Style: One of the best Pure Guitar Players you'll ever see. A Guitar Player's Guitar Player
Description: Considered a virtuoso of his art form, Jack Semple plays with unparalleled feeling and total technical control. The JUNO award-winning guitarist, singer and composer has performed from Vancouver to Montreux, released 7 CD’s, and shared the stage with international artists ranging from Martha Reeves to k.d. lang.
Starting his music career in Regina, Jack performed jazz, blues & R&B in various groups including his Luxury Blues Band. Delving into the blues and in particular the music of the great B.B. King, whom he says “is the greatest interpreter of blues guitar ever.” He also lists Jose Feliciano, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell and Sting as influences.
In 1992, Semple burst onto the national scene when he won Much Music’s “Guitar Wars” National Guitar Competition. Jack joined the Lincolns after an inspired night jamming with a few members of Red Rider following a gig in Regina, moving to Toronto briefly to play full-time with the group. He later returned to the prairies to pursue his solo career and to spend more time with his young family.
He released his debut album Live at Formerly’s in 1991, followed by Sneakin’ Suspicion (1994), Grey & Yellow (1995), Saskadelphia (1997) and Live at Kaos (2001). In 2005 Jack one a Western Canadian Music Award and a Prairie Award for his acoustic CD Qu’Appelle. His latest releases include his Christmas album Cool Yule (2006) and his solo effort, Tribute to Lightfoot (2006).
Popular amongst blues, jazz and folk festivals across Canada, in 2007, Jack performed before over 20,000 at the prestigious Montreal Jazz Festival, wowing the crowd with his energetic and powerful performance.
Jack has also found success in film, television and commercial scoring (Gemini award nominee, Best Original Music Score for a Dramatic Series 1999 and 2000).
Tickets on sale April 4th at the James Rogers show, after that at Books and Company on April 6th
$25 for members
$30 for non members.
