The blues fun continued this year on the Gatineau and Ottawa Rivers with the 2002 Ottawa Blues Cruise organized by Claude Lachaine and sponsored by M & T Glass with the artistic assist of Claude's graphic and web site designer brother, Roger, and all others involved.

In 2002, the cruise left the Pointe Gatineau dock shortly after 2 pm on Sunday, 11th August 2002 on a sunny and sultry-weathered day with another boatload of blues cruisers.

Coincidentally, 10th August 1955 was the birthdate of Larry 'The Bird' Mootham, one of Ottawa's more colourful blues harp talents, mentors and driving forces in the local blues scene so if Larry was still with us the cruise might have been a fitting event to celebrate his birthday. Larry 'left' the scene 3rd October 2000 but his spirit and enthusiasm still remains with the Ottawa blues artists whose lives he touched before then.

The music opened again with the infectious and danceable blues-rock of Quicksand. As in 2001, Quicksand launched the Blues Cruisers off to a booty shakin' beginnin'
of the 2002 cruise. Check the web site link at the end of this page for more on
the very talented Quicksand band line-up.

This year, the Blues Cruise featured two jam bands composed of some of Ottawa's hottest blues artist talent to the delight of those who made the cruise this year. More on the artists below.

      
Then the next fun blues shift is taken on by powerful voiced guitarist Roxanne Potvin
of Fine Fat Daddy with a jam band featuring Shawn Burke of the Tony D Band on bass, Chris Breitner 'Jarhead'
on guitar, Edwardo Flores of the Drew Nelson Band on drums and the blistering
sax of Tony D Band's Zeek Gross.

  
Here are one of the Blues Cruise fun enhancer staff, "shooter lady"
and a last minute Blues Cruiser who was glad she managed to not miss the boat.

  
More Cruisn' cruisers.

  
If you can find them, Joanne (2001 hot flamenco dancin' shot) and her sister
Carol Ann are in one of these pictures .

  
The final jam band is headed by Trevor Finlay of the TFband, young guitar
master, Eric Walker, Brian Cox of The Jukes on blues harp, Mark Rehder on drums
and the always welcome blistering sax of Tony D Band's Zeek Gross.

    
This is a presentation of Claude's brainchild the
Judy Roy Heart & Soul Award by Pierre of M & T Glass (designed by Bill St. Amand
of M & T glass and Quicksand). The award is to be given annually to recipients who
provide exceptional service to the Ottawa area music scene and the first
award was presented to the Ottawa Blues, Jazz & Swing Guide guy, Jim Roy,
in honour of soulmate, Judy, who was a breast cancer casualty in January 1994.

  
The Ottawa River Queen arrived back at Pointe Gatineau dock, but the
day's fun wasn't over yet. It continued at the Rainbow with L'il Al's
Combo hosting the after Blues Cruise party and vintage guitar raffle
draw and presentation to Yves Daignault.

    
The 2002 Award

Jim Roy

The 2001 Cruise

Artist Links:

Fine Fat Daddy

Quicksand Blues and Rock Band

L'il Al's Combo

Tony D Band

Trevor Finlay Band

In Memory of Larry