For almost a year, Victoria blues musicians and fans have been celebrating B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s contribution to the local music scene with a series of Blues for Eric benefit concerts.
For 33 years LeBlanc was one of the worldB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s great disc jockeys, serving up an authoritative, weekly radio show on University of VictoriaB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s tiny CFUV-FM. When Eric died of cancer, friends and fans who missed his raspy, Quebecois-accented radio voice, deep knowledge of the blues, and warm and generous personality established the at the University of Victoria, for students in the schoolB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s jazz program.
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TheyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ve hosted a series of inspired, fundraising performances at The Oaks Restaurant and Tea Room in Oak Bay Village. The next benefit concert celebrates Mardi Gras a little late with SP & JohnnyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s Rhumba Kings.
Jack Lavin, the Juno-award-winning ex-Powder Blues founding member, joins Dave Harris (well-known for his one man band) and Sharon Wadsworth as a bluesy trio that plays an assortment of instruments.
SP and JohnnyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s Rhumba Kings perform their swampy, New Orleans-inspired music for another Blues for Eric benefit concert at The Oaks on March 16 at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $20 available at The Oaks Restaurant and Tearoom,2250 Oak Bay Ave.
Call 250-590-3355 for more information.
Next month, Patrick Boyle and His Hot Four are lined up to celebrate the music of Louis Armstrong at The Oaks on April 13.
c.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca
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