A special music event was held in Sudbury Sunday to honour and commemorate the legacy of Northern Ontario bluesman Dwayne Trudeau.
Trudeau, who was a much-admired and popular musician and blues singer in the North, died just over a month ago, on November 13 at the age of 48.
Sunday's event was held before a packed house at the Little Montreal Bar and Deli on Elgin Street.
Being as Trudeau was so well-known in the music community, friends decided to hold a tribute event for Trudeau said fellow musician Rylan Stolar.
"Well, Duane passed away quite suddenly and unexpectedly. And he was one of the best blues players Northern Ontario was gifted to ever have. And a big chunk of blues passed along with Dwayne right," said Stolar.
He said he didn't want to see Trudeau's blues legacy die and it was decided to hold the one-day event as a tribute. Stolar said he hopes it will become an annual event in some way. Stolar said he wasn't being sentimental. He said Trudeau had a unique talent and a big following, and not just in Sudbury.
"Oh, yeah, like he was from the Island. And he played all over, wherever they would have him. Just him and a guitar and he could bring the whole audience with him. Their eyes would be glued to him, you know for any song he played," said Stola
"He was special in the sense that he played that original Delta style blues. Like this wasn't just Rolling Stones, kind of blues rock. This was true blues through and through, and you just don't really see that anymore."
Stolar was pleased that the Little Montreal agreed to provide the venue on Sunday. Stolar said it is a well known live-music bar and it was a good fit. Stolar said he was also pleased that Sudbury musician Vic Theriault helped to organize the event not only for Trudeau's legacy but also to benefit the Sudbury food bank.
