Local band, Tell Mama, steps forward to plan foodbank fundraiser for the second year in a row. Working together with Keith Glass of Prairie Oyster fame and Town of Perth staff Karen Fox, Tell Mama band leader Shelley Montreuil is taking a lead role in organizing an entertaining and successful fundraising event.
Playing jazz and blues infused folk-funk, Tell Mama has been steadily carving a niche for themselves in Eastern Ontario since 2002.
Tell Mama’s “Kick Ass Jass” – a blend of sophisticated jazz, hungry blues, edgy rock and mellow funk – is as entertaining as it is eclectic. The band’s sultry vocals, infectious beat and inventive style deliver original material and timeless favourites in a way that is strong, sexy, danceable and, above all, fun to listen to.
The term “jass” reportedly dates back to the early 20th century, when recordings made by the Original Dixieland Jass Band in New York became surprise hits and “jass” became a national craze. As the story goes, “jass” became “jazz” in the late 1910s because some mischief-makers made a habit of scratching out the “j” on posters, changing the term from “jass bands” to “ass bands”.
Whatever the origin of the term, Tell Mama band members say “jass” means having a good time – with each other, with the audience and doing what they love to do – make music. Featuring great on-stage energy, the band mixes a sweet and low down style with a healthy dose of soft and sultry and a dollop of funk. The band’s sound reflects a number of influences, including Big Mama Thornton, Bessie Smith, Van Morrison, Etta James, Louis Jordan, Jeff Beck, Melissa Etheridge, Janis Joplin and k.d. lang.
Led by Shelley “The Shiv” Montreuil on sax, clarinet and vocals, Tell Mama’s stylings suit a wide range of venues – from the festival stage to dances, weddings, after-dinner entertainment and smaller, more intimate gatherings.
The versatile group can perform as a duo (guitar, sax and vocals), trio (guitar, sax and vocals, and bass) or a quintet (guitar, sax and vocals, keyboard, drums and bass). They have appeared in many venues across Ontario and Quebec, including the 2005 Stewart Park Festival main stage, the Folkus Concert Series, the Women’s Voices Music Festival, the Ottawa Blues Cruise, Casino Lac Leamy, and Rasputin’s Folk Café.
Discography
Tell Mama is presently recording their premiere CD “Kick Ass Jass”
