(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on April 1, 2009.)
Award-winning harmonica player Carlos del Junco and singer/pianist Ruth Cassie are the featured performers at the Hideaway Pub on April 7 beginning at 8 p.m.
The two will join Muskoka singer/songwriter Linda McLean, host of Muskoka Song Night, an eclectic music showcase held on the first Tuesday of every month. The 18-month series of song nights and music clinics is being sponsored, in part, by the Huntsville Festival of the Arts.
Named harmonica player of the year seven times out of the Canadian Maple Blues Award’s 11-year history, del Junco plays the harmonica like nobody else in the world. Born in Havana, Cuba, del Junco is a pioneer of the 10-hole diatonic harmonica. The music played by this harmonica maestro transcends all categorization, fusing his respect for tradition with a fresh, innovative and truly modern approach. Get ready to forget all you thought you knew about the harmonica. Del Junco presents a no-holds-barred display of fun and melodic virtuosity.
Huntsville native Ruth Cassie now divides her time between country and city. With her ethereal voice and piano-plunking hands, she has just returned home from Canadian and European tours with Hawksley Workman. Cassie’s songs and live performances garner comparisons to musicians such as CocoRosie, Regina Spektor, Joni Mitchell, Tori Amos and Serena Ryder.
The evening will also include good eats from Lorraine Morin of Soul Sista’s and fair trade organic coffee courtesy of Muskoka Roastery.
Tickets for Muskoka Song Night are $10 (or $100 for the series of 12 concerts) and available at the door, which opens at 7 p.m. Seating is limited.
For more information, contact Linda McLean via e-mail (info@lindamclean.com) or visit her website: www.lindamclean.com.
