From the Promoter

The Hornby Island Blues Workshop takes place every spring. They invite a dozen or so of the finest Canadian blues and roots musicians around to share their knowledge and inspiration with some lucky students. We thought - why not catch some of these great players, singers and all-round entertainers, and get them to do a show for us on the way to Hornby? One of Vancouver's own teams up with a master from Victoria and two of the best from Ontario. It's a simple but foolproof formula!

RICK FINES crafts a unique blend of warm-hearted blues, juke joint folk, and dockside soul that both embraces and defies the genres that influence him. As a veteran of the North American blues and folk circuits, he engages audiences with captivating songs, diverse guitar styling and his signature vocal growl. First gaining attention as part of the legendary Jackson Delta, he’s since released four solo albums, another with his own Rick Fines Trio, and a critically acclaimed disc with fellow troubadour Suzie Vinnick. Along the way he has racked up both awards and accolades. His 15-year stint with Jackson Delta received both Juno and Handy award nominations. His partnership with Suzie garnered a Maple Blues Songwriter of the Year Award. On his own, he’s pulled in two more Maple Blues Awards (for Solo Act of the Year), as well as an astonishing eight other nominations. While his songwriting chops won him a 2003 International Songwriting Competition, he’s equally proficient on guitar – having played for legendary blues piano player Pinetop Perkins, songstress Colleen Peterson, folk icon Penny Lang, and many others. “The classic blues guitar picking and authentic-sounding vocals of Rick Fines were the sweetener ... an early opportunity to hear more would be welcome.” – The Herald, (Glasgow).