Musical roots spread deep and wide in Powell River and all across the coastal region. Texada Islands’ upcoming Texada Island Blues and Roots Festival taps into those roots and stays firm on booking acts that are local.
“There are so many talented musicians that were lacking venues to play so we put a pin in the map at Goose Bay,” said Jeremy Childress, part of the festival organizing committee. “Ninety-five per cent of our musicians are coming from within 100 kilometres.”
According to Childress, even if the act is not from around here and might attract a bigger following than local musicians, the festival takes a pass.
“Every once in a while we get a chance to book an act from Alabama or some place, that might draw a bigger audience and we go, ‘No, no, we gotta go back to our roots,’” said Childress.
According to local singer-songwriter Devon Hanley, who is playing Blues and Roots for the first time, the festival may not be after acts beyond the coastal region of Powell River and Vancouver Island, but it is broadening the stage of genres.
“It’s great that they’re trying to get people who are close and local,” said Hanley. “It’s a nice nod to the great talent we have around us. It’s not just the blues; there are more roots in there as well.”
Blues and Roots grew out of Jazz on the Rock, which ran for four years on Texada. According to Childress, when the jazz festival ended, Texada Arts, Culture and Tourism (TACT) used leftover funds and put them into Blues and Roots.
Sam Hurrie Band, Ron Campbell and Butts Giraud are three of the acts that will be holding up the blues end of the festival. Walter Martello Trio is one act that will carry on the festival’s jazz past.
Blues and Roots will be the only opportunity for music fans to see Hurrie solo and with his band at a festival environment this year.
“I’m trying this summer to cut back on festivals,” said Hurrie. “I find the touring is a little hard to do now as I grow older, so I pick my spots, but when I do them, I really enjoy them.”
Hurrie said he is looking forward to seeing the funk-influenced folk from Victoria’s Auntie Katie and the Uncles of Funk.
Other acts from the lineup include Comox Valley’s Anela Kahiamoe, who blends jazz, rock, country, blues and reggae with his laid-back, native Hawaiian style, and indie-folkers The Kays Band.
The two-day festival takes place Saturday, August 6, and Sunday, August 7, at Gillies Bay Ball Park on Texada.
For more information, go to texadabluesfestival.com.
