Blues and jazz all-star bands added to ArtsFest Waterdown
ArtsFest Waterdown has added an all-star blues band, including Rita Chiarelli and Downchild’s Donnie Walsh, and an A-list jazz band, featuring Sophie Milman and Guido Basso, to its already strong lineup.
The free two-day street festival, which takes place Saturday, Aug. 19, and Sunday, Aug. 20 in downtown Waterdown, will feature the Order of Canada Jazz Ensemble and the Canada 150 All Star Blues Band, festival chair Geoff Kulawick, co-owner of Waterdown based True North Records. Both bands will perform on the final day of the festival.
The Order of Canada Jazz Ensemble — anchored by Order of Canada members Basso on horns, Tommy Banks on keyboards, Dave Young on bass, Terry Clarke on drums and Jens Lindeman on trumpet — will feature vocalists Milman, Alex Pangman and Genevieve Marentette. Accompanying the ensemble will also be The Swing Shift Big Band, performing a tribute to the music of Oscar Peterson.
Besides Walsh and Chiarelli, the Canada 150 All Star Blues Band will include Downchild singer Chuck Jackson, keyboard player Michael Kaeshammer, guitarist Danny Marks, harmonica virtuoso Carlos del Junco and sax player Pat Carey. Also joining the group will be drummer Bucky Berger and bassist Terry Wilkins, both former members of Rough Trade.
Other additions to ArtsFest announced Monday by Kulawick include flamenco guitarist Robert Michaels, Lowest of the Low singer Ron Hawkins, Canadian folk icon Valdy, and singer-songwriters Catherine MacLellan and Jadea Kelly.
Previously announced acts include Lunch at Allens, featuring Ian Thomas, Murray McLauchlan, Marc Jordan and Cindy Church; the Celtic Kitchen Party, starring Canadian fiddle sensations Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy; The Shuffle Demons; The Good Brothers; two-time Juno-winner Susan Aglukark; Newfoundland folk trio The Once; and the Mozart Effect Chamber Ensemble, led by Juno-nominated conductor Charles Cozens.
The festival will also feature a curated crafts marketplace, and a dedicated family zone with dance and theatre, storytelling and interactive art activities for children and youth.
For more, visit the website artsfest.ca.