[JimmytheT]

Originally Posted by Delthefunky

Howlin Wolf is a legend, so is Hubert Sumlin, his guitarist. Love that riff from Smokestack Lightnin'. He was here in Calgary for the Blues fest last year and I was fortunate to see him @ "Kits", and he got up and played a few songs. He's 80 something years old and has had a lung removed, but man can he play.

His Nephew, Gary Martin (from Chicago), lives here in Calgary now. He fronts the tightest band this city has got, and play's every weekend. He is also very involved with youth in the city and has some kind of program where he tries to get them off the street or whatever kind of trouble they're getting into. I believe he's in his 60's. Calgary, IMO, has a VERY good Blues scene.

You can see the Gary Martin band on weekends at the old Bowness Hotel (I'm still not used to calling it Hexters). If he's not there every weekend, he's atleast there every other weekend for the Jam, and in my opinion, it is the best Blues Jam in the city. All members of his band are master of their craft, and if you love the blues, soul, rock or funk, I very highly recommend catching one of there shows. I've seen them probably 50 times!

Otherwise, check out the Shamrock on weekends, you'd be surprised at the talent in this city!

Gary Martin played every couple of weeks in Mac Hall at the U of C during lunch hour when I was still at the U of C several years ago.

If I was still in Calgary I'd be at Shamrock on the regular. Sadly here in Northern Alberta, there is not much of a blues scene.