Hopefully you have managed to catch one of the previous Gaia Java performances by this musical gent who is understandably widely respected around the Ottawa musical scene.
With a very competent guitar style and an expressive vocal delivery, Roland covers a wide range of styles and genres, giving a program of variety and familiarity that you will really enjoy. He describes his music as “swinging blues and bluesy swing”! Covering classic tunes from the whole of the 20th century, Roland interprets material by the great composers of the first half of the century (Robert Johnson, Gershwin, Monk, etc.) but also some Beatles, Dylan, Hank Williams…
Roland started playing at 14, did a short stint at Berklee Music College in Boston in the 80s, before going to live in New Orleans where he played blues, trad jazz, and R&B. In the 90s, he played in a blues band with his son in Winnipeg, and still occasionally gets up to play with him when he is in the area. (Just recently Roland was out west again, but this time was playing with his grandson!)
Here’s how Greg Kelly (Tunes Afternoon at the Black Irish, and also performer at Gaia Java not so long ago) described Roland’s music: “Roland does New Orleans-inspired jazz and blues standards, performed with joy and truth!”
The music nights start at 7pm, and as usual there is no charge, but we do have a ‘jar’ for donations to support the musicians, and we hope that you will buy a drink or two (and maybe something tasty to eat!)
Roland Doucet is at Gaia Java on Stittsville Main Street on Friday, November 20 at 7:00pm.