Rita Chiarelli

"....No matter where you stand on these issues, you won’t be the same once you’ve seen it. Like the blues itself, the film is all about truth, conviction and belief."

- Barry Hammond, See Magazine

From acclaimed director Bruce McDonald, teaming with an Emmy and Oscar nominated documentary producer, comes a rare and exclusive musical journey. Rita Chiarelli, an award-winning recording artist, has decided to take a pilgrimage to the birthplace of the blues—Louisiana State Maximum Security Penitentiary a.k.a Angola Prison. She never imagined that her love of the blues would lead her to play with inmates serving life sentences for murder, rape and armed robbery.

In what was once the bloodiest prison in America, inmates relatives will be invited to listen alongside other prisoners, to hear remarkable voices singing stories of hope and redemption. Let yourself be swept away by one of Blues’ most soulful pilgrim daughters who is finding out if music really is an escape.

- Directed by Bruce McDonald and Produced by Cache Film and Television

It became apparent some time ago that Rita Chiarelli is an artist in the true sense of the word.

While many of us were introduced to the dynamic and intense singer-songwriter and performer in stock blues settings and venues, some 16 or 17 years ago, when she was touring behind her debut album Just Getting Started, Chiarelli has since that time consistently revealed herself as an artist of considerable depth.

The Hamilton-born musician has always been on the search for new artistic challenges, and unique forums in which to express herself. Chiarelli’s 2006 recording and touring project Cuore: The Italian Sessions was the ideal project to showcase her operatic vocal range as she performed folk material from the Roman and Neopolitan regions of the country her parents emigrated from so many years ago.

The critical acclaim for Cuore was repeated two years later when Chiarelli collaborated with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. The end result was a collection of intoxicating performances under the banner Uptown Goes Downtown.

Amidst these projects Chiarelli continued to lay out “the blues” in concert halls and cabarets, in a powerhouse fashion that more often than not found her in the company of respected blues guitarist Papa John King.


So it was heartwarming to walk into the Empire Theatre Complex in downtown Edmonton on Friday October 1, for a Edmonton International Film Festival screening of Chiarelli’s latest project, Music From The Big House, and see that some 300 plus patrons were anxiously awaiting the house lights to dim. These were fans of, not only Chiarelli, but director Bruce McDonald of Hardcore Logo and Highway 61 fame, and the blues, and all in attendance presumably wanting to head inside the gates of Louisiana’s Angola prison with the performer, director and their crew.

For most artists, the idea of making one’s way inside the notorious prison walls would be nothing more than a fleeting dream, for Chiarelli, the making of Music From The Big House was a dream that became more vivid and real as ten years of tenacity and a brilliantly defined vision became reality.

Angola has a past that rivals that of any North American prison when it comes to a history coated with violence, degradation, suffering, and living and working conditions that were appalling.

Legendary bluesmen such as Leadbelly and Robert Pete Williams served time in Angola and there are a number of compilations and field recordings of Angola inmates performing decades ago, that are still available.

So count on Chiarelli, while on a musical pilgrimage through the south a decade ago, to find herself within a stones’ throw of the prison walls and deciding she wants to visit this infamous prison.

“I went to a convenience store, gas station near the prison and asked the attendant if she had a phone book, so I could call the prison warden and request a tour,” recalled Chiarelli in a Q&A session held after the screening and hosted by CKUA’s Tony King.

“Well the attendant looked at me and she recited the phone number because her boyfriend was in Angola,” continued the musician with a new mission.

Her request granted, Chiarelli developed a rapport with the warden who had been responsible for turning the page on Angola’s past, and over time Chiarelli made a number of visits to the institution, and ultimately won the respect of prisoners who were part of Angola’s music program.

The core of the documentary, which had been screened the previous night at the Calgary International Film Festival to rave reviews, focuses on the time spent leading up to a prison chapel concert where Rita performed with a gospel group, a blues band and a country band.

An important piece of work, McDonald and Chiarelli, sympathetically examined the plight of the prisoners and their emotional, and in some cases spiritual growth, in situations that are hard if not impossible to fully grasp for those of us living on the outside. The two did not ignore the lasting implications of the inmate’s crimes on victims’ families and community.

Music From The Big House is both inspiring and enlightening and dispenses much food for thought.

“My hope is to take it back across the country to art houses and screen the film in conjunction with my performing solo concerts,” says Chiarelli who is also working on an accompanying soundtrack to the film.

Tony King, who did an excellent job directing traffic in the post screening Q&A was equally enthusiastic with what he saw, and summed up the film with this succinct and spot on review.


"Shot in two and a half days, Music from the Big House is and sparkling example of what can happen when two gifted individuals with a passion for music combine forces to share something incredibly special. Armed with an acoustic guitar, Rita Chiarelli stars in Bruce McDonald's latest film chronicling the magic that can happen when those living in difficult circumstances are touched by music. Angola is Louisiana’s notoriously bloody prison, housing some of the most dangerous criminals in the U.S. - using her warmth and unassuming manner Rita Chiarelli penetrates the musical soul of Angola. At once breathtaking and profound, audiences will walk away never having enjoyed spending an hour and a half in jail quite so much! A near perfect movie!"
-Tony King, host CKUA’s Alberta Morning


We’ll do our best to keep you informed on future screenings of Music From The Big House.

