Musicians 2022
KJ and The Strayways
KJ Thomas is an Ottawa musician playing in several bands, expanding multiple genres. Whether it’s hitting festivals, or serenading Ottawa’s favourite venues, KJ brings gingery vocals drenched in dynamic instrumental notes, and fulsome harmonies. Having the opportunity to play with so many fabulous bandmates, KJ occasionally pulls together varying prodigious members to make up KJ and The Strayways.
Bringing you a night enriched with the blues, KJ and The Strayways will be made up of well seasoned and sought after Ottawa musicians: KJ Thomas-vocals (Krystal Jyl and the Jacks), Standup Steve Donnelley- upright bass (The Kingmakers), John Cormier-guitar (The Barrow Gang), Gary Schertzer- harmonica (The Big Train Wreck), Jim McDowell- keys (The VenDreddies), and Anastasios Basiliadis-drums (Healy and Orr). Want to find out more? Check out the varying bands on Facebook, Instagram, and Bandcamp.
LH Express
With a top 5 Album on the “Roots Music Report: Top 50 Canada Album Chart” in 2019, and a nomination for “Best New Act” at the 2018 Maple Blues Awards, the Lucas Haneman Express is a soulful, fun-filled and electrifying musical ride!
The groups front man, Lucas Haneman, has long been widely regarded for his distinctive and explosive guitar work. With Megan Laurence (vocals), Martin Newman (bass), and Val Nehovora (drums), Haneman has found his true means of self-expression, with a one of a kind sound drenched in the blues, funk, and a little something they can call their own.
LHE have released 3 full-length albums to date including their debut CD “Welcome Aboard” (in April 2015), their critically acclaimed sophomore album “Tearing Up the Rails” (in December 2016), and “Catch The Westbound (in April 2019). They are currently working on their fourth studio album.
“Catch The Westbound” their third album, shows a deep, all be it unique connection to the blues tradition, with gritty passionate material mixed by legendary producer Brian Moncarz from Toronto (Alice Cooper/Our Lady Peace/The Tea Party). “Catch The Westbound” achieved universally positive attention from both fans and music critics from around the world. The album received a great deal of airplay and had numerous appearances on the “top 50 Canada Album Chart Roots Music Report” throughout 2019, cracking the top 5 shortly after its release. The Express also won a 2020 Sapphire Music Video Award at The Maple Blues Awards for their music video "Ms. McGrim".
Lucas Haneman and The Express have opened for or performed alongside musicians in a range of styles including The Dave Matthews Band, the late great Jeff Healey, legendary bluesman Robert Cray, The Down Childs Blues Band, jazz trombonist Curtis Fuller, saxophonist David Newman, Canadian jazz legend Guido Basso, Australian bassist Tal Wilkenfeld, former Allman Brothers guitarist Jack Pearson, blues legend James Cotton, Canadian finger style guitarist Don Ross, Canadian rock band Sloan, and singer songwriters Terry Kelly and David Usher.
