If you love the blues, this weekend is for you.
Deerhurst Resort presents the Muskoka Blues Weekend from March 22-23, and local fan-favourite, Muskoka Blues Connection, will kick things off with a performance this Friday.
The eleven-person ensemble plays a mix of rock blues, soul, funk and R&B classics. Their energetic songs are great for dancing to, or you can just sit back and enjoy the tunes while sampling craft beer from Muskoka Brewery, Deerhurst’s official beer partner. It’s the third year the Muskoka Blues Connection has performed together at Deerhurst under the direction of Tobin Spring, and some may remember their performance at the Etwell Concert Series last summer.
Almost all of the Muskoka Blues Connection musicians and vocalists that will be onstage are connected to Huntsville. Tobin Spring is on vocals and guitar and will be playing some original songs from his album Collective Blues Agreement. Serge Charlebois, with his powerful vocals, will cover James Browns’ “I Feel Good” and other Motown hits. Tamica Herod delivers soulful and gutsy vocals and will be covering Aretha Franklin’s hit “Rock Steady” along with other blues classics. Papa John (John Witterick) performs vocals and guitar. Derek Cochrane is on drums and percussion. Will Main plays bass guitar. Jordan Riley plays keyboard. The horn section features John Minnis on lead trumpet, Joe Alfano on the saxophone, and newcomer to the group, Andrew Ripenberg, on trombone. Another new addition to the ensemble this year is Roly Platt, who is known as one of the best live and studio harmonica players in Canada. Platt played the harmonica on Spring’s latest album and will be accompanying him on “Up the Road” at Friday’s concert.
As part of Muskoka Blues Weekend events, and included with your weekend pass, Tobin Spring will be hosting an open jam session with percussion on Saturday, March 23 from 1-5 p.m. and invites you to bring a guitar to join in or just come and watch. Roly Platt will host a harmonica workshop on the same day from 3-4 p.m.
The Muskoka Blues Weekend at Deerhurst continues with a second concert on Saturday night with Toronto band The Stevie Ray Vaughn Experience, Canada’s premier tribute to blues legend Stevie Ray Vaughn. As SVR fans know, the music is high energy and very danceable.
Tickets for each concert are $29.99 per person, or you can purchase a weekend pass for $50 per person. For more information, visit deerhurstresort.com/muskoka-blues.
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