2022 Islands Folk Festival Performers

2022 ISLANDS FOLK FESTIVAL PERFORMERS

ALEX CUBA

Two time Grammy Award Winner, Alex Cuba, is a Cuban-Canadian singersongwriter who sings in Spanish and English. His recent 2021 album Mendó won the 2022 Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album.

HARRY MANX

Harry Manx is a Canadian musician who blends blues, folk music, and Hindustani classical music. His official website describes his music as being a blend Indian folk melodies with slide guitar blues.

JIM BYRNES

Jim Byrnes has become a legendary name at home in Canada and south of the border. Over the years he’s performed a virtual “who’s who” of blues.

SHARI ULRICH

An award-winning Canadian singersongwriter and multi-instrumentalist (violin, mandolin, piano, guitar, dulcimer, harmonica), Shari Ulrich has been winning hearts across North America with her voice, sublime songs.

BRANDON ISAAK

Firebrand guitar, stirring vocals, stories and performances, Brandon’s affinity for the rawness and spontaneity of the blues is second to none.

THE BILLS

Known for their instrumental virtuosity, lush vocals and exuberant performances, The Bills are a high-impact, acoustic folk music quintet from the West Coast of Canada.

GARY COMEAU AND THE LOUISIANA ALL STARS

Playing a range of instruments, Gary delivers originally crafted, high energy, New Orleans-style rockin’ roots and blues with an all star backing band consisting of Vancouver’s finest.

LACHE CERCEL AND THE ROMA SWING ENSEMBLE

A recognized prodigy and virtuoso from Bucharest, Lache brings his own unique style of Roma Swing, merging Eastern influences with Western musicology that’s rooted in Roma (Gypsy) tradition.

ROOTS AND GROOVES - RICK SCOTT AND NICO RHODES

Roots & Grooves is a musical dialogue, a duet for dulcimer and piano, a multi- genre conversation across the generations, featuring songs old and new spiced with mastery, mischief and joie de vivre.

COUSIN HARLEY (PAUL PIGAT)

Known as the “Motorhead of Rockabilly” in Europe, Paul Pigat, amps it up with Cousin Harley, a red hot-rod band always guaranteed to deliver a topnotch performance.

THE SHINE-OLAS

A lively combination of award winning veteran performers, multi-instrumentalists and seasoned vocalists. The Shine-olas combine a dazzling array of catchy original songs presented in a rollicking rootsy style.

DAVID ESSIG

A master of country blues, David has travelled the globe showcasing his original songs and blues and slide guitar playing. He’s recorded 20 albums of original songs, bluegrass and country blues.

HEARTWOOD

Honey-soaked folk with a hint of indi and a splash of Bluegrass, Heartwood possess a freshness and secret sauce that reflects the chemistry that existed between June Carter and Johnny Cash.

CHRIS RONALD

Since emigrating from England, Chris has earned a place as one of Canada’s finest singer-songwriters. His sound, steeped in his British background, poetic lyrics, is a fusion of Roots and Americana music.

MILES OF AISLES – A TRIBUTE TO JONI MITCHELL

Featuring: Danielle Lebeau Petersen Fronted by Danielle backed by an exceptional band of Victoria based musicians, Miles of Aisles dives deep in to the catalogue one of Canada’s most iconic artists: Joni Mitchell

MARIANNE GRITTANI AND ROSE BARNEY

Marianne is a seasoned songwriter whose musical personality is deep and wide, Her well crafted songs explore themes of love, loss, home, the road. Rose adds her tasty mandolin, harmonica and harmony vocals.

MALAKAI

Malakai sings with soul surprising in one so young and with a voice well beyond his years. Often described as a musical prodigy, at 13 years old Malakai is already a seasoned performer.

CLAIRE COUPLAND

Claire is a moving songwriter, a skilled vocalist, and a compelling guitarist combining smooth finger picking, jazz influenced progressions and soaring melodies. Claire is joined by Guitar/ Dobro player Miles Zurawell.

CARA MCCANDLESS

Cara is a prolific singer-songwriter and guitarist originally from Winnipeg. Her emotional delivery and meaningful blues driven folk/country tunes create a ‘hair standing on the back of your neck’ feeling.

LAURA KELSEY

A WCMA-nominated singer currently based on Vancouver Island, Laura is inspired by the natural West Coast element. She performs her songs with a dynamic, soulful voice.

DANIEL COOK

A guitarist who blends a mix of jazz and country, Daniel combines melodies and stories to create his own brand of original West Coast Roots Music.

THE IFF ALL STAR BAND

Featuring: John Ellis John Ellis is a Canadian award winning Producer and Multi-Instrumentalist who is known for capturing the hottest sounds in Americana, Alt Country and Folk.

CHRIS NORDQUIST

Affectionately nicknamed “The Wrist” Chris is the go to drummer who’s who of Canadian Blues and R&B musicians and he has been nominated many times for the “Maple Blues Drummer of the Year”,

ROB BECKER

A BCCMA’s Bassist of the Year, Rob has toured extensively throughout Canada Rob has recorded and toured with the likes of Barney Bentall, Theresa Sokyrka, Lee Aaron and Jeremy Fisher.

WORKSHOP: WORKING WITH GUITAR & BASS ENSEMBLE

Guitar/Bass Workshop featuring Paul Pigat with Rob Becker

PAUL PIGAT

Blessed with a jazz man’s sheen, a rockabilly heart and a hobo’s soul, there aren’t many genres of music that Paul isn’t great at. It’s a mystery why Paul Pigat isn’t a household name yet.

DON’T WORRY ABOUT COMING ALONE... WE’LL ALL BE THERE TOGETHER!

ONE DAY ONLY! 25 ACTS 5 STAGES, FOOD AND CRAFT VENDORS, BEVERAGE GARDEN, CAMPING, SHUTTLES AND MORE!

SEE YOU ON JULY 23 AT PROVIDENCE FARM!

WWW.ISLANDSFOLKSFESTIVAL.CA