Nova Scotia folk musician J.P. Cormier appears in concert at the Errington Hall on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 8 p.m.
Cormier’s body of work has resulted in a loyal fan base throughout Canada, Great Britain, Europe, and the USA. His songs have earned him 12 East Coast Music Awards, five Music Nova Scotia Awards, and a Canadian Folk Music Award. Since 1995 he has released 13 solo albums and won more than 30 awards in fiddle, guitar, banjo, and songwriting competitions.
Cormier’s lyrics and melodies evoke deep emotions as he paints pictures of loves lost, abandoned fishing villages, and significant moments in his own life. His melodious voice is surprisingly soft-sounding, coming from a 6’4” frame.
When Cormier begins an instrumental on one of the five or six instruments he may have on stage with him, you soon realize that he is not just another singer songwriter. When his fingers fly with speed and precision on each instrument in turn, you appreciate his joy, boundless energy, and outstanding musicianship.
As a celebrated singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, recording artist, teacher, collaborator, and innovator, J.P. Cormier is most often praised in superlatives. He’s been described as “the quintessential Maritime musician” with “the ability to make the brilliant appear effortless.” Country music legend Waylon Jennings has said, “I would be proud to share the stage with this man anywhere, anytime,” and J.P.’s greatest hero, Chet Atkins, honoured him as “… one of the most important guitarists of his generation.”
Cormier’s concerts have a profound effect on audiences, but they are far exceeded by his generosity. His acts of random kindness in and out of the music industry are legendary. There are many stories of the “big fella” playing for someone on their deathbed, helping fledgling artists, or generally standing up for vulnerable people. His two weeks entertaining NATO troops in Afghanistan inspired the song, “Hometown Battlefield,” about soldiers experiencing PTSD. The song has gone viral with millions of Facebook visits and 800,000 YouTube views. For ticket information, see www.erringtonhall.bc.ca.
— Submitted by Errington Hall
