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Entertainers 2011
Festival |
Artisans |
Entertainment |
Schedule |
Food
http://www.barneybentall.com
In 1988 at the point when a day job seemed imminent, Barney Bentall
formed The Legendary Hearts and signed with Columbia/CBS Records.
Their self-titled debut album sold over 100,000 copies and featured
three hit singles in Canada, winning a Juno in 1989. Between 1988
and 2000 the band toured extensively and released five studio albums
which all reached gold or platinum status in Canada. After a change
of perspective, 2007 brought the solo release of Gift Horse followed
in 2008 by The Inside Passage. Barney has also developed the Grand Cariboo Opry, a generational variety show of some of Canada’s finest
musicians.
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings
http://blackieandtherodeokings.com
Originally formed in 1996 when Colin Linden, Stephen Fearing and Tom
Wilson came together to record what was suppose to be a one off
tribute album to the great Canadian songwriter Willie P. Bennett
they are now into their second decade. With one JUNO award and
several JUNO nominations under their belts, Blackie and the Rodeo
Kings have evolved into one of the finest roots oriented bands in
North America. They have released five CDs and are currently working
on an impressive collaboration by the name of Kings & Queens. This
release pairs Blackie and the Rodeo Kings with some of the band’s
favourite female singers and friends – including Roseanne Cash,
Emmylou Harris, Serena Ryder, Lucinda Williams and Cassandra Wilson.
 BLUES
PANEL CONCERT - Friday Afternoon
Host of the Blues Panel concert this year is Tim Williams who will be joined by Eric Bibb, Lester Quitzau and Little Miss Higgins. Each performer is an accomplished musician with their own individual style, but on Friday
afternoon they come together and share their extensive knowledge of the Blues with the audience. Their material might range from original compositions to tunes by Robert Johnson or Elmore James. Each musician takes a turn as lead performer as they showcase the Blues past and present. This year we again dedicate our Blues Panel concert to the Hornby Island Blues Society and all of their hardworking volunteers. Offering one of the premier Blues instructional camps in the country, the Hornby Island Blues Society also presents the annual Blues Odyssey concert at the Sid Williams Theatre in May, making the Comox Valley a great place for Blues fans.
Clover Point Drifters
http://www.cloverpointdrifters.com
Their repertoire consists primarily of traditional bluegrass songs,
with a sprinkling of country, folk, blues and pop melodies served up
in the bluegrass style. Clover Point Drifter songs feature close
heartfelt duet and trio harmonies, backed by strong banjo, dobro and
mandolin accompaniment. The members each have a decades-long love
affair with bluegrass music. Featuring Mike Kraft on banjo, harmony
vocals; Larry Stevens on resophonic guitar, lead vocals; Dan Parker
on mandolin, lead vocals; Alan Law on guitar, lead & harmony vocals;
George Robinson on bass, lead vocals.
http://www.duanesteele.com
He is among Canada's top country recording artists and songwriters
with a professional career dating back to 1984. Duane landed a
publishing contract with Warner Chapel in Nashville in 1993. This
full time job as a staff songwriter allowed him the privilege of
working with and learning from some of the most talented writers
from the United States and Canada. Touring over the years, Duane has
opened for some of the hottest acts in country music including
Shania Twain, Terri Clark, Trisha Yearwood, Sammy Kershaw, and
Prairie Oyster. In the spring of 1999 Duane returned to Canada to
focus on his recording career and has since released four successful
albums.
Dustin Bentall Outfit
http://www.dustinbentall.com
The narcotic cowboy thing you hear in Dustin’s music comes from his
love for Gram Parsons, The Flying Burrito Brothers and the yrds.
The time he has spent in the saddle roping and branding steers on
the ranch has also nurtured this rustic troubadour. A two month
pleasure cruise across Canada throughout the summer of 2004 inspired
all kinds of writing and Dustin went on to record Streets With No
Lights in 2005. The release of that record took Dustin back out on
the Trans Canada Highway a number of times, as well down to
Nashville and over seas to tour Denmark and Ireland. His songwriting
talents continue to shine on Six Shooter, released in 2009.
http://www.folkloreproductions.com/EricBibb.html
Since a breakout performance at the 1996 London Blues Festival
catapulted him to a high level of visibility Eric has toured the
world, performing at major festivals. His rich and sensitive vocals
and lyrics provide a perfect balance to his fine finger picking
technique. He has no problem blending various genres effortlessly,
melding a traditional rootsy American style with a subtle,
contemporary sensibility. Eric has toured with Robert Cray, opened
shows for Ray Charles, and John Mayall has recorded several of his
songs. A native New Yorker with deep roots in the American blues and
folk tradition Eric has been nominated for nine W. C. Handy Blues
Music Awards.
