By Mike Redfern

When I reviewed Guy Davis’ last concert Live at Studio 64 on April 21, 2015, I started by saying, “It’s difficult not to indulge in extensive hyperbole about Tuesday night’s concert by New York bluesman, Guy Davis, at Studio 64. It was wonderful entertainment. Standing tall on the small stage facing a full house of expectant blues fans, Davis plunged into the opening number on his 12-string guitar, his powerful voice riveting the audience, electronic reverb adding depth to the instrumental sound, and left us spellbound. Utter silence followed the applause for each number as the audience waited in thrilled anticipation for the next one. The man was magic.”

Well, that magic is returning two-fold to Studio 64 on Sunday afternoon, October 14, when Guy Davis and Italian harmonica ace Fabrizio Poggi bring ‘Sonny and Brownie’s Last Train’ to Kimberley.

This acoustic concert is a homage to the two late, great, hugely influential blues artists, harmonica player Sonny Terry and acoustic guitar/vocalist Brownie McGhee, whose music has inspired musicians and delighted blues fans around the world for the past 80 years.

‘Sonny and Brownie’s Last Train’ is also the title of Davis’ and Poggi’s latest album, released in 2017, which was nominated for a Grammy Award. This was the 12th album released by Guy Davis, two previous albums, ‘Juba Dance’ and ‘Kokomo Kidd’ also featuring Fabrizio Poggi. The two artists have toured Europe and North America together a number of times during the last decade.

This current tour started with Guy Davis and other accompanying artists in California and Ohio in September before moving to Canada where Davis was joined by Poggi for a 13-stop tour of B.C. and Alberta after which Davis will continue to Ireland for a couple of concerts before returning to New Jersey in December. He is a busy man, living up to his reputation as a blues ambassador to the world.

This is the first time a Live at Studio 64 concert has been held on a Sunday afternoon, the timing necessitated by the demands of the tour. The concert will start at 3 p.m., doors open at 2:30, with the usual cabaret seating and no-host bar.

Seems like it’s the place to be on a cold October afternoon! This is the third concert in this fall’s Live at Studio 64 series. The fourth and final concert will take place on November 17 when vocalist Cecilia La Rochelle from Vancouver will bring her jazz combo to Studio 64.

Tickets for both these concerts can be obtained from Centre 64 (250-427-4919 or [email protected]).

Photos of Guy Davis by Rod Wilson

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