Featured Festival Artists
The Incomparable
MICHAEL KAESHAMMER
Friday, August 19th, 2011
www.kaeshammer.com
After studying classical piano for seven years in his German homeland, a 13-year-old Kaeshammer (pronounced "case-hammer") discovered boogie-woogie as played by Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis, Pete Johnson, and Pinetop Smith.
In three years, the teen wunderkind was playing boogie-woogie piano in clubs, concerts, and festivals all over Germany. He attracted attention almost immediately after the family moved to the west coast of Canada, turning heads at performances at blues and jazz festivals during the summer of 1996.
His first three recordings, Blue Keys (1996), Tell You How I Feel (1998), and No Strings Attached (2000), showed increasing maturity and artistic evolution. Piano prodigy Michael deftly blends the sounds of soul, jazz , R& B, and pop that fans have come to expect from his on-stage performances with his trio.
On stage Kaeshammer is a man who truly adores every moment of performing, Along with his palpable energy, it is Kaeshammer¹s charm and charisma that mesmerize each and every crowd for whom he performs."For me the performance is as much about the energy coming off the stage as the energy coming from the audience."
Alberta's Own
TOMMY BANKS
Saturday, August 20th 2011
Pianist, composer, conductor, producer, recording artist, broadcaster, TV host and music educator Tommy Banks, a 2010 winner of a special achievement award from the Society of Composer, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada, needs little introduction in Alberta or across Canada.
The award recognized Banks' contributions to musical heritage, including a long career in jazz and work as a music director for events like Expo 86 and the Calgary Winter Olympics.
Banks made his jazz-playing debut in 1950 in the touring band of saxophonist Don Thompson. Since then, he's played jazz throughout North America, Western and Central Europe, Japan and Southeast Asia. He has appeared with such luminaries as Clifford Jordon, Sonny Stitt, John Handy, Anita O'day, Al Cohn and many other greats.
He is the recipient of the Juno Award, The Gemini Award, the Grand Prix du disques Canada and is an officer of the Order Of Canada. Besides performing Saturday night, Banks will lead a free jazz workshop in the afternoon.
DONALD RAY JOHNSON
Saturday, Aug 20th, 2011
www.donaldray.com
Donald Ray has spent a lifetime dedicated to music. After some 40 years this Texas born bluesman is still going strong.
A Grammy Award winner and twice Maple Blues Award nominee, he was voted Best Male Blues Vocalist 2007 by Real Blues Magazine. Donald has toured with Blues and R&B artists Phillip Walker, Big Mama Thornton, Smokey Wilson, Teddy Pendegrass, and The Isley Brothers.
Now living in Calgary, Alberta, Don has become a well liked and respected member of the Canadian blues community. Named "Best Canadian Male Blues Vocalist" in 1997 by Real Blues Magazine, Don was also nominated "Best Blues Drummer" in 1997 and Best Male Blues Vocalist in 1998 by the Toronto Blues Society. He was recently nominated "Best Blues Artist" by the Alberta Recording Industry Association (A.R.I.A.)
JOHNNY SUMMERS
Thursday Aug 18th, 2011
www.JohnnySummers.com
Johnny Summers has traveled from Spain and Britain to Hawaii, Los Angeles to New Orleans to play with outstanding musicians and drawing an ever growing following. Always on the lookout for the next musical venture, Summers formed the Calgary Jazz Orchestra in 2004 with 17 of the best of the best jazz artists.
Summers and the orchestra gives us their own take on the rich acoustic traditional Big Band sound and fill a room with a full, energetic swing sound that moves and connect players with each other and the audience.
He performs with his ensembles which include the Johnny Summers Trio, Quartet, Quintet and the 8-piece Little Big Band, which will be the configuration of his band for the popular Swing Dance/Concert at this year’s Jazz At The Lake Festival.