNaNa
Gerry and the Pacemakers
Ohio Players
Gary Lewis and the Playboys
Jr Walker
Rare Earth
Johnny Preston
Ben E King
Chubby Checker
Bobby Cortolla
Peter Noone (Herman's Hermits),
The Drifters
The Coasters
The Platters
Brian Hyland
James has also performed for 2 of Canada's Prime Ministers:
the Honorable Pierre Trudeau, and John Turner.
James has shared the stage
with R&B Stars
Big Mama Thornton
Johnnie Johnson (Chuck Berry)
Eddie Kirkland
Big Moose Walker
Harrison Kennedy
BB Kings Allstars
Willie Big Eyes Smith
Rick James
Kris St. Louis
Sweet Blindness
Lazy Lester
Eugene Smith
Danny B
Dutch Mason,
Elvin Bishop
Kelly Jay from Crowbar
Larry Lee (Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys)
Chuck Jackson
Jay Douglas
George Olliver
Grant Smith
The Mighty Pope
Sweet Claudette
DC Woods
Grant Smith
Gene Taylor (The Fabulous Thunderbirds)
Mel Brown
Roy Young (from the early 1962 Beatles,70s David Bowie)
Kenny Neal
Ricky Day from the Inkspots
Jordan and Prakash John and Member of the Room Full of
Blues
James has also been the Opening Act for
a Who's Who of R&B legends over the
Years...
Bobby Bland
Koko Taylor
Levon Helm
The Cate Brothers
BB King
Canned Heat
Eric Burdon
Ten Years After
James Cotton
Jimmie Vaughn
Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones)
Dr. John
Dave Mason
Sonny Rhodes
Pat Travers
and John Mayall
Plus Canadians
The Partland Brothers
Blue Rodeo
Randy Bachman
Valdy and Colin James
Country Artists Performed with
or Opened for:
CFGM's Opry North Houseband
Ricky Scaggs
Alabama
Shotgun
Lynn Anderson
The Allen Sisters
Steve Pettico
Gordie Tapp
Tommy Hunter
Ronnie Prophet
Ron Coleman (Everly Brothers-Albert Lee)
Sundown
The Budweiser Band
Charlie Walker
Dan Seals
Sawyer Brown
Darlene Austin
Noel Cash
Mac Davis
Curly Walker
Gary Buck
Graham Townsend
JD Crowe
The Good Brothers
Live Radio and Television concerts over his career have
found him with Juno winners , Denny Doherty,Patricia
Daulquist(John Williams) & Murray McLaughlin.
James has also played Casino's in Sarnia,Niagara Falls,
Ottawa and Seneca NY.
The "Blue Note Jeans" Bad to the Bone Commercial and the
Tre Stelle Cheese shown world wide. James has paid his
dues, working years of house band gigs including the CFGM
Radio band, the Budweiser Band, the Chicken Deli in Toronto.
The turn of the century found James with a new audience
playing outside Canada in the Azores, Buffalo and Upstate
New York, New Orleans and in Hungary at Blues festivals.
James played on the same club tour as Robben Ford and Al
Demeola in Budapest.
A new weekly TV show on Cogeco 'James Anthony Presents
LIVE’ Thursday nights at 07:30 on Cogeco TV 23.
In His Own Words
James Anthony Pecchia
Soul,Blues and Roots Guitarist,Singer,Songster
To Quote a Few
I like his jazzy licks,he can share my stage anytime!!
Johnnie Johnson (Piano legend with Chuck Berry,Stones and
Clapton.)
James is world class
Denny Doherty (Mamas and Papas)
You were great, perfect, in fact!
Darlene Madott book signing event Columbus Event Centre
Toronto
Best of luck at the Award Show!!! You really are one of the best on
the planet and you really,really deserve it. I look forward to
hearing from you... P.S. Did I mention that I was the first to give
you a trophy from Buffalo!!!
Donna Robbins Recording Artist
Hello Abbey Road Pub:
Best regards,
Tom Rowe
As usual even with just a few solo's and one or two vocals...he
blew the place away...
Donnie Meeker (Sweet Blindness)
Hey James,Listened to two of your cds on the way down to Texas;
both really really good James and the acoustic one I thought was
phenomenal, both in picking and singing. James I believe you
would have been a star a long time ago in the USA....Danny
Brooks
Great Playing! Dominic Troiano (Canadian Guitar Legend)
My fav player other than me
Neil Lewis
Best guitarist I ever saw! Whats he doing in a bar?
