Fans of a wide range of musical genres will enjoy a new take on old favourites when Nelson-based Breakwater performs at Rotacrest Hall on Friday.
“We’re going to start some tunes out in very traditional ways and take them on a ride, so to speak,” said cellist Jeff Faragher.
The four-piece band, which performed at the Kaslo Jazz Festival in the summer, draws on classical, Celtic, world and jazz training to create a unique style for a one-of-a-kind concert featuring danceable and familiar music, including some from Game of Thrones, Bach and Coldplay. Even Bob Dylan’s “Blowin in the Wind” gets a new twist.
“We’ve bluegrassed it up and Ben [Johnson, percussionist] even throws down a reggae beat for a while,” said Faragher.
A classical cellist who has explored Celtic, Canadian folk and Indian music, Faragher — also conductor of the Symphony of the Kootenays — combines his talent with fiddler Aurora Smith and bassist Rob Fahie in the usual Breakwater trio, expanded by one with the addition of Johnson to this tour, which stops in Kaslo, Creston, Cranbrook, Kimberley and Nelson.
“It is a bit of smorgasbord of what each person brings to the mix,” said Faragher. “But where we meet in middle is where we bring traditional styles to the mix.”
For the Creston performance only, fiddler Zavellennahh RT (née Huscroft) will also be part of the concert.
“She’s such a prolific writer,” said Faragher. “We do a couple of her tunes infused with other things.”
Doors to the March 11 show open at 7 p.m. for a 7:30 performance. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students, available at Black Bear Books or at the door. For more about the band, visit breakwaterband.com.
