I had the fantastic pleasure of shooting just about every show during the the 2010 Wreckhouse Blues and Jazz Festival in St. John’s this past summer. I discovered a lot of good music and got to photograph a lot of fantastic acts such as Alex Cuba, Morgan Davis and Matt Anderson, to name but a few.

Also featured below are Banda Brazil, H’Sao, Dominic Mancuso, Rowdy Blues, Planet Earth, Lori Cooper, Treasa Levasseur, Rich Brown’s Rincethealgorithm and probably some I’m forgetting.

H'Sao performing at The Majestic

Alex Cuba performing at The Majestic Theatre

Click here to see the other 100 or so images from the Wreckhouse Blues and Jazz Festival

Friday evening featured a lot of good music and I’d attempted to take in as much as possible. Hitting up Yellowbelly, Martini Bar, Dusk Ultralounge, Fat Cat and The Majestic Theater.

Despite Matt Anderson being the most popular event of the night, I was left singing a Rowdy Blues song entitled “All I want is to travel” all of Saturday afternoon as I ran errands. You can check them out here.

Also on tap for Friday night was The Lori Cooper Band. My girlfriend quite liked Lori Cooper as well and being that she’s local (Cooper) we’ll probably be making the effort to see her again from time to time. She kind of reminded me of those silly people who just love to dance, sing and carry on… always smiling while aiming to make you laugh and enjoy life.

Rowdy Blues at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Rowdy Blues at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Lori Cooper at the Fat Cat | Photo: Colin Peddle

Lori Cooper at the Fat Cat | Photo: Colin Peddle

Tidbit time: Lori played keyboard for Thomas Trio and Red Albino, who in my opinion are creators of one of the best songs in Canadian history with “142 Thru”.

Dominic Mancuso at Dusk Ultralounge | Photo: Colin Peddle

Dominic Mancuso at Dusk Ultralounge | Photo: Colin Peddle

Dominic Mancuso at Dusk Ultralounge | Photo: Colin Peddle

Matt Anderson at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Matt Anderson at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Matt Anderson at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Lots more pics from Friday night’s goings on here

Bill Brennan with Banda Brazil at The Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

A late start for me, but better late then never. And what a great way to start things off then with Bill Brennan and Banda Brazil at the Majestic. Not quite the capacity crowds reported by Darcy and Melissa at the Fat Cat, but those who did attend were subjects to a fantastic show.

Here’s a secret: I’ve always had a fondness for Brazillian music and I know all of the “words” — sadly I don’t speak Portuguese — to Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66′s song Mas Que Nada. Frankly, I’d argue it’s one of the best songs ever, which is why it pleased me to no end when Bill Brennan and Banda Brazil sang it… and I sang along with them.

Jeff Dyer | Photo: Colin Peddle

Dana Parsons | Photo: Colin Peddle

Bill Brennan and Banda Brazil were so good some (attractive) girls showed up to dance. How nice!

Dancers at Banda Brazil | Photo: Colin Peddle

Kelly-Ann Evans w/ Bill Brennan on Percussion | Photo: Colin Peddle

Next up, I was lucky enough to gain access to the Fat Cat. By this time, it was at capacity and I had to use my best smile to be allow in, if just for a few moments.

Treasa Levasseur at the Fat Cat | Photo: Colin Peddle

Now, the word “amazing” gets tossed around a lot these days, very unjustly in most cases.

Tresa Levasseur is amazing. I’m just going to say that right now. You need to visit her website, buy her CD, give it to your significant other and enjoy it – if you get my drift.

Treasa Levasseur at the Fat Cat | Photo: Colin Peddle

James Robertson on the Electric w/ Treasa Levasseur at the Fat Cat | Photo: Colin Peddle

Downtown St. John’s was humid and warm, with a subtle hint of Bourbon Street. I expect and hope Friday night will be sticky and sweaty with 10 times the people, making the atmosphere all the more New Orleans-esque — I don’t think they could pick a better week to do a Jazz and Blues festival in St. John’s.

The Scene | Photo: Colin Peddle

If you’re not getting down to see anything from the Wreckhouse Festival you’re doing yourself a serious injustice. Some of the greatest talent in blues and jazz are in town this week and even if you’re not one to actually listen to blues and jazz on a regular basis, like myself, seeing it live is a whole other story.