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SHORT BIO >
Toronto-based guitarist Margaret Stowe performs all over Canada and Europe. A versatile, jazz-based guitarist and bandleader for over 2 decades, she has performed and recorded with a host of Canadian/International artists including Jackie Richardson, Elizabeth Shepherd, Ellen McIlwaine, Georgette Fry, Rita Chiarelli, Suzie Vinnick, Mose Scarlett, Jackie Washington, Lorraine Segato, Salome Bey, Serena Ryder, Suzie McNeil, Tony Quarrington, Lawrence Martin, Vern Cheechoo, Jane Bunnett, Shakura S'Aida, Big Rude Jake and the incomparable Daisy DeBolt.
She has worked in musical theatre including 2 runs of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris and has performed with several symphony orchestras. Brought up a classically trained musician, she studied sociology at McMaster University, then studied jazz privately including workshops with Robert Fripp, Joe Pass, and Nono Garcia. Margaret is listed in the Canadian Encylopedia of Music under Guitarists of Note.
Margaret Stowe honed her skill by leading her own groups and playing mainsteam jazz, jazz fusion and R&B 6 nights a week for many years. She has also been guitarist for the Toronto Blues Society’s Women’s Blue Revue since 1997. Margaret also performs with the Missa Gaia Jazz Ensemble, Hot Latkes Klezmer Band and the Priscilla Wright Bigband.
She has taught at the National Guitar Workshop, TBS Toronto Guitar Workshop, Waterloo Guitar Summit and the Hornby Island Blues Workshop. Margaret’s unique and creative S’Women In Blues shows are always in demand. Her jazz group, Margaret Stowe Quartet performs at jazz festivals, clubs and events throughout the year. Three cds of original music Things I Do, Resonance (with guitarist/composer Oliver Whitehead) and her latest CD Adventures of the Red Guitar, with guests including Kathryn Moses, Richard Underhill, Daisy DeBolt and Harry Manx.
[read very detailed bio below]
 Played there Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Sunfest World Music Festival London, Cognac Blues Festival Cognac France, Blue Balls Jazz/Blues Festival Lucerne Switzerland, Hamburg Jazz Festival Hamburg Germany, Hugh’s Room Toronto, The Louvre Paris France, TUZA Music & Arts Festival Toronto, Women’s Voices Festival Ottawa, Massey Hall Toronto, Grand Theatre London, National Arts Centre Ottawa, Limelight Theatre Toronto, Rasputin’s Folk Club Ottawa, Tribute to Yellow Door Coffee House Montreal, Guelph Jazz Festival, Waterloo Jazz Festival, Orangeville Jazz & Blues Festival, Orillia Jazz Festival, Summerfolk Folk Music Festival, Lee’s Palace Toronto, TUZA Music & Arts Festival, Trane Studio Toronto, Waterloo Guitar Summit, National Guitar Workshop, TBS Toronto Guitar Workshop, Hornby Island Blues Workshop, Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival Fredericton NB, Festival Place Theatre Edmonton AB, Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival, Festival of Friends Hamilton, Windsor Int’l Blues Festival, Detroit Int’l Blues Festival, London Jazz Festival, Oakville Downtown Jazz Festival.
Worked with Orchestra London, Orchestra Toronto, Edmonton/Kitchener/Waterloo Symphony Orchestras, Della Reese, Richard Hyman, Al Simmons, Glenn Bennett, Marie Bottrell, Denise Pelley Hot Latkes Klezmer Band, Jeans & Classics, Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well and Living In Paris, Eine Kleine Klezmermusik, Jazzu, Sam Evening Band, Pelley-Stowe Band, Georgette Fry, Cheryl Lescom, Canadian Modernaires Orchestra, Brassroots, Jazz Writer’s Workshop, Oliver Whitehead, Grand River Ladies of the Blues, Alec Richmond, Margaret Stowe Group, Sister Act, Doreen Smith, Sarah Latendresse, You Gotta Reap Just What You Sow, Grease, Boogie Bob, JAZZU, S’Women In Blues, Rita Chiarelli, TBS Women’s Blues Revue Band, Suzie Vinnick, Miss Angel Brown, S.H.A.R.O.N, Diana Braithwaite, Brenda Lewis, Colleen Allen, Daisy DeBolt, Amos Garrett, Ellen McIlwaine, Johnny Favourite, Michael Keys, Tony Quarrington, Mose Scarlett, Jackie Washington, Salome Bey, Jackie Richardson, Carole Pope, Lee Aaron, Precilla Wright, Lorraine Segato, Jane Bunnett, Bluewoman Group, Kathryn Moses, Lina Allemano, Shakura S’Aida, Phynix, Big Rude Jake, Missa Gaia Jazz Ensemble.
Other Details
Current
- Margaret Stowe Band - eclectic mix of jazz based instrumental music. originals and others. Trio or quartet.
- Freelances with Brenda Lewis, Big Rude Jake etc
- TBS Toronto Womens' Blues Revue - 1997 - present - Guitarist/band arrangements.