- Peter North, CKUA Radio

Rita Chiarelli’s voice is just getting better and better. One of the few powerhouse Canadian Blues singers, Chiarelli spent most of the 1980’s in Italy, exploring her heritage, but since returning she’s been recording some very interesting material. This latest disc sees her in a concert setting with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. While such pairings have the potential to go awry for both parties, this particular combination really works because the participants have done the work. Produced by Grammy and Juno award-winner Keith Horner and with arrangements by Joe Phillips, the orchestra, especially the horn and woodwind sections, under the baton of Jason Caslor, not only handle the delicacy and passion of the two Italian songs but really swing on the blues numbers like the orchestra out of Bullitt. Shades of Lalo Schifrin! A very classy and impressive disc. Chiarelli’s pipes sound terrific and her nimble guitar work adds spice to the mix. Excellent. - By Barry Hammond, Penguin Eggs

"What a captivating performer!
Oozing experience, Rita delivers the blues raw and pure. Helping Rita with her songs this evening was long-time musical partner guitarist John King and bassist Victor Bateman. Their experience provided the perfect backdrop for Rita's impressive vocal range and style," Don Beaulieu says.

The evening included a six course meal and fireworks but the really spectacular show happened in the lounge where Rita, John, and Victor rang in the New Year with a full house of Resort guests.

Rita sang the anticipated "Quanto Sei Bella Roma" from one of her most successful albums "Cuore... the Italian sessions". She explained the popularity of this CD was a surprise to industry friends who felt she was risking her Blues career by going in such a different direction.

Cuore won Rita the 2007 Canadian Folk Music Award for best solo World Music act. As CBC radio's Heather McLeod stated "I didn't understand a word, but my heart understood every note. This album rings with love and respect for Chiarelli's Italian heritage, and her skill as a singer and an artist. I couldn't bear to pry it out of my CD player."

The evening included a wonderful mix of music and when an audience yelled out "how about some Janis Joplin?"; without flinching, Rita gave the enthusiastic crowd a beautiful version of "Me & Bobby McGee".

"Once in a lifetime you hear a voice so blue it makes the angels weep.. that voice is Rita Chiarelli," Ronnie Hawkins once said about the star. There is no doubt those celebrating the New Year with Rita understood it was a night to be remembered. Two appreciative couples describing it as their "best ever New Year's event."

Accompanianists John King and Victor Bateman had their time in the spotlight, each obviously seasoned and having a great time. It was a trio in natural sync, enjoying their time together as if jamming casually during this very special evening in the remote country setting of Oro Medonte, Ontario.
- Stellula Music

Perennial blues favourite Rita Chiarelli is back with a wide-reaching album that brings rock, country, R&B and gospel into her fold.
She kicks things off with the strong beat of I Believe, her driving, gravelly voice pushing this bluesy number along. She follows that with the excellent snappy gospel of Rest My Bones, with its fiddle accompaniment, then reaches down inside for Home, an emotional blues ballad of a woman on the road.
She goes for a rock 'n' roll waltz with Light the Fire, laughs in the accordion sashay of the Franglais-speak French Kiss, and some down-low sadness in the slow R&B of If It Was Love ("I wouldn't be counting the tiles on the floor").
Chiarelli and her band provide a wide range of instrumentation here, and Rita, herself, really gives her soulful voice a workout. Her power on If It Was Love is first-rate.
--ROBERTSON - The StarPhoenix

Rita performed with acclaimed Maestro John Morris Russell and the Windsor Symphony on Jan 22&23/2011. She performed her 'Uptown Goes Downtown' 'blues meets symphony' tunes. Click on the link to read the Windsor Star review.
- Windsor Star

"It is nice to hear an artist that doesn't try to be like everyone else... I love the instrumentation on the CD - violins and a much fuller sound than most new blues cds that we hear. Keep up the good work."
- WXCI 91.7FM Connecticut

"Once in a lifetime you hear a voice so blue it makes the angels cry. Rita Chiarelli is that voice."
- Ronnie Hawkins

"...Sweet Paradise" more than covers the gamut of emotions one expects when listening to Rita, in all her glory."
- Blues Underground Network

"What a voice! Powerful…lively, warm, and sensual. The emotion is there, it vibrates and is palpable. This Sweet Paradise is really superb!"
- Blues Again Paris, France

"… her down home soulful grit is the most pure vocal style that one can imagine. "
- Music Dish

"Tina Turner and Bonnie Raitt may define her genre, but this Rita Chiarelli is going to make you a believer. "
- Blues Revue Magazine

From acclaimed director Bruce McDonald, teaming with an Emmy and Oscar nominated documentary producer, comes a rare and exclusive musical journey. Rita Chiarelli, an award-winning recording artist, has decided to take a pilgrimage to the birthplace of the blues—Louisiana State Maximum Security Penitentiary a.k.a Angola Prison. She never imagined that her love of the blues would lead her to play with inmates serving life sentences for murder, rape and armed robbery.

In what was once the bloodiest prison in America, inmates relatives will be invited to listen alongside other prisoners, to hear remarkable voices singing stories of hope and redemption. Let yourself be swept away by one of Blues’ most soulful pilgrim daughters who is finding out if music really is an escape.

- Cache Film and Television

Having just won the Maple Blues 'Blues with a Feeling' award for Lifetime Achievement, Rita and some of the night's other award winners (Matt Andersen, Steve Marriner, Julian Faith and Matt Sobb) were asked to take the stage for the show's finale with the Maple Blues Band (Michael Fonfara, Chris Whiteley, Tom Bona, Pat Carey, Chris Murphy, Teddy Leonard, Al Lerman) led by Gary Kendall. The Maple Blues Awards Gala was held in Toronto, Canada on Jan. 17, 2011.

- Maple Blues Awards

Rita Chiarelli was honoured with the prestigious 'Blues with a Feeling' award for Lifetime Achievement at the Maple Blues Awards. The awards gala was held in Toronto on Jan. 17, 2011. Alligator Records President Bruce Iglauer and Frederic Lamoureux from the Montreal Jazz Festival presented Rita with the award. Thanks to award sponsor Saturday Night Blues on CBC and the Toronto Blues Society.

- Maple Blues Awards