Duhks of diversity: Award-winning band The Duhks will bring their blend of French Canadian and Celtic Music fired by the blues, soul and Afro Cuban rhythms to Roots and Blues.

Duhks of diversity: Award-winning band The Duhks will bring their blend of French Canadian and Celtic Music fired by the blues, soul and Afro Cuban rhythms to Roots and Blues.

Festival has Duhks in a row

They’ve earned Junos and Grammys and they’re coming to this year’s Roots and Blues Festival.

They’ve earned Junos and Grammys and they’re coming to this year’s Roots and Blues Festival.

No band epitomizes the polyethnic strands of modern folk music better than The Duhks.

Since forming in Winnipeg in 2001, The Duhks (pronounced ‘ducks’) have created a dynamic blend of old-time, French Canadian and Celtic music punched up with shades of blues, soul and driving Afro Cuban rhythms that bring festival crowds to their feet.

Over the course of four critically acclaimed albums, the band has earned Juno and Grammy awards and nominations, and has played a significant role in the neo-folk revival.

On their latest album, Beyond the Blue, The Duhks are in the best form of their 13-year career.

Rejuvenated by a two-year hiatus and energized by the return of vocalist Jesse Havey, and the addition of new members, fiddler Rosie Newton, drummer/percussionist Kevin Garcia, and guitarist/bouzouki player Colin Savoie-Levac, The Duhks founder Leonard Podolak found an amazing pallet of inspiration for the new project.

The goal with the new record was to draw on everything the band has learned over the years and everything they know about where they want to take the music to create something as fresh, exciting and forward-thinking as possible.

Now in its 23rd year the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival remains one of the premiere festivals in B.C. ,with a reputation for consistently presenting one of the most eclectic festival lineups in the country.

Don’t miss the Legendary Powder Blues when they perform the Doin’ it Right benefit concert at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, March 14.

Kelowna’s Devon Coyote will rev up the night that features dancing, a cash bar, silent auction and raffle sales.

Tickets are $40 for bleacher seating or $45 on the floor. Tables of eight are available but must be reserved at 250-833-4096. Admission at the door is cash only.

Festival tickets are available online at www.rootsandblues.ca.

 

Salmon Arm Observer