- Toronto Women's Blues Revue Band - the band from the TBS Revue
S'Women In Blues - custom shows featuring some of the best rhythm & blues and blues artists including Ellen McIlwaine, Daisy DeBolt, Diana Braithwaite, Miss Angel Brown, Suzie Vinnick, Lily Sazz, Michelle Josef, Rita Chiarelli, Georgette Fry etc.
Teaching
- Hornby Island Blues Workshop - 2005 featured teacher/performer.
- Waterloo Guitar Summit - upcoming Apr 2006
- National Guitar Workshop, Toronto campus. Teacher 1998.
- Toronto Blues Society's Toronto Guitar Workshop - Feature artist 1999.
Projects featuring women performers.
Margaret has always been the champion of women and has always spearheaded and led bands featuring some the best women musicians and singers.
- S'Women In Blues - leader, custom shows featuring strong female artists. Have included Ellen McIlwaine, Rita Chiarelli, Georgette Fry, Miss Angel Brown and Diana Braithwaite. Shows include: Winterfolk 2005, TUZA Music & Arts Festival Toronto, Women's Voices Festival Ottawa, Welland Concert Series 2007.
- Bluewoman Group - leader. Margaret Stowe, Shakura S'Aida, Kathryn Moses, Lina Allemnano, Sarah McElcheran, Michelle Josef, Rachel Melas, Evelyne Datl.
- Sister Act leader- many years as guitar/bandleader of this infamous group, featuring some of Ontario's finest female musicians. Original band included Cheryl Lescom and Doreen Smith. Various incarnations over the years.
- Grand River Ladies of the Blues - guitarist, 2 years. Kitchener-based group.
- MACAW - leader concert series w/Georgette Fry. Proceeds to women's shelters.
- You Gotta Reap Just What You Sow - leader. Margaret created a blues orchestra show, part of Orchestra London's Cabaret Series. Featuring music of some of the great blues women. Featuring Maureen Brown and Doreen Smith on vocals.
Orchestra and Theatre work
- Musical Theatre - including 2 runs of "Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living In Paris", London's Grand Theatre , the National Arts Center (Ottawa), and the Limelight Theatre (Toronto)
- Orchestra Toronto, Scarborough, London, Kitchener/Waterloo and Edmonton Symphony Orchestras including shows with Della Reese, Richard Hayman, Al Simmons, Glenn Bennett, Marie Bottrell, Denise Pelley and Hot Latkes Klezmer Band.
- Featured artist with Orchestra London in the Jan/98 Jeans & Classics concert, Neck and Neck; Eine Kleine Klezmermusik, Feb.27,28, 1999.
- You Gotta Reap Just What You Sow - conceived a blues orchestra show for Orchestra London's Cabaret Series, featuring music of the great blues women.
Early Jazz activities
- Margaret Stowe Jazz Groups - festivals and private functions throughout the year.
- Sam Evening Band - the popular London-based swing band, during the 80s.
- Dave Priest Quartet and Chris Robinson Quartet - mainstream jazz
- Pelley-Stowe Band - worked with singer r&b jazz singer Denise Pelley for 8 years.
- Canadian Modernaires Orchestra - guitar, big band jazz for 2 years.
- Brassroots , Jazz Writer's Workshop. - concerts with.
- Oliver Whitehead and Marg Stowe - with guitarist/composer Juno nominated Oliver Whitehead .a guitar duo, and recorded "Resonance", an CD of original music for guitar and guitar synth.
- Alec Richmond - guitarist for former PBS Saturday Night Host and jazz singer.
- Swing Sisters, a Toronto-based jazz band under the leadership of Rosemay Galloway. Performed with the Swing Sisters at the Du Maurier Jazz Festival (Toronto).
Other
- Studied with Robert Fripp and Guitar Craft near Madrid Spain, Jan 2003.
- Studied with Joe Pass.
- Producer/Musical Director - "Jackie Washington Day", June 15 2003. a tribute to Jackie Washington, featuring Ken Whiteley, Ian Thomas, Tom Wilson, Jeff Healey, Carlos del Junco, Gwen Swick, Chris Whiteley, Caitlin Hanford, and many others.
- Producer/Musical Director - "This Day's for Jack". a tribute to Jackie Washington, Hugh's Room Toronto. 2003.
Discography
Adventures of the Red Guitar EP - Margaret Stowe (listen) 2005
Things I Do - Margaret Stowe (listen) 2002
Resonance- Oliver Whitehead and Margaret Stowe (listen) 1999
Taking Off- Canadian Modernaires Orchestra 1999
Live Each Day With Soul - Daisy DeBolt 2003
Lovers and Fantasies - Daisy DeBolt 2005
Precious Seconds - Mose Scarlett 2004
Primal Prayer - Phynix 2004
Universal Klezmer- Hot Latkes Klezmer Band (listen)
Eine Kleine Klezmermusik - Hot Latkes Klezmer Band (listen)
Fall In- White Picket Frenzy (producer/guitar)
Norman Picks Five- White Picket Frenzy (producer)
Witchcraft- Alec Richmond (co-producer/guitar)
Missa Gaia - Missa Gaia (choir/latin-jazz ensemble) (listen)
When The Lights Come On At Christmas - compliation w/Paul Langille
Notes From Home - Doreen Smith
Roma Volume One - Roma (listen)
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