Windsor University Reporter
A drummers dream
Sonny Milne (Little Ceasar and the Councils and Ronnie
Hawkins )
This guy smokes!
James Burton after seeing James at Lulus Roadhouse. (Elvis's
Guitarist)
I Love this Guys music and guitar playing! He is the best!
Chris Shultz - TSN TV Host
James heeft een geweldige nieuwe CD uit en hij heeft zijn shot
gehad voor een poster om bekentenis te
brengen aan de CD. James zit daar op een houten stoel voor
een oud raam vol met gaten, met zijn handen voor zijn ogen,
zijn gitaar op schoot en de CD heet "On the Edge".
Holland
Just wanted to thank you once again for such a lovely evening at
my home concert this past Saturday night. Greg was so surprised
when you arrived and said that I couldn't have given him a better
birthday gift! You played so well and everyone enjoyed
themselves so much. The Cd's you gave us for Greg's birthday
were excellent and we especially enjoyed your acoustic solo
one..thank you. I look forward to seeing you again
Linda
Hi James! Caught your show in Woodstock on Saturday night!
SMOKIN'!! Really loved it.. you're the real deal! Our Rock'n'Blues
family band was on the bill on Friday but we stayed in town to
catch the great blues music on Sat. night! Our 2 guitar players
(my hubbie and our daughter) were very inspired by your
playing..loved your singing too! Catch up with you again down
the road! Have an awesome "jam" in Chicago!!
Chantale
Festivals and Concerts
TV Shows
City TV
Rogers Cable ‘Midnight Hour 1997 Award’ for best Music Show,
that James hosted
James Anthony Presents ‘Live’ on Cogeco
Radio Quotes
I really enjoy playing your music, it makes me think like Steely
Dan playing the blues, it is subtler than usual and very well played
and arranged indeed
Massimo Ferro
Radio Voce Spazio
San Michele
ITALY
1997 Cable TV Producers Award for "Best Music Show
"The Midnight Hour" 1997 on Rogers for 5 years.
Puerto Escondido Blues Fest-Mexico 2011
Massey Hall Toronto
Toronto CNE
French Quarter New Orleans
El Mocambo House Band
Cayman Islands
BB Kings -Memphis,Orlando,Nashville
Legends in Chicago
Kingston Mines - Chicago
Hughes Room Toronto
Distillery Blues Fest Toronto
Royal Botannical Gardens Jazz Fest
AAA Golf Event-New Orleans
Toronto Beaches Jazz Fest
Grape and Wine Niagara
Hamilton-Festival of Friends
Markham Rib Fest
Kitchener Blues Fest - One of the Founders
London Blues Fest
Windsor Blues Fest
Grey Cup Halftime Toronto
Oakville Jazz Fest
Burlington Jazz Fest
Thunder Bay Blues Fest
Can-Am Bluesfest-Buffalo
Bluesfest Lewiston NY
Milton Escarpment Bluesfest
Harbourfront Toronto
Orangeville Blues Festival
Sound Of Music Burlington
New Orleans Club - Budapest
Alcatraz-Budapest - Hungary
Azores Augosto Mare Music Fest - Santa Maria
Canal Bank Shuffle - Thorold
Grape and Wine Niagara Falls
New Years Eve Niagara Falls live on TV
Niagara Bluesfest
Southside Shuffle -Port Credit
Lincoln Blues Fest
New Orleans - Bourbon St
Baton Rouge - Rayful Neals
University of Waterloo
Carleton University - Ottawa
U of Toronto
University Of Windsor
Carelton Slots
University of London
Haverdale College
Pt Edward Casino
Casino Niagara
Seneca Casino - NY
Laffette Tap Room - Buffalo
Blues Warehouse - Buffalo
Dinosaur Bar and Grill - NY
Royal Hamilton Yacht Club
Oakville Yacht Club
Burlington Yacht Club
Macassa Yacht Club
Hamilton ,St Catherines,Oakville Golf and Country Clubs
The Granite Club-Mississauga
Paris Annual Vintage Bike Rally
Burlington Rib Fest
CFTO Morning Show
TV Hungary
Kitchener AM
Some people Get it!
From 1972 till now, James has played on countless records
as a session man including jingles, films, documentaries such
as Friday the 13th Biker Bash, Common Grounds and lately
writing the jingle for "Fantasy Island "in New York. .
Old Chicago's in London, the Corral in Oshawa, the Cafe
Cajun in Markham, Hootch's in Cambridge and Mattsons in
Burlington. In 1999 James was the musical director for the
Gordon McLean TV Show.
