The Vernon Jazz Club will be truly entertained when Sabrina Weeks, 2012 Maple Blues award winner, and Swing Cat Bounce take the stage this Saturday.
Weeks will be joined by Mike “Hot Licks” Hilliard on guitar, Terry Strudwick on bass, and Ed Hilliard on drums.
The band will be playing a blend of blues, swing, R&B, and good old rock and roll.
Weeks has been a featured vocalist in celebrating bluesy songbirds. She has had the honour of performing at Massey Hall as part of the Women in Blues Revue and has also been a part of the Etta James Tribute at Hugh’s Room in Toronto.
An avid performer, Weeks has shared the stage or opened for top artists such as Colin James, Tom Lavin and Powder Blues.
Her sound is described as swinging, bouncing, boogie-blues with a touch of rock. When asked who her musical influences are, Weeks says: “My influences are Elvis, Etta James, Ruth Brown, Bessie Smith, Tina Turner, Koko Taylor, Doris Day… I could go on and on.”
Weeks and Swing Cat Bounce have recently released their sophomore album, Got My Eye on You, which was produced by blues legend Jack Lavin. Their debut album, Tales from Lenny’s Diner, debuted at number one in Canada and number 12 worldwide on Roots Music Report’s Blues Music charts. It was also nominated for the B.C. Interior Music Award’s 2011 Blues Album of the Year.
“Sabrina Weeks brings the goods with a powerful voice and spirited sound. She’s a talented artist that doesn’t take herself too seriously, which shines through with her sassy, yet strong song lyrics that are guaranteed to put a smile on your face,” said J-Man from Dawg FM.
Mike Hilliard is originally from Toronto. During his years signed with Intercan and RCA Records, he recorded and toured throughout Canada, the U.S. and Asia.
During the late ‘70s he created the band Steamer with fellow bandmate Ed Hilliard. This collaboration opened for The Guess Who, Steppenwolf and Stonebolt.
Ed received his bachelor of music as well as a bachelor of education from the University of Western Ontario. He has performed with artists such as Frank Leahy, The Rankins and Gary Guthman.
Strudwick has made television appearances on CBC, CTV, and MuchMusic. He teaches both guitar and bass and is a first call studio musician in the Okanagan.
You can hear a sample of the band at sabrinaweeks.com.
Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce takes the stage at the Vernon Jazz Club (3000-31st St.) Saturday at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:15. Tickets are $20 at the Bean Scene, Bean to Cup and at www.vernonjazz.ca.
