Summer Series - All Concerts 7 p.m.

June 26, 2011

Scatter the Cats

For more than two decades, members of Scatter the Cats have made primarily traditional dance music together, at barn and town and church hall dances, folk festivals, pubs, parties, plowing matches, weddings and other community celebrations. Regional favourites at Summerfolk, Pratie Oaten and the Owen Sound Celtic Festival for many years, theirs is an eclectic mix of traditional and original dance tunes, influenced by Irish, Appalachian, old Canadian and Scottish fiddle repertoire, with a few original, traditional and contemporary songs, and a few tall tales. Fiddler Will Henry, with Dan McGee, flute, clawhammer banjo and harmonica, Frank Francalanza, multi-instrumental, percussionist dancer are all former members of the long-lived Grey-Bruce music collective Glenelg Full Moon Country Dance Band. Now with Bob Robins on guitars, mandolin, and tenor banjo and Randy Martin on acoustic and electric bass, hand percussion and vocals, this acoustic quintet likes nothing better than offering up a big blast of tunes and songs for dancers and listeners.

July 3, 2011

Georgian Sound Big Band

The Georgian Sound Big Band has been playing "the sweetest music this side of heaven" since 1988. The band plays selections from the cherished classics of the Thirties and Forties right up to modern Latin and Pop hits. Composed of musicians drawn from communities stretching from Stayner, Collingwood, Thornbury, Meaford to Owen Sound.

www.georgiansound.ca

July 10, 2011

Layah Jane

Canadian Folk/Soul songstress Layah Jane is a burst of joy onstage - a velvet-voiced tunesmith of tender, clever, conscientious Canadiana that seeps into the soul. Layah is the recipient of two Ontario Independent Music Awards (Best Female Artist 2008, and Best Folk 2007), a Toronto Independent Music Award (Best Jazz 2006), and a CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award (2005). Backed by the sensitive and soulful accompaniment of band-mate and lead guitarist Oliver Johnson, Layah has played shows and festivals across North America, including The Rochester International Jazz Fest, Ottawa Folk Fest, New Music West, Canadian Music Week, and The Toronto City Roots Festival, and is currently touring her 2011 release, "Honey". Recommended if you'd like to hear Sade go Alt-Country, Joni Mitchell spout Reggae, and Phoebe Snow sing you a lullaby, this is music that speaks courageous and tender to the hungry hearts of poets, activists, and lovers alike.

www.layahjane.com

July 17, 2011

Tommy Gilham and The Chill Billys

Original Southern Rock and Country Band featuring: Tommy Gilham: guitar, main and harmony vocals; Larry Jensen: Bass, main and harmony vocals; Rob McLean: Piano, Hammond and Leslie; Dave Farrar: Percussion and harmony vocals.

www.facebook.com/pages/Chill-Billys/122682651136970

July 24, 2011

Eduardo Machado y su Sabor Latino

Eduardo Machado is a multi-instrumentalist, who combines traditional Cuban music with Afro- Rhythms. Born in Cuba, Eduardo now makes Canada his home, where he performs with his group or as a soloist. In 2005 he formed a duo with Alfredo Taboada, a very talented guitarist whose professional career started in 1996 with the Mariachi Terra Brava. Together they been playing in different venues all over Southern Ontario ever since under the name Sabor Latino (Latin Flavour). Their repertoire is essentially made of afrocuban rhythms, salsa, cumbia, merengue, chacha, bachata, vallenato and much more.

July 31, 2011

The Black Family

The Black Family lives near Markdale, Ontario. Music is a large part of family life, starting with piano as young children, before Leahy inspired them to take up the fiddle. Now, the house has two pianos, over ten fiddles, guitars, a mandolin, an accordion, step dance shoes, and a variety of other instruments. From old time fiddle tunes to singalong favourites from years past, The Black Family has quickly made a name for itself as a musical sensation that gets your toes tapping and your spirit soaring.

blackfamilymusic.com

August 7, 2011

Larra Skye

Toronto songwriter Larra Skye sings with a sweet, lyrical voice tinged with folk and jazz. In 2006, Canadian music retailer HMV took her debut album The World Disappears nationwide, and Larra became their #1 bestselling independent jazz artist. A self-taught musician from a young age, she learned to play guitar from the books in her parents’ bookshop in Newmarket, Ontario (now located at the Williamsford Mill). Her music has drawn comparisons to Feist, Sarah Harmer, Aimee Mann and Sara Bareilles. Larra has toured in Canada and the U.S, and a new album of original folk-pop songs will be released this fall, produced by Marc Rogers.

www.larraskye.com

August 14, 2011

New Discoveries!

The cream of the crop from Georgian Bay Folk Society's winter talent search, Discoveries Showcase. Get a sneak preview of Summerfolk Friday night with tomorrow's music stars, from around Grey-Bruce and beyond. Featured performers include: Brontae Hunter (photo); Anne, Dave & Misha; Mary Cassidy; Ben Turcotte; and Cody Zevenbergen.