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Superb bluegrass treat Nov. 15
Please join us at the gorgeous Royal Alexandra Hall for an evening of superb bluegrass on November 15.
The mercurial, five-time JUNO nominated and seven time Canadian Folk Music Award winning mando-maestro Andrew Collins finds himself – through no actual fault of his own – at the epi-centre of Canada’s acoustic/roots music scene.
He didn’t invent it – but he’s certainly a major contributor, having co-founded seriously noteworthy Canadian bands like the Creaking String Quartet, the Foggy Hogtown Boys and, more recently, the Andrew Collins Trio.
As he gathers up innumerable awards and nominations by these various ensembles, Collins, who’s comfortable on mandolin, fiddle, guitar, mandola and mandocello – is zeroing in on the work he does with his beloved trio: fellow string guru Mike Mezzatesta, whose versatility shines through on guitar, mandolin, fiddle and mandola, and in-the-pocket, James McEleney, holding it down on the bass, mandocello and vocals.
Showcasing a popular collision of trailblazing roots, folk, chambergrass and jazz, not to mention a dizzying number and energetic interplay of instruments on stage, Collins and Co. appear to live by the old adage, “idle hands are the devil’s workshop” likely keeping them just ahead of his grasp. Bending and blending genres, these musical shape-shifters land somewhere between the re-imagined worlds of Béla Fleck and Newgrass invader, David Grisman.
They just released a new double disc set, grafting 11 vocal cuts (tongues) to 11 instrumentals (grooves) to create a seamless finish with their cleverly monikered double album, Tongue & Groove.
Opening this evening of stellar bluegrass is local favourites RedGirl. RedGirl is a light shade of bluegrass with some visible folk roots showing. Fronted by the clear and fearless vocals of Anie Hepher, RedGirl’s music is built around her pure and unfettered voice, clawhammer banjo, guitar and occasionally, a sassy ukulele. Michael Hepher (married to the girl) on lead guitar, mandolin and backing vocals, brings a balance in harmony, humour and musical creativity to the songs and stories of the band.
Tickets are available at the Key City Theatre Box Office and online.
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