From the Archives:

Madcat’s Midnight Blues Journey (Nov. 6, 2015) and Dennis Stroughmatt et L’Esprit Creole (March 6, 2009; March 22, 2013) performances.

Donation links:

Madcat’s Midnight Blues Journey – Direct to madcat@madcatmusic.net via Paypal
Dennis Stroughmatt et L’Esprit Creole

Madcat’s Midnight Blues Journey

In 2012, The Madcat Midnight Blues Journey first appeared on the Michigan music scene. That is when Peter Madcat Ruth, Captain Midnight, Papa Schrock and Kid Shimmin first played music together as a quartet. Now, eight years later, they are one of the hottest Blues/Roots/Americana Bands in Michigan.

Conducted by harmonica wizard Peter Madcat Ruth, this eclectic electric quartet is fueled by the guitar and steel fireworks of Drew “Captain Midnight” Howard, and propelled by the mighty rhythm section of bassist Mark “Papa” Schrock and drummer Michael “Kid” Shimmin.

Veterans of the concert and festival stage, the recording studio, clubs, and listening rooms, the Madcat Midnight Blues Journey (aka MMBJ) brings seasoned stage presence and improvisational exuberance to standard and obscure blues tunes, folk and jazz melodies, and original music.

Expect a rocking journey through familiar blues destinations… but be ready to take a trip down the musical fork in the road with Madcat Midnight Blues Journey.

The Madcat Midnight Blues Journey is:
Peter Madcat Ruth – harmonica, electric ukulele, and vocals Drew Howard (aka: Captain Midnight) – guitar, lap steel, and vocals
Mark Schrock (aka: Papa Schrock) – bass and vocals
Michael Shimmin (aka: Kid Shimmin) – drums and vocals

Grammy award winning Peter Madcat Ruth has established an international reputation through his exhilarating, riveting virtuosity on the harmonica. His expertise on this instrument has amazed audiences world-wide. He is equally at home playing blues, folk, jazz, country, or rock and roll. Performance Magazine refers to him as “A harmonica virtuoso who is rapidly approaching legend status.”

Drew “Captain Midnight” Howard is a fixture on the Michigan roots music scene, fluent in all guitars, pedal and lap steel guitar, dobro, and all things with strings. He has played in “A THOUSAND” bands and ensembles over 30+ years”, recorded countless sessions, and was bestowed Detroit Music Awards Outstanding Country Instrumentalist in 2010. Drew is a proud member of the Earthworks Music Collective.

Bassist/multi-instrumentalist Mark “Papa” Schrock has been playing music with Madcat off and on since the late 1970’s. When not playing with MMBJ, Mark can be heard playing with Drew Nelson and Highway 2, Jive at Five, The Schrock Bros, and Jimmy Dillon. A veteran of the Michigan scene, Mark is also the music director and proprietor of Salt of the Earth, a popular farm to fork restaurant and roots music venue in Fennville, Michigan.

Michael “Kid” Shimmin is one of the most in-demand percussionists in the state of Michigan. Well versed in the styles of blues, jazz, world, folk, rock, funk and classical music, he continually proves to be a valuable asset to any musical project. Michael also plays with the olllam, May Erlewine, Joshua Davis, and many others. A graduate of Western Michigan University’s percussion program, Mike is everywhere.

Dennis Stroughmatt et L’Esprit Creole

Hidden Away in the Ozarks of southern Illinois, Indiana and Missouri is a music and culture often compared to the Joie de Vivre of Quebec and the Fais Do Do’s of Louisiana, but it stands alone, still thriving 300 years in existence.

Led by it’s ambassador Dennis Stroughmatt, L’Esprit Creole brings you the sights, stories and sounds of The Illinois Country.

Dennis Stroughmatt also offers solo performances for universities, libraries, small groups and music camps in addition to his busy careers as bandleader for the traditional band l’Esprit Creole and the dance/swamp pop band Creole Stomp. Recipient of numerous fellowship awards in arts and humanities, Dennis takes his work as ambassador for the Creole French heritage of North America, and its language, music and stories, very seriously—serious fun.

A frequent speaker for language conferences, including the keynote speaker at the National Conference of the AATF —American Association of Teachers of French, and workshop leader at conferences on Colonial American French, the National Honor Society, and at the Festival Internationale de Louisianne, to name just a few, Dennis is recognized as the authority on “Upper Mississippi Valley” French Creole culture, language and music.

Workshops for French (and non French) students at all grade levels, from Middle school through high school and college, can be tailored to the event and experience level of the organization. Creole French immersion, instrument workshops, history workshops and more are available. Workshop study guides can be provided to teachers before Dennis visits.