SOLD OUT The Misery Mountain Boys

Take a trip back to the good ol’ days, when the giants of swing like Benny Goodman, Count Basie, & Duke Ellington reigned supreme, and Lindy Hop dancers packed clubs and ballrooms as some reprieve from the harsh realities of the Dust Bowl era.

With a mix of originals, swing era classics, and their characteristic take on trad. Jazz and jump blues music, The Misery Mountain Boys showcase the small-group sound of the late 1930’s and early 1940’s, particularly that of the Benny Goodman Sextet, and the guitar stylings of Charlie Christian.

Charlie Christian, known as the pioneer of the electric guitar, was the first guitar player to play single note, improved solos in the American-jazz context. Prior to the early 1930’s, the guitar was primarily used as an acoustic, rhythm instrument in a jazz setting. Single notes lines on the guitar were far too quiet to compete with the brass and woodwind instruments of a swing-era jazz ensemble. With the arrival of the electric guitar in the mid 1930’s, single note, lead lines on guitar became possible. Charlie was profoundly influenced by horn players and aimed to play lines and melodies like them. He would go on to create his own unique language and completely change the way people viewed what was possible on the guitar, and changed the role of the guitarist in jazz settings.

“The Misery Mountain Boys have truly created a sound all their own — playful, energetic, melodic, fun- loving, and toe-tapping. With their groovin’ musical sophistication and whip-smart song- writing, this is a band that can win over any audience, of any age — from punk rockers to devotees of old-time country, jazz, and blues.” – Grant Stovel (CKUA Radio)

“With the release of the Misery Mountain Boys fourth album, Somebody Stole My Peaches (2025), this feisty and focused group continues to establish itself as a top- drawer example of a retro-cool roots group. Fuelled by a big bouquet of sounds, some of the group’s musical touchstones have been in the wind for a century, while others are of a homemade variety that have enabled this quintet to create a recognizable spin on classic feels.” – Peter North

Shaun has been a great addition to the Edmonton and Alberta blues scene since moving here from Toronto 18 months ago. A Juno and Maple Blues nominee, this guitarist and singer has opened shows for Colin James, MonkeyJunk and Blind Boy Paxton and is one of Canada’s most gifted acoustic blues musicians.