The Kingmakers

The Kingmakers are Ottawa's high-energy kings of rockabilly, swing and jump blues. Formed in 2007, they put on a high-octane live show which features toe-tapping, swing-dance-inspiring tunes and upright bass shenanigans. Their live show has graced the stages at a bevy of festivals including Viva Las Vegas (Las Vegas NV) twice, Ottawa Jazz Fest, Red Hot and Blue (Montreal), Jive Around The Clock (Montreal), East End Rockabilly Riot (Toronto), Ottawa BluesFest, WestFest (Ottawa), Ottawa Folk Festival, Oktoberfest Ottawa, West Side Rockabilly Story (Toronto) and many more. Combining catchy tunes, a solid rhythm section and wailing saxophone, they'll be sure to get your mojo working. Keep your eyes peeled for their signature "pyramid of death" as they see how many people can possibly fit on a double bass. You may have heard their songs in one of many TV shows including Dance Moms, Vampire Diaries, American Pickers, Pawn Stars, The Voice and more.

The Kingmakers have released four albums featuring mostly original tunes and are working on their fifth. Their latest, “Chicago Hi-Style” was recorded at Hi-Style Studio in Chicago IL, in the same room that spawned J.D. McPherson’s break-out album. and laid down on completely old-school tube equipment and 2-track analog tape. There was no punching in, fixing or editing: if a take didn’t make the cut, the band played the song again from scratch. They then put the finishing touches on the album at home in their own TenVolt Audio studio. This old-school vibe is also reflected in their three previous albums; the first was recorded live off the floor at iconic SUN Studio in Memphis, their second was a DIY affair and their third was captured at SUN Studio legend Cowboy Jack Clement’s studio in Nashville, with The Jordanaires (Elvis Presley’s backup singers) and JM Van Eaton (Jerry Lee Lewis) as special guests on the album.