Craig Morrison and the Momentz return to Oscar Peterson Concert Hall on April 26Craig Morrison’s 25th Annual Roots of Rock & Roll Concert, Saturday, April 26 at 3pm The Montrealer April 6, 2025 220 R.E.S.P.E.C.T. -Tribute to Ladies in Music, Oscar Peterson Concert Hall The theme for Craig Morrison’s 25th annual Roots of Rock & Roll Concert is R.E.S.P.E.C.T. – Tribute to Ladies in Music. The first part of the title comes from the song “Respect,” written by Otis Redding and turned by Aretha Franklin into a soul music classic, and an anthem for the respect of womenkind, and, well, everyone. Tribute to Ladies in Music will present that favourite oldie as well as songs written by ladies, songs made popular by ladies, and even some songs about them! You will hear songs of Carole King, Bessie Smith, Dolly Parton, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Patsy Cline, the Chiffons, the Carpenters, the Ronettes, Labelle, Cyndi Lauper, Anne Murray, Aretha Franklin, and more! This usually sold-out concert takes place at the beautiful Oscar Peterson Concert Hall at Concordia University’s Loyola campus in NDG on Saturday April 26 at 3pm. A popular aspect of these concerts is Craig Morrison’s brief introductions to the songs, putting them into context. Each year, the concert features a different theme, chosen to offer audiences what Morrison calls ‘educational fun’, “Nostalgia, yes, but I also share an overview of a particular aspect of popular music, with a mix of hits and historically important lesser-known songs,” he said. On the big screen behind the band, each song is illustrated with a photo showing who performed and/or wrote it along with its title and date. Dr. Morrison is now retired from Concordia University where he taught courses on the Beatles, Soul Music, Rock & Roll and its Roots, Psychedelic Music, British Popular Music, and one called Musical History Tour. He has lectured at various institutions from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to the Cummings Centre to local libraries. About Morrison, Montreal Gazette columnist Bill Brownstein wrote: “He may be the hippest prof around.” For the Roots of Rock & Roll Concerts, the on-stage ensemble, a mix of younger and older performers of diverse backgrounds, is collectively called Craig Morrison & the Momentz. It includes the popular retro party band Vintage Wine (Morrison, Gary Sharkey, Ryan Fleury, Dave Lines) and special guests: the vocal trio called The Spirits (Samantha Borgal, Angela Galuppo, and Laurena Segura); guitarist Gerry Kandestin; multi-instrumentalists Terry Joe “Banjo” Rodrigues and Pat Loiselle; saxophonist Little Frankie Thiffault; and upright bassist Etienne Beausoleil – 12 performers in total. Ten of them are vocalists. Morrison said, “Creating and producing these concerts is a labour of love and a family reunion of musicians and friends.” In the Montreal Gazette, Bernard Perusse reviewed a previous annual concert called Buddy Holly and Friends: “It was a night of songs from one of the most enduring bodies of work in rock n’ roll history, delivered with self-effacing devotion by true believers playing the hell out of them.” Along with Buddy Holly, past concerts have paid tribute to Bob Dylan, soul and Motown, movie soundtracks, ’70s radio hits, legendary music festivals (Newport Folk, Monterey Pop and Woodstock), and music from California, Canada, Nashville, New Orleans and New York. Each theme is chosen because it is one of Morrison’s research interests. Drummer/ vocalist Gary Sharkey said: “In the 22 years Craig and I have been together we have accomplished magic. The team of players is a great asset and the energy is amazing. We have been blessed with all the talent on stage; the women are fabulous as are the rest of the musicians that contribute to this fantastic annual show.” Vocalist/ music therapist Samantha Borgal has participated in 10 previous editions. She said, “This show is great musicians having a great time that energizes everyone in the hall. It always brings something joyful and familiar. Where else can you listen to music you love while learning a little of something new?” Fans of the concert series often send in unsolicited praise: “You and your musicians were enjoying the concert as much as we loved it in the audience.” “This is a tradition that we always look forward to!” “You and your band and guests put on an amazing show each and every time, providing first class entertainment and musical excellence.” Morrison, an ethnomusicologist, author, teacher and musician, is a native of Victoria BC, and has made his home in Montreal since the 1980s. At first playing in the metro for coins, while playing the bar circuit with his band and teaching evening courses at McGill, he revised his master’s thesis for publication; Go Cat Go! Rockabilly Music and Its Makers was published by the University of Illinois Press. Since then, he earned a Ph.D. from Concordia University with a thesis called “Psychedelic Music in San Francisco” and wrote a second book, an A-to-Z encyclopedia, American Popular Music: Rock and Roll, published by Facts on File. A love of music was instilled in the family home, where growing up Morrison was entranced by his mother’s record collection and learning old songs by pumping the pedals of a player piano. All of his early bands practiced in his home; his dad once said, “If we hadn’t had a basement, you never would have become a musician.” Saturday, April 26 at 3pm, Oscar Peterson Concert Hall on Concordia University’s Loyola campus; 7141 Sherbrooke St. West, NDG H4B 1R6. Tickets are $40 (no service charge). Contact: Michael Cooper at [email protected] / 514-934-0410 The concert is typically sold out; it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance.
