Fall lineup full of blues music at intimate Chilliwack music venue

Updated Nov. 4, 2021

The sound of blues music will fill one of Chilliwack’s most intimate music venues throughout the fall.

There are several upcoming concerts for the 2021 fall lineup at Bozzini’s Upstairs Lounge.

On Oct. 12 and 13, Nanaimo’s David Gogo will be performing with Steve Marriner (of Monkey junk). They have double digit Juno nominations between the two of them and when they take the stage, their music will come with all sorts of antics and back stories.

In June, Marriner headed west to produce Gogo’s new record, Silver Cup, which comes out on Oct. 8. The two are touring Western Canada playing tunes from both of their new records.

“These have been difficult times for all of us, and the music industry in particular has taken a severe beating. Despite the uncertainties, I felt that the one thing that I could focus on was to stay creative,” Gogo said. “I realized that it was time for a rootsy, down home recording that I could tour solo, as a duo, or with the band. The idea of recording at home with all my beautiful instruments really appealed to me. Steve and I had fun getting the sounds we were looking for out of the vintage acoustic instruments on hand, and we even wrote a couple of songs together.”

The title track was inspired by an antique silver cup that was handed down to Gogo after his 95-year-old grandmother died.

“It had originally belonged to James McKay, a Métis builder of Canada and my great-great-great-uncle. I researched his amazing life and had to celebrate him in song.”

The song Top Shelf is inspired by a fellow musician whom Gogo crossed paths with many times over the decades.

“His final wish was that we celebrate his life by only drinking the best stuff from the top shelf,” Gogo said.

Oct. 18 marks the Chilliwack debut of JW Jones and his trio featuring Will Laurin (drums) and Jacob Clarke (electric and upright bass) touring in support of JW’s latest and 11th album Sonic Departures.

Fresh off the heels of winning “Best Guitarist” at the 2020 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Jones was excited for a huge year before COVID-19 hit and halted his tour schedule.

“I knew I had to do something productive to stay positive. I turned isolation into inspiration,” said the Juno-nominated Jones.

From original music to previously unreleased songs, “this album sounds bigger and wider-than-ever,” he said. It features a 17-piece band with a 13-piece horn section, plus additional tracking of vocals, guitars, and studio effects that led to a most appropriate title, Sonic Departures.

On Nov. 13 there will be a tribute to Leonard Cohen with duo, Tower of Song, which was a metaphor for the inspiration that flows between songwriters, each toiling away on their own, but connected by their shared craft. Moved by this concept, B.C. singer-songwriters Oliver Swain and Glenna Garramone collaborated to produce a project that is a dialogue through song and a tribute to the legendary songwriter. Re-imagining both rare and classic works of Cohen, the duo have crafted a sound that resonates with both longtime Cohen fans and a younger audience.

“We don’t do many tribute shows but this of course is different, this is Leonard Cohen and Tower of Song is the perfect way to celebrate and honour the life, love and music of Leonard Cohen on the 5th anniversary of his passing,” said Bozzini’s artistic director Emmanuel Asprakis.

Together as Tower of Song the two have arranged some of Cohen’s timeless songs beautifully, for two voices, banjo, string bass, piano and guitar. In addition to re-imagining the works of Cohen, Tower of Song includes original songs as part of their live show and recordings.

On Nov. 18, Joe Nolan returns to Bozzini’s in support of his latest album, Scrapper for what will be the final show of the year at the venue.

“I’ve been tirelessly working on this album for a while and I am so excited to finally be announcing it today. It’s once again different than anything I’ve previously released – I believe it’s my strongest musical offering to date,” Nolan said.

He may be categorized as a roots-and-blues artist, but Nolan never wants that tag to define him completely. By drawing inspiration from vintage rock ‘n roll, blues, country and punk, he intends to keep pushing boundaries with every record he makes.

A triple bill of three Canadian folk, roots and blues artists is scheduled for Nov. 19 as Bozzini’s welcomes Ryan McMahon, Leah Nicole Barley and Brandon Isaak for two shows.

McMahon has toured Canada and the world with his band and the folk trio Lion Bear Fox. His latest release, In Line for a Smile, is a “Hail Mary” to the world to keep connecting and focus on the people right in front of you.

“Brandon Isaak is a favourite here in Chilliwack and especially at Bozzini’s where he has been joining us for almost a decade,” Asprakis said.

He is an authentic, heart felt roots and blues songster who always delivers the goods. Isaak is an award winning musician with a passion and a thirst for the history of music and origins of the blues, and it shows in his live shows. He is an entertainer as well as a gifted musician.

Barley is making her Bozzini’s debut. The Vancouver-based singer-songwriter offers stirring original songs that evoke both the jubilation and heartbreak inherent to classic folk and country music. An accomplished banjo player as well as guitarist, Barley creates a sound as affecting today as it was a century ago.

On Nov. 20, Jesse Roper with special guest Ryan McMahon take the stage.

For those that can’t wait, there are two other blues shows coming up prior to these concerts – Doc MacLean on Sept. 30 and Colin Linden on Oct. 8 and 9. At press time there were very limited tickets available for both these shows.

Bozzini’s 2021 fall lineup:

Sept. 30 – Doc MacLean at 8 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.).

Oct. 8 – Colin Linden at 9:30 p.m. (doors at 8 p.m.).

Oct. 9 – Colin Linden: early show at 6 p.m. (doors at 4:30 p.m.), late show at 9:30 p.m. (doors at 8 p.m.).

Oct. 12 and 13 – David Gogo and Steve Marriner at 8 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.).

Oct. 18 – JW Jones Trio at 8 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.).

Nov. 13 – Tower of Song: A Tribute to Leonard Cohen. Early show at 6 p.m. (doors at 4:30 p.m.), late show at 9 p.m. (doors at 8 p.m.).

Nov. 18 – Joe Nolan at 7:30 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.).

Nov. 19 – Ryan McMahon, Leah Nicole Barley and Brandon Isaak. Early show at 5 p.m. (doors at 4 p.m.), late show at 9 p.m. (doors at 8 p.m.).

Nov. 20 – Jesse Roper with special guest Ryan McMahon. (Sold out).

Tickets range in price from $20 to $32.50 and are on sale at Bozzini’s (4-45739 Hocking Ave.) or call 604-792-0744 to reserve by phone. Visit bozzinisrestaurant.ca for more details.

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