2011 Festival Performers

	EMILY SPILLER Emily Spiller is the next Adele, the new Duffy. A mix of Zap Mama & Feist meets Amy Winehouse. A mash up of blues, jazz, and soul infused vocals that simultaneously ache and soothe. The room falls silent when Emily sings. She finishes her set and leaves you wanting more. Since 2003, Emily has toured in Canada, China, Australia, & New Zealand. In 2007, she released her first EP "LIVE At The Apartment", quickly finding airplay in Canada and New Zealand. She was awarded a FACTOR grant for her latest EP "The Wonderbro Remixes" (2010), her 3rd release on Beacon Hill Records. Emily Spiller has been nominated for five Vancouver Island Music Awards this year, which will be held in Courtenay, BC in June. She will be visiting Gabriola as part of a British Columbia tour in Spring/Summer 2011. Her fourth album will be released in December. http://www.emilyspiller.com
	DOGHOUSE BLUES REVUE If you think "rockin' roadhouse blues dance-a-thon", then you're barking up the right tree. John (Old Dog) Gresham on guitar, David (Dopey Dog) Botten on drums, Chris (Smokey Dog) Jans on harmonica and vocals, and the very in-demand Kelly (Bull Dog) Field on bass. The band was formed way back in 2010 when it was determined that Gabriola Island hadn't had a "local blues band" for a long time. David, John and Kelly are all veterans of the local music scene and have each played in various different bands over the years, honing their chops and developing their own unique styles. After playing at a few jams, Chris was brought in as a harp-playing vocalist a la many of the great rocking' blues line-ups of the past. The band's debut at the Skol Pub was a smash-hit and they'll keep the groove happening for the Dancing Man Festival! If you like up tempo, rocking' blues music that gets you shaking your tail and barking at the moon, then the Doghouse Blues Revue will provide!
	THE BANANAFISH DANCE ORCHESTRA Bananafish Dance Orchestra is a 7-piece powerhouse groove sensation, with a horn section, a rhythm section, and a vocalist up front. This group is a funky reggae jazz dance party! Their high energy music and stage show sends listeners to the moon and back, and only in the best way possible. Playing lines influenced from Tower of Power to Buena Vista Social Club, this erotic balance enables the group to really dig into various styles of music with the horn section as the icing on the cake! Niall Harvey on lead vocals and percussion, Phil Hamelin on the Trumpet, Dave Lawson on the Bari Sax, Duncan Symonds on guitar and percussion, Josh Gellman on keys and clav, Andrew Ferloni laying’ down the slap licks on the bass and Brendan Holm on the drums. While they are one of the island's newer groups, they've got talent in spades. All members of this group have graduated from Vancouver Island University with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies. Their talent shines onstage, making them one of the island’s top musical acts. Bananafish has headlined at Vancouver Island Musicfest, Victoria Jazz fest, Paradise Meadows and more. This summer they are playing at Victoria Skafest, Victoria Blues Bash, Denman Island & Gabriola! http://www.myspace.com/bananafishdanceorchestra/
	JOHN RESICHMAN & THE JAYBIRDS With a fourth critically-acclaimed album and expanded touring schedule, John Reischman and the Jaybirds are a top-flight band delivering a truly fresh blend of original songs and instrumentals, old-time heritage, and bluegrass power. Featuring nine new songs and tunes from all five founding band members, Stellar Jays is the latest in a series of CDs to win rave reviews for a trademark, old-time-infused bluegrass sound that respects tradition while advancing the music. The nomination of Stellar Jays for two 2007 Canadian Folk Music Awards follows praise such as this from Nashville Public Radio: "A masterpiece — a fascinating and fresh-sounding