Album Notes

Dann Downes is a musician, broadcaster and academic who was part of the new country movement in Toronto during the 1980s as a lead guitarist and singer-songwriter in bands such as Company Town and Conditioned Response.

For over twenty years Dann has written and performed in the roots/americana tradition. He calls his music “moody, contemporary mountain music” and describes his genre as “Northamericana.” He has been a Galaxie Rising Star finalist (NB) and a regional finalist (NB) of the International Blues Challenge.

Since 2001 he has lived in Saint John, New Brunswick where he has played with singer-songwriter Grant Heckman in The Shaggy Dogs and as roots duo Heckman Downes. The duo have played with many of the country’s best roots and folk musicians, including: Stephen Fearing, Jay Semko, Matt Anderson, Thom Swift, Rose Cousins and Ron Hynes.

As a sought-after accompanist, Dann has played guitar, banjo, and mandolin on tour and recordings with Jay Semko, Matt Anderson, Babette Hayward, Mike Biggar and Brent Mason. Dann has played from Newfound to Ontario and has appeared in festivals such as the Acoustic Music Festival in NS, Salty Jam in Saint John and the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in Fredericton, NB.

Dann’s Discography includes: One Runs at Midnight (The Shaggy Dogs), A Very Vintage Christmas (one Song with Heckman Downes), Saint John 225 A Celebration in Song (one Song), Mike Biggar’s The Season, and the forthcoming New Wolf at the Door (Dann Downes).
Reviewing One Runs at Midnight , Bob Mersereau calls Dann and partner Grant Heckman, “Two fine singers, two fine songwriters.” Nelson Hansen, writing in Here magazine, wrote, “The songs on this disc are well crafted, honest and believable. They are also familiar after the first listen. The pair's considerable experience as working musicians and songwriters is evident.”