To blues fans and music lovers everywhere - mark your calendar now so you don't miss the seventh annual Pender Harbour Blues Festival June 4 to 6.
James Harman, "your full service bluesman," will shake it up at the Pender Harbour Community Hall in Madeira Park on Saturday night, backed by Vancouver's Steve Kozak and his West Coast All Stars. Harmonica player, singer, songwriter, producer, Harman's credentials are backed by a four-decade long, award-winning recording and international touring career. This respected musician has accompanied and collaborated with a veritable who's who list of contemporary blues artists.
Kozak is a mainstay of blues on the West Coast. He is a mentor to many up-and-coming young blues artists via his blues jams and Internet radio show and responsible for keeping the blues alive and kicking for many of us.
Jim Byrnes headlines on the opening Friday at the place where it all started - the Garden Bay Pub - home of the blues on the Sunshine Coast. Byrnes is delighted to return to this fabulous venue situated in the prettiest bay in the Harbour. His remarkable career as a musician, singer, songwriter and actor is defined by the blues, and his evocative, smoky vocals tell a truth that doesn't come overnight. If you've never had the treat of a Jim Byrnes performance - make it to this one. It promises to be a wonderful evening.
The ever popular Tim Hearsey will front the band on Saturday night at the Garden Bay Pub, so true blues fans have a choice of venues or, with a little planning, a double header.
With the early start of the Harman concert, there will still be time to catch the end of the evening with Hearsey and the great house band at the pub.
Sunday afternoon will be another "must see" performance as the patron saint of the blues on the Sunshine Coast - Ron Johnston, owner of the Garden Bay Pub - hosts the All Star Jam. If past years of this popular event set the bar high, rest assured it will be topped yet again. Players and guest artists are sure to bring down the house, and get ready for some surprise appearances by past blues festival performers. There's already a buzz starting among musicians and fans on the entire Coast.
And if you have to have more blues, on Sunday night, Willie MacCalder will front the house band in a rocking performance to cap off the weekend.
One of the founding members of the Powder Blues Band, MacCalder's resume also includes stints with many international blues artists, and his fabulous renditions of standards and originals are unsurpassed as he proves that the blues and piano are made for each other.
So what if you're late for work on Monday - just consider it blues therapy.
The house band for the shows at the pub will be led by Hearsey and features Powder Blues alumni Bill Runge on bass and tenor sax. The Sunshine Coast's Peter Van Deursen will round out the sound on Hammond organ and piano.
'Blues For All Ages' is the Pender Harbour Blues Society's working mission statement, so for families and kids, young and old, free performances will feature local and guest talent at community stages on Saturday at John Henry's, Crossroads Grill and Triple-B's Burgers.
More information on the line-ups and locations of these stages will be posted on the website as the festival nears. The website is also a great source for other information about festival tickets, venues, artists' bios, maps and accommodations in the area at www.penderharbourbluesfestival.com or call 604-865-0640.
It's going to be a great party!
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