It's time to shake off the winter blues and dust off your dancing shoes as the Pender Harbour Blues Society presents Russell Earl Marsland in a special performance at the community hall on Saturday, March 26 at 9 p.m.
Marsland has been a powerful presence on the Vancouver music scene for more than 30 years. In his teens, he played the Penthouse and famed '70s hangout Lasseter's Den with Powder Blues guitarist Tom Lavin. In 1978 Russell co-founded Vancouver's R&B All Stars. The band played its first gig opening for Long John Baldry. Russell has performed with hundreds of artists, and has shared the stage with the Allman Brothers, BB King, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, and Steppenwolf.
Performing along with Russell will be local favourites John Rule on drums and Peter van Deursen playing the "mighty" Hammond B3 organ. Russell's regular bass player Lee Oliphant rounds out the band.
This dance is a fundraiser for the upcoming eighth annual Blues Festival set for June 3 to 5. This is a not-to-be-missed weekend of great blues performances by local and international artists. This year's festival will be bigger than ever, including the ever-popular Brickhouse, New Orleans piano player, singer, composer and storyteller John Lee Sanders, and in a special presentation of southern gospel music at the Pender Harbour School of Music on Sunday afternoon. See www.penderharbourbluesfestival.com for more festival details.
Tickets for the fundraising dance are available at Copper Sky in Madeira Park, Strait Music in Sechelt, MELOmania in Roberts Creek and Gaia`s Fair Trade in Gibsons.
-Submitted
