Blue Pearl

Blue Pearl, lead vocalist (aka Jane Reade). The Ottawa Citizen called Pearl a "kick-ass blues-beltin' mama", which just about covers her powerful vocals. She can also dish it out low and greasy Big Mama Thornton-style, and has just the right sound and attitude for the old traditional tunes. When Pearl and the band get rolling, every butt's rockin' as they switch Blues styles from Chicago to Texas to Delta and back.

Pearl has performed in the Ottawa area for 13 years, and has sat in vocally with major Blues performers including Carey Bell, Bob Margolin, Melvin Taylor, Brian Lee, Big Jack Johnson, Rodney Brown, and Howlin Wolf Jr on stages in New Orleans, Chicago and New York . At the Kingston Blues Fest fans rushed the stage to thank Pearl for "bringing Janis back". And how! Blue Pearl feels she's singing the kind of Blues her namesake would be doing now if she were still here.

Band Members

Bill Pulcine, lead guitar & vocals. Bill is a man of few words, preferring to show you how impressive his playing is rather than talk about it. He's been playing Blues, country and rock in the Peterborough and Belleville area since 1978. He was in bands with some of that area's top musicians, including Rick Fines of Jackson Delta fame. The man has his chops and his playing will make you sit up and take notice.

Mitch Palmer, harmonica & vocals. The "Prince of Harps"! With his exceptional ability, Mitch won the Ottawa Harp-Off two years running and was asked to judge after that to give other players a fighting chance. He's been adding that definitive Blues wail to Pearl's electric and acoustic bands for several years. Mitch has also been an admirable addition to Jed Rached's Big Band and other Ottawa groups.

Tommy Rowe, bass & vocals. He's got style and a 100-watt smile. Raised in a musical family, Tom trained classically on piano and trumpet. Rock n roll grabbed his soul 20 years ago, switching his interest and skills to guitar and bass. Prior bands from his Toronto era include Tommy & the Homewreckers and Wiley & the Coyotes. His accomplished and joyous bass playing reflects Tom's current passion for New Orleans R & B and Memphis soul.

Gil Bertrand, drums. Gil's been at it since his first rock band in 1959. In '64 he joined a combo doing pop, dixie and jazz; 3 years later it was a big band in Montreal. The 80's saw Gil playing parties and Octoberfests in Germany. His influences range from Buddy Holly to the Fabulous Thunderbirds and James Brown. But most of all he admires and learns from drummers of the big band era like the fabulous Buddy Rich. Gil's done it all and now brings his wide range of styles and skill to Pearl's fine Blues band.

Pearl and Bryan Lee

Here's Pearl singing at Tucson's Roadhouse with one of her blues
heros, the inimitable Bryan Lee from New Orleans.

Clubs Played

Blue Pearl Jammin'

Here's Pearl Jammin' at Ottawa South's Blues & Jazz
Club, Bayou, with Dr. Dave and daughter, Baby Blue.

Book Pearl