Now in 2013 he owns Sound Investments Recording Studio
in Burlington and is enjoying the success of his recent CD
‘Best of James Anthony’, ‘Jazz at Seven’, ‘Some People Get
it’, ‘Live in the Barrel’, ‘On The Edge’ and ‘Room For Me’ and
a follow up to ‘All Spruced Up’, ‘The Blue Side of’, ’Soul
Shoes ‘, ‘Play Something You Know’ and ‘Nite School’.
Some days ago I was giving a look at the playlists of my radio
show of American roots music here and found that some of them
also featured your latest album, the very good
1955- Born at Toronto Western Hospital on a Monday August 8
12:01, and I hear it was raining..I guess thats a good start for a
blues guy.
1964-66- Got My first Guitar a Harmony Archtop with really
thick strings and brutally high action.I think my dad won it at the
Barber shop in a poker game. Another great start for a blues
guy. Learned country tunes and folkie stuff like Ledbelly and
Sonny and Brownie. Roy Clark was huge on my list.Saw some
bands in Italy and that did it.
1967-1970- Played at grade 7 Dance and was hooked from
then on. Played with high school soul bands and then started
playing legions and High Schools for money..Ontario Place too.
1971- Joined (Jay Douglas) the Cougars and played Reggae
before anybody even heard of it. Lots of sessions West indian
and Reggae recordings. I believe I’m the first white guy to do
this in this country..Ask Jay?
1974- The last version of Edward Bear, James Ackroyd, Many
soul bands and one nighters.Blue grass too 7 Nights a week!
1976- Jammed with Rick James at the Colonial Tavern on
Younge Street. More local Soul bands and then a few Blues
bands all over the Toronto Area. Air Port Strip. Juno winner
Patricia Daulquist at Ontario Place and Night Clubs
1977-1980- Grizzly Bear Blues band begat Footloose that
begat Mondo Combo. One album on RCA and Massey Hall gig.
Played full-time. First band to play live on Q107 all over the
GTA on a Saturday night. Mostly clubs and venues.Lots of
travelling.
1980-90- Went country and played with most of the Canadian
stars. Played guitar on CFGMs Opry North Radio Show.Backed
hundreds of Country Stars. Did some TV work.More Road.
Every town in Canada maybe? Moved to Cambridge and joined
Lulus Kats band in Kitchener 1990. Backed up over 200 music
legends. Put out my first Cds Nite School and Play Something
you Know! and Cable TV show The Midnigte Hour for 5 years.
Won Best Music Show in 96 on Rogers Cable.
1997-2000- Lulus was over so I recorded with Denny Doherty
and many more. Won Fender-Coca Cola Guitar Warz in
Toronto. More Cds to follow " Soul Shoes”, Played in Azores,
Santa Maria.
2000-2005- "Room For Me" and Acoustic CD "All Spruced Up.
Festivals and Europe. Hungary for 2 weeks.
2006-2010- Played in Dublin Ireland with CD release
there..More Local House gigs. TV show on Cogeco "James
Anthony Live"
2010-2016- Casinos, Summer Festivals, Clubs.
Inducted into American International Blues Hall of Fame 2013
in Detroit
I wanted to express my thanks for your great hospitality last
Saturday night. As per our exchange below, I brought out my
gang of 12 for the evening and we had a wonderful time. Special
thanks to our lovely waitress who did a fantastic job (did not get
her name - slim gal, dark hair, wearing a cap) and huge thanks to
the James Anthony band who were a big hit with all my musician
buddies who came out that night. James and his band mates are
superb players with a fun repertoire and great sound - I especially
loved that Hammond organ tone. We had a lot of fun chatting with
the band members between sets as they are all very friendly
outgoing guys. I will make sure to check out what is happening at
the Abbey Road Pub next time I'm down from Ottawa. Hopefully
James and the boys will be back.
Inside James there's a fair helping of what made Danny Gatton so
great. I was delighted by every note. An astounding player....
Paul McGrath (Toronto Star, CBC)
Hey you....That song (What About Us) is amazing I swear to
God !!!!
Several months back Lou Moore emailed me that he would be
straying west from his long-standing gig in Aurora, and playing at
a restaurant/bar in Burlington on a Saturday afternoon. There he
would be joining another guitarist friend, James Anthony and his
house band, and invited us to attend. Did we go? Absolutely, and
every time they get together since, we have a reason to be there,
front row.
