Downchild Blues Band

[Marsbar]

“There would be no Blues Brothers if it weren’t for Downchild.”- Dan Aykroyd

“One of the greatest blues bands in the world. Period.”– Toronto Star

“Downchild has a virtual lock on Canadian blues hierarchy."- Blues Revue

After 19 albums, countless awards and 55 years of spreading the blues around the world on tour, the time has come for THE LEGENDARY DOWNCHILD BLUES BAND to say farewell to the road and their beloved fans, with their FAREWELL TOUR.

Tickets for all shows are ON SALE NOW at - https://downchild.com/tour-dates/

It’s hard to believe THE LEGENDARY DOWNCHILD BLUES BAND are celebrating their 55th Anniversary this year. As they say, time flies when you’re having fun!

Downchild came to international prominence as the inspiration for Hollywood stars Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi’s hit film, The Blues Brothers. In fact, two Downchild songs, “Shotgun Blues” and “I Got Everything I Need (Almost)” were even covered on The Blues Brothers’ 1978 multi-platinum album Briefcase Full of Blues.

Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh has seen it all throughout his fifty-five years as leader and co-founder of the band (with his since-passed brother, Richard “Hock” Walsh). From the early days of recording their debut album Bootleg in the parking garage at Rochdale College in Toronto, to sharing the stage with American blues legends, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, James Cotton and many more in some of the finest venues around the world. In 2019, Donnie was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, alongside some of the greatest songwriters of our time, including Leonard Cohen, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell.

Downchild continues to be led by Donnie Walsh on guitar and harmonica, singer Chuck Jackson, who also plays harmonica, tenor sax man Pat Carey, Gary Kendall on bass, drummer Jim Casson and Tyler Yarema on keyboards.

With their infectious signature jump-blues style sound, Juno Award winners Downchild deliver a live performance that is second to none. This is your Last Chance To Dance, so come on down, have some fun and celebrate one of the greatest blues bands of our time!

Ottawa Soul/Blues singer/songwriter, Jeff Rogers will be supporting most of the dates on the FAREWELL TOUR, showcasing songs from his acclaimed new album Dream Job, that was nominated for Soul/Blues Album of The Year at the Blues Blast Magazine Awards in the U.S. in 2024.



Jeff Rogers’ unmistakably soulful voice often evokes weighty comparisons to the past - whether that’s Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles or even Otis Redding…. yet, his tone, range, phrasing, and sincerity, all make him unmistakably contemporary – and totally original.

Jeff’s highly anticipated new solo album Dream Job was recorded in the revered music mecca of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where many of the greats including, Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, Etta James, Paul Simon, Otis Redding and The Black Keys have recorded.

For this album, Jeff is accompanied by some of the legendary musicians, including Kelvin Holly (Little Richard, Bobby Bland etc.), Clayton Ivey (The Staple Sisters, Thelma Houston), Justin Holder (Keb Mo’, Delbert McClinton) and Shonna Tucker (Booker T. Jones, Drive-By-Truckers). Dream Job is co-produced by Dick Cooper of The Cooper Brothers and features special guest appearances by Grammy Award winner, Colin Linden, and Juno Award winning singer, Kellylee Evans.

FAREWELL TOUR 2024

03/10/24 Arden Theatre* St. Albert, AB

04/10/24 Arts Commons Engineered Air Theatre* Calgary, AB

05/10/24 Bow Theatre Bow Island, AB

17/10/24 Meaford Hall** Meaford, ON

18/10/24 Village Playhouse** Bancroft, ON

22/10/24 River Run Centre** Guelph, ON

25/10/24 Gravenhurst Opera House** Gravenhurst, ON

26/10/24 Midland Cultural Centre** Midland, ON

02/11/24 Imperial Theatre*** Sarnia, ON

13/11/24 Hugh’s Room Live** Toronto, ON

20/11/24 NAC – Babs Asper Theatre** Ottawa, ON

21/11/24 The Port Theatre** Cornwall, ON

22/11/24 The Regent Theatre** Picton, ON

28/11/24 The Studio** Hamilton, ON

29/11/24 Aeolian Hall** London, ON



*With Special Guest Tony D

** With Special Guest Jeff Rogers

***With Special Guest Suzie Vinnick