"Being part of the blues and rock counterculture has given me a more relaxed approach to life and a better understanding of people, their beliefs and cultures."

Gary Kendall: Maple Groove & Soul

Gary Kendall is one of the best-known bassists in Canadian Blues, having toured and recorded with the legendary Downchild Blues Band, 1979-83 and currently since 1995. He has won the Maple Blues Award for Bassist of the Year eight times with twenty-two nominations. In 1993 he received the prestigious Blues With A Feeling Award. The city where he was born presented him with the ‘Thunder Blues Award’ and The Thunder Bay Blues Society’s ‘Keeping The Blues Alive’ Award in 2002. As a member of Downchild he’s shared a Jazz Report Award, and many Maple Blues Awards. Gary Kendall has performed with Snooky Pryor, Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson, Big Jay McNeely, Bob Margolin, Big Dave MacLean, Duke Robillard, Honkin Joe Houston, Morgan Davis, Zora Young, Phil Guy, Johnny Rawls, Guitar Shorty, Lou Pride, Eden Brent and Joe Louis Walker, to name a few.

(Gary Kendall / Photo by Lisa MacIntosh)

The discography of forty- eight recordings (fourteen with Downchild) includes sessions with Chris Murphy, Little Bobby & The Jumpstarts, Pete Schmidt & Shane Scott, Brian Blain, Maria Aurigema, Ray Edge, Son Roberts, Tobin Spring, The Maple Blues Revue, Braithwaite & Whiteley, The Mighty Duck Blues Band, Judy Brown and David Vest. His 47 Records label has released the recordings, Dusty & Pearl and Feels Real Strong along with the almost lost Kendall Wall Band recording, The Way We Was. The year 2021 released two new EP, Dusty & Pearl Revisited Volume One and the compilation, Instramentalz. When not busy with Downchild his insatiable need to play the Blues finds him with The Swingin’ Blackjacks, The Gary Kendall Band, The Maple Blues Band, Big Groove, Chuck Jackson & The C-Notes, The Hogtown Allstars and The Mighty Duck Blues Band. The 26th annual Maple Blues Awards will run January 30th at the intimate and elegant Harbourfront Centre Theatre (Toronto). Quisha Wint will be hosting the evening and will feature amazing performances from Canadian blues stars, all backed by The Maple Blues Band with Gary Kendall as musical director and band leader.

Interview by Michael Limnios        Archive: Gary Kendall, interview @ blues.gr

Special Thanks: Sarah French Publicity & Gary Kendall

How has the Blues and Rock Counterculture influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

Being part of the blues and rock counterculture has given me a more relaxed approach to life and a better understanding of people, their beliefs and cultures.

What characterize your music philosophy? What's the balance in music between technique and soul?

Soul and feel first, then technique. It`s all about the groove. Music, no matter what kind has to swing in order to be good.

Why do you think that the Maple Blues Awards Blues continues to generate such a devoted following?

The Maple Blues Awards generates a devoted following because there are always new artists breaking out and blowing up. That in turn brings in new fans and helps to expand the audience.

"Being the musical director of the Maple Blues Awards for me as been a privilege.  The best part was and is being able to form The Maple Blues Band. We`ve used the MBA platform to compose our own music to fill the instrumental segments. Recently we signed with Cordova Bay Records and on Jan.27th we`ll release our first full length recording of instrumental music, the songs we have written as a group over the past 24 years." (Photo: The Maple Blues Band - Gary Kendall, Teddy Leonard, Pat Carey, Al Lerman, Howard Moore, Jim Casson, Lance Anderson, Alison Young, Meirion Kelly, and Roshane Wright)

What were the reasons that made Canada in the 1960s to be a center of Blues researches and experiments?

Canada in the 60`s was no different than other parts of the world that almost in unison discovered an almost lost art form, The Blues. There was a large segment of music fans looking for something that was real and honest.

Are there any highlight memories as musical director and band leader for The Maple Blues Awards which you’d like to share with us?

Being the musical director of the Maple Blues Awards for me as been a privilege.  The best part was and is being able to form The Maple Blues Band. We`ve used the MBA platform to compose our own music to fill the instrumental segments. Recently we signed with Cordova Bay Records and on Jan.27th we`ll release our first full length recording of instrumental music, the songs we have written as a group over the past 24 years.

What do you miss most nowadays from the blues of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I miss the generation of blues artists that have passed. I was able to see them all in person. Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, B.B. King, Junior Wells, Snooky Pryor, Sunnyland Slim and many others.  Young people today can only hear the recordings and watch on Youtube. I was lucky enough to stand by the stage and in some cases be on stage with them. I don`t fear the future "Blues Is Here To Stay"!

What has been the hardest obstacle for you to overcome as a person and as artist and has this helped you become a better blues musician?

It took me quite awhile to have a solid career that never stopped or stalled. One that kept moving forward. I don`t think I faced any obstacles other then some I created myself. Quitting never occurred to me. I`ve lived a life I dreamed about when I was a teenager. No regrets. I`m very happy were I am today. Good musicians have to always keep improving and getting better.  I learned that a long time ago. There`s always new things to learn and new music to discover. Sometimes new discoveries in music are gems from the past.

"Soul and feel first, then technique. It`s all about the groove. Music, no matter what kind has to swing in order to be good." (Gary Kendall / Photo by Paul Jokelainen)

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Lessons I`ve learned. Respect your audience and supporters. Always try to be your best whatever your best is. Try to work with musicians and singers that are really good at what they do. Hold The Blues in high regard with deep respect. Never leave your wallet in the dressing room and always get a good haircut.

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