Free Press file photo - Rita Chiarelli is no stranger to Prince George music fans, having wowed the audience at Artspace in 2006.
By Teresa Mallam - Prince George Free Press - June 18, 2008
Railway Blues Festival is as much about people as it is about the blues.
Organizers have created a boxcar and railway setting to set the mood and made improvements with covered seating and band shell. This year’s event at Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum boasts an impressive line-up of top blues artists from around the country like Toronto-based Rita Chiarelli and Jack de Keyzer.
Add to that great local band like Single Car Garage and the Winnipeg-bound Rae King Blues Band. Original members Mark and Brenda Roland are blues ‘specialists’ who over the years have brought back the blues to P.G., but are moving on – though they’ll likely take Manitoba by storm with their vocal and guitar stylings.
Fans and friends can hear the Ray King Blues band with singer-guitarist Mark Roland, Simon Stubbs on drums, Val Stanley on piano and Paul Forster on bass guitar and vocals play – and send them off in style on Saturday, June 21. But they’ll have to get along without Brenda Roland who will be at her new job post in Winnipeg.
Her superb voice will be missed.
Then there’s sultry songbird Rita Chiarelli, who is no stranger to blues fans in Prince George. The Juno Award winner (and four time nominee) dubbed ‘Goddess of Canadian Blues’ has played venues here before. In 2006 she nearly brought the house down at Artspace with her great musicianship, powerful vocals and laid-back, story-telling stage style. She’ll be back as one of the headliners this weekend, belting out the blues with old and new songs – some of them from her latest Italian roots inspired CD Cuore (heart.)
When you hear her voice with its impossible octave range, you’ll know why she took four Maple Blues Awards for Vocalist of the Year. She’s also a skilled songwriter and the evidence of that can be found in her 1989 song Have You Seen My Shoes? featured in Bruce McDonald’s cult classic film, Roadkill. For Saturday’s blues concert, guitarist friend John King will join her.
Jack de Keyzer is also making a return trip to Prince George after being invited here two years ago to play for the Blues Underground Network dance crowd.
The singer songwriter has won numerous awards for his music, a 2003 Juno Award for his album Six String Lover and several Maple Blues Awards. He’s been a pal with Chiarelli for a number of years.
The Railway Blues Festival runs from noon to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 21 at the Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum. A beer garden and food will be available and the museum’s collection will be open for exploring.
Tickets are $49 for the day, available at Books and Company or the museum at 855 River Rd.
Admission is free for children 12 years old and under. For more information visit
