dartmouth, nova scotia
John B. Main and his Blues Kings bring solid ensemble performance and a contemporary take on the post-war American Blues Tradition.
John B. Main, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist sites the influence of early blues and rock & roll pioneers. At the age of 14, an encounter with a Nova Scotian Blues Musician changed the course of his life, revealing the blues as his true musical love.
An advocate for disability and mental health awareness, John suffers with anxiety and OCD. He was born with a rare brain condition called polymicrogyria (PMG), resulting in a learning disability, epilepsy, and partial paralysis on his left side. Notwithstanding, he adeptly performs on piano and guitar. He passionately performs for his audience, inspiring individuals facing disabilities and mental health issues and aiming for a brighter future for all.
The Blues Kings are Brad Conrad, a Juno award winning guitarist and singer whose unique style makes him an in-demand asset who has performed and/or recorded with acts such as Matt Mays and El Torpedo, The Johnny Favourite Swing Orchestra, Rick Jeffrey Blues Band, Nathan Wiley, Jully Black, The Hopping Penguins. Besides being a Blues King, he’s the guitarist for The Mellotones, an popular 8-piece funk, soul, R&B band and has his own band, Brad Conrad and the New Regulars. Brad can often be found in the orchestra pit of Neptune Theatre. Brad holds a degree in Music from Dalhousie University and teaches guitar in Halifax.
Matthew Gallant is an independent musician in the Nova Scotia Music scene for 20 years. He has performed in Canada, the States and Europe, with many bands from the East Coast. As a recording artist, Matthew has won numerous ECMA, and MNS awards. Matthew graduated from Dalhousie University with a bachelor of Music degree, and studied Ethnomusicology in Ghana through the University of Alberta. Matthew exclusively works as a professional musician playing most genres of music specializing in Blues, Rock, Country, Soul, Pop and World Music. Matthew also keeps busy teaching drums at Long and McQuade.
Nick Lawrence is a Dartmouth NS born and raised veteran of the Halifax music scene. He’s played bass on several Halifax based projects and recordings since the late 90’s ranging from heavy metal to hip hop and everything in between. Nick’s true love lies with the blues, old time country, R&B and soul. A simple yet effective player, who always plays for the song.
With two albums under their belt and now, having clinched victory at the East Coast Blues Society’s “Maritime to Memphis Competition”, John and His Blues Kings look forward to shaking up the stages in Memphis; representing the Maritimes, Canada and musicians with disabilities.
