With his trademark Panama hat, dark sunglasses and vaudevillian attire, singer/guitarist and 2014 Roots & Blues performer Leon Redbone’s stage persona reflects the early 20th century era whose jazz and blues standards he interprets so famously.
Described by Rolling Stone in 1974 as “so authentic you can hear the surface noise [of an old 78 rpm],” Redbone got his musical start playing Toronto folk clubs in the mid 1970s.
In those years he was a regular musical companion to Toronto roots legends David Wilcox, a very young Colin Linden and Ken and Chris Whitely.
His first album, On the Track, was released by Warner Bros. Records in 1975, after which he was introduced to a larger audience with semi-regular musical guest spots on Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
Since, Redbone has released approximately 15 albums and earned a sizable cult following. His concerts blend performance, comedy, and skilled instrumentals.
Recurrent gags involve the influence of alcohol and claiming to have written works originating well before his time.
“Very little of my life goes into my music,” says Redbone. “I’ve never considered myself the proper focus of attention. I’m just a vehicle… not so much for the particular kind of music I prefer, music from an earlier time, as for a mood that music conveys.”
Highlights of the 2014 festival that continues to unfold include Little Miss Higgins, MonkeyJunk, Chloe Albert, The Strumbellas and The Sheepdogs.
The Festival plays out Aug. 15 to 17 at the Salmon Arm Fairgrounds. Tickets are available at www.rootsandblues.ca or by calling 250-833-4096.
