The next 1st Tuesday Fundraiser will be held on Feb. 3 at the Mex Pub, and will feature the talents of Pete Pringle in support of the Comox Valley Food Bank Society.
Pringle summarizes his early musical background in the same off-handed way he approaches his talent.
“I got plunked down at my mother’s piano over a half century ago, and learned all the accompanying scales, chords, and sight reading and after a while progressed pretty much as one usually does with Toronto Conservatory teachers,” he says. “Nothing special, but it really taught me technique, which I’m eternally grateful for.”
Pringle moved to Vancouver where he began playing in bands and going to the Vancouver jams.
“Sharing the stage with the monster musicians who hosted or frequented them, helped me to become a fairly accomplished keyboard guy thanks to their instruction and frustration.
“In 1996, I went into the studio with a bunch of those monsters, and cut an album of my own tunes on which I played piano and B3 and sang.”
Some of his tunes can be heard on the website Reverb Nation.
The monthly 1st Tuesday Fundraiser concert series is sponsored by the Mex Pub.
The event proceeds have supported many of the Comox Valley’s non-profit groups with performances by local musicians in genres from folk and jazz ensembles to R&B and comedians. The events are organized by the husband/wife duo Judy and Bruce Wing.
“Even after many years of organizing these 1st Tuesday events, we are still meeting folks coming out to a show for the first time,” says Judy Wing.
The Wings recently met Pete Pringle at one of the open mics they host, and were impressed by his accomplished piano skills and the versatility of his song choices.
“For us it was another example of the amazing talents that are ‘best kept secrets’ in the Comox Valley and this is a great venue to feature that,” says Bruce.
The evening at the Mex starts at 7:30 with an opening set by the Wings, joined by violinist Blaine Dunaway.
Admission is by donation, either cash or food donations are appreciated.
For more information about 1st Tuesday Fundraisers visit www.judyandbruce.com or on Facebook.
