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BIO

Welcome to my website. I like to do many different things. Here is a place where I can share them with you. Cheers! – Larry


BIO

Larry grew up in Brampton Ontario, went to high school in Acton, and has been based in Orangeville Ontario – orangeville.ca – since 1983. After high school he studied radio, film and television in the Media Arts Program at Sheridan College.

WOODWORKING

In the summer he painted houses and did carpentry jobs. Larry decided to make woodworking his career and began by working at a custom furniture builder, a kitchen cabinet shop and a carpentry shop specializing in stairs and cabinets. He soon went to work for himself doing renovations. He always enjoyed working on old homes and buildings, but could never find the right trim and woodwork to match the original. In 1987 he purchased an old farmhouse on a 3 acre property on the edge of town where he could have a workshop. Larry’s architectural woodworking company Kurtz Millworks –  kurtzmillworks.com – opened in 1990. They specialize in reproducing woodwork in exact matches to the original from over 100 years ago. The shop produces Victorian gingerbread trim, doors, mouldings , mantels and cabinet plus many custom projects.

MUSIC

 

Larry grew up singing in the church. At the age of 10, he sang by himself, solo acapella for Easter Sunday service.   At the age of 15, he heard Little Walter on the radio and was mesmerized by the sound of the harmonica. He purchased a harp and it became a journey to learn to play this simple but mighty instrument. He sang in a couple of bands in high school and made extra money by running his own music DJ service for dances and parties. When Larry had a young family, music took a back burner. Later on he would return to it for pure fun. He began jamming with friends and soon met some great players. He formed a blues band called Trouble & Strife  store.cdbaby.com/cd/troublestrife  with guitarist Bruce Ley bruceley.bandcamp.com. They played their first gig at The Old Train Station in downtown Orangeville in 1998. In 2002 Larry joined a great 8 pc band, Wayne Buttery & The Groove Project and played some really fun festivals, clubs and even boat cruises with them for 2 1/2 years. By 1995 Trouble & Strife went into Metalworks Studio and recorded their debut self titled Cd featuring 10 original songs. The CD was played on over 180 radio stations world wide. The band were finalists in the 2006 Toronto Blues Society Talent search and nominated for Best New artist at the 2006 Maple Blues Awards. In 2007 Trouble & Strife won the Favourite Blues Artist/Band of the Year at the Canadian Independent Music Awards. Over the years Trouble & Strife has played  hundreds of shows including festivals, clubs, parties and special events. As the years went on, band members had many commitments and so Larry decided to form his own band to play gigs when Trouble & Strife was not available.  Larry Kurtz & The Lawbreakers includes James Legere on guitar, Sam Carothers on Bass and Charlie Coolie on drums. As a solo artist, he plays with various players in duo and band situations and also does guest spots with other bands. 
ORANGEVILLE BLUES & JAZZ FESTIVAL
Larry and his wife Norma were always going to to Toronto to see live music. Back in 1999 he thought, wouldn’t it be great to bring some of those bands to play in Orangeville? He co-presented a concert in Orangeville at the old Mad Hatter Pub with his friend Andrew Kempa. They booked legendary Muddy Waters drummer, Willie ‘Big Eyes Smith & The Northern Blues Legends, including Jack DeKeyzer, Al Lerman [who Larry studied blues harmonica with]  and Shane Scott. It was a complete sellout and he was very encouraged to do more. Over the next few years he ran a series of shows with Downchild Blues Band, Fathead, Kenny Blues Boss Wayne, Jack DeKeyzer, Michael Pickett and Tony D Band. Larry began planning a full blown blues festival using some of the best ideas he had experienced at the many other festivals they were attending. Over a 9 month period he began to try to get sponsorships, permits and taking the plunge to hire bands. On the first weekend in June 2003 the first annual Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival took place with a volunteer crew of 5 people! There were 5 restaurants with live music, and a free concert featuring 7 bands in the park behind Orangeville Town Hall. It went very well and the Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival  was off and running! To date the festival has been named one of the top 100 Festivals & Events in Ontario 7 times – www.festivalsandeventsontario.ca/members/top-100.  It has an attendance of 35,000 people per year, 200 volunteers, and brings in 1.5 million dollars in economic activity for the town and region. Larry continues to be the Artistic Director and the face of the festival. He is prominent in the Canadian music and arts scene having served as judge for the Juno Awards 3 times and is a long time member of the Maple Blues Awards nominating comittee. In 2016 Larry was named the Blues Booster of the Year at the Maple Blues Awards in Korner Hall in Toronto www.mapleblues.ca. This is a national award of which he was very proud to receive. Larry is also pleased to be an ambassador for the Headwaters Region headwaters.ca/real-headwaters/qanda/larry-kurtz/ helping bring attention to Orangeville and surrounding areas as a great tourism destination. 

