Mary Flower brings her fingerpicking prowess on guitar and lap-slide to Oak Bay’s Upstairs Lounge Friday.
An internationally known and award-winning picker, singer/songwriter and teacher, the Midwest native relocated from Denver to Portland, Oregon in 2004. She continues to please crowds and critics at folk festivals and concert stages domestically and abroad.
Flower was a finalist in 2000 and 2002 at the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship and finished in the top three both years. She was nominated in 2008 and 2012 for a Blues Foundation Blues Music Award, and is a 2011 Portland Muddy Award winner; and a 2014 Cascade Blues Assn. Muddy Award winner for Best Acoustic Guitar.
Billed as embodying a luscious and lusty mix of rootsy, acoustic-blues guitar and vocal styles, Flower can span idioms – from Piedmont to the Mississippi Delta, with stops in ragtime, swing, folk and hot jazz.
She brings with her master guitarist, musician and vocalist Bill Johnson and his more than 40 years experience playing the blues. He developed his own brand of laid-back, soul-thumping blues while living on Vancouver Island.
Whether on his own, or performing with his band, Johnson’s style and tone reveal a rare passion for the blues.
A Juno nomination in 2012 and four Maple Blues award nominations have earned him a place among the country’s best blues artists.
From a slow burn to a blast of blues energy, his show is not to be missed. With every new town and performance comes many new amazed fans, as he works his way coast to coast.
Visit www.maryflower.com and www.billjohnsonblues.com for a taste of the music.
Mary Flower and guest Bill Johnson perform Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Upstairs Lounge at Oak Bay Recreation Centre.
Tickets are $20 in advance at Ivy’s Bookshop, Oak Bay Recreation Centre and www.beaconridgeproductions.com or $25 at the door.
Coming to the Upstairs Lounge
• Oct. 21 – Cari Burdett
• Oct. 28 – The Three Divas: Maureen Washington, Maria Manna & April Gislason
• Nov. 12 – Sweet Alibi PLUS Jadea Kelly
• Nov. 18 – Archie Fisher
• Dec. 9 – Doug Cox & Sam Hurrie