Four-time Grammy® winners The Blind Boys of Alabama have announced a Canadian tour in support of their new album Down In New Orleans, the group’s first-ever recording adventure in the Big Easy. The CD represents the band’s desire to bring attention, and hope, to the still-storm-ravaged city and features guest appearances by some of New Orleans’ finest, including Allen Toussaint, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and The Hot 8 Brass Band.

“We may not be able to swing a hammer,” says founding member Jimmy Carter, “but we hope we can help inspire folks with a song.”

Blind Boys’ concerts are joyous celebrations. The Boston Globe observed earlier this month, “In concert, the Blind Boys of Alabama still raise up their bluesy hallelujahs to rarefied soul-groove highs.”

Rave reviews for ‘Down In New Orleans’ are pouring in. The Washington Post says, “Inspired and relevant, [‘Down In New Orleans’] borders on the miraculous.” USA Today praises the “rousing musical tribute to New Orleans,” Rolling Stone called it “A superweapon of roots-music uplift,” and the Toronto Sun called it “inspirational.”

The Blind Boys Of Alabama 2008 Canadian Tour

April 5th: Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax, NS
May 23rd: MTS Centre, Winnipeg, MB
May 24th: Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre, Medicine Hat, AB
May 25th: Winspear Centre, Edmonton, AB
May 26th: Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary, AB
May 28th: Royal Theater, Victoria, BC
May 29th: Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts, Vancouver, BC
May 30th: Casino Regina, Regina, SK
June 25th: TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival, Toronto, ON
July 2nd: Montreal Jazz Festival, Montreal, QC
July 3rd: Cisco Ottawa Blues Festival, Ottawa, ON (with special guest Allen Toussaint)
July 5th: Credit Union Place, Summerside, PEI
July 6th: Festival d’Ete International de Quebec, Quebec City, QC

The Blind Boys of Alabama are Jimmy Carter, Eric ‘Ricky’ McKinnie, Joey Williams, Caleb ‘Bobby’ Butler, Tracy Pierce, Billy Bowers and Ben Moore.

For more information on The Blind Boys of Alabama and their latest project Down In New Orleans, visit the group’s YMZ artist page. The album is available now at Christian retailers across Canada.