Jim Byrnes will bring his smoldering and soulful blues to Spruce Grove on February 5th
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Jim Byrnes started playing piano at age five and by age thirteen, he was singing and playing blues guitar. His first professional gig was in 1964, and over the years, he has had the great fortune to appear with a virtual who’s who of blues history, from Furry Lewis and Henry Townsend to Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, Taj Mahal, Robery Cray and many others. Moving to Vancouver, in the mid-70s, Jim formed the extremely popular blues group, the Jim Byrnes Band. Still going strong more than 25 years later, Jim’s current tour of western Canada includes a much-anticipated stop at Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove on Thursday, February 5th, 2009.
Also an actor, Jim Byrnes’ fame has grown immeasurably from his too-numerous-to-mention TV roles. Highlights include playing the character Lifeguard in the CBS series Wiseguy (1987-1990), worldwide success as Joe Dawson in Highlander (1993-98), and his nationally-broadcast variety show, The Jim Byrnes Show.
Jim’s first love, however, is the blues. His evocative, smoky vocals are found in a truth that doesn’t come overnight. During the 80s, the Jim Byrnes Band released “Burnin’” on Polydor, followed in 1987 with “I’ve Turned My Nights into Days” and 1995’s Juno Award-winning “That River” on Stony Plain Records. More recently Jim released “Fresh Horses” in 2004 and “House of Refuge” in 2008.
Joining Jim Byrnes at Horizon Stage will be “Strang” musicians, Zubot and Dawson. "Strang" is, in short, a blend of folk and jazz music with influences from roots, blues and numerous other musical genres. Jesse Zubot performs on fiddle and Steve Dawson plays guitar. The two met Jim before the release of “Fresh Horses”, realized they shared common tastes in music, and decided that a collaboration would be a refreshing and exciting project. They have toured together occasionally ever since.
Don’t miss Jim Byrnes with Zubot and Dawson Up Close and Personal at Horizon Stage on Thursday, February 5th, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors and are available through the Horizon Stage Box Office, 780-962-8995, and any Ticketmaster location.
“...smoldering intensity...deeply soulful...”British Blues Connection
“...a voice that sounds like it saw creation and followed the devil down to hell...”Americana UK
“...Byrnes is a veritable national treasure, and if you like the blues you should know about him...”Uptown
“It’s cross-breeding of soul and country, which recalls Otis Redding or Percy Sledge...”Vancouver Province
Be sure to visit www.horozonstage.com and www.jamestbyrnes.com
Horizon Stage would like to thank the following Jim Byrnes Sponsors and Supporters: Canadian Heritage, the Alberta Foundation of the Arts, the Edmonton Journal, CKUA Radio, Birdsell Grant Gardner Morck Barristers and Solicitors, Servus Credit Union and the Royal Inn Express.
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