collection of tunes that incorporate the best elements of bluegrass and old-time into a killer new sound." The Jaybird line-up for the festival will feature John Reischman on mandolin, Lee Watson on guitar, Trisha Gagnon on bass, Nick Hornbuckle on banjo, and Greg Spatz on fiddle. "On the evidence of Stellar Jays, John Reischman and the Jaybirds are in their prime as contemporary bluegrass musicians capable of maintaining and extending the music's legacy," says Billboard.com. Bluegrass Unlimited magazine describes tone-master and composer John as "one of the world's undisputed masters" of the mandolin, a frequent accolade since his days with the Tony Rice Unit and California's Good Ol' Persons. Lee Watson is a familiar face on the Canadian folk, bluegrass, and country music scene. Since 1997 he has played numerous festivals, theatres, and live stages throughout Canada and the West Coast of the USA. As one of the founding members and lead vocalists of The Breakmen, Watson is well versed in folk, bluegrass, and country singing and songwriting. The Breakmen’s sophomore CD When You Leave Town remained on The Roots Music Review - Top 50 chart for 9 consecutive months, receiving significant national airplay on CBC Radio as well as other roots music radio shows across the country. Chilliwack, B.C.-based Trisha is portrayed by SingOut! as "one of the most versatile" and "irresistible" vocalists in bluegrass, her strong and distinctive style ranging from "mournful and plaintive" to "hopeful and yearning." Trisha anchors what Dirty Linen magazine calls "gorgeous three-part harmonies” and her singing and heart-felt songwriting is complemented by her right-on-the-money bass rhythm. Nanaimo, B.C.-based Nick has developed his own voice on the five-string banjo, a unique sound with a two-finger roll unlike other contemporary banjo players. "Nick Hornbuckle's banjo can be downright spine-tingling," wrote the L.A. Daily News. “The resonant yet lively Cleo Belle is just right,” Bluegrass Now says of the prolific instrumental composer’s, original Stellar Jays offering. Spokane, WA-based Greg is hailed as a "world-class bluegrass fiddler" by Fiddler magazine. Another Stellar Jays instrumental composer with the lightning-fast Bash Bish Falls, Greg's "virtuosic playing is flawlessly delivered time after time," praises Audiophile Audition. His wide-ranging chops have made him a popular West Coast player for years, including stints with the legendary Frank Wakefield, and resophonic guitarist Rob Ickes. http://www.thejaybirds.com/
	GINGER KITTEN of THE CHEESECAKE BURLESQUE REVUE with KATHY MCINTYRE & BRAD SHIPLEY A smash hit in 2009 and back by popular demand this evening will deliver a full serving of sass, saucy humour and cheeky live music that will keep you coming...back for more... Ginger Kittens A playful pin-up who just can't help it, the reigning Miss Esquimalt 1999 is a classic rags to riches story. Having clawed her way over from the wrong side of the tracks with only the help of her wits, tips and hips, Miss Kittens is ambitious AND delicious! A flaming fox who loves attention, she'll flirt with most any gal or guy in sight, and really give you something to purr about. This sexy siren puts "da bomb" in bombshell... Ladies and Gentlemen, we just know you'll all be smitten with the lovely Ginger Kittens! http://www.cheesecakeburlesque.com/girls/ginger-kittens.html Kathy McIntyre has been performing and recording as a soul singer for over twenty years. Musical theatre came calling and Kathy never looked back. She is probably best remembered for playing Rhonda in “Supreme Dream”, Lucy in “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown” and most recently, Yitzhak in “Hedwig & The Angry Inch.” Her delight with costume and comedy took her singing career into a cabaret setting where she found even more joy in connecting with her audience and making them laugh.
