Finger picking good.
Feel the blues with Grammy-nominated artist Guy Davis who will be bringing his brand of finger picking blues to the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre on Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
"I am thrilled to be able to bring the phenomenal Guy Davis to our community," said CVRD Arts & Culture Manager Patrick LeBlanc who curates the shows at the CPAC. "Guy is an authentic blues musician with his fiery slide guitar and gritty fingerpicking style and makes history wherever he plays."
Davis, a self-taught guitar player first learned his craft by listening to, and watching other musicians. It was on a train ride from Boston to New York that he first picked up finger picking from a nine-fingered guitar player. Fun fact; his first exposure to the blues was at a summer camp in Vermont which was run by Pete Seeger's brother John — this was where he learned how to play the five-string banjo.
Davis, who has always been influenced by his strong love of theatre and storytelling, is also an accomplished actor and author in addition to being a stellar songwriter and musician who has been a two-time, back-to-back Grammy nominee for Best Traditional Blues. According to Davis, his music was inspired by the southern speech of his grandmother and since the start of his musical career he has used a blend of roots, blues, folk, rock, world music, rap, and even spoken word to comment on, and address the frustrations of social injustice, touching on historical events, and common life struggles.
Davis derives joy from being on tour and seeing people from all walks of life come together to be united though music and the commonality that we are all people regardless of our class, race, or personal experience, a lesson he learned from his long-time friendship with folk musician, Pete Seeger.
Blues fans can expect to hear a blend of Davis originals, and classic covers from some of the other greats such as Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Mance Lipscombe, Blind Willie McTell, Leadbelly, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and many more.
Those who love the rich sounds of the blues will not want to let this experience pass them by. Regular tickets are $30 or $15 for youth and children and can be purchased by visiting the CPAC ticket centre in person, calling 250-746-2722, or online at cowichanpac.ca.
"Guy’s live shows are captivating with classic blues and fascinating stories," said LeBlanc. "He gives his all on stage and it’s going to be an amazing evening that will have the audience eager for more."
