Acrpost: A Project of the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres

Event Description

An ecclectic group of string wizards come together to present an evening of ear candy from various roots music traditions. This year's line of guitar heros features Kevin Breit, Doug Cox & Sam Hurrie, Cecile Doo-Kingue, Bill Kirchen and Mark Stuart.

www.mightystringthing.com

Kevin Breit - One of the most innovative and enigmatic guitarists Canada has ever produced! Known for his diversity, fluidity and creativity, Breit is at home performing Jazz, Blues, World and more. Breit has recorded and / or toured with Norah Jones, Rosanne Cash, K.D. Lang, Hugh Laurie, Holly Cole, Amos Lee, Jane Siberry, Molly Johnson, Serena Ryder, Natalie McMaster, Jane Bunnett, and many others. He is a two-time JUNO Award winner for Best Instrumental Recording (Sisters Euclid and Stretch Orchestra), a National Jazz Award winner for Best Electric Jazz (Sisters Euclid). Breit has received a Gemini Award for best television performance for the Joni Mitchell Songwriter Hall of Fame concert with Measha Brueggergosman and a Maple Blues Award with Harry Manx for Acoustic Act of the Year. If that were not enough, he has performed on albums that have a collective ten Grammy Awards: for Norah Jones' 'Come Away With Me', 'Feels Like Home' and Cassandra Wilson's 'New Moon Daughter'

Doug Cox - As a young bluesman, this devotee of bottleneck slide guitar had a life-transforming moment nearly 30 years ago when he first picked up the Dobro. That eerie, slightly plangent music resonated deep in his soul and changed everything. A gifted slide guitarist, Doug immediately displayed a special affinity for this most expressive of instruments. His talent and passion proved nearly boundless, and before long he was playing and recording with masters such as Ellen McIlwaine and David Essig. Eventually his musical world expanded to include such diverse virtuosos as Indian slide guitarists Vishwa Mohan and Salil Bhatt, Folk Singer/Actor Ronny Cox, dearly departed bluesman Long John Baldry, guitar slinger Amos Garrett, Songwriter Chuck Brodsky and expat Rwandan The Mighty Popo.

Sam Hurrie - Toronto-born Sam Hurrie was initially obsessed with the pre-WW II blues of Robert Johnson and Son House, and already had his own R&B band in the mid-‘60s. On forays to New York to play and record, Sam, a gifted and intuitive electric guitarist, regularly jammed with Jimi Hendrix and also did a few dates at the Electric Circus where he opened for Muddy Waters and Blood Sweat and Tears

Cecile Doo-Kingue - With exceptional stage presence, guitarist / singer-songwriter Cécile Doo-Kingué blends blues, afro-roots and soul to create a unique sound. Born and raised in New York City, first generation from Cameroon, she has lived in the USA, France, and is now an adopted Montrealer. Considered one of Canada’s most electrifying and versatile guitarists, she has shared the stage and/or recorded with Montreal Jubilation Choir, Blind Boys of Alabama, Bernard Purdie, Michael Jerome Brown, Tricia Foster, Scarlett Jane, United Steel Workers of Montreal, amongst many, and has opened for many icons including Canned Heat, Eric Andersen, Angélique Kidjo, Youssou N’Dour and Manu Dibango.

Bill Kirchen - Grammy nominated guitarist, singer and songwriter Bill Kirchen is one of the fortunate few who can step onto any stage, play those trademark licks that drove his seminal Commander Cody classic Hot Rod Lincoln into the Top Ten, and elicit instant recognition for a career that has spanned over 40 years and includes guitar work with Nick Lowe, Emmylou Harris, Doug Sahm, Elvis Costello and many more. Named “A Titan of the Telecaster” by Guitar Player Magazine, he celebrates an American musical tradition where rock 'n' roll and country music draws upon its origins in blues and bluegrass, Western swing from Texas and California honky-tonk.

Mark Stuart - After many years on the Americana/Folk circuit, Stuart has cultivated a very rounded performance. His show consists of storytelling, flashy guitar "chops", and songs that seem to draw from his rock, blues, country, and folk music roots. Mostly, this artist from Tennessee has toured solo or in a notable duo with his wife ("Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart"). There were stints along the way as a sideman, though (Steve Forbert, Freddy Fender, Steve Earle, Joan Baez). If placed on the bill with a contemporary artist he is usually asked to play guitar on their portion of the show. Just ask Jason Ringenberg, Ray Wylie Hubbard, or Jimmy LaFave.

For more information contact Marie: marie@abachand.ca or visit www.beaconridgeproductions.com