Main Event Musicians 2025
Main event: Saturday, September 20, 2025, at The Gladstone Theatre
All ages can attend
Alanna J. Brown
Alanna is a singer/songwriter/arranger originally from Toronto. She moved to Banff National Park for a decade where she worked as a full-time performing musician, singing up to 7 nights a week and occasionally touring her music around Western Canada. In January 2023 she moved to Ottawa with her growing family and can be found performing multiple nights a week around the valley.
Alanna’s late teens and early twenties were spent touring around Canada performing at festivals and music venues in multiple indie-rock and folk groups. She followed her dream of becoming a professional musician to Humber College where she studied under some of the world's most accomplished jazz musicians and received her Honours Bachelor of Music. In her fourth year she focused on recording her first professional EP of original music, "Tuesday's Coming" accompanied by a string quintet. A few years later Alanna was back in the studio with 3-time Juno Award winning producer Jeff Wolpert recording her first full-length original album, "Accelerate".
In May 2020 she released a self-produced original album, "Said I Was Shy" recorded in Banff National Park. You can listen to all of her original music on Spotify, Apple Music, Itunes and any other online streaming website.
Alanna will be bringing her exciting version of the blues to OBFY 2025.
JW-Jones Band
Billboard Top 10 Blues Artist, 2020 IBC Winner, and JUNO Nominee, Canadian singer/guitarist JW-Jones is known for his high-energy shows!
After winning “Best Guitarist” at the 2020 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Jones started working on his 12th release 'Everything Now' [May 26, 2023], an all-original project with special guest Jimmie Vaughan, and production by Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar).
"Songs! It's all about the songs!" said the JUNO-nominated Jones, whose searing axemanship has been praised in recent years by legendary blues artists Buddy Guy and Chuck Leavell (The Rolling Stones). "While there are plenty of burning lead guitar solos, I wanted to open up and get more personal than ever with the lyrics. From the true story 'Papa's in the Pen' to 'When You Left' that I sang with tears rolling down my cheeks about my mother's passing, these are stories that I feel like I can finally share through my music."
The frequent resident of Billboard’s Top 10 Blues charts and roots radio favourite continues to accelerate his career momentum to new heights, whether it’s as a personally requested sit-in with the likes of 8-time Grammy winner Buddy Guy, opening for blues-rock icon George Thorogood, or entertaining thrilled audiences in 23 countries and four continents.
JW-Jones will be our high energy closing act at The Gladstone Theatre on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
www.jw-jones.com / @jwjonesblues
After Party Musicians 2025
After Party: Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Irene’s Pub
All ages can attend
CASTBACK
Formed in 2024, Castback is an Ottawa based rock/blues act. On lead guitar, Mason Hartwick’s (17) fresh takes on classic blues riffs and innovative solos captivate live audiences and bring energy to any stage. Ashley Monaghan (17), drives the rhythm section with her powerful baselines. Ryan Haché (21) showcases their incredible vocal range song after song, never ceasing to entertain audiences. Multi-talented Kyler Villeneuve (20) ties the whole band together with tight drumming that is guaranteed to make you feel the music. We can’t wait to see you at the show!
Joe Ray McDonald Band
Ottawa valley-bred singer/songwriter and guitar extraordinaire Joe Ray McDonald effortlessly weaves melody, emotion and precise flatpick-style guitar together like flowers on a finely tailored cowboy shirt. Joe performs numerous shows a year as a solo artist and as a band leader, and is known for his warm rapport with audiences, diverse musicianship and accomplished songwriting. He has performed at Ottawa’s Bluesfest, Cityfolk, Marvfest and many other fairs, private events and club dates. Legendary artists like John Prine and Neil Young have had a strong influence on his sound. Joe currently gigs in the Ottawa area and is working on a plethora of recording and writing projects.