OTHER ACTIVITIES Larry enjoys are…
Painting portraits of musicians [see his paintings on this website], Larry is a passionate waterman who does Stand Up Paddle Boarding & Surfing on the Great Lakes [ even in the winter!] Windsurfing, Sailing, playing Hockey and enjoying family time with his wife Norma and their 4 children and 5 grand kids.

Festivals & Events Larry Has Played

Orangeville Blues & Jazz
Beaches Jazz Festival – Toronto
Southside Shuffle Blues & Jazz Festival – Port Credit Ont.
Mt Tremblant International Blues Fest – Quebec
Lighthouse Blues Festival- Kincardine Ont
Canal Bank Shuffle – Thorold Ont                                                                              Burlington Rib Fest
Wasaga Beach Blues Festival
Orillia Blues Festival
Barrie Blues & Jazz Festival
Collingwood Jazz Festival
Blues @ Blue Mountain – Collingwood
Bolton Blues & Jazz Festival
Orangeville Rotary Rib Fest
Town Of Orangeville 150 Celebrations
Town Of Orangeville New Years Eve Celebrations                                                   Culture Days 2018 Concert – Orangeville
Seven Bridges Run – Orangeville
Headwaters Arts Festival – Alton Ont.                                                                       FoodStock – Mulmer Ontario
SoupStock – Woodbine Park Toronto
Blues & Brews – King City
Brian’s Not just Blues – Peterborough                                                                     Limestone City Blues Festival -Kingston

Clubs, Venues

Black Wolf Smokehouse – Orangeville
Millcreek Pub – Orangeville
The Edge Wine Bar – Orangeville
Fionn MacCools – Orangeville
The Mad Hatter – Orangeville
Boston Pizza – Orangeville                                                                                                 Soulyve Carribean Kitchen
Best Western Hotel – Orangeville
Orangeville Opera House
Millcroft Inn – Alton
Ray’s Bakery – Alton
Winchester Arms – Orangeville
Greystones – Orangeville
Flight Deck – Orangeville
Crazy Mark’s – Orangeville
Hillbilly Shack – Orangeville
10 North – Orangeville
Canadian Outpost – Orangeville
Main Street Station – Orangeville
Morty McGees – Orangeville
Il Corso – Orangeville
Shoeless Joes – Orangeville
Dufferin County Museum
Black Birch – Hockley Valley
Hockley Valley Resort
The Busholme Inn – Erin
David’s Restaurant – Erin
Bistro Riviere – Erin
Uncorked On Main – Georgetown
Bruce Steakhouse – Kincardine
Liquid Lounge – Brantford
Violet’s Venue – Barrie
Sticky Fingers – Barrie
Fitzys Crab Shack – Barrie
Bull & Barrel – Barrie
The Boathouse – Midland
Royal Canadian Legion – Penetang
Georgian Queen Blues Cruise – Penetang
Twisters – Orr Lake
Dorah Keogh – Toronto
The Old Mill – Toronto
Healy’s – Toronto
Silver Dollar Room – Toronto
Chicago’s Diner – Toronto
Lula Lounge – Toronto
Dominion on Queen – Toronto
Liberty Grand – Toronto
Monarchs Pub Delta Chelsea Hotel – Toronto
Habour Street Fish Bar – Collingwood
Bruce Bar – Thornbury
Bruce Street Social Club – Clarksburg
The Boathouse – Kitchener
Lancaster Smokehouse – Kitchener
Jet Hall – Hamilton
Donnelly’s Pub – Thorold
Abby Arms – Oakville
Aggie’s Cafe – Flesherton
Woolwich Arms – Guelph
Wally’s – Guelph
The Lion Tavern – St. Catherines
The Old Winery – Niagara On The Lake
Groundswell Coffee House – Alliston

