Bessie Wapp Quartet performs Monday at Anglican Church in Nelson
By Nelson Daily Staff
For one night only, Monday (January 14) at the Bessie Wapp Quartet, the Selkirk Pro-Musica presents the Bessie Wapp Quartet performing a mix of originals and covers inspired by music from around the world.
Wapp’s passionate voice and dynamic accordion playing will be accompanied by the powerful Craig Korth (a former Western Canadian banjo and guitar champion) on banjo and mandolin; the soulful Holly Hyatt on vocals and acoustic bass, and the bluesy Clinton Swanson on saxophone.
Joining the group on several pieces will be special guest clarinettist Nicola Everton.
Wapp played in an Eastern European folk music group called Zeellia for 13 years while living in Vancouver and has recorded two CDs and performed across Canada & in the United States.
A highlight was on the tour that took Wapp to Lincoln Centre in New York City as well as a concert at Nelson’s Capitol Theatre.
The show, starting at 8 p.m., features originals and covers, including Ladino, Yiddish, French, Macedonian, Bulgarian, Latin, African, blues, bluegrass, and good ole’ North American singer/ songwriter repertoire along with a wacky polka in 5/8 written by Swanson.
Tickets are $15 at Otter Books and the door.
Bring a cushion if your behind isn’t naturally well padded.
On Monday, January 14th, Selkirk Pro-Musica presents the Bessie Wapp Quartet performing a mix of originals and covers inspired by music from around the world. Bessie’s passionate voice and dynamic accordion playing will be accompanied by the powerful Craig Korth (a former Western Canadian banjo and guitar champion) on banjo and mandolin, the soulful Holly Hyatt on vocals and acoustic bass, and the bluesy Clinton Swanson on saxophone. Joining the group on several pieces will be special guest clarinettist Nicola Everton. Come enjoy the Bessie Wapp Quartet’s premiere performance at the beautiful Anglican Church in Nelson. 8pm. Tickets are $15 at Otter Books and the door. Bring a cushion if your behind isn’t naturally well padded.
The quartet is also playing in Castlegar at the Kootenay Gallery on Sunday, Jan 27th, at 1:30pm. $15 General/$12 Members. 250.365.3337 or www.kootenaygallery.com
In answer to “why?”: I played in an Eastern European folk music group called Zeellia for 13 years when I lived in Vancouver. We recorded 2 cds and performed across Canada & in the US. I think my touring highlight with them had to be Lincoln Centre in NYC. Oh, and of course the Capitol Theatre in Nelson, BC! ; ) I currently sing in an RnB band called Bessie & the Back Eddies. Clinton Swanson is also in that group, along with some other excellent musicians. That’s a very fun dance band that specializes in music from the late 50’s/early 60s. We played New Years at the Royal opening for Shred Kelly (one of cbc blogger Grant Lawrence’s recommended top 5 NYE gigs in the country!) and its super fun to play for a room of people keen to dance. I also play in a zany, loud, Balkan brass band called Oxygen Orkestar. You may have seen us in our moustaches, playing parades and outdoor events. Another very fun group. But I suppose the quartet project has something to do with missing playing quieter acoustic folk music. Not that a banjo or a saxophone are known for being quiet, ; ) but they’re certainly playing on the lower end of their volume spectrum. We’re playing originals and covers, including Ladino, Yiddish, French, Macedonian, Bulgarian, Latin, African, blues, bluegrass, and good ole’ North American singer/ songwriter repertoire. Plus a wacky polka in 5/8 that Clinton wrote. Craig, Holly & Clinton are all excellent musicians so I’m very honoured and excited to get to play with them.