Never have two guitar virtuosos been better suited to one another,
because James Anthony is also a blow-the-doors off master when
playing and singing. With a back-ground resume longer than an
Olympic swimming pool covering all the bases, from fronting the
house band at Lulus in Kitchener to a lifetime of playing everything
from Rock & Roll, to Country & Western, from Mo-Town, to his
absolute forte, The Blues.
So, this past Saturday our music-lover group, the wife, neighbor
Lou Lobb, and long-time, former smooth-talking afternoon CHUM-
FM host Gord James, gathered at the Black Swan in Burlington,
for a late 1:30 lunch of tasty steak sandwiches. Then, from 2:00 to
6:00 watched the Saturday Sermon, listening as James, with his
special guest Moore took us through tunes we all knew, but with
arrangements, riffs, interpretations, and guitar chases we have
never heard before. The kind of sets prompting anyone musically
inclined to say, why the hell didn’t I think of that!
They make it look easy. After setting up, and the usual brief sound
check, they play by calling out a song choice and picking a key,
Anything but E flat, James laughs. Then they simply turn their
incredible talents loose.
Lou Moore and James Anthony paired up are flat-out Musical
Magic.
As lady audience member, one seeing and hearing the Sermon,
for the first time said to the band after a Merle Haggard classic,
geez, ‘I don’t even care about country music, but I sure like your
country music.’
James Anthonys’ Saturday Sermon holds court every in
Burlington, ON.
He has weekly guest performers.
East or West, I guarantee that wherever you’re coming from,
you can’t possibly be entertained any better.
Ross Brewitt
Dear James
We first met you a few years ago and always enjoyed your music
and the move over to the Black Swan was super.
We were there Thursdays and Saturdays .We will miss that.
Ross and Jean Husband. (Lawyer and friend)
Ross passed away just before Christmas 2013
I'm just passing on some info. Little Sonny mentioned several
times how impressed he was with you and your method of playing.
He connected with you in your tastefulness of presentation. Right
notes, right time, sparse-ness when necessary. He says you're a
Master at your craft. Little Sonny really enjoyed you. We talked for
more than an hour and you were the only musician mentioned. He
says he hopes to get a chance to play with you one of these days.
Little Sonny is a man who says it likes he means it, and doesn't
often talk to or with a lot of folk.
Detroit Blues Society (Little Sonny Blues Hall Of Fame)
He's an ‘Italian Segovia’ Wish I met him 30 years ago....
Ronnie Hawkins
The best! Do you folks have any idea what you have here?
Sam Moore (Sam and Dave)
I was around 8 when my dad brought home an old Harmony F
hole guitar he won in a poker game.I stared at it for a few weeks
and then picked it up and started to form my first chords out of an
Italian chord book.It wasn't long before I was playing "Young
Love" by Sonny James and a few tunes on the radio. I was never
interested in sports or school so I took to music like a fish in ater.
It was like I found my calling. I was like a sponge every day
soaking up the radio tunes and playing along with TV shows. I
saw Roy Clark pickin and grinnin on the Beverly Hillbillys and that
did it for me. By the time I was 13 the Beatles and Hendrix ruled
the air waves and I was in bands playing weekends at school
dances, halls and legions..I never got into it to be a rock star or
anything like that. I just love to play and still do. I found out about
blues at a young age and had to get it right. That was my
University. I've been on the road since I was 17 full time.
James Anthony - Bio
Please give me a copy so I can learn it to sing in my shows....
Lord Child... (as Grandma would say) You are the man!!! See you
soon. ...Take Care Donna Robbins (NY)
James Anthony
Tony Flaim and Hock Walsh from the ‘Downchild Blues Band’
Thanks so much to you and everyone in your band! The
instrumentals and vocals were very good and really added to our
atmosphere. In the words of one of the B.A.D. Team members,
"They are wonderful musicians. Great sounding band!"
It was a pleasure to work with you, James!
Lori O'Neill
Distress Centres (North Branch)
Volunteer Coordinator BAD Ride
James:
Best,
Adam Gussow,
Modern Blues Harmonica,
Oxford, MS
If I'm ever in the area, you may be 100% sure that I'll get in touch!
Not every guitarist knows how to work in a duo setting with a harp
player, much less a harp player playing drums! Most of my playing
over the years has been in duo settings. I've been lucky enough to
play with some great players in such contexts. You're right at the
top. You made MY stuff sound better than it is. All that internal
motion to your chord work is part of it. Yes, we'll cross paths
again.
Saturday Matinee - 01:30 - 05:00 With special guest each week
Thursday Nights - 07:00 - 10:00 Acoustic Night
Uptown Social Burlington Ontario
2021-Present-
