Victoria-based acoustic roots band Bowker Creek makes a return visit to the Sooke Folk Music Society’s monthly Coffee House on Saturday, Jan. 19 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church. It promises to be an evening of lively music with sweet harmonies and arrangements.
Since forming in 2009, Bowker Creek has entertained audiences throughout southern Vancouver Island with its own brand of bluegrass fusion that combines country, folk, blues and bluegrass. Bowker Creek performs original compositions as well as rearrangements of familiar and less familiar tunes from a wide range of artists and genres.
This five-piece band consists of Doug Van Dine (banjo), Dan Ready (guitar and mandolin), Bonnie Duncan (vocals, guitar and harmonica), Martin Matychuk (stand up bass), and Duncan Sutherland (guitar and vocals). They have all “cut their teeth” playing in various other groups in the Victoria area, and some further a field. The voice of one band member has been described as “raw and earthy,” another band member has toured with Canadian Country Music Award winner, Patricia Conroy, another also plays in a Victoria rhythm and blues band, and yet another plays with a swing band. Come out and see who is who. Guaranteed you’ll love Bowker Creek’s song selection, harmonies and musical energy.
Whether singing Patsy Cline tunes or ballads by Leonard Cohen, Bonnie Duncan (BJ to her friends) is totally at home with her audiences. She has a powerful and dynamic voice. She comes from a family with a long standing tradition of music and has been singing since she was a young kid.
Martin keeps the band honest with his rhythmic bass playing and also lends his harmony talents to the band. He has been playing acoustic and electric bass since the 70s and has performed music from jazz to gospel; from blues to classical.
Danny Ready and Doug Van Dine bring that bluegrassy feel to the band with their respective mandolin and banjo breaks. No better example is when they trade off licks when the band plays Cohen’s “First We Take Manhattan.”
Please join us for this great night of “toe-tappin” music. It all happens on Saturday, Jan. 19 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 1962 Murray Road. Doors open at 7 p.m. with open stage at 7:30 p.m. and our feature at 9.
Submitted by Dave Gallant
