BC Smoke Shop Harbour Blues 'n Roots Festival! 2024
The BC Smoke Shop Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival features local, international, and regional blues and R&B artists/groups in both free to the public and ticketed performances on the beautiful outdoor stage in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, Ship Point Picnic Site.
Happening Friday August 23rd to Sunday August 25th 2024
On Sale Now!
Ticketed performances at Ship Point
$39 each (plus service charges)
SAVE BIG! Buy all three Ship Point performances for only $99!
Available: Victoria Jazz Society Office (250-388-4423) Online At https://jazzvictoria.ca/home/tickets/
BC Smoke Shop Blues 'n Roots Fest Spotify Playlist
The Dip
Friday, August 23 | Ship Point | 7pm
Seattle-based rhythm and blues band The Dip is known for their poignant songwriting, detailed arrangements, and vintage sound. Featuring a three-piece horn section, the group’s music harkens back to earlier soul and funk influences while hinting at the jazz foundations that brought the band’s members together. Along with singer and guitarist Tom Eddy, bassist Mark Hunter, drummer Jarred Katz, trumpeter Brennan Carter, and saxophonists Evan Smithand Levi Gillis, this band is equally at home in a tight-pocketed groove as they are with spacious, free improvisation. They create a distinct sonic character that has drawn in millions of listeners to date.
Love Direction, the follow-up to 2022’s Sticking With It (which landed at #1 on the Billboard Current R&B Albums Chart), is the band’s fourth full-length studio album which releases right before their appearance at BC Smoke Shop Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival. This new record is the sound of the band taking their next step forward, augmenting their classic sound with an expanded instrumentation throughout. Their last album cycle saw the band headline and sell out shows at iconic venues across the country. They have also had the opportunity to support new friends like Lake Street Dive, The Teskey Brothers, and Black Pumas, while also appearing at major festivals including Bonnaroo and Outside Lands. No strangers to the road, this new album represents a reflection on the band’s touring gravitas as well as the promise of a new destination appearing on the horizon. The Dip speeds forward on its trajectory as an up-and-coming popular soul-funk band with no signs of slowing down, and their next stop on their way to stardom is Victoria’s inner harbour this August!
Opening for this evening will be Krystle Dos Santos
Krystle Dos Santos
Friday, August 23 | Ship Point | 7pm
Two-time Western Canadian Award-winning soul/country/rock singer-songwriter Krystle Dos Santos isn’t letting anything break her stride. Her self-titled debut CD took home “Urban Recording of the Year” at the 2009 Western Canadian Music Awards, while 2020’s album Bloom Burn won “R&B Artist of the Year.” Her unique blend of dance beats, funky grooves, and soft, jazzy soul have inspired comparisons to modern soultresses Sade and Jill Scott, as well as the greats of the past, Etta James and Sarah Vaughan. Dos Santos is a versatile performer with a stage presence that has been described as both commanding and powerful. Performing with a full band, she seamlessly moves from one musical genre to another. Pair this along with Krystle’s larger-than-life personality and sultry, smoky voice, and you have an unmissable live show at this year’s BC Smoke Shop Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival that is dynamic, interactive, and unforgettable!
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
Saturday, August 24 | Ship Point | 7pm
“Foot-stomping, wise-cracking contemporary songs, a combination of rockabilly, jazz, blues, rock, and big band swing. Estrin is a world class musician…the most colorful and entertaining showman around.” – Forbes
The musically fearless, wildly entertaining, award-winning band Rick Estrin & The Nightcatsconsists of Alligator Records blues vocalist, harmonica master, and songwriting legend Rick Estrin, multi-instrumentalist/musical mastermind/producer Christoffer “Kid” Andersen, keyboardist/organ wizard/bass player Lorenzo Farrell, and endlessly creative drummer Derrick “D’Mar” Martin. Among the most entertaining and colourful showmen around, the band’s new album and sixth release, The Hits Keep Coming, packs a powerful punch, with phenomenal musicianship and lyrics. The record captures the band’s chemistry and magic in what is certainly among their strongest, most urgent, and most cohesive releases so far.
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats have performed at festivals and concert stages from San Francisco to Chicago to New York, and everywhere in between, and have toured the United Kingdom, Norway, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Poland, Australia, Israel, and Russia. The band has twice won the coveted Blues Music Award for “Band Of The Year”. Additionally, Estrin has won Blues Music Awards for “Song Of The Year”, “Traditional Male Blues Artist,” and for “Instrumentalist: Harmonica.” These serious musicians deliver a hot, groove-heavy, and hard-hitting good time. Try and fail to stay in your seat when Estrin and his musical cohorts get cooking at this year’s BC Smoke Shop Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival!
