Durham County Poets

Durham County Poets

Durham County Poets are a “band” in the truest sense of the word!

It all started in a small café in Ormstown, Quebec, after which the band continued to percolate and spread onto the Canadian music scene allowing them to tour across Canada and on into the United States. Each member writes and arranges and brings something unique to the table. You’ll hear a variety of genres and a broad range of styles. Be it Blues, Soul, Folk, R&B or Gospel, it all weaves seamlessly together to create a truly authentic contemporary Canadiana sound.

The band’s debut albums

The first album, Where the River Flows, was a local hit, receiving some radio airplay and attention And allowed them to express themselves and showcase their musicianship and abilities as songwriters. They remained focused and kept their strong sense of purpose. Now, with a manager on board – Heidi Fleming of FAMGroup – two more albums would follow: Chickaboodah Stew and Grimshaw Road. 

Their fourth album, Hand Me Down Blues, would build on that success, remaining on Roots Music Report’s top 50 charts in Canada for more than 12 months. And was nominated for a JUNO Award for (Best  Blues album of the year 2020)

Here we all are in 2022 – now what?

(A new album, Out of the Woods)

With Bill Garrett on board as producer, and set to be released in May 2022. The band has kept busy over the past two years, writing and drawing inspiration from life as we now know it and allowing experiences, both good and bad to shape each heartfelt song. The band is back in the groove, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. You’ll hear original, uplifting compositions from the Blues, R&B, Soul, Gospel genres that reach deep down into the soul.

Reviews

“Lead singer Kevin Harvey and his band are sonic shape shifters of the first order. Whether it’s blues, folk, soul, country, gospel, or New Orleans swing, they purvey it with skill, aplomb and pure honesty.”

– Nate Dow, Fallout Shelter, Massachusetts

“There’s something about the Durham County Poets that leaves you feeling that everything might be OK in the world after all. There’s a human spirit that lives in these people and their music is the medium that allows that spirit to roam free.”

– Bill Hurley, Extended Play Sessions

Hand Me Down Blues

“Though this is mainly a blues album, it’s not as ‘blue’ as the title led me to think it would be.  You’ll also find spirited gospel, a bit of country twang and slinky jazz, even some jump/swing on a track like Kidney Stew; there’s something fresh around every corner here”

— by John Kereiff The rock doctor