Braithwaite, Whiteley perform at Blues in the Schools

The Bruce County Blues brought its popular ‘Blues in the Schools' program to Kincardine and area, presenting national touring artists Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley to six local schools at the end of April.

 

Diana Braithwaite is a descendant of the Wellington County pioneers in Canada. With roots in Florida, her ancestors escaped slavery through the Underground Railroad and lived for four generations in Wellington County, the first African-Canadian pioneer settlement in Ontario.
She combines elements from Nina Simone, Esther Phillips, Lil Green and others to create her own unique authentic Blues style. A forceful presence recognized on the Canadian and American Blues scene, as an artist with a unique sound, she is keeping the authentic traditional Blues sound alive in the contemporary Blues scene today. 

Multi-Instrumentalist Chris Whiteley was born in Kansas, and has performed on more than 200 recordings with the likes of Leon Redbone and Blind John Davis. In Canada, Whiteley has received the Blues with a Feeling Award, for lifetime achievement in the Blues. In January, 2014,, he won the Maple Blues Award for the top Blues horn player in Canada - for the seventh time.

Braithwaite and Whiteley have recorded five previous albums together with Electro-Fi Records and have toured all over North America, the United Kingdom and Europe, winning numerous awards for their songwriting and albums together.

 

Every year, the Bruce County Blues presents professional musicians in school gyms throughout this area. This 'Blues in the Schools' program is offered free of charge to the schools, all expenses being covered by the Blues Society.

Braithwaite and Whiteley were at St. Anthony's School in Kincardine, Wednesday, April 29, and at Huron Heights Public School, Kincardine, and Ripley-Huron Community School, Thursday, April 30.

In the performance, the pair took the audience on a journey from the origins of the Blues, through the various styles, featuring electric guitar, harmonica and horns, to today's Blues. They encouraged youngsters to enjoy and appreciate this great music of the Blues.



Diana Braithwaite (L) and Chris Whiteley perform at Blues in the School at St. Anthony's School in Kincardine

Braithwaite and Whiteley will be back in Kincardine July 10-12, for the Lighthouse Blues Festival.
The full line-up includes more than 30 artists:
 

• Shemekia Copeland
• Southern Hospitality
• Angel Forrest
• Ghost Town Blues Band
• Dawn Tyler Watson and Ben Racine
• 24th Street Wailers
• Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar
• Crystal Shawanda
• Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers
• Jeff Jensen Band
• Josh Garrett
• Grainne Duffy
• Al Lerman
• Suzie Vinnick
• Cheryl Lescom and the Tucson Choir Boys
• Rick Fines and Roly Platt
• Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley
• Mike MacDonald and Dale Raven
• Richard Henderson
• Trouble and Strive
• Silvia Dee and Boyfriend
• Broken Nail
• Ross Neilsen
• Loco Zydeco
• Feet and The Country Outlaws
• Chuckee Zehr and the Crawdaddies
• The Sterling Blues Band
• The Riverside Blues Band
• The Bluebelles

 

The Youth Showcase of young stars includes:
 

• Kate Delas Armas
• Sean Castillo
• Marc Glipo
• Brontae Hunter
• Ben Turcotte
• Alessandro and Francis Lozada
• Devony House
• Chiara Delas Armas
• Sascha Weyman
• Andrew Nunno

Tickets now available on-line at TicketScene or go to www.lighthousebluesfestival.ca for a retailer near you!