Opening for this evening will be Steve Marriner & Local Electric
Steve Marriner & Local Electric
Saturday, August 24 | Ship Point | 7pm
Toronto-based multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter Steve Marriner needs no introduction. He’s been knocking out audiences for years; on his own, and with blues-infused JUNO-winning and Maple Blues Award-winning MonkeyJunk, which has won over fans and critics alike since the trio first roared down the track over a decade ago.
Marriner has driven, guided, and participated in numerous impressive and acclaimed projects. Audiences have witnessed him play the role of musical foil to Colin James on stage, as well as heard him deliver searing guitar licks and sing alongside Harry Manx on their 2019 critically-acclaimed and chart-topping duo outing, Hellbound for Heaven. He has also occupied the guitar, bass, and keyboard seat in Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar at various times over the past five years, including their last stop in Victoria in November 2022. His latest 2021 solo album, Hope Dies Last, explores his ever-evolving sound as a prolific and dedicated artist. We are lucky to be featuring Steve Marriner with his own band, Local Electric, at this year’s festival! Leo Valvassori bass, Geoff Hicks drums
Mike Farris & The Fortunate Few
Sunday, August 25 | Ship Point | 7pm
“Ranging from straight-on gospel to blues and Stax-style soul, the music is grounded in Farris’ faith and his sublime musicianship” – POPMATTERS
GRAMMY-winning guitarist/vocalist Mike Farris is an artist’s artist, celebrated and revered by his fellow performers. He brings everything to his music and to every live performance, every time. In addition to his 2015 Grammy win for “Best Roots Gospel Album,” Shine For All The People, Farris is an Americana and Dove Music Award winner with multiple solo recordings, including his last full length release, Silver and Stone. His iconic personal appearances include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concert honoring Aretha Franklin.
Featured on Patty Griffin’s Grammy-winning “Downtown Church,” and appearing with Griffin on Austin City Limits, Farris has shared the stage with Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Double Trouble on the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame special and made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 2018. Farris was also the frontman of the mainstream rock group The Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies, who launched onto the scene in the 90’s with a major label release and to critical acclaim. This extraordinary performer releases a record this summer, just in time to showcase brand new material at the BC Smoke Shop Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival. An amalgamation of the spiritual and the earthly, of gospel and rock ‘n’ roll, of faith and fire, Mike Farris and his band, The Fortunate Few, return to Victoria for the third time to stun audiences once more with what Rolling Stone Country describes as a “supersized voice filled with the electricity of Saturday night and the godly grace of Sunday mornings.”
Opening for this evening will be Cousin Harley
Cousin Harley
Sunday, August 25 | Ship Point | 7pm
From Vancouver, Cousin Harley can explode like an active volcano, swing like the Basie band, and holler like a lonesome hillbilly in the back woods of the Appalachia, all in a single show. This trio has been rocking international audiences for 20 years! Not to be trifled with and not to be missed, folks. Called the “Motorhead of Rockabilly” by a delirious fan after a particularly raucous show in Holland, there’s nothing tentative about Cousin Harley’s pedal to the metal approach to this stripped down form of rock and roll. As frontman Paul Pigat notes, “Cousin Harley’s been my main project for 12 or 13 years now, and people think it’s easy to play rockabilly, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Everyone has to be on board from the first note or it just doesn’t work.” And judging from the people who drove or flew hundreds of miles to attend shows on his last European jaunt, everything’s working just fine. Prepare yourself to rollick and romp in a jet-fueled rockabilly haze. This show isn’t for the faint of heart. You’ve been warned! Paul Pigat guitar/vocals, Jesse Cahill drums, Jeremy Holmes bass
FREE SHOWS
FREE TO ATTEND AT SHIP POINT
The Smokestacks
Saturday, August 24 | Ship Point | 12pm
Returning to the festival this year is the local six-piece blues band, The Smokestacks. Their sound brings together a collection of classic blues standards with soul, originality, and creativity. With a style ranging from smooth grooves to hard, gritty blues, they draw on inspiration from the likes of Howlin’ Wolf, Bonnie Raitt, Albert King, and many other legendary blues giants. Ella Slaughter vocals, Hyoga Onda bass, Bryden Amos keyboards/harmonica, Cade Wilcox drums, Daniel Froese guitar, Owen Pollock guitar
Bill Johnson Band
Saturday, August 24 | Ship Point | 1:05pm
