Live from the Canal Showboat, DYSTOH is a dynamic new duo from Ray Tabana and Phil Motion, founding members of the three‑time Juno‑nominated Souljazz Orchestra. Blending hard‑hitting congas, roaring baritone sax, and tight two‑part harmonies, their sound draws from the commanding and vibrant elements of Afrobeat(s), Latin and Reggae. As the Showboat weaves down the Rideau Canal, the duo will bring forth their palpable high‑energy sound that speaks to the duo's rich history as touring artists and seasoned live performers.

The concert will begin at the Paul's Boat Line docks located on the Rideau Canal outside the NAC, under the Rideau Street Bridge. The boat will arrive at Lansdowne Park approximately 45 minutes later and then return back. The entire trip is 90 minutes, and the concert will take place on the boat while it is moving.

The duo was conceived at the very beginning of the Covid‑19 pandemic in full‑on lockdown mode, giving them the gift of time in the early harnessing of their new artistic creation and unique voice, eventually kicking‑off their first live international performance at the Dakar Music Expo, in Dakar, Senegal in Feb. 2023, followed by two tours of Colombia, a debut album release in 2024, and more recently a string of Canadian dates that lead to a first European appearance in Paris, France for a sold out show at l’Alimentation Generale.

Their self‑produced debut album, Heat of the Times (May 2024), is a journey through the realities, anxieties and hopes in the chaos of our modern world. The debut record, available on vinyl and in digital formats, features eight original tracks as well as a reimagined cover of The Payola$’ 1982 classic Eyes of a Stranger. The album bears the weight of the lockdown’s isolation while offering a subtle, raw and poetic personal reflection on global unrest in a fast paced, shifting world. Standout tracks and videos like All My Life and Days Go By highlight the best of their hypnotic grooves and polyrhythmic arrangements as these two artists swap lead vocal roles and tight vocal harmonies.

After 20 years touring internationally with The Souljazz Orchestra, the duo now takes the stage bringing forth a new palpable high‑energy signature sound that speaks to the duo’s rich history as seasoned performers and to their unwavering dedication to live music.