Paying his dues to sing the blues

It took him a few years to get booked at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, but Dorval bluesman Dale Boyle is finally in.

Dale Boyle and the Barburners, a quartet that also features noted West Island musician Kevin Mark, will play an outdoor show at the Jazz fest Friday at 7 p.m. at Fred Barry Park (corner of De Maisonneuve and St. Urbain streets).

"We finally broke through," Boyle said of getting booked for the jazz fest. "It shows the band is getting better every year.

"It's a good opportunity to reach a lot of people and maybe move some merchandise (CDs)," he added.

Boyle promises their hour-long set will not feature oft-covered standard Mustang Sally but they will play tracks such as The Rent Ain't Paid, the Texas blues influenced When I Get Drunk, and the rockabilly flavoured Travelin' Bone, which are off the band's CD, A Dog Day For The Purists, produced by Daniel Levitin.

"We will also play a unique version of Hound Dog," Boyle said. "That will be a standout in our set."

Besides Boyle and Mark on vocals and guitar, the band also consists of bassist Richard Element and drummer Paul-André Lamarche.

For more information, check www.daleboyle.com.

A few other performers with West Island connections will play the jazz fest this year. Pointe Claire native Chet Doxas is to take part in several shows, including the Justin Time 25th Anniversary show on July 5 at Salle Wilfred-Pelletier. For more, check his website at www.chetdoxas.com. As well, the Lindsay Place High School Jazz Band will perform an outdoor show at 12 p.m. July 4 (corner Ste. Catherine and Jean-Mance streets).