ArtistDirect News
Portage la Prairie Hosts Tribute to Late Manitoba Musician Dale Russell
On a sweltering July afternoon, the streets of Portage Prairie turned into a living tribute as friends, family, and musicians gathered to honor the life of Dale Russell, a long‑time fixture in Manitoba’s music scene. The outdoor ceremony, organized by his brother Bob Russell, unfolded on the town’s main street on July 18, 2026, drawing a modest crowd of 50 to 60 people who braved the summer heat to celebrate a man whose influence reached far beyond the local stage.
The tribute followed an earlier celebration of life in Oshawa, where Dale had spent several years. Bob Russell explained his motivation: “I wanted to give those closer to my brother’s Manitoba roots a chance to remember him.” He added, “He has a deep history in Winnipeg and Portage, of course, because we grew up here. I wanted to provide a place where friends from Winnipeg could come and celebrate his life.” The sentiment underscored the regional ties that had defined Dale’s career and the community that still rallied around his memory.
A star‑filled program showcased the province’s most respected blues musicians. Lady Lee, Leonard Shaw, Laurie McKenzie, Tommy Stuckey, Charlie Brennan, Bob Berg, Harold Eady, Danny Larson and Tom Bigford all took the stage, each delivering performances that reflected the depth of the local talent pool. Attendees with industry connections, including Ron Halderson and Tusha Kozub, shared the space, and Bob Russell noted the tight network: “There were so many connections within the music scene.”
Dale Russell’s own musical journey began as a folk singer before he explored country and jazz. For nearly two decades, he toured with a reformed version of The Guess Who, collaborating with bassist Jim Kale. After his touring days, he transitioned to production work and launched a program in Ontario’s Durham Region that paired music with mentorship to help at‑risk students. These chapters of his life were highlighted during the ceremony, reminding attendees of a career that blended performance, education, and community service.
While the gathering was intended as a memorial, Bob Russell emphasized that its significance extended beyond a traditional celebration of life. “I did post that not only was it a celebration of life for Dale, but a celebration of life in general,” he explained. The response has led him to consider turning the event into an annual tradition. “I think we need to celebrate the life we have and be aware of it every day,” Russell added.
Bob Russell is also preparing for the return of his Basement Blues Band, which has been a fixture at the Basement Theatre in Portage Prairie. The band, built around Russell and Danny Larson, features rotating musicians to keep each show fresh. “We’ve had the pleasure of having many of Winnipeg’s top blues players and great bass players come and play with us,” Russell said. “I feel very fortunate that these people love their music so much that they will drive out here and provide us with top‑notch blues music.”
The monthly Blues Basement concerts are currently on summer break but will resume in September. Shows normally take place on the final Thursday of each month from 7 p.m. to approximately 9 p.m. The opening concert of the new season will be a one‑night event at the William Glesby Centre in support of palliative care in Portage Prairie. The evening will feature acoustic and roots‑inspired blues from Blaine Repko and British Columbia musician David Essig. The second set will include Lady Lee, Tracy Kaye and Deborah Lynn Neufeld, backed by Danny Larson, Von Poyser, Greg Polo and Russell. The final set will showcase Robert Andreas, whom Russell described as a favourite among local Blues Basement audiences. “People always say, ‘When’s Robert coming back?’” Russell said. “The last set will be Robert rocking it with the band.”
Food will be available during the concert, with proceeds helping support local palliative care. Russell said, “Hopefully, a lot of people will come and we can raise some money for a really good cause.”
The tribute and the upcoming Blues Basement season underscore Dale Russell’s lasting influence on Manitoba’s musical community. They also highlight the ongoing efforts of local musicians to celebrate life, support one another, and give back to the community—an enduring legacy that continues to resonate long after the final chord fades.
The tribute followed an earlier celebration of life in Oshawa, where Dale had spent several years. Bob Russell explained his motivation: “I wanted to give those closer to my brother’s Manitoba roots a chance to remember him.” He added, “He has a deep history in Winnipeg and Portage, of course, because we grew up here. I wanted to provide a place where friends from Winnipeg could come and celebrate his life.” The sentiment underscored the regional ties that had defined Dale’s career and the community that still rallied around his memory.
A star‑filled program showcased the province’s most respected blues musicians. Lady Lee, Leonard Shaw, Laurie McKenzie, Tommy Stuckey, Charlie Brennan, Bob Berg, Harold Eady, Danny Larson and Tom Bigford all took the stage, each delivering performances that reflected the depth of the local talent pool. Attendees with industry connections, including Ron Halderson and Tusha Kozub, shared the space, and Bob Russell noted the tight network: “There were so many connections within the music scene.”
Dale Russell’s own musical journey began as a folk singer before he explored country and jazz. For nearly two decades, he toured with a reformed version of The Guess Who, collaborating with bassist Jim Kale. After his touring days, he transitioned to production work and launched a program in Ontario’s Durham Region that paired music with mentorship to help at‑risk students. These chapters of his life were highlighted during the ceremony, reminding attendees of a career that blended performance, education, and community service.
While the gathering was intended as a memorial, Bob Russell emphasized that its significance extended beyond a traditional celebration of life. “I did post that not only was it a celebration of life for Dale, but a celebration of life in general,” he explained. The response has led him to consider turning the event into an annual tradition. “I think we need to celebrate the life we have and be aware of it every day,” Russell added.
Bob Russell is also preparing for the return of his Basement Blues Band, which has been a fixture at the Basement Theatre in Portage Prairie. The band, built around Russell and Danny Larson, features rotating musicians to keep each show fresh. “We’ve had the pleasure of having many of Winnipeg’s top blues players and great bass players come and play with us,” Russell said. “I feel very fortunate that these people love their music so much that they will drive out here and provide us with top‑notch blues music.”
The monthly Blues Basement concerts are currently on summer break but will resume in September. Shows normally take place on the final Thursday of each month from 7 p.m. to approximately 9 p.m. The opening concert of the new season will be a one‑night event at the William Glesby Centre in support of palliative care in Portage Prairie. The evening will feature acoustic and roots‑inspired blues from Blaine Repko and British Columbia musician David Essig. The second set will include Lady Lee, Tracy Kaye and Deborah Lynn Neufeld, backed by Danny Larson, Von Poyser, Greg Polo and Russell. The final set will showcase Robert Andreas, whom Russell described as a favourite among local Blues Basement audiences. “People always say, ‘When’s Robert coming back?’” Russell said. “The last set will be Robert rocking it with the band.”
Food will be available during the concert, with proceeds helping support local palliative care. Russell said, “Hopefully, a lot of people will come and we can raise some money for a really good cause.”
The tribute and the upcoming Blues Basement season underscore Dale Russell’s lasting influence on Manitoba’s musical community. They also highlight the ongoing efforts of local musicians to celebrate life, support one another, and give back to the community—an enduring legacy that continues to resonate long after the final chord fades.