The Bebop Cowboys

Canadian cowboy jazz heros, The Bebop Cowboys have developed a reputation for outstanding song arrangements and stellar musicianship. Each of the players brings an impressive set of influences and pedigree to the mix: noted jazz guitarist Steve Briggs devises strong arrangements that portray a deep knowledge of and respect for the jazz and country-western canons. In addition to his long apprenticeship to the blues, harp player Howard Willett's whisky-soaked baritone voice offers reverential readings of classic western swing and country in a manner that clearly shows how dear this music is to his heart. And in steel player Burke Carroll (George Fox, Nathan, Justin Rutledge), drummer John Adames (Prairie Oyster), string bassist Dennis Pendrith (Bruce Cockburn), fiddler Drew Jurecka (Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards), with frequent participation from piano guru John Sheard (Vinyl Cafe) and multi-instrumentalist Chris Whiteley (you name it), the Bebop Cowboys have the musical ingredients to serve up a hot brand of Western Swing rarely if ever heard outside Texas and Southern California. Most of all, they deliver the goods with the obvious excitement of top-shelf musicians playing for the sheer joy of it.

As presenters, the Bebop Cowboys' on-going undertaking has been to curate and host the successful HOMETOWN COUNTRY JUBILEE! series in Toronto, inviting other roots-influenced groups to join them in a one-night, indoor, festival-like setting. Past performers include the Jenny Whiteley Band, the Weber Brothers, Atomic 7, Greg Quill, Alex Pangman, Terra Hazelton, the Brothers Cosmoline, and others.

In May 2006, the Bebops released their highly anticipated third CD, Canadian Dance Hall, which pays tribute to the many Canadian dance bands of the '30s, '40s, and '50s.

The Canadian music industry has produced some of the world's finest musicians over the years. Some moved away finding success in other countries, such as Oscar Peterson, Hank Snow and Maynard Ferguson, but many more stayed, entertaining generations of Canadians in community halls and ballrooms across the country. Canadian Dance Hall revisits an era of musical activity which is sadly under-recorded and in danger of being forgotten. The project has attracted a number of celebrated Canadian artists as guests, including Prairie Oyster's Russell de Carle, Sarah Harmer and Downchild's Chuck Jackson among others, and features both original tunes and traditional songs from the era.

“We'd all be really happy if we could keep getting together to play this music
two or three times a week for the rest of our lives.”

-Steve Briggs

Noteworthy Achievements

First CD “Debut” released to capacity crowd, Toronto, January 2002
Finalist in the CBC/Galaxie/ Toronto Blues Society Talent Search
Selected showcase performer at 2002 Folk Meet-Music Industry Conference (Winnipeg)
Canadian distribution through Festival Distribution (Vancouver)
Second CD release - June 2003 “Some Kind of Fantasy” (BBC 02-2003)
Curators of the on-going popular series, HOMETOWN COUNTRY JUBILEE in Toronto
Hosts of the sold-out Bob Wills centennial celebration - Toronto, March, 2005
Third CD release, “Canadian Dance Hall” May 2006
Nominated for BEST ENSEMBLE, 2006 Canadian Folk Music Awards
Named BEST ROOTS/COUNTRY ACT 2006, NOW magazine
Nominated for BEST COUNTRY ACT, 2007 Toronto Independent Music Awards

What People Are Saying

“Western swingers the Bebop Cowboys are the consummate festival band--experienced and versatile individuals from the Canadian music elite who, when brought together, are greater than the sum of their parts. Steve Briggs and the boys are laying down highly polished arrangements, swinging hard and having a ball...and it shows. A true pleasure to work with.”

-Randi Fratkin, Artistic Director:
Mariposa Folk Festival
Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival

“...a Five-Star evening!”

- Richard Flohil

“...their own compositions stand proudly alongside the genre classics and put the Cowboys well beyond the class of mere revivalists..”

- Tim Perlich

“Toronto's Bebop Cowboys, led by guitarist / mandolinist Steve Briggs and singer Howard Willett, are sensational! Western swing fans will love them from the first note. Burke Carroll's wild lap steel and pedal steel work is exceptional. Writing half of the set, the Cowboys display a great sense of humour, authenticity and respect for their music.”

- Sing Out! Vol.48 #1
Review of Some Kind of Fantasy

“Toronto's own masters of Hi-toned country swing.”

- Greg Quill, Toronto Star

“Their musical prowess is outstanding.”

- Derek Andrews, Harbourfront
Toronto Blues Society

“The Bebop Cowboys' new album, aptly titled ‘Début,' is a must-have for fans of western swing music. This is a very hot band...”

- Peter North
Edmonton Journal

“You've got some serious chops happening...”

-Ross Porter
After Hours (Jazz Programme, CBC National Radio)

“Bob Wills showed the world that whites could swing, and now the Bebop Cowboys are doing the same thing for Canadians, in spades!”

-Jim Burnett
CFRO 102.7 FM
Vancouver, B.C.

“Always honouring the past while making it new again, the Bebop Cowboys have now fashioned songs that feel like they could have gone to the top of the country jazz charts 6 decades ago. And, believe me, they play them with passion, imagination and mighty chops. Whether you're dancing on a sawdust pine floor or at the kitchen sink, this music will keep you smiling all night long.”

-Bill Usher
Artistic Director, Kicking Horse Culture