April 20, 2022

Featured Artist April 2022 - Horojo Trio

Horojo Trio's Set the record album cover

*PRONUNCIATION: HO-RO-JO. 1) HO - Think Santa Claus 2) RO - "Row Your Boat" 3) JO - "Joe".

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Who is Horojo Trio?

2020 International Blues Challenge Winner (representing the Ottawa Blues Society), HOROJO Trio is a soul rockin’ rhythm & blues act that features drummer Jamie Holmes, singer/keyboardist Jeff Rogers, and guitarist/singer JW-Jones, who was named the year's Best Guitarist at the IBC. Jeff is known as one of the hardest working artists in the nation’s capital clocking over 250 shows per year. The Ottawa Citizen says “his voice practically bowls you over with intensity, as sweet, rich and gooey as molasses in a heatwave”, while Nick Krewen (Globe & Mail, Grammy.com, Billboard) calls JUNO nominee JW-Jones “a frequent resident of Billboard’s Top 10 Blues charts and roots radio favourite”. Jamie is one of the most versatile drummers in the country and has toured throughout North-America and Europe and recorded in Nashville with Grammy winning producer Tom Hambridge.

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The trio came together organically from a chance jam session after a corporate event that was so inspired that it left the audience and the musicians wanting more. Even before their first gig, they had already been called an Ottawa “super group”, and while they admit the band name (derived from the first two letters of each of the members’ last names) is unusual, the future certainly looks bright for the exceptional HOROJO Trio. Their debut album, Set The Record will be released on Stony Plain / Warner Music Canada on April 1, 2022.

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Our own thoughts

Although I have yet to see them live, I have seen each of them play individually and all 3 members are stellar musicians and performers. Horojo trio really brings the best guitar, vocals, drums and piano talent into one band. Similar to Ottawa's "Monkey Junk" (also another great band) they have no bass player which can seem strange at first, but the bottom end is quickly filled up by Jeffs low keys. Their blusey songs are super catchy and easy to listen to for a wider audience than just blues. There is for sure something great here and with their first album sounding this good we can't wait for the next one. Ottawa is super proud to have them and we are wishing them continued success.

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