JP LeBlanc

Singer, songwriter, guitarist, performer - this 21-year old from Bathurst N.B. has been christened baby 'Stevie Ray Vaughn' . He is known to crowds of all ages, for his energetic performances, his guitar wizardry, and his passionate lyrics - both in English and French. JP is a born “blues man” who makes his guitar scream for mercy.

JP was born February 9th, 1985 in Bathurst, New Brunswick and has been playing the guitar since the age of 11. As a child, he could always be found singing and dancing, so when he decided to play the guitar it came as no surprise. His dad told him that if he really wanted to learn to play well, he needed to listen to the roots of good guitar music, 'the blues'. JP was hesitant at first, saying he didn't want to play “old people” music. But he gave his dad's suggestion a chance and was quick to realize that musicians like, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, BB King, and Robert Johnson could really play the guitar! From then on, he was addicted to the blues.

Within a year of picking up the guitar he was playing in local outdoor concerts and by 14 he was jamming with bands like “Joe Murphy and the Water Street Blues Band” and “Andy Cottle and Double Cross” . At the ripe old age of 15, he was jamming at the Carleton Maximum Blues Festival (Carleton, PQ) and at the Harvest Jazz Blues Festival (Fredericton) with the Georgette Frye Band .

But it isn't only guitar playing and performing that he enjoys. He loves to sing and write songs. In January 2001, just weeks shy of his 16th birthday, he cut his first demo CD, “Just the Beginning” , in which he wrote the music and lyrics, and is lead vocalist and guitarist. A meeting with the legendary BB King in the spring of 2002 inspired JP to pen many more songs which lead to the completion of his first full-length CD, “Take Me Back” in January 2003. Recorded at CBC studio H, in Halifax, N.S. under the production and guidance of Karl Falkenham and Glen Meisner , JP is accompanied by several well known blues artists including Joe Murphy, John “Porco” Theodore, Dave Burton, Greg “Fish” Fancy and Dave “Dog” MacKay . The CD was officially released February 15th, 2003 during a one-hour live broadcast of CBC's national radio program, DNTO (Definitely not the Opera).

In June 2003, JP graduated with honors from high school!!! After taking a year off to write, compose and tour, he entered university in 2004 and is currently studying business administration.

In January 2006, he completed his second full length CD, a “French blues” CD under the direction of Marc Beaulieu , acclaimed francophone producer from Montreal. The CD, entitled, 'Le Blues m'emporte' was released May 15 2006. Nine of the twelve songs were written by JP. Renowned Louisiana artist, Zachary Richard wrote the lyrics for two of the tunes. This partnership arose following a TV5 television program called 'Coeur Battailleur' in which, Zachary , as host, interviewed JP on his life as an Acadian artist. Another Louisiana artist, Bruce Daigrepont , provided a song for the album.