A master guitarist, musician, and vocalist, Bill Johnson has developed his own brand of laid-back, soul-thumping blues while living on Vancouver Island. Whether on his own, or performing with his band, his unique style and beautiful tone reveal a rare passion for the blues. A JUNO nomination in 2012 and four Maple Blues award nominations have marked his place among the country’s best blues artists. From a slow burn to a blast of blues energy, his show is not to be missed! Bill Johnson vocals/guitar, Casey Ryder bass, Kelby MacNayr drums
Kelly Fawcett Band
Saturday, August 24 | Ship Point | 2:10pm
Victorian guitarist/singer Kelly Fawcett has a style firmly rooted in the blues. Growing up in Nova Scotia, he cut his teeth performing as a sideman with some of the country’s finest blues musicians, notably with Canada’s Prime Minister of the Blues, Dutch Mason, and over the years, getting the opportunity to share the stage with countless acts including the legendary Buddy Guy. Music has taken him all over the world, including Hong Kong, China, Europe, Canada, and the US. He now lives on Vancouver Island and currently is a member of The Beautiful Maladies, The Deb Rhymer Band, and more. Witness him and his band in this incredible “free-to-attend” performance! Phil Wipper drums, Todd Sacerty bass, Lee Worden guitar/lap steel/vocals
Canadian Beauty
Saturday, August 24 | Ship Point | 3:35pm
Victoria-based Canadian Beauty’s first ever Grateful Dead tribute show was in 2005 at Logan’s Pub, and since then, the ride hasn’t slowed down! Over the years since, tributes to Neil Young, Bob Dylan, The Band, The Allman Brothers Band, and Gram Parsons have surfaced under a pile of different band names. The band endeavour to make the music they play their own, and as skilled, serious musicians and improvisors, they’d rather put their personal stamp on the songs than perform note-for-note renditions. Catch them live in the harbour this year! Lucky Buddguitar/vocals, Marc Jenkins guitar/vocals, Esme John bass/vocals, Damian Graham drums
Jaya Bremer
Sunday, August 25 | Ship Point | 12pm
Jaya Bremer is multi-genre singer-songwriter/artist based in Victoria, British Columbia, and a prominent figure in the regional music scene for nearly a decade — fronting and managing a gypsy jazz quintet, a Patsy Cline tribute band, and an indie-rock band called Wise Child. In 2020, she ventured into her own solo project, marked by the release of her debut album, Everybody’s Getting Married. She has regularly been a featured artist at the TD Victoria International JazzFest, and has played such festivals as Song & Surf in Port Renfrew, and Phillips Backyard Weekend in Victoria, and was named a Vancouver Island regional Semi-Finalist for CBC Searchlight 2017.
KSAR
Sunday, August 25 | Ship Point | 1:05pm
Victoria-based KSAR is an ever-evolving collective of musicians formed in 2021. With accordion and vocals supported by guitars, bass, trumpet, mandolin, drums, and synth, KSAR delivers strong Balkan, Middle Eastern dance and Afrobeat influences interlaced with contemporary pop, indie rock, and chamber folk styles. Their live show is colourful, danceable, and emotionally charged, with lyrical themes that seek to inspire positive change and touch on difficult topics. Raising important questions about our current way of life, while participating in a vibrant celebration of it, is what KSAR embodies. Aaron Cockburn songs/accordion/guitar/vocals, Brendan Lofting trumpet/synthesizer/glockenspiel/vocals, Casey Ryder guitars/bass/vocals, Glenn MacDonald bass/mandolin/vocals, Thomas Sokoloff drums
Cousin Harley
Sunday, August 25 | Ship Point | 2:10pm
From Vancouver, Cousin Harley can explode like an active volcano, swing like the Basie band, and holler like a lonesome hillbilly in the back woods of the Appalachia, all in a single show. This trio has been rocking international audiences for 20 years! Not to be trifled with and not to be missed, folks. Called the “Motorhead of Rockabilly” by a delirious fan after a particularly raucous show in Holland, there’s nothing tentative about Cousin Harley’s pedal to the metal approach to this stripped down form of rock and roll. As frontman Paul Pigat notes, “Cousin Harley’s been my main project for 12 or 13 years now, and people think it’s easy to play rockabilly, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Everyone has to be on board from the first note or it just doesn’t work.” And judging from the people who drove or flew hundreds of miles to attend shows on his last European jaunt, everything’s working just fine. Prepare yourself to rollick and romp in a jet-fueled rockabilly haze. This show isn’t for the faint of heart.
You’ve been warned! Jesse Cahill drums, Jeremy Holmes bass
James Vickers Band
Sunday, August 25 | Ship Point | 3:35pm
Nanaimo-based blues guitarist/singer-songwriter James Vickers has been on the rise since the Nanaimo Blues Festival in 2022. The 14-year-old up-and-coming star received a unanimous three thumbs up from the judges at the 2024 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, performing on the international stage this past January. He has played all over Nanaimo, including opening for Myc Sharratt at Nanaimo Fringe Festival 2023, as well as performing multiple fundraisers around the island. This young musician serves the blues straight from the soul, and has an EP of original music in the works that you may hear in his debut at the BC Smoke Shop Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival!