 GREAT CANADIAN SONGS CONCERT
- Monday Afternoon
Valdy, Todd Butler and
Jake Galbraith will be the featured performers at the Great Canadian
Songs concert, singing your favourite Canadian songs, written by
your favorite Canadian songwriters. Valdy has been a part of the
fabric of Canadian folk music for many years. One of Canada’s most
influential songwriters, he charms listeners with his rich, smooth,
singing voice. Todd Butler is a veteran contributor to CBC Radio and
Television, well known for his hilarious political parodies, but
there are not many comedians who can play guitar as well as Todd.
Jake Galbraith has always loved music. A vocalist and
multi-instrumentalist, Jake has immersed himself in the music
community as a performer, as well as working in various aspects of
concert and record production. Join Valdy, Todd and Jake, singing
along with Great Canadian Songs that often rekindle many happy
memories and have the ability to touch the soul. Some of these songs
are written about the history of our country, and some of these
songs are an adventure in beautiful melodies and heartfelt lyrics
arranged and sung from the heart. They are all powerful songs that
capture the spirit of Canada.
http://houseofdoc.wordpress.com
Named after their family home, presided over by Grandfather David
‘Doc’ Schroeder. Ph.D., the House of Doc family history dates back
to the late 1800s. Infusing musical inspirations such as Gordon
Lightfoot, Simon & Garfunkel and Spirit of the West with intricate
harmonies, sophisticated counterpoint and a rocking, down home
delivery, the band has captured its story with a rich and sensitive
attention to detail. Dan Wiebe, sister Rebecca Harder, and husband
Matthew Harder come from a broad musical background and have large
instrumental capability, featuring superb vocal harmonies.
Jake Galbraith
http://members.shaw.ca/jake.galbraith
As Main Stage MC and host of the Great Canadian Songs panel concert,
Jake facilitates the connection between audience and performer,
drawing on a life long love of music, and the craft and ritual of
musical performance. Jake’s musical career began in the context of
the Los Angeles version of the late 1950s folk revival, and since
moving to Victoria, B.C. in 1973 Jake has immersed himself in the
local music community as a performer, and in various aspects of
concert and record production. As a performer who embraces many
styles, Jake performs these days as a solo artist, as well as with
various ensembles throughout many Vancouver Island communities.
http://www.keelaghan.com/more.html
This poet laureate of the folk and roots music world writes with
great humanity and honesty, with an eye to the past and a vision of
the future.
A brilliant tunesmith, James has always had the urge to write. He
loves language and history, a subject in which he earned a degree;
and he has an ear for memorable melodies and the harmonies that make
those melodies glisten. His masterful story telling has, over the
course of his nine recordings, been a part of the bedrock of his
success, earning James nominations and awards, as well as acclaim
from Australia to Scandinavia.
Joani Bye - KIDS
http://www.euphorics.com/joani.htm
As one of Vancouver’s top studio singers, Joani’s powerful voice has
been heard on albums by Cher, David Bowie, INXS and Bon Jovi as well
as on countless commercial jingles. She has been performing in
schools as a member of the a cappella quartet The Euphorics for the
past twenty years, and with them released a children’s CD called
So…What’s With The Pants? Joani appeared on the educational TV
series Tell-A-Tale Town performing two original songs with Diane
Lines. As well as performing, Joani will be encouraging kids to
participate in some creative and fun musical games.
http://www.lesterq.com
His skill as a guitarist and vocalist have won him growing critical
acclaim and admiration over the past twenty years as a solo
performer, a member of the award-winning group Tri-Continental, or
with his own Lester Quitzau Trio. A two time JUNO award winner, the
master slide guitarist’s music has evolved to be quite diverse, but
Lester spent the first ten years of his career playing straight
ahead blues. What began with a solid blues apprenticeship in the
funky working class bars of Edmonton has grown into an eclectic and
constantly evolving musical journey for the guitarist.
Little Miss Higgins
http://www.littlemisshiggins.com
Her stage name, Little Miss Higgins, suits the undeniably
inflammatory mix of her blues and country music repertoire. She
plays music brewed up in old time country blues sprinkled with a
little jazz and maybe a hint of folk. As a songwriter, a range of
artists from Memphis Minnie, Billy Holiday, and Big Bill Broonzy to
Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton and Bob Dylan has influenced her. Over
the past five years, Little Miss Higgins has built a strong national
reputation throughout Canada, performing most often as a duo with
partner, guitarist Foy Taylor. In the spring of 2011 Little Miss
Higgins toured overseas to the UK with her newest release, Across
The Plains.
