This week's Kootenay Savings Music in the Park performers are from the Kootenay Fiddle Camp Jam with musical instructors from across Canada!. They specialise in reels, jigs, from the East Coast and even and waltzes.
This year's players include:
Gord Stobbe from Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia, a master fiddler and member of the Order Of Canada, Gord is a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Association for “outstanding contribution to Old-Time Fiddling in Canada”. Former host of “Up Home Tonight”, Gord was commissioned to compose and record scores for CBC radio dramas. He is an inspiring teacher, and has been inducted into the Nova Scotia Country Music Hall Of Fame as a Pioneer In Music. He has also received the ECMA Stompin’ Tom Award for his long-term contributions to music.
Tahnis Cunningham started playing the violin at 5 years old and performed with her family as The Cunningham Family Band. Over the years they have performed across Canada and through Europe. Now, Tahnis lives in Regina, Saskatchewan where she teaches fiddle and guitar at “Music in the House.”
Ivonne Hernandez - By the age of three, Ivonne was playing violin by ear, everything from her mother’s favourite Maritime reels to her father’s Chilean folk music roots. She is a dynamic musician and has toured and taught all over North America, the Caribbean and Europe. Ivonne is a 2017 Juno Award winner!
JJ Guy is an award-winning fiddler and dedicated instructor. His fiddle albums are full of lively traditional and original fiddle music, and his collaboration with Gordon Stobbe entitled “Twin Fiddles” has garnered a WCMA nomination. JJ won the People’s Choice Award at the 2013 Canadian Grand Masters.
Trish Clair is a passionate educator specializing in fiddle and Suzuki violin/viola. She is an active tune composer and arranger, creating exciting ensemble arrangements of traditional and contemporary fiddle tunes.
Ray Bell lives in Regina where he teaches at Music in the House, a music school that he founded in 2002. He is in high demand as a guitar instructor at fiddle camps all over western Canada and has toured extensively including tours of Canada, U.S. and the U.K performing at folk clubs, bluegrass and folk festivals.
Geoff Horrocks is recognized as one of the fiddle community’s best pianists. He has performed on stages across Canada, and continues to be in demand as a clinician at camps and workshops nationwide. Geoff is co-creator of the Cross Canada Fiddle Tunes instructional books. He teaches fiddle, piano and guitar in Nanaimo BC.
The Fiddle Camp takes place from July 8-12 at Selkirk College in Castlegar.
Plus, mark your calendars for the return of our exciting Night Markets, starting at 5 pm.
- July 18 the Lester McLean Band featuring acoustic soul, funk & pop with local favourite Tony Ferraro on drums from 7-8.15 pm, sponsored by Teck Metals Ltd. Come early so you don’t miss the market and opening act Brad Lee Whiplash & The Werewolves of Thunder at 6.15 pm!
- August 8, Locarno Band, featuring Tonye Aganaba hit the Gyro Park stage from 7-8.15 pm with their groove heavy mix of Mexican folk, Cuban Son and Latin soul.
The rest of the line-up is just as amazing, offering a range of styles, including Willy Blizzard, Devils You Don’t, Holly Hyatt Band, Blue Crush, and Hairlöss.
With entrance by donation ($2 minimum suggested), it’s the perfect opportunity to bring a lawn chair or a blanket, get outside and listen to some live music in the beautiful setting of Gyro Park every Thursday starting at 7 pm.
For a complete list of acts, dates and times please visit our events calendar.
This show is made possible thanks to Kootenay Savings, BC Arts Council, BC Touring Council, Canadian Heritage and Teck Metals Ltd.