Mike Redfern
No, it’s not a typo. The Calgary award-winning blues band, Alittle Voodoo, spells it that way. The band has been around since 1992 under that name, led by contemporary blues singer/songwriter Ron Burke.
They made their first CD in 1993 and in 1994 started touring with such greats as Colin James, Jeff Healey, Long John Baldry, Bo Diddley and many others. And now they are coming to Kimberley, performing Live at Studio 64 on October 17, the third of the four bands in this year’s fall jazz and blues series sponsored by Kimberley Arts Council.
The band consists of Burke on vocals and lead guitar, Tom Knowles on bass, and Rob Vulic on drums. Sometimes the trio becomes a quartet with the addition of Russell Brown on guitars. Burke was inducted into the 2010 Calgary Blues Music Hall of Fame as guitar player of the year. Tom Knowles was similarly honoured in both 2009 and 2010 as best bass player of the year. Knowles started his career playing with Long John Baldry and also worked with Jimmy Page, Tom Jones, and other greats. Yes, their credentials are rather impressive and it’s a privilege to have them bring their musical expertise to Kimberley for what we can only anticipate will be an excellent evening of top class blues music.
The Live at Studio 64 series got underway September 5 with Gabriel Palatchi’s rousing Latin jazz which was followed by the quieter, perhaps more clinical jazz performed by the Tyler Hornby Trio on September 26, both concerts enthusiastically received by full houses at Studio 64. Alittle Voodoo will be followed by the final concert in this year’s fall jazz/blues series, performed by the Alan Brecker Quartet, another fine Calgary band, on November 21.
Advance tickets for Alittle Voodoo and for the Alan Brecker Quartet are available at Centre 64 (250-427-4919 or kimberleyarts@gmail.com) or online at ‘snapd East Kootenay’, $22 for Kimberley Arts Council members, $24 for non-members. Tickets at the door are all $26. Both concerts start at 8 p.m. with doors open at 7.30 for bar service and table seating.
