AN ALL STAR TRIBUTE TO RAY CHARLES
SHAKURA
S'AIDA
Shakura S’Aida is nothing short of a powerhouse performer.
When she takes the stage, she owns it! She has a spectacular vocal range
and delivers the right amount of straight from the church Gospel and gut
bucket soul. Shakura is the voice behind the Juno nominated ‘Saturday
Night Fish Fry’.
DANNY
BROOKS
- The distinctive Danny Brook's sound
embodies a
hybrid of original music based in 'Old school' R&B, Blues, Soul, Gospel
and Country. This is the same vein mined by Ray Charles. Danny Brooks
gives a soulful power packed live performance that is both memorable and
electrifying. Multi Juno nominee and Maple Blues nominee for 'Best Male
Vocalist' and 'Best Gospel Recording', Brooks is fueled by true-life raw
emotion and gut wrenching sincerity.
LANCE
ANDERSON
is one of the country’s top arrangers and producers having
written for TV, Film and Orchestra. His passion though, is the Hammond
B3. He is one of the last practitioners of the art of playing bass with
his feet on the pedals of the organ. His love of gospel organ and sweet
soul music was initially lit by seeing a Ray Charles concert for his
ninth birthday. This encounter changed his life.
Michael
Sloski
is Canada’s pre-eminent roots drummer and has a groove that is
totally unique. He has played with Bruce Cockburn, The Cameo Blues Band,
The Prima Donnas, The Men from Uncle, The Dexters, Mary Margaret O’Hara
and on countless pop, rock and blues recording sessions including on the
debut release by the Mississippi Hippies. Both Michael and Lance were
nominated for the 2004 and 2005 Maple Blues Awards for their work as
Anderson/Sloski on their critically acclaimed release ‘Footwork’.
JESSE
O'BRIEN
- On piano is the gifted young piano master Jesse O’Brien. Jesse
has made quite a name for himself playing and recording with Daniel Lanois, Tom Wilson, Roxanne Potvin and Sonny Del Rio. He is at the top
of the new crop of young players, and is at home with boogie and
barrelhouse piano and plays the music of Ray Charles as if he grew up on
Ray’s piano bench.SIMON WALLIS - Sax player Simon Wallis is one of the country's premiere horn players. He currently plays with the multi platinuum Canadian band LIGHTHOUSE and played on the legendary recording of the 'Whiskey Howl Big Band - LIVE at the El Mocambo' which was just released this year.
See them On Saturday August 26th, on the front steps of the Welland Civic Centre/City Hall, Main St. Welland
Show Starts 7:p.m.
FREE to the general public
Bring Your Lawn Chairs