	LEHERA featuring SARAH BUECHI An original voice steeped in tradition but firmly rooted in the present, this multi-nominated and award winning international band of musicians on a Canadian tour come all the way from India, Switzerland and Canada. Well experienced in their respective musical traditions they offer an evening of Indian - influenced world music - from cross-cultural world influenced music to Indian folk and devotional music. LEHERA brings together their roots in North and South Indian music and Western musical forms to create a genre – tripping experience both energetic and contemplative. Vocals in English and Classical Indian styles intertwine with Hindustani slide guitar, violin, bamboo flutes and vocal harmonics and are driven by exciting Ghatam (Clay pot drum), Konnakol(Carnatic drum language) and world percussion peppered with funky and bluesy guttering. In this concert Lehera will include some Indian folk and devotional songs including songs of Kabir and Mira. "A true amalgamation of styles rather than an unholy union of discordant approaches." Rakesh Mehar, The Hindu, India “The music has the rigorous qualities of classical music and is also marked with the liberties that make up funk, folk and modern music.” Joyce Janvier-Gagnon, Radio Canada “I firmly believe in the Lehera project. It has a lot of energy and is well played!” – Dave King, bassist ( Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby McFerrin, Laurie Anderson, Jimmy Smith, Shirley Bassey, Tina Turner Billy Cobham, Elton John etc). “Though the artists are from different traditions, their performance was unique and outstanding” - Ms. Ramamani, Karnataka College of Percussion. “The band has expertly blended everything from konnakol to blues and jazz guitaring to vocal harmonics” - The Hindu, Bangalore. “WOW! I love it!!I played it three times in a row.” Diana Stewart-Imbert, Artistic Director, Vancouver World Music Collectives Sarah Buechi: vocals, keyboard, konnakol (Indian vocal drum language) Prashant John: Guitar, vocals, ethnic flutes, cumbus Prakash sontakke: Indian slide guitar, vocals Karthik Mani: Ghatam (clay pot drum), mridhol, percussion, konnakol Lehera is happy to announce that the title song of their Independent Music Peoples Choice Award winning album Heartsky was one of 11 nominees in the "World" category of the International Songwriting Competition. An original voice steeped in tradition but firmly rooted in the present, this multi-nominated and award winning international band of musicians on a Canadian tour come all the way from India, Switzerland and Canada. http://www.lehera.net
	DB BOYKO & HOLLY BRIGHT DB BOYKO A specialist in experimental voice DB Boyko has performed with a variety of Vancouver musicians including recent guest engagements with the legendary NOW Orchestra. She is the co-founder of several improvising ensembles including Hextremities (1980's), the all women VIEW Ensemble (1990's) and more currently the Crossing Borders Ensemble. Her newest project, Idiolalla is a vocal tour-de-force with fellow vocalist Christine Duncan and drummer/spin doctor Jean Martin. DB's discography as feature soloist includes Danielle Poger's Bruiducœur, prières des infidèles for Ambiance Magnetique (2005), Songlines recording of contemporary gamelan music New Nectar (2003). She is featured on several compilation CD's including SCHWITTCD (ORF-2002), Susan Frykberg's Astonishing Sense (Earsay - 1998), and Kenneth Newby's Sirens (City of Tribes - 1997). Her influences and studies in Javanese gamelan court music, dance, puppet theatre, and butoh have led her to participate in a wide spectrum of multidisciplined works with Mortal Coil, Snake in the Grass Theatre, Special Delivery Moving Theatre, Serge Bennethan, and Karen Jaimison dance companies. A specialist in traditional vocal repertoire for gamelan orchestra DB has sung and composed new works for Vancouver Gamelan Madu Sari. Her larger compositional works have included song cycle, Amphibious Tales (1992) which toured Canada and US including the Montreal voice festival - la Voix se fait entendre. Her score for the Arts Club Theatre production of Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing was nominated for a Jesse award (1995) which instigated a collaboration with first nations playwright Marie Clements for Urban Tattoo (1998). From 2000 - 2002 she provided musical direction and composed for the millennial production of the SongBird Oratorio - an ecological tribute to Vancouver bird songs. DB has also devoted much of her energy to producing the work of other artists as curator/director for the Music Program of the Vancouver artist-run-centre the Western Front. HOLLY BRIGHT Holly Bright is passionate about human movement and its ability to communicate at the most subliminal levels. She explores these nuances in solo performances of works by choreographers such as Susanna Hood, Margie Gillis, Deborah Dunn, Jennifer Mascall, Cheryl Prophet. Holly is profoundly moved by the possibility of the voice shaping body, shaping movement, shaping voice. She has enjoyed a lifetime of curiousity and physical expression from NYC to Nanaimo and through work as a dance artist,educator, creator and curator. Holly took a BSc emphasizing Human Physiology studies and a BA in dance, both from the University of Akron, Ohio. Holly also invests energy as the Artistic Director/Producer at The Crimson Coast Dance Society, Nanaimo, BC. In 2010, Bright enjoyed the privilege of having been recipient of the City Of Nanaimo's Honour in Culture Award for her contribution to the community's cultural fabric. http://www.crimsoncoastdance.org