Lunch At Allen's
http://www.lunchatallens.ca
This extraordinary musical revue began as a one-off project a couple
of years ago but it has proven so popular that the four veteran
songwriters are working on their fourth national tour. Marc Jordan
has written hit songs for Rod Stewart, Cher, Natalie Cole, Bette
Midler and Diana Ross. Ian Thomas has written hit songs for Santana,
America, Manfred Mann, Chicago and Anne Murray. Cindy Church is well
known on the festival circuit through her solo work and as a member
of the country-folk group Quartette. Murray McLauchlan's hits have
covered Canadian airwaves from coast to coast. Their new CD More
Lunch At Allen’s shows off their deep respect for the art of
songwriting.
 http://www.maemoore.com
Blessed with an artist’s eye, Mae has been writing for over
thirty-five years, and her songs have been heard in major movie
soundtracks, hit television shows and all over the radio. Mae has
forged a career that has found her sharing stages with Sarah
McLachlan John Hiatt, Marianne Faithfull, Crosby, Stills and Nash,
Richard Thompson and other folk/rock luminaries. Her voice is a
wonder, a round-toned, burnished instrument, and a vital voice in
the fabric that makes up the Canadian roots music scene. Mae has
just released a new album Folklore, as well as a companion art book.
http://www.themarigolds.ca
Gwen Swick (electric bass), Suzie Vinnick (lead guitar), and Caitlin
Hanford (rhythm guitar), three of Canada's top singer songwriters,
have combined their talents to form the Marigolds. Accompanied by
drummer Randall Coryell, the Marigolds have a genuine affection for
the timeless and classic genres of traditional country and
bluegrass, Appalachian ballads and the blues, specializing in
angelic harmonies and gutsy playing. Delivering with skill and
grace, the Marigolds are a roots music super group in full bloom.
The Marigolds have performed at concerts and major festival stages
all across Canada.
http://www.kaeshammer.com/ls_index.php
He has an uncanny ability to take ‘a bit of musical this’ and ‘a
touch of musical that’ and create a sound that is uniquely his own.
Michael is a gifted singer and songwriter, and a technically
brilliant piano player. He's a showman. His new release KAESHAMMER
showcases a set of original songs as playful as they are contagious.
Literally, a feast for your ears that blends ingredients from his
vast store of jazz, soul, pop and R&B influences, served up fresh,
piping hot, and with a huge helping of joy on the side. Michael
doesn’t play at you. He plays with you.
http://www.mikebattie.com
Since 1985 Mike has been wowing audiences with his hilariously
dynamic stage show. He blends virtuoso juggling with light-hearted
crowd participation to amaze and amuse. One of the most experienced
juggling instructors in BC Mike has personally introduced more than
ten thousand people to the joy of juggling. His skills are top notch
and the audience responds to his warmth and humour. Mike has
instructed for the Vancouver School Board's Adult Education program,
taught privately for schools, colleges, and corporate functions, and
conducted workshops at Science World and a wide variety of
festivals.
http://www.paulgellman.com
A multi instrumentalist and singer songwriter, Paul performs in an
eclectic range of styles combining rock, pop, jazz, blues, R&B and
folk. He has performed solo and in bands for over thirty years, and
brings a warm ambience to the stage. Recently, Paul’s activities
have broadened to include different musical forms, including Hebrew
and Klezmer. These influences have added to his wide range of
musical experience, helping to make his own compositions universal
in their appeal. Paul has recently developed a program of
collaboration and learning in Toronto that focuses on helping
individuals and groups grow their music.
http://www.rakishangles.com
What makes the Rakish Angles unique is the collaborative spirit in
which they put their pieces together. Each musician composes
original instrumental and vocal pieces for the group, and then they
all come together to arrange the diverse tunes. They recognize and
encourage each other’s different strengths and backgrounds, which is
heard both in the compositions and in the way each musician is given
space to shine. The quartet members are Boyd Norman on Bass, Serena
Eades on Violin, Dan Richter on Guitar and Simon Hocking on
Mandolin.
 The
Russell Jackson Band
http://www.myspace.com/russelljacksonband
Born in Memphis, Russell started playing bass in 1974. While living
in Chicago, Russell played with the Otis Clay Band, Buddy Guy, Artic
'Blues Box' White, Little Howling Wolfe, Abbe Locke, Bobby Rush,
Willie Clayton, and Johnny Dollar. After leaving Otis, Russell went
on to tour with the BB King Orchestra for six and a half years.
Moving to LA, Russell played with Jimmy Witherspoon, Margie Evans,
Sam Taylor, Barbara Mason, and Roy Gaines. In 1987 Russell moved on
to Sacramento, and played with highly acclaimed blues artists such
as Luther Tucker, Matt Murphy, Kenny Neal, Lucky Peterson, Katie
Webster, and Charlie Musselwhite. Finally in 1990, he moved to
Vancouver BC and formed the Russell Jackson Band and has now
released three CDs of his own material.
