Brother Ray & The Matinee Kings
Ray Lemelin Bio
Ray Lemelin was born and raised in the eastern townships of Quebec and now lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Playing music was a natural move for Ray as he was raised in a family where musicians were common on both sides of the family. As a young adult, Ray was inspired by musicians such as Willie Dixon and Clarence Gatemouth Brown to pick up a Stratocaster and play the blues. Over the decades, Ray has performed with Jimmy Payne, Tim Williams, Ron Casat, Amos Garrett, Rusty Reed, Back-alley John, Johnny V, Harp Dog Brown and now plays with The Matinee Kings.
Ray’s most recent album, Dark/Out of Phase released in 2023, was nominated for best Blues Album of the Year and Ray was granted guitar player of the year by the CBMA Blues Awards in 2013. Ray sits among the greats in blues and roots music and shows no sign of stopping.
Brother Ray Lemelin and The Matinee Kings currently host a weekly Sunday night Jam at The Blues Can in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Singing and playing the blues as well as mentoring young musicians is what Ray lives for.
MUSIC
Ray Lemelin's latest album, Dark/Out of Phase Dark/Out of Phase is all acoustic, features Tim Williams and was nominated best blues album of the year in 2023.
GALLERY
VENUES & FESTIVALS:
Ray has played Festivals Throughout the Country, including:
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North West Territories:
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Funk Fest Raven Maddase
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Snow King Fest.
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Alberta:
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Calgary Blues Fest,
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Edmonton Jazz Fest,
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Edmonton Folk Fest,
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North Country Fair
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South Centre Fair
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Central Alberta Music Fest
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Stampede Stomp
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Saskatchewan:
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Saskatoon Jazz Fest
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Rimouski Jazz
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Nova Scotia:
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Halifax Blues Fest
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Frederickton Harvest Jazz and Blues Fest
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Whatshan Family Fest
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Cherryville Art Fest
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COLLABORATIONS:
Written for other Artists and shows such as:
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Cristal Plamondon,
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Video Stew (CFRN) Project Discovery (Shaw).
Played in recordings for:
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Johnny V’s “Rooster & Hens”
Written and recorded his own work including:
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“Thangs”,
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“Here to Stay”,
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“Killer Floor Sampler” (2 songs)
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Dark/Out of Phase
Co-produced with:
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Tim Williams
Hills and Lemelin “Neither Here Nor There,” was named album of the year from the Acoustic Underground Blues Network.
CONTACT
Follow Ray Lemelin
Management Team:
Christine Bestwick
Hip Minds Management
250-421-4813
Band Lead
587-216-2844