Canadian Roots Blues duo Blue Moon Marquee writes and performs original compositions influenced by anything that swings, jumps or grooves. A.W. Cardinal (vocals/guitar) and Jasmine Colette a.k.a. Badlands Jass (vocals/bass/drums) have played for a vast gamut of crowds at jazz clubs, Lindy Hop dance halls, folk venues, blues haunts, hospitals, prisons, markets, motorcycle joints, dive bars and prestigious festival stages. Colette not only commands the upright bass but also brings the rhythm with her feet on a custom foot drum kit, all while singing in her signature honey-dipped tone. Cardinal’s distinctive and soulful vocals barrel out like a raging bull while his guitar crackles with the swinging energy of jazz-tinged blues.
The vast repertoire of this band is a reflection of their bounteous years on the road, and the result is a trademark blend that pulls the different parts of their musical worlds together, taking the tones of early blues, the expressions of jazz, the heart of country, the spirit of folk, the swagger of soul, and the rhythm of rock ‘n’ roll. Their gift is presenting all of these different elements without anything sounding out of step, conjuring a blend where Howlin’ Wolf tangos with Django Reinhardt, Earnest Tubb shoots firecrackers with Cab Calloway, and Memphis Minnie throws dice with Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.
In recognition of their excellence, Scream, Holler & Howl, the band’s 5th album, won JUNO Awards (the Canadian equivalent of the GRAMMYs) for Blues Album of the Year and Indigenous Artist of the Year. The album was also honored with the Blues Foundation’s award for Emerging Artist of the Year (2023), and it swept the 2023 Maple Blues Awards (Canada’s highest honour in blues) with four wins, including Album of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Acoustic Act of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. Co-produced by Duke Robillard and recorded live to tape, Scream, Holler & Howl blazes forward with a full band featuring some of Canada’s finest veteran players. While they have primarily performed as a duo since 2013, over the last couple of years they have been performing often as a trio or quartet featuring Darcy Phillips (Jann Arden) on piano and Jerry Cook (Colin James) on tenor and baritone saxophone.
Unbound by genre or era, Blue Moon Marquee has an edge that demands you take notice. With an authentic mixture of tempo, melody and imagery, they are timeless artists perfect for this time.
This event is free and open to the public! To learn more, visit the Muncie Three Trails Music Series website.