Garrett Mason sings the blues at the Astor

The definition of “the Blues always talks about chord progressions and flattened notes but comes around to say that they were named “the blues” since the music had a way of overcoming your sadness. On Friday November 6th, we will overcome sadness, raise the temperature, and blow the roof off of the Astor when legendary bluesmen Garrett Mason and Joe Murphy combine forces on the stage.

Juno award winner Garrett Mason is a true bluesman at heart. He was raised in Truro, Nova Scotia by his mother Pam, and father, Canadian blues legend Dutch Mason. Garrett's quest to become a musician started at a very early age - his first foray with the guitar came at just four years old, when he found an old guitar with only one string; "I didn't even know what it was, but I knew it was cool".

His father taught him how to play "Hit the Road Jack" and the Peter Gunn theme song.

"We never did get the rest of the strings put on that guitar". Garrett eventually lost interest and didn't pick up the guitar again until he was 13 years old, when he first heard the music of Albert Collins, BB King and Stevie Ray Vaughan. "When I heard those guys, I knew it was something I had to do".

Garrett played his first live show in his hometown of Truro, Nova Scotia on New Year's Day 2000, playing guitar in his father's band, The Dutch Mason Blues Band. Since then, Garrett has been on the road, playing music non stop with great success and in 2004, he stepped out from the supporting role in his father's band to take centre stage writing and performing his own songs. Shortly after, he was approached by the CBC with an offer to produce his debut album.

"I'm Just a Man" was released in 2005, and features Garrett's unmistakable voice, suggesting of a performer beyond his years, his aptitude for strong original compositions, and his masterful guitar skills. Garrett's talent and hard work was rewarded that year with the Juno Award for Best Blues Album, Maple Blues Award for New Artist of the Year and Canadian Independent Award for Favourite Blues Artist. Although his dad was forced to stop playing guitar before Garrett was born due to crippling arthritis in his hands, he taught Garrett the structure of the Blues and was an obvious influence on the resulting sound; a blend of musical genres and influences Garrett calls "funk-a-billy-blues-soul".

Joining Garrett will be legendary bluesman Joe Murphy. Joe has been a fixture on the blues scene for over 20 years in Nova Scotia. From his long standing gig on Saturday afternoons in Halifax with the Water Street Blues Band to his solo work with some of the biggest names in the business, Joe Murphy has helped define the sound of the blues in Nova Scotia and continues to entertain wherever he goes.

If you are a blues fan then this night is not to be missed. This will be a great night of blues by two of the greatest bluesmen around! Mark November 6th at 8pm on your calendar.