Sand Northrup - KIDS
http://www.sandnorthrup.com
Since 1984, Sand has been warming hearts young and old with her
dynamic one-woman circus stage show. She has brought circus arts to
literally thousands: at schools across the country, innumerable
community centres, festivals, corporate events and special education
projects. Sand loves to teach the skills she uses in her own
performances: juggling, unicycling, and clowning. She takes her
mobile Circus School to schools throughout BC offering interactive
circus arts workshops for Kindergarten to Grade Twelve in French or
English. Her popularity is due, in part, to her ability to let the
children who participate be the stars of the show.
Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart
http://www.staceyandmark.com
Since meeting in 1992 and marrying in late 1993, Stacey and Mark
have toured the United States, Canada, and Europe repeatedly. Armed
with clever acoustic guitar interplay, autobiographical songwriting,
lovely harmonies, and humorous storytelling, this couple captivates
your attention from the first moment they are on stage. Based out of
Tennessee, Stacey and Mark draw from blues, pop, country, rock, and
more in their heartfelt music. The years of touring have given them
a knack for reaching out to the audience in an intimate “come in to
my living room” fashion. Stacey and Mark own their own record label,
Gearle Records, and have released eight CDs over the years.
http://stevedawson.ca
Over the past decade or so Steve has become such an indelible
fixture on the Canadian musical landscape that it’s tempting to take
him for granted. Steve is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist.
Specializing in slide and fingerstyle guitar, pedal steel, lap
steel, banjo and other instruments, he is in demand as a performer,
session musician and producer. Because Steve is a master of many
genres, he is comfortable in almost any musical setting you could
name, and his newest album Nightshade draws from these diverse
interests to offer a veritable musical feast for string aficionados.
Sue Medley
http://www.suemedley.ca
Returning home to the Comox Valley after years of touring and
performing all over the world, Sue is now teaching voice and guitar
to young aspiring musicians. After all, she was playing guitar and
writing songs by the age of twelve. During her years on the road Sue
appeared with many of the greats from Bob Dylan to John Mellencamp.
She has also performed at the JUNO Awards, the Bob Dylan Tribute at
Madison Square Gardens in New York, Farm Aid in Louisville, Kentucky
and at the opening of the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
Her song Maybe The Next Time was one of the most played songs on
Canadian radio in 1991.
Tim Williams
http://www.cayusemusic.com
Tim is a blues based singer songwriter and multi instrumentalist, a
veteran of the roots music scene in North America, roots which
stretch back to the coffeehouse scene of his native California in
the mid sixties. Tim discovered a passion for the traditional blues
styles, inspired by seeing many first generation blues musicians
live during the blues boom of the mid and late sixties. His
songwriting has won praise from the likes of Tom Russell and Willie
Nelson. Living in Canada since 1970, Tim is a studio musician,
producer, and a performer in constant demand.
http://www.toddbutler.com
With over thirty years of live performance experience as both a
musician/vocalist and a comedian, Todd’s skills are finely tuned.
Expressing himself through music is his passion, a twisting journey
through such varied musical terrain as funk, R&B, reggae, country
swing, blues, bluegrass and thoughtful ballads in the finest singer
songwriter tradition. A veteran contributor to CBC Radio and
Television, well known for his hilarious political parodies, there
are not many comedians who can play guitar like Todd. He will
perform at the festival as a member of the Great Canadian Songs
panel concert.
Traci Skuce - KIDS
http://www.yogawithtraci.com/about-traci.html
Everyone enjoys the spinning of a good tale. Children become
enraptured and captivated. Traci is enchanted by the magic of
storytelling, her interest in storytelling born when her first son
was small. She loves to transport an audience to “once upon a time”
and “a land far, far away”. And transport you, she will. Be prepared
to journey to a Persian kingdom, a deep Russian forest or into the
hull of a flying ship. You may encounter trickery there, or three
impossible tasks. You may even have to outwit the binds of an
ancient spell. Traci has studied nuances and subtleties of story, as
well as performance, with Vancouver storyteller Naomi Steinberg.
http://www.valdy.com
Few performers are capable of achieving the kind of energy Valdy
generates on stage. He is a master of country, folk, rock and blues,
a terrific entertainer, an energetic performer, dancing and
prancing, dipping and swaying while singing and strumming on stage.
He introduces his songs with genuine warmth and establishes a strong
rapport with his audiences. He charms listeners with his rich,
smooth, singing voice and skillful guitar playing. Valdy tours in
Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and the United States. He will perform at the festival
as a member of the Great Canadian Songs panel concert.
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