Artists Larry Has Played Gigs With

Guitarists
Bruce Ley
Michael Ley
James Legere
James Anthony
Brian Blain
Rick Taylor
Wayne Buttery
Murray Kinsley
Paul James
Little G Weevil
Dylan Wickens
Alfie Smith
Danny Marks
Dan McKinnon
Mo Kauffey
Jake Chisholm
Sean Pinchin
Harrison Kennedy
Jack DeKeyzer
Chris Whiteley
David Gogo
WC Clark
Brandon Isaak
Malcolm Batty
Charlie A’Court
Brooke Blackburn
Trevor MacKenzie
Manitoba Hal
Mitch Lewis                                                                                                                                         Sam Turton

Bassists
Sam Carothers
Bob Hewus
Gary Kendall
Alec Fraser
Bob Stroger
Leigh Ann Stanton
Tom Griffiths
Charlie Hinkel
Douglas Watson
Terry Wilkins
Donato Scipione
Dennis Rondeau
James Rasmussen
Rodney St Amond
Al Richardson
Erick Rock
Greg Smith
Wayne Stewart

Drummers
Charlie Cooley
Willie “Big Eyes” Smith
Mike Fitzpatrick                                                                                                                                 Gary Craig
Maureen Brown
Bucky Berger
Chuck Keeping
Al Cross
Vince Maccarone
Scott Bruyea
Erick Bruck
Dennis King
Bambalamb Kidd
Gary Taylor
Joey Drums DiMarco
Ian McCreath
Drew Austin
Dave Menard
Chris Simmons
Matthew Flemming
Jim Todd
Larry Crowe

Gary Craig

Vocalists
Lisa Hutchinson
Diana Braithwaite
Heather Katz
Layla Zoe
Tara MacKenzie
Kim Mason le-Riche

Piano Players
Bruce Ley
Jim Bruton
Kenny Blues Boss Wayne
Alan Gerber
Lance Anderson
Stan Chang
Curly Bridges
Duane Blackburn

Horn Players
Johnny Ferreira
Russ Strathdee
Steve Kennedy
Chris Nicholl
Ryan Grist
John Shand
Paul Robillard

Harmonica Players
Lee Oskar
Michael Pickett
David Rotundo
Al Lerman
Roly Platt
Harpdog Brown
Adam Gussow
Raoul Bhaneja
Shrimp Daddy

Recordings Larry Has Appeared On

 

Trouble & Strife                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Live @ Twisters  –  Wayne Buttery & The Groove Project

At  Home –  Sam Turton

 

Devil At Your Back Door – Jeff Campbell

The Peacock, The Deer And The Moon – Bruce Ley

Vapours – Brilliant Joe

The Groove Collection – Orangeville Blues & Jazz 10th Aninniversary CD

Awards Larry Has Received

Maple Blues Award – 2016 Blues Booster Of The Year
Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal
Paul Harris Fellow – Rotary Club International
Orangeville 150 Citizenship Award
Top 100 Festivals & Events Ontario [7 x] Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival
Best Festival/ Event – Headwaters Tourism Awards – Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival
Skilled Trades Excellence – Dufferin Board Of Trade – Kurtz Millworks
Best in Show – Brushfire Artists for “Blues Weather” Painting
Favourite Blues Band/Artist of the Year – Trouble & Strife – 2007 Canadian Indie Music Awards

GIGS

Saturday October 13  8:00 PM  Millcreek Pub – Orangeville

Larry Kurtz Duo with Bruce Ley

 

Sunday February 10 2019 3:30 PM Abby Arms – Oakville Ontario

Larry Kurtz guesting with James Anthony Band